clutch replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Cotati Ca
clutch replacement
Ok, wife's car just got a new clutch and it made me realize that I might have 50% left on mine. It doesn't grab like I think a sports car should (doesn't feel like it grabs real hard and quick). When getting the revs up in first and giving a "quick" shift into second, it doesn't feel like it has that instant hook up feel. So, since I have always done my own clutches, I'm assuming this should be no different. My friend who had a shop said that these are a real pain. Don't know if he meant the clutch in general, or the job as a whole. Any thoughts as too what is so difficult compared to "old school" clutches? When I say old school, my previous cars were '65 stang, numerous Z cars and have done others on Zs and ZXs. Next question, I don't autoX or 1/4 mile it, but like to aggressively enjoy my ride. This may include trips over the mountain on miles of twisties. So which clutch set up should I look into...but...I must keep a budget in mind, as dineros are far and few between.
Thanks for the input.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
save your pennies and get ready for an expensive proposition.
Vette clutches aren't the expensive part - the flywheel is. expect 700.00 just for a flywheel.
how many miles? these clutches will last about 100k in normal driving.
stock is a good clutch... if you ain't race'n, don't mess with what works.
Vette clutches aren't the expensive part - the flywheel is. expect 700.00 just for a flywheel.
how many miles? these clutches will last about 100k in normal driving.
stock is a good clutch... if you ain't race'n, don't mess with what works.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Groveland CA
Re: clutch replacement (bogus)
I had mine done at 60K. Found a GOOD clutch man at a Clutch Express. He turned the dual mass flywheel for me.
WARNING Be sure he knows what he is doing. Check references. :cheers:
We then installed a Kevlar "pumpkin tooth" Plate. I have 90K on it now, good clutch!!! :steering:
WARNING Be sure he knows what he is doing. Check references. :cheers:
We then installed a Kevlar "pumpkin tooth" Plate. I have 90K on it now, good clutch!!! :steering:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Cotati Ca
Re: clutch replacement (bogus)
Miles are at 63k now...and $700 for a flywheel
? Is the fact that it's a dual mass mentioned above (whatever that is) is why surfacing the flywheel isn't an automatic step?
Thanks
? Is the fact that it's a dual mass mentioned above (whatever that is) is why surfacing the flywheel isn't an automatic step?Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
Miles are at 63k now...and $700 for a flywheel? Is the fact that it's a dual mass mentioned above (whatever that is) is why surfacing the flywheel isn't an automatic step?
Thanks
? Is the fact that it's a dual mass mentioned above (whatever that is) is why surfacing the flywheel isn't an automatic step?Thanks
Some guys will turn them, some won't. If it's in good shape, you can probably get away with a light surface scuff. If it looked anything like my last flywheel (too many clutch dumps! :eek: ) then you might need to replace it.
You might want to consider the single piece flywheel conversion... your vette has the dual mass to help cut down on the noisy straight cut gears, so a one piece FW would be noisy, but cheap and effective.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Cotati Ca
Re: clutch replacement (CentralCoaster)
Cheap but effective is good. As far as a bit more noise, isn't that what the radio is for? Or better yet, louder exhaust? Thanks for the enlightenment. Any good feedback on those aluminum flyweels, like the ones in Mid america (not neccessarily those ones)?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
I've heard the gear rattle 1st hand... and it's not something you get used to. Most performance related noises, I love or can learn to love. Gear chatter is not one of them. :nonod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
Miles are at 63k now...and $700 for a flywheel? Is the fact that it's a dual mass mentioned above (whatever that is) is why surfacing the flywheel isn't an automatic step?
Thanks
? Is the fact that it's a dual mass mentioned above (whatever that is) is why surfacing the flywheel isn't an automatic step?Thanks
:steering:
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Cotati Ca
Re: clutch replacement (Atok)
OK, good info from you guys. Resurfacing...
...but scuffing should be good. No clutch dumps while I've owned it and there's no chatter whats-so-ever, so should be usable. And what brand/model clutch and pressure plates would you suggest. Might as well get all the info before thinking of 
on this task!
Thanks again.
...but scuffing should be good. No clutch dumps while I've owned it and there's no chatter whats-so-ever, so should be usable. And what brand/model clutch and pressure plates would you suggest. Might as well get all the info before thinking of on this task!Thanks again.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 523
Likes: 7
From: Austin,TX USA
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
Get a GM unit from one of the online discount GM parts dealers. Or any one that sells Valeo, which is the brand that supplied them to GM. If you use Centerforce or some of the other performance vendors, they use Valeo pressure plates and throwout bearings anyway.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: philadelphia,pa pa
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
I have a 96lt4 and I replaced my clutch with a Star Performance engeneered cluch (spec) stage 2 with their aluminum flywheel.I love this setup.The gear rattle noise is slightly annoying but Its only when your in neutral and your cluch pedal is up. Ido all my own work and I did this job on the floor with the car on jack stands. Its pretty straight foward,The hardest part was putting the trans back in(getting it lined up)I am making365rwhp without any problems.
[Modified by richN, 4:16 PM 3/7/2004]
[Modified by richN, 4:16 PM 3/7/2004]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Cotati Ca
Re: clutch replacement (richN)
Thanks (to all), by the way...365 rwhp with just the mods in your sig? Granted I know nothing about the zz9 cam (see it mentioned a lot in the forum) but seems like a great gain with so few mods.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: clutch replacement (OneRedLT4)
I just did my first ZF6 clutch two weeks ago (80k miles). It's no more difficult than any other clutch job, just a little more time consuming because of the tight Vette body and C beam stuff. Download the instructions on the zfdoc's site, and make sure you have all the tools before you start (especially the 6 and 12 MM allens for the fork ball stud.)
I took the advice of the forum and ordered a clutch through Autozone.com for $225 with a lifetime warranty. It wound up being the exact same Valeo pressure plate and disk as the OEM parts that I removed. I sanded the stock dual friction flywheel with coarse sandpaper to allow the new clutch to seat properly, and all is well. It works great, much smoother than the worn out stock unit and the pedal engagement is back where it should be. Good luck!
[Modified by Flareside, 7:56 PM 3/7/2004]
I took the advice of the forum and ordered a clutch through Autozone.com for $225 with a lifetime warranty. It wound up being the exact same Valeo pressure plate and disk as the OEM parts that I removed. I sanded the stock dual friction flywheel with coarse sandpaper to allow the new clutch to seat properly, and all is well. It works great, much smoother than the worn out stock unit and the pedal engagement is back where it should be. Good luck!
[Modified by Flareside, 7:56 PM 3/7/2004]
