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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 02:37 PM
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Default Clutch life

I am looking to buy a C5 with an M6 in it. What is the experience with average life expectancy out of the stock clutch with say "normal" driving habits? I know "normal" can vary widely but what is average people seem to be getting before replacement?

Thanks for you input!
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by shaggy55352
I am looking to buy a C5 with an M6 in it. What is the experience with average life expectancy out of the stock clutch with say "normal" driving habits? I know "normal" can vary widely but what is average people seem to be getting before replacement?

Thanks for you input!

I just picked up a 97 with 40K miles and the original clutch- it still feels great and has no issues what so ever with where it engages or disengages on the pedal push. I would expect to get another 40K out of the darn thing or more since I too am not ragging on it. A key to it's survival would be proper fluid maintenance in the clutch hydro system. This GREATLY increases the life of the clutch...how many miles on the car now?
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 03:18 PM
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Hi shaggy55352 -

I have 52k on my stock Z06, no wear issues yet. I do run the car at the drag strip, but that is not particularly hard on the clutch if you are doing it right.

I changed out the clutch in a 1998 coupe with 70k miles on it. The friction material and flywheel surface still looked good - would not have needed replaced for wear, but the slave cylinder was leaking, so we replaced everything while we had it apart.

best regards -

mqqn
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 03:24 PM
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I have over 62k miles on mine and I still have the stock clutch with no problems.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 03:37 PM
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My stock clutch was fried with about 50K with two previous and obviously exhuberant owners. (either that or they didn't know $hit about how to drive a manual).
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 04:56 PM
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The car is an 01 with 72000 miles on it. The owner does not report any problems with it. He happens to be a forum member so no disrespect to him. I just want to go in with eyes open. Given our northern geography its not a great time of year to test drive.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 05:03 PM
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W/72k I'd just go ahead and change it.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 05:03 PM
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1998 with 109,000 miles and original clutch. I would say that they can last 100,000 to 130,000 miles without abuse.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 05:37 PM
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Lots depends on the driving habits, lots of slamming of gears and dumping the clutch and that clutch would have been fried eons ago and drive them easy and they can last 100K+
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 08:48 PM
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Thanks everyone! Always good to get feedback from those with the experience.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 09:18 PM
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136,000 miles original clutch
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 09:25 PM
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Local Corvette club members have over 100,000 miles and still have the original clutch. A lot of highway miles on road trips can make a difference.
However, if there are six gears, they will use all of them.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 11:11 PM
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My Y2K just turned 64K miles. I don't consider myself to be an overly aggressive driver.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 11:18 PM
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Normal wear should be between 50K - 100K. I have never worn out a clutch in 40 years of stick driving. If you race you must pay the piper!!!!!
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 01:12 AM
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Default How about if you have a blower?

The numbers I have seen in this thread show the clutches can go a while... does anybody know about the life expectancy with a blower?
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 09:58 AM
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Stock clutch +blower isn't going to be good if the car has any sort of traction. As soon as the hp starts climbing above stock, the oem clutch starts giving up the ghost.

I had 122k on my stock clutch when I changed it out (because I was putting in heads/cam/intake/pulley/etc.). The clutch itself had over 50% of the friction material left before the rivets and the pressure plate was holding fine, as well as the throwout bearing. I'd say with 50/50 city highway use, the C5 clutch can last easily past 150k. Add in some drag racing or track use and cut that in half.
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 10:50 AM
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'01 Vert with 113K miles
No issues yet....
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 11:46 AM
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The disc in my 01 Z06 had only .020" off of (compared to a new one) when I replaced it at 18k (had a PP failure). The discs seem to hold up pretty well.
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