Ls7 clutch, good stuff?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Ls7 clutch, good stuff?
Still undecided on the clutch setup. Will probably make a decision next week. I know that some of you guys have used it and was wondering what your opinion was and how much hp/torque are you putting down. Anyone spraying?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 5
From: Murphy TX
I have one in my C5Z with a heads/cam LS3. No problems, making mid 400 rwhp numbers. Buddy of mine with an '08 is making 650 rwhp on bottle with an LS7 clutch, doesn't slip but he does maintain the fluid.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 5
From: Murphy TX
It is my understanding that you need the LS7 flywheel or equivalent for proper spacing (I actually don't know the real reason but I assume it has to do with slave positioning on the torque tube and throwout bearing travel). The LS7 flywheel is HEAVY! You might consider getting an aftermarket lighter flywheel.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
It is my understanding that you need the LS7 flywheel or equivalent for proper spacing (I actually don't know the real reason but I assume it has to do with slave positioning on the torque tube and throwout bearing travel). The LS7 flywheel is HEAVY! You might consider getting an aftermarket lighter flywheel.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 5
From: Murphy TX
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
A friend of mine just put an ls7 in his, he did state if was about 4-5 lbs heavier. He has not had a chance to drive it yet, so, maybe I'll get some feedback from him. My ls6 clutch is much better since I changed out the fluids, its now clear again and before it looked really nasty.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
I just had one installed a few months ago. My car is dynoing 451 rwhp & 405 ft.lbs. On the Stock LS6 clutch I started getting the lazy clutch pedal and slippage after I had new heads and a FAST 90/90 installed. That's even with meticulously maintaining clean clutch fluid.
Two reputable tuners in my area recommended the LS7 Clutch for a daily driven H/C car. One recommended going with the Fidanza AL Light weight FW and one recommended against going with an Aluminum FW, said it could cause clutch disengagement issues.
Since installation, I haven't had any clutch pedal issues at all. The pedal effort was a tiny bit stiffer than the LS6.
*One thing I would recommend is to have the clutch assembly "balanced" by a machine shop prior to installation. It will add to the cost and time to install it. Mine wasn't and I now have a very slight vibration coming from the clutch/fw. The tuner who installed it said that they just installed it right out of the box and that he normally doesn't balance LS7 clutches. He said that the vibration that I feel is "normal" and that it's not going cause any damage to the car.
Personally, I'd prefer that it wasn't there. Oh, well.
Two reputable tuners in my area recommended the LS7 Clutch for a daily driven H/C car. One recommended going with the Fidanza AL Light weight FW and one recommended against going with an Aluminum FW, said it could cause clutch disengagement issues.
Since installation, I haven't had any clutch pedal issues at all. The pedal effort was a tiny bit stiffer than the LS6.
*One thing I would recommend is to have the clutch assembly "balanced" by a machine shop prior to installation. It will add to the cost and time to install it. Mine wasn't and I now have a very slight vibration coming from the clutch/fw. The tuner who installed it said that they just installed it right out of the box and that he normally doesn't balance LS7 clutches. He said that the vibration that I feel is "normal" and that it's not going cause any damage to the car.
Personally, I'd prefer that it wasn't there. Oh, well.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Any word from anyone on the ZR1 clutch? Feasable to use in a C5 platform?
Also, Monster is on the verge of releasing their first dual disc clutch and according to them, driveability is a major design point. They said it will incorporate dual 12" discs (IIRC) in order to increase total surface area and keep pedal pressures down and will use (if memory serves) organic material to eliminate chatter issues. They also said there will be a retro-fit package for people who already have some of their single disc units.
Also, Monster is on the verge of releasing their first dual disc clutch and according to them, driveability is a major design point. They said it will incorporate dual 12" discs (IIRC) in order to increase total surface area and keep pedal pressures down and will use (if memory serves) organic material to eliminate chatter issues. They also said there will be a retro-fit package for people who already have some of their single disc units.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The tuner who installed it said that they just installed it right out of the box and that he normally doesn't balance LS7 clutches. He said that the vibration that I feel is "normal" and that it's not going cause any damage to the car.
Personally, I'd prefer that it wasn't there. Oh, well.
Personally, I'd prefer that it wasn't there. Oh, well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
it will hold the power, but every c6z06 I know that drag races (stock) they still slip and the peddle still goes to the floor. so if you plan to launch hard or drag race often, go with something better.
my bud had a brand new one in his 422 c5 and ditched it after the first day at the track.
my bud had a brand new one in his 422 c5 and ditched it after the first day at the track.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
I now know it's not normal. But, I am not going to try and get the shop to uninstall it, balance it, and then reinstall it. That's 10+ hours labor. I think these clutches are "supposed" to be balanced from the factory. I'll just drive it and hope for the best.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I had one in my car and it lasted a couple months before the pedal began sticking to the floor. The installer got lost on me, so I took it to ECS and had 3.90 gears and a new textralia clutch installed.
On the other side of that, a guy with the same set up as me with the same power had the LS7 clutch installed and it's been problem free for three years.
On the other side of that, a guy with the same set up as me with the same power had the LS7 clutch installed and it's been problem free for three years.
