How Long Do I Have?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
How Long Do I Have?
5 week old (to me) 99 vert 86,000. While cursing around yesterday I turned the traction control to chirp the tires and while doing so I the engine accelerate but the wheel were not spinning freely (smoking 
). It took about two seconds to realize that the clutch was slipping and take my foot off the peddle. There was a strong odor of hot clutch.
I’m assuming this is a good indication of time for a new clutch? Could there be something out of adjustment? I didn’t realize before this but the clutch starts to grip within ¾ to 1 inch before the end of travel of the clutch peddle. Normal?
It seems not to slip during normal driving. What kind of life expectincy do I have if I baby it. Yea, baby a vette.
Anyone have any experience with replacing clutch plate and clutch?
What is the average cost to have this done?
Bill
). It took about two seconds to realize that the clutch was slipping and take my foot off the peddle. There was a strong odor of hot clutch.I’m assuming this is a good indication of time for a new clutch? Could there be something out of adjustment? I didn’t realize before this but the clutch starts to grip within ¾ to 1 inch before the end of travel of the clutch peddle. Normal?
It seems not to slip during normal driving. What kind of life expectincy do I have if I baby it. Yea, baby a vette.
Anyone have any experience with replacing clutch plate and clutch?
What is the average cost to have this done?
Bill
MFIC
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Clutch Job is not cheap on a C5 or C6.
Clutch price not bad.
Labor ? whoooooo
Clutch price not bad.
Labor ? whoooooo
5 week old (to me) 99 vert 86,000. While cursing around yesterday I turned the traction control to chirp the tires and while doing so I the engine accelerate but the wheel were not spinning freely (smoking ). It took about two seconds to realize that the clutch was slipping and take my foot off the peddle. There was a strong odor of hot clutch.
I’m assuming this is a good indication of time for a new clutch? Could there be something out of adjustment? I didn’t realize before this but the clutch starts to grip within ¾ to 1 inch before the end of travel of the clutch peddle. Normal?
It seems not to slip during normal driving. What kind of life expectincy do I have if I baby it. Yea, baby a vette.
Anyone have any experience with replacing clutch plate and clutch?
What is the average cost to have this done?
Bill
). It took about two seconds to realize that the clutch was slipping and take my foot off the peddle. There was a strong odor of hot clutch.I’m assuming this is a good indication of time for a new clutch? Could there be something out of adjustment? I didn’t realize before this but the clutch starts to grip within ¾ to 1 inch before the end of travel of the clutch peddle. Normal?
It seems not to slip during normal driving. What kind of life expectincy do I have if I baby it. Yea, baby a vette.
Anyone have any experience with replacing clutch plate and clutch?
What is the average cost to have this done?
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
If you're at 86K with an original clutch, that's an achievement and bears witness to modest driving habits.
With that said, if you revved the motor and made anything but a instant clutch release, you may have just "glazed" the clutch. If so, it expresses "eau de clutch" but then returns to normal behavior once it cools down.
If it's not slipping when you go to WOT at say 1000 rpm in fifth gear, then I suspect the clutch is OK.
If you were to replace it with say a Chevy LS6 clutch, the cost including labor is in the $1000-$1400 range. There is price competition on the clutches. You'd want to be very selective in who does the install and require that the clutch be balanced before an install.
Ranger
With that said, if you revved the motor and made anything but a instant clutch release, you may have just "glazed" the clutch. If so, it expresses "eau de clutch" but then returns to normal behavior once it cools down.
If it's not slipping when you go to WOT at say 1000 rpm in fifth gear, then I suspect the clutch is OK.
If you were to replace it with say a Chevy LS6 clutch, the cost including labor is in the $1000-$1400 range. There is price competition on the clutches. You'd want to be very selective in who does the install and require that the clutch be balanced before an install.
Ranger
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
My first clutch started to go at 93K miles and mine only got freeway miles. Yours sounds like its due. My first clutch job was $1100 at the dealer, but that was like 4 or 5 years ago. The hydraulic unit may need replacing for it as well.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 19
From: Carson City, NV
I did the same thing at the drag strip a few years ago. Smell was so bad I had to park it far away from everyone because they were complaining. LOL I drove nearly another year on it with no problems; you just can't drop the clutch anymore. Baby it and plan your next mod project. While you have it torn apart, you might as well replace the rear end gears.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
I wouldn't freak too much. I've smoked my clutch like this literally 15-20 times. It still drives fine. The stock clutches are pretty weak and can slip like this, causing them to glaze (especially when you're using sticky tires at the strip!). It will drive a little funny for a bit but probably be fine. I have almost 100k on my stocker now too. Drive it for a while and if it doesn't slip, don't worry.
Dope
Dope
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,141
Likes: 4,156
From: Kannapolis NC
5 week old (to me) 99 vert 86,000. While cursing around yesterday I turned the traction control to chirp the tires and while doing so I the engine accelerate but the wheel were not spinning freely (smoking ). It took about two seconds to realize that the clutch was slipping and take my foot off the peddle. There was a strong odor of hot clutch.
I’m assuming this is a good indication of time for a new clutch? Could there be something out of adjustment? I didn’t realize before this but the clutch starts to grip within ¾ to 1 inch before the end of travel of the clutch peddle. Normal?
It seems not to slip during normal driving. What kind of life expectincy do I have if I baby it. Yea, baby a vette.
Anyone have any experience with replacing clutch plate and clutch?
What is the average cost to have this done?
Bill
). It took about two seconds to realize that the clutch was slipping and take my foot off the peddle. There was a strong odor of hot clutch.I’m assuming this is a good indication of time for a new clutch? Could there be something out of adjustment? I didn’t realize before this but the clutch starts to grip within ¾ to 1 inch before the end of travel of the clutch peddle. Normal?
It seems not to slip during normal driving. What kind of life expectincy do I have if I baby it. Yea, baby a vette.
Anyone have any experience with replacing clutch plate and clutch?
What is the average cost to have this done?
Bill
Were you cursing before or after the clutch slipped?
It sounds like a new clutch might be in your near future.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
Been driving it since with no noticeable problems. Haven't tried to smoke the tires though, kind of afraid to. Want to drive it the rest of summer and fall. Get the clutch looked at and changed over the winter. I am guessing I just glazed it but not ruling out it will need changed.
I guess I need schooled on how to spin my tires.
Bill
I guess I need schooled on how to spin my tires.
Bill