Clutch time - Need some advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Clutch time - Need some advice
My clutch is going out so I want to start shopping for parts now. I've done a few searches but haven't found any concrete information as to which parts I need to replace. I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer for me.
1. What parts should I replace with brand new parts?
2. If I do buy a new flywheel will I need to have it balanced before installing it in the car?
3. I've read about the Z06 parts upgrade - does anyone have part numbers or could you tell me which year Z06 parts are best to go with?
4. I think a remote bleeder would be a good idea, where can I get a good one?
5. Any tips/tricks from people who have done a clutch swap themselves?
I'm not going to be making any crazy horsepower anytime soon and I'm looking for affordable yet quality parts. I'm assuming the Z06 setup would be best for my application.
Thanks in advance for you help!
1. What parts should I replace with brand new parts?
2. If I do buy a new flywheel will I need to have it balanced before installing it in the car?
3. I've read about the Z06 parts upgrade - does anyone have part numbers or could you tell me which year Z06 parts are best to go with?
4. I think a remote bleeder would be a good idea, where can I get a good one?
5. Any tips/tricks from people who have done a clutch swap themselves?
I'm not going to be making any crazy horsepower anytime soon and I'm looking for affordable yet quality parts. I'm assuming the Z06 setup would be best for my application.
Thanks in advance for you help!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
I had a Z06 clutch in my car and it worked well for a while but there are better units out there. I would recomend the Cartek stage 7 clutch which is not much stiffer than a stock Z06 clutch. I've pounded on mine for a whole Drag Racing season and its still going. And thats with coming off the line at 5000 RPM plus 
. Balancing is a must before you install any new clutch to answer that question. If you can afford it, replace the fly wheel... if you can't, resurface it if its not damaged from heat. You should replace the Slave cylinder, no question, I would if it was me since they absorb a lot of heat and the clutch job is very labor intensive so to avoid problems replace it. I hope that gives you some insight. Also, I switched to DOT 5 fluid in my clutch set up it holds up much better. Remember, its very important to balance the clutch assembly before it installing it.
. Balancing is a must before you install any new clutch to answer that question. If you can afford it, replace the fly wheel... if you can't, resurface it if its not damaged from heat. You should replace the Slave cylinder, no question, I would if it was me since they absorb a lot of heat and the clutch job is very labor intensive so to avoid problems replace it. I hope that gives you some insight. Also, I switched to DOT 5 fluid in my clutch set up it holds up much better. Remember, its very important to balance the clutch assembly before it installing it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I replaced mine with 2004 OEM Z06 Clutch it comes with Flywheel and I did not have to balance it. I also got new style Pilot Bearing and Slave Cylinder and did the drill mod to it. New Master Cylinder and got external remote bleeder line from LAPD. All the OEM parts were bought from forum vendor Gene@FredBeans. Great prices and shipped out quick. Master Cylinder comes prebled so you dont need to bench bleed it. I did all this in August 05 just before GM came out with LS7 cluch and I have heard its a direct swap as well but you would still need the C5 Z06 master and slave. A few friends helped me do the swap and we did it all on jackstands. Not very difficult, but extremely involving and requires a lot of patience 
04 Z06 Part numbers and prices from FredBeans
89059282 - LS6 Slave Cylinder – 101.83
12564455 - LS6 Master Cylinder – 103.86
12570806 - LS6 Clutch Kit – 369.99
14061685 – LS1/LS6 Pilot Bearing – 9.16
HTHs
04 Z06 Part numbers and prices from FredBeans
89059282 - LS6 Slave Cylinder – 101.83
12564455 - LS6 Master Cylinder – 103.86
12570806 - LS6 Clutch Kit – 369.99
14061685 – LS1/LS6 Pilot Bearing – 9.16
HTHs
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 4
From: San Bruno ca
i am going with a cartek clutch. i have heard very good things about them and the shop that i am going to keeps them in stock for a good price. if you are looking for a shop to do the swap. Go to synergy in fremont ( good guys) what ever you do please do not get a spec!! i have one noe and it lasted all of 5k miles. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Thanks for the responses thus far. I have a few more questions though.
First of all how can I tell if my flywheel is damaged from heat? Also what is involved in balancing the clutch assembly? Would a regular machine shop be equipped to perform such a task? If I do switch to the Z06 clutch unit can I still use my regular C5 flywheel or will that need to be upgraded too?
This last one is somewhat off topic but I figure someone will know. I'm a bit worried about doing this job on jackstands considering the rear end needs to come out and the only place to put the jackstands will be on the edges sitting on those little jacking pucks. Does anyone sell a safer unit to hold up the car? Thanks again guys, keep the responses coming!
BTW, thanks FactoryRaceCar for the part numbers, that's uber helpful.
First of all how can I tell if my flywheel is damaged from heat? Also what is involved in balancing the clutch assembly? Would a regular machine shop be equipped to perform such a task? If I do switch to the Z06 clutch unit can I still use my regular C5 flywheel or will that need to be upgraded too?
This last one is somewhat off topic but I figure someone will know. I'm a bit worried about doing this job on jackstands considering the rear end needs to come out and the only place to put the jackstands will be on the edges sitting on those little jacking pucks. Does anyone sell a safer unit to hold up the car? Thanks again guys, keep the responses coming!
BTW, thanks FactoryRaceCar for the part numbers, that's uber helpful.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,697
From: Converse TX
If you have a stock vehicle and not a track guy either the 04 Z06 or the new Z07 clutch is a good choice. I would think the new Z07 clutch would be great as this is already in a 500 hp car and the clutch feel it good. Now if you are going to be a drap strip guy or big mods then an aftermarket clutch would be good. I have the RPS and love it so far, but this is stiffer until broken in. We did mine on a lift so lots eaiser
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