I'm a new member, so hello to everyone(and if this in the wrong spot, please move it). I actually drive a slightly modified 2003 mustang mach I (faster them some might expect), but my Dad drives a 04 Z06. The reason for me joining is I have a question concerning his car and was hoping someone here might know the fix. We both get together and track our cars at the Motorsport ranch, Texas Motor Speedway, and a few other places. Recently he has run into a problem concerning the clutch. For backgraound...the things I know he has added are full exhaust from the headers back, a programmer, and an intake. I couldn't tell ya what kind, but I know it made a huge difference after driving it! After we get out on the track and the tranny heats up some he has problems with the clutch sticking. He'll push it in to shift...and it won't come back out on its own. Obviously this presents a BIG problem on the track. He's had it in a few of the shops, but no fix has come yet. They changed the fluid, but it still does it. He also also told me the last shop added some sort of filter cleaner thing..? Not really sure, what they're talking about. Also he was told to add a tranny cooler, which he told me he plans on doing before long. Any idea if this will fix the problem, or does anyone know what might help...? Thanks for any info anyone has.

 

This will help...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1187875
This is even better..
www.rangeracceleration.com.

 

The links to the two clutch issues don't work, I get the following message when clicking on them....

No Thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

...?

As to the the driver mod...I hear ya, but being only 25 I find it hard to talk to my Dad about how to improve his driving....

edit....I went back and read the second link...and it appears he just needs to change the fluid more often....thanks for the good reading. I guess I just thought it might be more then that as this isn't something I've ever experienced with my mustang, even with very aggresive driving....

 

It's because the stock clutch is a HUGE POS, and no one wants to admit it but it is.

I also have the same mods as your dad, except with a better tune and long tubes and I run into the same problems as him.

I have done rangers method of changing the clutch fluid since I've had the car but it only barely helps.

Look into replacing the clutch and slave and your problems will go away.

 

This is a pretty common problem with GM manual cars when driven aggresively, unfortunately. I think the other poster was referring to this page on the "Ranger Acceleration" site.

http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

 

do a search on clutch problems and u will have more reading than you can do.

 

Those links are working for me. You must have some other issue going on.

 

The reality is, without flushing the system several times with clean fluid, the problem will continue to show its ugly head! I have never had this problem and drive aggressive enough to change the fluid with every motor oil change. Use a quality synthetic brake fluid and you will notice a dramatic difference, I did and continue this regiment. If your father has driven the vehicle hard enough for sometime now, chances are there is built up "gunk" and dirt from all of the heat build up in the fluid causing it to harden over time, keep at it!

 

for those of you that don't think flushing the fluid helps listen to this. I was on a car cruise with my 01z with a 795 hp blown 402, it has a tex 0z700 clutch. well I went thru 1/2tank of gas and a full tank of meth in 50 miles, did several burnouts, for the most part beat the **** out of the whole car. Well by the end of the cruise I couldn't get the car into reverse and barely into 1st gear and when I did it wanted to creep. I have flushed the fluid 7-10 times and guess what, it now has never shifted better or went into gear as easy as it does now. Flushing the fluid takes several time and it does work. I bet I have put 2 bottles thru it and it keeps getting better.

 

I used to think the stock clutch was junk too. Had tried flushing it and replacing with Prestone synthetic DOT 4 and it really didn't help. I did some reading and this clutch is designed to work with SUPER DOT 4. Got it from the GM dealer, flushed and replaced. My clutch now feels like new. Use the right fluid and you will be fine.

 

Slave cylinder!!!!!!!!

 

thanks for everyones replies....seems we need to change his fluid to DOT 4 and flush it more often. My dad drives it aggressive, but nothing more then it can handle. For what its worth, I would say he's a good driver, and I haven't ever noticed him burning the clutch when I've been in the car. He does shift at high RPM's, but isn't "ruff" on it. I'm hoping he can get the problem taken care of.....just not too fast.....if its not fixed by the time the big bend open road race comes around then theres no question as to whos car we're taking and whos driving....

 

Before spending all the money--use Motul 600 brake fluid in the clutch--it has a much higher bp than others. It's not worth the effort changing Prestone dot4 all the time--spend a little more and use the good stuff--and the clutch pedal will be fixed.