Who here has done an LS7 Clutch Install in their C5? How hard was it and any modification or special parts needed to make it fit? Let me know, thanks!

 

Have you considered the C5Z06 clutch? I have 450 rwhp in my 03 and it works fine. The LS7 clutch is strong but I've read elsewhere that it is prone to glazing. Do a search on Ranger and ask him. He's had both cars and a bunch of racing experience with both clutches.

 

Here's my story.

A stock LS6 clutch would take a 5200 launch with minimal slip and do so repeatedly. One Fall day in 2004 at an Atco track rental, I hot-lapped my stock/CAI 2002 Z06 on MT ET Street Radials...three passes back-to-back with no cool down of the clutch and the passes about four minutes apart. Three launches at 5100-5200 gave a very strong leave, with 60' within a hundredth of 1.64.

An LS7 clutch on a stock 2006 Z06 won't accept one launch of 4200, or even 4000 without glazing the clutch and requiring an hour's cool down.

Now if you drop the launch rpm to 3500 and get the clutch out fast and then, and only then, start the throttle squeeze...the LS7 clutch tolerates that. If instead you get aggressive with the throttle before the clutch is engaged, it will glaze instantly...and will do so even at 2800 or 2500. And I talking about this behavior on stock tires, not drag radials. The clutch material (PP and rotating disc) simply are slip intolerant.

Because I change the clutch fluid quite frequently, my clutch is 100% fine at high rpms and on the shifts. Very positive. No issue. That is provided it wasn't slipped at all on the launch.

It is at launch where the LS7 clutch is a supremely weak performer.

That would seem to indicate the issue is heat intolerance rather than clamping force.

If you never do launches, even on the street, then the LS7 clutch may be OK.

Ranger

 

Thanks for the imput, with the installation did you have to modify anything to make it fit?

 

AlphaEden - Ranger had the original clutch on each car.

 

I have an LS7 clutch in my C5. I have had very good luck with it on the street, at the track, not so much! A hard 4500rpm launch on a sticky track smoked the clutch pretty good. It seemed to take it ok and still works great on the street. I have driven a few cars, SPEC stage 3, some fancy schmancy carbon fiber dealie and a spec stage 2 and I would not do any of those clutches in my car. For the street the ls7 seems perfect, good stock like feel, way more grip than my tires on the street, rubber in 1 2 and 3 and no clutch slip that I can tell, but that the track its no good if you can launch the car. My car makes 390 to the wheels on the mustang, 420 or so on the dynojet so its not all that but its not stock either.
As for special parts, I got the ls7 clutch and pressure plate and ls2 flywheel and slave from the c5 zo6, no other parts were required. You should make sure the three dowel pins are seated so you dont have to take loose the bell houseing.

Good luck!
-Ken

 

I have a slighty used LS7 clutch for sale
see sig

 

Well great I suppose!



I dropped my 01 C5 off at Synergy to get an LS7 clutch and a tune, I have made 437 rwhp and it spends most time on the street, some time on road courses and an occasional 1/4 mile. Launching above 2k seems way too much for available traction. I think the LS7 is the best solution, I'm generally easy on clutches and make them last. I'll know more by the end of next week. Does the LS7 clutch need breaking in or not? Can't wait!

You don't really know what you have until you don't have it no more!

 

I was easy on mine a couple hundred miles but its just an oem replacement so drive it like you drove off the lot!

 

I have an LS7 clutch in my 02 Z06, almost stock hp @ 368 and the clutch has held up on the street and at Watkins glen and Pocono's downshifting almost at redline. I t cannot take high rpm launches as Ranger has stated.

 

I'm running an LS7 clutch as well. It's good on the street, so far. I only have one pass on it at the track so I don't really know what to say about it in that area. I'm putting down 499rwhp/496rwtq, we will see how long it will last lol.