clutch slip?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Scituate MA
clutch slip?
Earlier today during an very "agressive" launch the clutch continued to slip after releasing the cluth pedal all the way. I know its not time to replace it because it's an '03 with only 4000 miles on it. Has anyone else experienced this before? Is my technique wrong? (ie: too agressive or too slow releasing the clutch) Does the clutch need adjusting??? About the last thing I want to have to do is bring the car in to be checked out and have to tell them to "check for clutch slippage from a full throtle start." I can just picture some Chevy mechanic doing burn outs in the parking lot.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,092
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From: Port Charlotte FL
I've also noticed our C5 clutches are pretty weak stock! No joke my old honda civic's clutch felt stronger then my vette! I guess eventually I will upgrade to a Z06 clutch, hopefully that will be a little stronger.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Scituate MA
Thanks ls1vette, so I guess this is something you have experienced also. It just seems that the clutch should be designed to be able to handle the power of the engine that it is attached to.
Can anyone tell me if it is better to engage the clutch quickly during an agressive start? Would this help prevent the clutch from continuing to slip with the clutch fully engaged?
Can anyone tell me if it is better to engage the clutch quickly during an agressive start? Would this help prevent the clutch from continuing to slip with the clutch fully engaged?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,092
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From: Port Charlotte FL
What works best on stock tires is to rev it up to about 2500 rpm's and feather the clutch so that you don't get too much wheelspin. Some slipping of the clutch is desired, but when I'm ready to dump it, the stock clutch wont cut it!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Everything I have read is that the stock clutch needs to be babied a bit, otherwise its early replacement. I would go to the dealer and tell them you have smelt clutch on hills and it seems to be slipping at times (unless you are on the plains and there are no hills). Just act dumb, don't tell them what you were doing when it happened. Most dealers, on a warranty install, will allow you to pay the difference and upgrade to the Z06 clutch.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by vettenuts
Everything I have read is that the stock clutch needs to be babied a bit, otherwise its early replacement. I would go to the dealer and tell them you have smelt clutch on hills and it seems to be slipping at times (unless you are on the plains and there are no hills). Just act dumb, don't tell them what you were doing when it happened. Most dealers, on a warranty install, will allow you to pay the difference and upgrade to the Z06 clutch.
Your car should still be under warranty. Tell them that your clutch pedal sticks on hard acceleration. Dont tell them about burn out or anything. Just tell them that when you take the on ramps and accelerate hard before you get on to the highway and shift through the gears, your clutch pedal sticks from 2nd to 3rd gear. Tell them you want new master, slave and Z06 clutch assembly installed.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,770
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From: in ur mirror, 'bout to pass.. CA
Although I haven't had any problems with the Vettes' clutch, my 01 SS stock clutch gave up the ghost big time a few years back. They aren't adjustable either. GL with the stealership replacing your entire clutch assembly, let us know how that fight turns out. 
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I am not sure if GM does this, but can you supply them with upgraded clutch assembly and they put that one in? They have to cover labor either way so why would they care what clutch is in it?
BTW - my stock clutch stuck to the floor too. I replaced with a RPS clutch and no problems.
BTW - my stock clutch stuck to the floor too. I replaced with a RPS clutch and no problems.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Scituate MA
Thanks for the replies everyone!
I seems the consensus is that the C5 clutch leaves a little to be desired. I guess I feel better knowing that this is "normal". I just wanted to be sure it wasn't something that needed to be adjusted. At least now I know that when the time comes to replace the clutch it wont be the stock one. For now I'll just keep the RPMs below 2500 until the clutch is fully engaged.
I seems the consensus is that the C5 clutch leaves a little to be desired. I guess I feel better knowing that this is "normal". I just wanted to be sure it wasn't something that needed to be adjusted. At least now I know that when the time comes to replace the clutch it wont be the stock one. For now I'll just keep the RPMs below 2500 until the clutch is fully engaged.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Owatonna MN
Man, a lot of you are very hard on the clutch. For a stock C5, or near-stock like mine, the clutch life is almost entirely dependant on driver technique. My lightly modded FRC has almost 60K miles on the original, non-Z06 clutch assembly without issues (18K of that is from me). I assure you, it is not babied either. 
Since your car is relatively new, I'd plead ignorance and talk to the stealership. You might get a Z06 clutch assembly out of it. Of course, you might also want to just drive the car some more. They don't like to sit...
IIRC, the best way to check for clutch slippage is to get going about 15-20MPH and shift into 4th. Floor it. If the clutch is slipping, the tach will climb very fast; if not, you're good. Again, this is from memory, and a search for slipping clutch may return the exact way to check...
Good luck!
Sorny
Since your car is relatively new, I'd plead ignorance and talk to the stealership. You might get a Z06 clutch assembly out of it. Of course, you might also want to just drive the car some more. They don't like to sit...
IIRC, the best way to check for clutch slippage is to get going about 15-20MPH and shift into 4th. Floor it. If the clutch is slipping, the tach will climb very fast; if not, you're good. Again, this is from memory, and a search for slipping clutch may return the exact way to check...
Good luck!
Sorny
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Scituate MA
Originally Posted by Sorny
IIRC, the best way to check for clutch slippage is to get going about 15-20MPH and shift into 4th. Floor it. If the clutch is slipping, the tach will climb very fast; if not, you're good. Again, this is from memory, and a search for slipping clutch may return the exact way to check...
Good luck!
Sorny
Good luck!
Sorny
The clutch will not slip in any other situation including the test you mention above. I'm beginning to believe that I just had the RPMs too high for the stock clutch to handle and it couldn't grip.
And yes you are right...I do need to drive it more often. I promise I will try to do better.
Thanks for the reply.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Owatonna MN
Originally Posted by 03 millennium
The clutch will not slip in any other situation including the test you mention above. I'm beginning to believe that I just had the RPMs too high for the stock clutch to handle and it couldn't grip.
And yes you are right...I do need to drive it more often. I promise I will try to do better.
Thanks for the reply.
And yes you are right...I do need to drive it more often. I promise I will try to do better.
Thanks for the reply.
Hope you get it resolved.
Sorny
