What is the going rate...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
What is the going rate...
For a clutch install. I haven't ever had to do work this in depth, and I have no idea how many hours labor it will take.
I know that it seems like Corvette owners get taken on prices just because of their cars, I don't want to be taken for a trip if I can help it.
Thanks!!
I know that it seems like Corvette owners get taken on prices just because of their cars, I don't want to be taken for a trip if I can help it.
Thanks!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
I would expect your labor costs to be somewhere between $600 - $900. They have to remove everything from the rear of the engine back. (torque tube, tranny, diff, cradle and wheels)
It is a good time to inspect / replace torque tube bushings and bearings, as well as replace axle seals if leaking since everything will be on the ground.
Ask plenty of questions up front. I needed a slave cylinder and master cylinder replaced. The one tranny shop I talked to told me it wouldn't be a big job. "Just disconnect the drive shaft and pull the tranny back." I went elsewhere as he didn't realize the tranny is in the rear of the car.
I ended up driving to RPM in Indiana to have my work done. After talking with them, I decided to do some upgrading while we were at it. Much better experience.
If you're near one of the forum sponsors that do transmission work, you might be better taking it to one of them. Just a thought...
It is a good time to inspect / replace torque tube bushings and bearings, as well as replace axle seals if leaking since everything will be on the ground.
Ask plenty of questions up front. I needed a slave cylinder and master cylinder replaced. The one tranny shop I talked to told me it wouldn't be a big job. "Just disconnect the drive shaft and pull the tranny back." I went elsewhere as he didn't realize the tranny is in the rear of the car.
I ended up driving to RPM in Indiana to have my work done. After talking with them, I decided to do some upgrading while we were at it. Much better experience.
If you're near one of the forum sponsors that do transmission work, you might be better taking it to one of them. Just a thought...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I was finding labor quotes from 8 to ten hours , but never saw a rate book number for the job. How much the hours cost varies.
I paid around 800 bucks labor for the job from a dedicated Corvette garage. Be sure and address the torque tube wear .
Just to be interesting, the car had only a vacant space where the pilot bearing belonged. Nothing but dust, but I put a lot of miles on a hurt clutch, looking for a garage that knew the car.
In my local area, you can find german specialty garages all day long, good ones. High end chevy repair, forget it. Don't ask me how I know these cars need a better than average shop.
I paid around 800 bucks labor for the job from a dedicated Corvette garage. Be sure and address the torque tube wear .
Just to be interesting, the car had only a vacant space where the pilot bearing belonged. Nothing but dust, but I put a lot of miles on a hurt clutch, looking for a garage that knew the car.
In my local area, you can find german specialty garages all day long, good ones. High end chevy repair, forget it. Don't ask me how I know these cars need a better than average shop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 5
Whether it takes 6 or 9 hours, almost all shops will charge you what the book says. This is how a good Tech makes $$$; the book says 9 hours and the Tech does it, for example, 5 hours and gets paid for his 9 hours billed. This is pretty much standard practice, especially at dealers. I've been at some small shops that just plain rip you off. For example, to drain and refill the differential, the book says 0.5 hours & that's what I've paid at every dealership that I've been to; two independent shops wanted 1.0 labor. On procedures that aren't in the book, I would check around with reputable shops/dealerships. As an example, I recently had stainless steel brake lines installed.......one dealer wanted $700 another dealer wanted $225 (a Class A Tech would do the work). There were prices in between; the $700 guy didn't have a clue.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
What do you mean by torque tube wear? I'm still new to the C5 world, guess this means time for some research.
Thanks for the reply!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
If you do a LS7 clutch make sure you get everything you need. iirc you will need a different flywheel and flywheel bolts and obviously new bearings. Venders here do have kits ready to go at a good price. Clutch is a Pain in the ***, have done a couple with friends.
As for Torque tube wear i think he was refering to the rubber couplers in the TQ tube.. there are posts on it.. if you are taking it out anyhow definatly inspect the couplers and replace/upgrade as needed.
S
Last edited by RedZMonte; Oct 9, 2013 at 08:05 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
if the unemployment is still high i would think you could find a decent deal somewhere. i mean, a big part of labor costs are standard of living for the area. someone who lives in NYC is going to pay through the nose simply because land/shop space is so expensive
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
Yikes! 
I just moved down here from north alabama, and I can tell. Even the paint on the cars down here is eaten away.
I imagine some of the rubber in my poor old car looks like the bushing above...
air is corrosive down there. if you're not breathing corexit, you will still have that marine air which i swear is harder on rubber than say northern california inland
I imagine some of the rubber in my poor old car looks like the bushing above...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
an organic twin disc is worth the money if you're going to make over 550 rwtq
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
be realistic. with a single disc a monster stage 2 is as aggressive as i would want to go. the stage 3 and up just are too grabby for street driving. i've had a ceramic clutch before and they place a LOT of stress on the driveline with their fast engagement as well as being less than ideal in traffic
an organic twin disc is worth the money if you're going to make over 550 rwtq
an organic twin disc is worth the money if you're going to make over 550 rwtq
