Lost the clutch
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Lost the clutch
Well, just put on my Toyo DR's and went out for a spin. Drove it about 20 minutes and on my way home I got on it in my usual spot and man do they hook. Thats not all, I stopped about 1/2 mile down the road and decided I'd give it a shot out of the hole. Wrong decision, brought it up to about 3 grand and let it eat. OOOOPPPPsssss, I'm pretty sure it smoked the clutch, it slipped like a big dog. I was concerned that might happen. Maybe you guys have some recommendations on clutches for replacement. Man, glad I've got 3 months before the track opens again and its good it happened now for sure. I'm going first suck all the fluid out of the master and refill, run, refill, run until it clear again and give it one more shot. I don't think it going to matter at this point, the peddle didn't stick to the floor, but, it was down a bunch. Well lets here what everyone is using. I'm going to spray it this year at some point, its 414 at the wheels, so, I definetly want a clutch thats streetable and can hold 500+ when I spray it.
thanks for your input.
thanks for your input.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
is it the stock clutch? It may have just glazed over. Refilling the master wont help much unless you have sticky pedal issues. Try letting it cool down and take it for a spin. Put it to the floor in 4th from 40 to about 80. If you have no slip doing this multiple times your clutch probably has some life left. Stock clutches, like my ex's dont like to be dumped....
As for clutches for drag racing I would put a monster 3 or a spec 3.
As for clutches for drag racing I would put a monster 3 or a spec 3.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Its an ls6 clutch, I have no idea how many miles are on it. I've heard the centerforce is also a good clutch to go with. I'm going to go head and change the fluid just for ****s and grins.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Well, just put on my Toyo DR's and went out for a spin. Drove it about 20 minutes and on my way home I got on it in my usual spot and man do they hook. Thats not all, I stopped about 1/2 mile down the road and decided I'd give it a shot out of the hole. Wrong decision, brought it up to about 3 grand and let it eat.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Thats actually the first time I've dropped the clutch, on street tires it was a waste of time as it wouldn't hook under any conditions. Hey I'm gonna race it this year so I'm glad it happed close to my house and now I just need to decide what clutch to put in or I may just convert it to an auto. They don't shock the tires and drive train as bad. Either way its gonna have to put up with some abuse at the track. It will all work out and I'll have some fun in 010 breaking parts and learning to work on a vet. Its hard to have it both ways, I've had prostreet cars with stroker motors that I didn't race, I've had a 9 second nova that wasn't a street car, I just have to buy the right parts to make it do both.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Well went about cleaning the clutch sytem, used a shop vac and small siphon hose. Filled it several times til it was clear and it made a big difference. Clutch feels good for now, I'll just have to drive it a while and see what happens. No slipping and shifts much better as the fluid looked wicked bad.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
good news 99vetteran. Simular thing happened to my stock clutch at the drag strip. Lots of slippage and not so much movage 
I did the same as you have by letting it cool. Changing the fluid is always a good thing too as it might help with some stuck pedal issues.
I just changed my clutch to a centerforce DF 12" with F1 flywheel and love it. When we took the stock clutch out there were hot spots on the FW, PP, and even the inside of the disc (metal part inside of friction area). Heat seems to be the issue in slippery situaations like these.....
I did the same as you have by letting it cool. Changing the fluid is always a good thing too as it might help with some stuck pedal issues.
I just changed my clutch to a centerforce DF 12" with F1 flywheel and love it. When we took the stock clutch out there were hot spots on the FW, PP, and even the inside of the disc (metal part inside of friction area). Heat seems to be the issue in slippery situaations like these.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Yep, I think thats probably my problem also. I'm going to go ahead and change it out and not worry about it. Just a couple months and I'm heading to the strip. What was the cost on all your parts? Did you do your own labor or have a shop do it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
you can find a lot of info on clutches on the forum. there is always a flavor of the month. I have been through a LS6, Exedy twin and Tex single. My next clutch will be a McCleod twin. They have been around a long time and I rarely hear any complaints. Plus they can be rebuilt cheap.
BTW once you fix the clutch prepare to find the next weak link in the drivetrain. ie output shafts
BTW once you fix the clutch prepare to find the next weak link in the drivetrain. ie output shafts
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 39
From: Birmingham, AL www.hinsonsupercars.com 205-909-9402
That's a great choice for your application. For more details and pricing on SPEC Clutches http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...-shipping.html
Seth
Seth
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Well, I was right and it needed a clutch for sure. Jim and Ricky at Speedtweekerz got the clutch out and it had a bunch of hot spots on it. The throw out bearing was not in good shape. SO, Spec stage 2+ is going in with a new flywheel and I should be good to go, new slave and maserter cylinder is also being installed. March is just around the corner now and need to be ready for our test and tunes at the strip. We are also replacing the lifters as they were pretty dam noisy. They had been in the motor for who knows how long. Should be after everything is done. I'll update after the break in and retune or maybe sooner.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 1
From: Waveland MS
and those take literally 30 mins to change and cost 45 dollars. I have NEVER broken a half shaft or a tranny output shaft and my car makes 499rwhp.