My LS7 Clutch Observations
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Derry NH
My LS7 Clutch Observations
I figured I would post this since it seems to be a popular topic for questions.
First: Bought set up from Fred Beans. Top notch place, highly recommended.
Second: I replaced the flywheel, clutch, PP, and pilot bearing. I upgraded to the new style slave (I have a 99). NO SHIMS.
OK, right away I noticed that the clutch seemed to engage almost instantly, right off of the floor. For the drive home it seemed fine. Didn't goose it at all. For the next few weeks (my car is an occasional driver) I would put a few miles at a time on it, drove it fairly easily. Soon a noise developed when I engaged the clutch. Withing 50 miles or so the noise was gone... ?? I have no idea...
Present day: The clutch makes no noise, no chatter. It has held anything I have thrown at it (2-3 hard launches, racing through the gears in the Houston heat). Most importantly, the clutch engages at about the same point it did when I had the stock clutch! It is perfect right now. I have headers and have never had the clutch pedal stick to the floor. The only thing I have ever changed is the clutch fluid (I try to keep it clear).
All in all -> Highly recommended but would never install myself.
First: Bought set up from Fred Beans. Top notch place, highly recommended.
Second: I replaced the flywheel, clutch, PP, and pilot bearing. I upgraded to the new style slave (I have a 99). NO SHIMS.
OK, right away I noticed that the clutch seemed to engage almost instantly, right off of the floor. For the drive home it seemed fine. Didn't goose it at all. For the next few weeks (my car is an occasional driver) I would put a few miles at a time on it, drove it fairly easily. Soon a noise developed when I engaged the clutch. Withing 50 miles or so the noise was gone... ?? I have no idea...
Present day: The clutch makes no noise, no chatter. It has held anything I have thrown at it (2-3 hard launches, racing through the gears in the Houston heat). Most importantly, the clutch engages at about the same point it did when I had the stock clutch! It is perfect right now. I have headers and have never had the clutch pedal stick to the floor. The only thing I have ever changed is the clutch fluid (I try to keep it clear).
All in all -> Highly recommended but would never install myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by Casem1
I figured I would post this since it seems to be a popular topic for questions.
First: Bought set up from Fred Beans. Top notch place, highly recommended.
Second: I replaced the flywheel, clutch, PP, and pilot bearing. I upgraded to the new style slave (I have a 99). NO SHIMS.
OK, right away I noticed that the clutch seemed to engage almost instantly, right off of the floor. For the drive home it seemed fine. Didn't goose it at all. For the next few weeks (my car is an occasional driver) I would put a few miles at a time on it, drove it fairly easily. Soon a noise developed when I engaged the clutch. Withing 50 miles or so the noise was gone... ?? I have no idea...
Present day: The clutch makes no noise, no chatter. It has held anything I have thrown at it (2-3 hard launches, racing through the gears in the Houston heat). Most importantly, the clutch engages at about the same point it did when I had the stock clutch! It is perfect right now. I have headers and have never had the clutch pedal stick to the floor. The only thing I have ever changed is the clutch fluid (I try to keep it clear).
All in all -> Highly recommended but would never install myself.
First: Bought set up from Fred Beans. Top notch place, highly recommended.
Second: I replaced the flywheel, clutch, PP, and pilot bearing. I upgraded to the new style slave (I have a 99). NO SHIMS.
OK, right away I noticed that the clutch seemed to engage almost instantly, right off of the floor. For the drive home it seemed fine. Didn't goose it at all. For the next few weeks (my car is an occasional driver) I would put a few miles at a time on it, drove it fairly easily. Soon a noise developed when I engaged the clutch. Withing 50 miles or so the noise was gone... ?? I have no idea...
Present day: The clutch makes no noise, no chatter. It has held anything I have thrown at it (2-3 hard launches, racing through the gears in the Houston heat). Most importantly, the clutch engages at about the same point it did when I had the stock clutch! It is perfect right now. I have headers and have never had the clutch pedal stick to the floor. The only thing I have ever changed is the clutch fluid (I try to keep it clear).
All in all -> Highly recommended but would never install myself.
and that's why I bought this set up
bottom line, it designed to hold at least 505 HP at the fly wheel, and ill be close to that. To me, it's like replacing the stocker when the car was stock. No brainer
I added an adjustible master cylinder
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 1
From: San Bruno Ca
Originally Posted by phils C5 vette
and that's why I bought this set up
bottom line, it designed to hold at least 505 HP at the fly wheel, and ill be close to that. To me, it's like replacing the stocker when the car was stock. No brainer
I added an adjustible master cylinder
bottom line, it designed to hold at least 505 HP at the fly wheel, and ill be close to that. To me, it's like replacing the stocker when the car was stock. No brainer
I added an adjustible master cylinder
I'm glad to hear a clutch setup that works. Who makes the adjustable master?
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Derry NH
Originally Posted by Scubanme
I'm glad to hear a clutch setup that works. Who makes the adjustable master?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Cartek makes one, but like I said after about 500 miles mine engages near the stock position. Seriously, it is perfect right now, stock master. A GTO driver told me earlier the LS7 setup is self adjusting... ???
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 514
Likes: 110
From: Sacramento, California
I am another happy customer of the LS7 clutch/flywheel setup in my 2000. I also upgraded to the LS6 clutch hydraulics. The clutch feels great and grabs hard! I will see how it holds up to my H/C setup going in about 3 days.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Was the noise you heard a loud screaching noise, almost like a bad pulley/belt? Friend of mine just put one in his 98 and just tore the rear apart trying to figure out what was causing the noise. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Derry NH
The noise was almost a rattle. It happened when I engaged the clutch and I could replicate the noise fairly easily. More noticeable in Reverse.
The setup cost me about $500 shipped.
The setup cost me about $500 shipped.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I almost went with this setup, then saw a comparison with a C5 z06 kit. The LS7 had a larger PP and flywheel which is expected since its designed for a 427ci
I didnt want to add more rotating mass and weight to my car so I backed off. Im sure its negligible, but you cant work around Physics.
I didnt want to add more rotating mass and weight to my car so I backed off. Im sure its negligible, but you cant work around Physics.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: elgin illinois
I got the same set up through gene at fred beans only I got a new ZO6 slave and master it wasn't to bad of a job I did it with a little help on the garage floor and it too has about 500 miles on it. I like it and would def. recommend it, the only adjustment I had to make was on the upper clutch switch at the top of the pedal and that only took 30 seconds if that.
bottm line DO IT.
By the way I paid about 735 shipped and the pedal feels great. and I have no idea what people are saying about shims everything went perfect.
Jon
bottm line DO IT.
By the way I paid about 735 shipped and the pedal feels great. and I have no idea what people are saying about shims everything went perfect.
Jon
Last edited by blkonblk_c5; May 15, 2006 at 05:21 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by Ikester
I almost went with this setup, then saw a comparison with a C5 z06 kit. The LS7 had a larger PP and flywheel which is expected since its designed for a 427ci
I didnt want to add more rotating mass and weight to my car so I backed off. Im sure its negligible, but you cant work around Physics.
I didnt want to add more rotating mass and weight to my car so I backed off. Im sure its negligible, but you cant work around Physics.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: lincoln nebraska
i have about 60 passes on mine and 5or so thousand miles out of my ls7 clutch. I could cause a stuck pedal on my car at will w/ my ls1 and ls6 clutches i put in. THis one i can NOT. that was my only dislike of the car was the sticking clutch, now it seems gone. Knock on wood. BTW, this is with 1.6-1.7 60' times.
dave
dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 27
From: Sun Diego CA
LS7 Pressure Plate - 23.0 lbs
LS7 Clutch Disc - 6.8 lbs
Vette LS2 Flywheel - 25.0 lbs
Mine has been in for ~5K miles & smiles. Did mine on the garage floor in ~7 hrs with a 4.10 gear swap too.
No problems, smoother and stronger than stock.
LS7 Clutch Disc - 6.8 lbs
Vette LS2 Flywheel - 25.0 lbs
Mine has been in for ~5K miles & smiles. Did mine on the garage floor in ~7 hrs with a 4.10 gear swap too.
No problems, smoother and stronger than stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 181
From: NE OH
Originally Posted by Ikester
I almost went with this setup, then saw a comparison with a C5 z06 kit. The LS7 had a larger PP and flywheel which is expected since its designed for a 427ci
I didnt want to add more rotating mass and weight to my car so I backed off. Im sure its negligible, but you cant work around Physics.
I didnt want to add more rotating mass and weight to my car so I backed off. Im sure its negligible, but you cant work around Physics.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Rotating mass is the enemy....robs horsepower and will slow the acceleration of the engine (and make it slightly less responsive).
Not a good set-up if your looking to be a hero on the chassis dyno (or the track)...thats for sure.
Barring that, the LS7 set-up is a smooth driving clutch thats perfect in a 500 ish RWHP car that the owner isn't looking for every last ounce of power from. The other negative is that heavy mass single disc clutch will make lightening fast shifts at high RPM much more difficult (which I personally kind of enjoy the challenge of). All of the reasons above is why I chose to run a lighter, low inertia style set-up (small diameter dual or triple disc). Once youve experienced the shift feel of that set-up its hard to go back....plus I love the extra "zing" the engine has with the lighter rotating components and knowing the fact I am using more of the engines power and applying it to the ground (not wasting some of it to accelerate a heavy clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel combo).
Just a different point of view I thought some of you guys would have an interest in. Once again though....for a guy looking for a "stock feel" type of clutch that can handle some HP....the LS7 set-up is certainly the ticket.
Just another .02 in the mix....
Tony M.
Not a good set-up if your looking to be a hero on the chassis dyno (or the track)...thats for sure.
Barring that, the LS7 set-up is a smooth driving clutch thats perfect in a 500 ish RWHP car that the owner isn't looking for every last ounce of power from. The other negative is that heavy mass single disc clutch will make lightening fast shifts at high RPM much more difficult (which I personally kind of enjoy the challenge of). All of the reasons above is why I chose to run a lighter, low inertia style set-up (small diameter dual or triple disc). Once youve experienced the shift feel of that set-up its hard to go back....plus I love the extra "zing" the engine has with the lighter rotating components and knowing the fact I am using more of the engines power and applying it to the ground (not wasting some of it to accelerate a heavy clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel combo).
Just a different point of view I thought some of you guys would have an interest in. Once again though....for a guy looking for a "stock feel" type of clutch that can handle some HP....the LS7 set-up is certainly the ticket.
Just another .02 in the mix....
Tony M.
Last edited by Tony Mamo; Jul 11, 2006 at 12:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 396
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by Casem1
I figured I would post this since it seems to be a popular topic for questions.
First: Bought set up from Fred Beans. Top notch place, highly recommended.
Second: I replaced the flywheel, clutch, PP, and pilot bearing. I upgraded to the new style slave (I have a 99). NO SHIMS.
OK, right away I noticed that the clutch seemed to engage almost instantly, right off of the floor. For the drive home it seemed fine. Didn't goose it at all. For the next few weeks (my car is an occasional driver) I would put a few miles at a time on it, drove it fairly easily. Soon a noise developed when I engaged the clutch. Withing 50 miles or so the noise was gone... ?? I have no idea...
Present day: The clutch makes no noise, no chatter. It has held anything I have thrown at it (2-3 hard launches, racing through the gears in the Houston heat). Most importantly, the clutch engages at about the same point it did when I had the stock clutch! It is perfect right now. I have headers and have never had the clutch pedal stick to the floor. The only thing I have ever changed is the clutch fluid (I try to keep it clear).
All in all -> Highly recommended but would never install myself.
First: Bought set up from Fred Beans. Top notch place, highly recommended.
Second: I replaced the flywheel, clutch, PP, and pilot bearing. I upgraded to the new style slave (I have a 99). NO SHIMS.
OK, right away I noticed that the clutch seemed to engage almost instantly, right off of the floor. For the drive home it seemed fine. Didn't goose it at all. For the next few weeks (my car is an occasional driver) I would put a few miles at a time on it, drove it fairly easily. Soon a noise developed when I engaged the clutch. Withing 50 miles or so the noise was gone... ?? I have no idea...
Present day: The clutch makes no noise, no chatter. It has held anything I have thrown at it (2-3 hard launches, racing through the gears in the Houston heat). Most importantly, the clutch engages at about the same point it did when I had the stock clutch! It is perfect right now. I have headers and have never had the clutch pedal stick to the floor. The only thing I have ever changed is the clutch fluid (I try to keep it clear).
All in all -> Highly recommended but would never install myself.