[Z06] LS7 clutch users, good choice?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
LS7 clutch users, good choice?
I'm looking to replace my stock clutch this fall, 43k on it and its been slipping more often under hard acelleration, much more noticeable since I got new tires (NT05's). I dont want anything too hard hitting for fear of damaging the transaxle, really dont want to have to rebuild it in the future, it shifts great now with no noise or other issues. I like the LS7 clutch for the price and it sounds like it could handle any increase in hp that Im planning down the road. For guys that have gone with this setup are you happy with it or any regrets that you didnt go with something else? I know its a big job and its something I really only want to do once.
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Last edited by MY03C5Z; Jul 4, 2014 at 08:48 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 4
From: Mukilteo WA
Been using it for over a year with over 400 rwhp and rwtq. No issues or characteristics that seem odd. It screams to redline so the extra weight doesn't seem to be a problem either. The Tick master made it a little stiff at first but now it drives like normal. My MTI shifter is stiff and is the most noticeable thing about any gear change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
I've had my LS7 clutch for two years. I don't track my car but do the occasional spirited acceleration on the freeway on ramp. My main motivation for getting it was for a longer lasting clutch without having to pay the high price for fancy aftermarket clutches. No complaints here. The feel is slightly heavier than the LS6 clutch. If you decide to go this route, don't go with the GM flywheel but consider the Fidanza since it is lighter. I can't remember which vendor it is but there is a vendor on here that sells a LS7 and Fidanza kit.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
From: Enterprise AL
I just had one put in a few months ago by Horsepower Addicts (they advertise on here, great shop). Car drives as good if not better than before, pedal feels like stock, maybe even a little easier. Never had any problems when I am driving it hard either. I love it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Anyone have any vibration issues after installing? Did the pp & flywheel come already balanced? Read a lot of stories of aftermarket clutch vibration issues. Last thing I want is to have to tear the car apart again due to vibration problems. Was thinking of the lightweight flywheel option since the LS7 flywheel is 7 lbs more than stock.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Anyone have any vibration issues after installing? Did the pp & flywheel come already balanced? Read a lot of stories of aftermarket clutch vibration issues. Last thing I want is to have to tear the car apart again due to vibration problems. Was thinking of the lightweight flywheel option since the LS7 flywheel is 7 lbs more than stock.
here's the best buy i know of regarding the ls7 package
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...enter/sdls7ack
this returns the overall weight to the same as the ls6
i'm also going to take it to my local machine shop to have zero balanced. now, keep in mind a zero balance is not ideal as ideal would be taking off your old clutch and plate and having it checked for balance, then having the new one matched exactly the same and installed exactly the same. BUT, most cars can get by with a zero, cross your fingers. if i did this in my garage i'd probably match balance, but, i'm bribing a shop owner i know 500 to do it. the re install of the trans and rear end just don't look fun with a floor jack.
also, i'm staying stock, or at most getting headers, so, the ls7 makes sense. if i was going with more power i would probably look back to the stage 2 monster and 18lb flywheel...i had one of these a few months ago and sold it to a forum member
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
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From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
agree, it's all about driving
back in the 2000 i killed a new luk clutch in a c4 in less than 10k miles
also was at the strip every weekend
and had u joints come out in pieces
and burned a hole in piston #7
and, and, and
back in the 2000 i killed a new luk clutch in a c4 in less than 10k miles
also was at the strip every weekend
and had u joints come out in pieces
and burned a hole in piston #7
and, and, and
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
you and me both
here's the best buy i know of regarding the ls7 package
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...enter/sdls7ack
this returns the overall weight to the same as the ls6
i'm also going to take it to my local machine shop to have zero balanced. now, keep in mind a zero balance is not ideal as ideal would be taking off your old clutch and plate and having it checked for balance, then having the new one matched exactly the same and installed exactly the same. BUT, most cars can get by with a zero, cross your fingers. if i did this in my garage i'd probably match balance, but, i'm bribing a shop owner i know 500 to do it. the re install of the trans and rear end just don't look fun with a floor jack.
also, i'm staying stock, or at most getting headers, so, the ls7 makes sense. if i was going with more power i would probably look back to the stage 2 monster and 18lb flywheel...i had one of these a few months ago and sold it to a forum member
here's the best buy i know of regarding the ls7 package
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...enter/sdls7ack
this returns the overall weight to the same as the ls6
i'm also going to take it to my local machine shop to have zero balanced. now, keep in mind a zero balance is not ideal as ideal would be taking off your old clutch and plate and having it checked for balance, then having the new one matched exactly the same and installed exactly the same. BUT, most cars can get by with a zero, cross your fingers. if i did this in my garage i'd probably match balance, but, i'm bribing a shop owner i know 500 to do it. the re install of the trans and rear end just don't look fun with a floor jack.
also, i'm staying stock, or at most getting headers, so, the ls7 makes sense. if i was going with more power i would probably look back to the stage 2 monster and 18lb flywheel...i had one of these a few months ago and sold it to a forum member
I'm sure for a dd the stock clutch can last much longer depending on driving style, plus if you keep traction control on all the time that's going to increase the lifespan greatly I would imagine. I got this as a one owner car with 36k on it. I don't know any of the history of what the previous owner did with it, but the clutch has never grabbed real well for me, maybe I'm just used to harder grabbing clutches though. I only drive this on weekends and when I do I like to run it pretty hard. The stocker is just not cutting it anymore IMO.
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Last edited by MY03C5Z; Jul 4, 2014 at 04:52 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
I have a friend with a lift at his shop that can help me do it as a side job, I'd really prefer not to do it on floor jacks in my garage but I know it can be done that way if I need to. I like to occasionally run it in the 1/4, once a year or so. I've only run it once because the stock clutch felt really weak, didn't grab much at all. I know if I run it hard one more time in the 1/4 I would kill it. For the long term I plan to just add LT's and a tune so I think the ls7 should be plenty and hold up for some track runs without causing damage to the rest of the drivetrain.
I'm sure for a dd the stock clutch can last much longer depending on driving style, plus if you keep traction control on all the time that's going to increase the lifespan greatly I would imagine. I got this as a one owner car with 36k on it. I don't know any of the history of what the previous owner did with it, but the clutch has never grabbed real well for me, maybe I'm just used to harder grabbing clutches though. I only drive this on weekends and when I do I like to run it pretty hard. The stocker is just not cutting it anymore IMO.
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I'm sure for a dd the stock clutch can last much longer depending on driving style, plus if you keep traction control on all the time that's going to increase the lifespan greatly I would imagine. I got this as a one owner car with 36k on it. I don't know any of the history of what the previous owner did with it, but the clutch has never grabbed real well for me, maybe I'm just used to harder grabbing clutches though. I only drive this on weekends and when I do I like to run it pretty hard. The stocker is just not cutting it anymore IMO.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
When I ran the car in the fall of 12 it did manage a 12.3 @115 & a 1.9 60', clutch felt really weak to me though. I only made 3 passes and it felt like if I kept pushing it it wouldn't hold up. Thinking I'll go with the ls7 with the aluminum flywheel option.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 12
From: Eastern PA
Good luck to you.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 32
From: Ocala FL
If you're going to track the car I would stick with the LS6 over the LS7. I read a thread where guys said it did not shift as well at high rpm's over repeated use because the clutch is heavier. For street driving I have not heard of any downsides.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
but
that sounds like a good choice to make sure it never does
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
the ls7 will too with enough power but at stock c5z power it will have no issues at all
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
That was almost 2 years ago that I ran it. Made a really hard run from a stop the other day with AH/TCS turned off and it would barely break the tires loose and smelled a lot of clutch. I know I could continue street driving it and leave AH/TCS on all the time and get many more miles out of it, Im just not happy with it anymore and Id like to get back to the track with it and not worry about it slipping.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
That was almost 2 years ago that I ran it. Made a really hard run from a stop the other day with AH/TCS turned off and it would barely break the tires loose and smelled a lot of clutch. I know I could continue street driving it and leave AH/TCS on all the time and get many more miles out of it, Im just not happy with it anymore and Id like to get back to the track with it and not worry about it slipping.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
My ls7 clutch started slipping terrible with bolt on power. Granted my car is a track **** but at the time it started slipping it maybe had 10 passes on it.
I now have a monster stage 3 and make 500whp and it doesnt have an issue with it.
I now have a monster stage 3 and make 500whp and it doesnt have an issue with it.