Ok folks -- here's perhaps a strange question:

I'm being transferred to Italy in May and am trying to wrap things up with the car before I go. The car currently has 75K miles. I just put new tires and new rotors/pads, new oil-pressure sensor, new passenger air-check valve, soon-to-be-rebuilt ECBM, new-ish battery, soon-to-be new starter, etc.

Also, I'm about to finally install my LG longtubes and wondering whether it's worth it to just go ahead and replace the clutch / slave / master while I'm at it. I'm not having clutch problems, but it might be easier to deal with here than in Italy (although I hear the base in Naples does have a nice auto hobby shop)... The other thing weighing into my decision is time -- I blocked off time for the header install (which I've done before), but I haven't done a clutch job on a Vette (or on any car since the 80's). Is there a good how-to write-up, or is it just not worth the time. I'm a little pressed for time with about a million house projects to be done before I leave also...

Don (Slowhawk) quote me what seems like a fair price on an LS7 clutch, and it's only a fraction more for him to do the header install. But I can do the headers in about 4 hours. For the cost of the clutch and the headers, I can pay someone to do one of the bigger house projects (would just about cover sodding my whole yard, e.g.)... If I can save the money, and easily do the clutch job later, great. If I can't easily do the job later, then spending the money now might be better.

Pre-emptively replace the clutch or just wait?
Thanks,
Vaughn

P.S. Anything else I should think about pre-emptively replacing?

 

Hey Vaughn,

You sound like me. Money vs time. I remember a time in my life when I had more time than money and a time in my life when I had more money than time. Now, I don't have enough of either.

I loved the LS7 clutch on my 346. Felt and drove like stock and handled 460RWHP well. Whatever you decide, change out the torque tube bushings while you have it out. It's about another 30 minutes of labor. You can get them from a BMW dealer.

You're really not saving much labor doing the clutch with the LT's. If you've done a clutch before it shouldn't be a big deal to do it yourself.

Good luck

Kevin

 

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Sounds like you will be busy enough.

If you watch BBC - Top Gear last week had a segment on the best road in the world...15 miles of switchbacks in the Alps of N. Italy into Switzerland. Oh to have the Vert over there. Can you say Autobahn...

We have a friend who has a daughter in the Air Force stationed in Naples. Are you Air Force?

Good Luck and have fun driving. Doug

Some pics from our last trip to get you in the mood...

Naples Bay...





Rome...

 

Nice pics!

I'm Navy. We're obviously very excited. It's only costing me around $1200 to ship the car, which I figured was worth it, even if I only got to drive it a few times on the Autobahn or some European twisties... Lamborghini's "test track" is a public road in Italy...

Thanks for the input.
Vaughn

 

I'd say if its not broken leave it be. There are places in Italy to get GM work done. Most Opel dealers will turn their hand to it. I had the rotors changed on my Camaro when I was TDY in Vicenza. the only downside is anything that does go wrong will be way more expensive with the weak Dollar against the Euro.

One thing you need to do is the Nurburgring. 10 hours up the Autostrada and the Autobahn from Naples and you could be hitting the Eiffel. Enjoy your time there its awesome countryside.

 

Thanks DeeGee! I'll definitely be doing the Nurburgring as well. In fact, I installed my Schroth racing harness last night, and will soon have the racing seats in as well!

I think my biggest expense there is going to be petrol!

 

Oh yes but the NATO petrol coupons take the sting out of it. Wish I had those in England

 

Hell if it were me (ex tech) I would pack along extra plugs, belts and a waterpump. My waterpump just started leaking at 75K and Im picking one up tonight.
For $50 I would even get a brass headlight gear kit too.

PS. Dont forget to Walmart on the way for 6 or 7 jugs of Mobil1 which Im sure isnt cheap in Europe

 

gp, I do plan to take extra stuff - although they won't let me ship oil unfortunately (or alcohol - go figure), so I've got a serious stash of 18-year Macallan to get through, but hey - I guess we all make sacrifices, right?

The waterpump is a good idea. And the belts. I'll still be able to have anything mailed to me I want via FPO. When I was in Iraq, things only took about 6 days to get to me from the east coast. I'm mostly worried about big stuff (that can't be mailed via USPS or easily mailed internationally) or stuff that would be a monster undertaking to fix...

I didn't think about Opel mechs being able to work on GM. It's not like I'd let a dealership here touch it for the most part, since I prefer to do everything on it myself. But if something big happens, it's nice to know I'll have options. I also get the idea that free time won't be much of a problem over there...

 

If the auto shops in Italy are like Germany where I was stationed, you want to do major work BEFORE you go. Sure they are capable, but the prices will be horrendous. From what I can tell it will be similar in Italy. Even though I was stationed in Germany, I did go to Italy a few times.

Since you are doing the header install, it would be the best time to install a clutch in terms of labor costs. It's also a good time to install an aftermarket remote clutch bleeder!!! But you could still go there with your stock clutch... unless you expect it to fail? I'd think you would be ok if it's still performing well.

Don't worry about oil, you can buy it on base for US prices, or order online to your APO. If the website does not send to APO... substitute the APOAE with New York, NY... it still works.

Good luck on your tour! I wouldn't even think about putting my car on that boat. Too many people on the docks will be driving your car. Be sure to do a COMPLETE inspection upon arrival, especially the undercarraige. Claim EVERYTHING you even think they did. Take a spare key with you, the one I gave them when I shipped my truck ended up rusting... still worked, but still My truck's only damage the emblems on one side faded and they scratched the outside edges of my mirrors. I got $80 bucks... yipee. The vette is A LOT lower, so a lot can happen under there. TAKE METICULOUS PICTURES BEFORE YOU GO especially underneath.

That is my 2 cents from experience.