How much should it cost to have a new clutch installed, and what would be the best bang for the buck as far as clutches go.

I would like to be around 500 RWHP when I am done (assuming one could ever be done) with mods.

 

I am interested in this also. Here's a BUMP for ya! :cheers: :seeya

 

I bought a ram clutch and Mcleod master under C5Noirs advice and hate it. It doesnt grab at all. It slips under hard driving. It was engaging about 1.5" off the floor but now after 1 day it is at the top of the pedal. I'm gonna adjust it but if that doesnt work i'm gonna go up to cartek and have them put in their clutch. As for how much i blew about 1200 already. 300 for the Mcleod master, 170 for the disc, 160 for the pressure plate and 450 for install. The flywheel was resurfaced for another 55 and then there is tax so it came 1200. Anywhere from $300-$500 seems right for an install. Good luck. :cheers:

 

I have the McLeod single disc and no problems thus far.

Just be glad you didn't go through clutch issues back in the days when aftermarket clutches were still in their teething stages. I spent $2500 when it was all said and done. $900 for the clutch, $800 on install. They used to use shims on the TO bearing and then later on they found out that you could keep the stock slave (or better yet, upgrade to the Z06 slave) and use an adjustable master cylinder (it was still a stock master cylinder). That was another $100 for a Z06 slave, another $250 for the master, and then $450 for install. Things have come a long way since 2000. I'd still try to get Ram to take care of the clutch though.

 

I think the issue is really with install and adjustment. I have another ram disc also because i thought when the slave blew out for the 3rd time, the disc probably got covered in fluid. The tech said it was dry and put in another slave but it still isnt right. I can get the cartek clutch put in by cartek or a couple of people who have done it before(including my tech)and have it done right in one shot. I really dont expect ram to cover install error. I also look at it this way: it was 170 for the disc and 160 for the pressure plate. In the words of STEALTH C-5, "There you go, you got what you paid for." I see him at the track puttin down 520 rwhp with .500 lights and running a 1.55 60ft. and 10.7@128mph with the cartek clutch so i know what i will go with if this one cant be adjusted right.

 

How much is the cartech clutch?

 

go to their website to see: www.cartek.net it could range from about $550 to $950 depending on what you need.

 

Your clutch install is the issue. I thought you said the tech finally got the McLeod adj m/c to work? How could RAM be remotely responisble for your tech not installing the clutch properly. There are hundreds of LS1 Ram clutch users with the same combo and they work perfectly. Quotes such as yours are not warranted by any proof that the RAM clutch did indeed fail, at all. Your tech installed the McLeod adj m/c improperly which was blowing up the slaves. Where does the RAM clutch components come into play in this instance? If anyone were at fault it's either a) your installers or b) Mcleod (producing a one in million faulty master cylinder. How is RAM responsible for your tech or the McLeod blowing your slave cylinders?

The RAM clutch is the best, hardcore clutch, out there. It's the ONLY one to stand the test of time. There are tons of LS1 F-bodys putting down 500+ RWHP doing 6K RPM dumps on ET Streets and the clutch NEVER slips. Even after multiple hot lapping. My brother has over 50 1/4 mile passes dumping his car from 6K on BFGs and it never slips.

The Cartek clutch has had it's share of issues, but not the RAM. The RAM, as described through experience from countless others, is flawless. If installed properly, (kh24's wasn't, well the McLeod adj m/c wasn't) it works beautifully. If you dont' believe me, mosey on over to LS1tech.com or LS1.com and ask how they like the RAM 402/6130 combo. You'll get the same info I'm posting ;)

:cheers:


[Modified by C5Noir, 6:40 PM 7/28/2002]

 

I didnt ask for ram to replace it, it was brought up by akw408. I dont expect anything from them nor would i take it. The clutch started to engage high all of a sudden and is slipping. My last run last night it grabbed ok but i had to baby it and not hammer the throttle. I'm gonna adjust it and see how it feels and holds up. If its no good, i dont even know if i will waste time putting in the extra disc i got, i will probably just send it back and get my $170 credit and have cartek put in there clutch. I have looked at ls1.com and have seen a couple unhappy people with the ram clutch but its like that with every clutch. All i want is my nightmare to end. C5Noir, again thank you for all your help. I would have been screwed big time without you. :cheers:

 

My RAM 402/910 combo with the McLeod M/C is working flawlessly, much stiffer pedal, but it holds like a summabitch! :smash:

 

kh24, those that had issues were ALL due to improper installs of the clutch and/or the adjustment of the master cylinder. Some melted their disc to the flywheels, why? They had the master adjusted so that the engagement point was too high so too much heat was created thus melting the disc to the pp.

I guarantee that if you put JUST the Cartek disk and pp in you will have the EXACT same issues you have now. It's not the RAM disc or PP, at all. Think about it. They are simply two metal, flat surfaces that meet with the flywheel. What controls these two metal, flat surfaces are the hydraulics, the slave and master cylinder. We know it cannot be the slave b/c you had brand new ones put in and the slaves are NOT adjustable. Now, we're left with the fluid being properly bled and the master cylinder. Assuming your clutch is bled properly it's your adjustable m/c, right? You posted that your tech finally got it right the other day and that it was working. If there is an issue it's in your master cylinder and I feel that you MUST call McLeod if you're having issues with it. They will help you get it done right. The McLeod can only be installed one way and then you have just the adjustment left.

However, your mechanic said you could have gotten fluid on the disc and pp last time, correct? If you get this brake fluid on the disc, it's ruined. It will chatter and slip all day long, like you initially described.

I promise you that if you'd put the Cartek parts in, ONLY the disc and PP you'l have the same problems. I'm 100% on that. I get the impression your techs are in with Cartek, lol. It's conspiracy to eliminated RAM users :lol:

 

C5Noir i totally agree that its the install and that the cartek would do the same thing if installed the same way. My issue is that here in NJ people now cartek stuff. I was at the corvette challenge yesterday and nobody knew what a ram was. The problem is nobody is familier with the product to get it installed and adjusted right. The other disc is only $170 so i may just put that in and see what happends. I think i blew another slave again. My fluid was new and honey in color when i got the the track and after 10 runs it is blackish green. I am just screwed with this damn car. My floormats even had the Z06 logo come out in the wrong colors. I am also sure you remember what happened with the headers also. Its just my luck.

 

The NJ don't need to know RAM nor Cartek stuff. They just need to know McLeod stuff which I don't know what all is need b/c I put mine in myself (first time ever attempting a clutch install). My advice, get a stock adjustable master from Cartek and put in your new disc and give it another shot. Your installer should be eating the cost of these multiple installs. If he can install a stock adjustable m/c and a Cartek clutch then he can install a McLeod version. It's unfortunate that you have to eat the bill. This is a great clutch and will hold all that you can throw at it. I'd hate to see you get a lesser clutch.


[Modified by C5Noir, 8:34 PM 7/28/2002]

 

kh24, please call or e-mail Mike Norcia @ Ram Clutches to find out how to get it fixed once and for all (the hydraulics). Tell him the entire situation about the breaking slaves, etc. Here's his email mike@ramclutches.com and/or call him here: 803.788.6034 and ask for Mike (he deals with LS1 setups.)


[Modified by C5Noir, 9:52 PM 7/28/2002]

 

Anyone in the Detroit area that has a good place to get the install done so I don't have the above issues?

 

I don't understand :confused:

JOE,
Your at the track hammering a weak clutch ?

It sounds like the master cylinder's or slave is not operating properly.

Just my .02 no flame Intended :smash:

 

I gave it about a 350 mile break in. I wasnt hammering it cause it would slip. Bottom line was i was trying to get the thing to fail or at least see if it would. If it did fail(it never failed completly but did slip a little)i would get a different setup or replace the disc with my new one. I think the problem is with the stock slave. I think i went threw another one because my fluid turned blackish green again and my tech told me that is a sign of the slave starting to go. For some reason the stock slave will not hold up in my car. I think that is why the Z06 clutch failed so early. I will have to eat the cost of the previous install and have Artie(NJVetteGuy) try to install the new disc and setup everything right. I will pass along McLeods # and Rams # to Artie when he takes a look at the car.

Does anyone make an aftermarket slave?

 

kh24,

Is there another shop that you can bring your car to and have anther person to look at?

 

I don't know where your mechanic got the idea that when your clutch fluid turns to that greenish black color that that means the slave is going out. 98% of ALL MN6 C5's do this (change to that nasty blackish color). Mine was like that about 500 miles after I got the car brand new. The brake fluid just does that. I never had any clutch issues, ever (stock and RAM). The fluid turning black, in our scenario, is no indication of your slave's current status.

If I had this mechanic, I'd turn and run, far far away. It's a shame you've had to deal with all of this. It should have been done right the first time. It's all plug and play! :crazy: :crazy:

 

It's not the slave, I repeat, not the slave. You've had two brand new ones and the slaves are not adjustable. It has to be the adj m/c, it's either faulty or installed incorrectly. If you can make this clutch slip (after break-in) with 369 RWHP your dyno is lying and you're making over 700RWHP and you don't know it. There's no way the RAM 402/6130 combo would slip with this power, 369 RWHP. Harlan, aka y2khawk puts down 600 RWHP, daily driven, weekly 1/4 track visits, 6K RPM dumps on ET Streets and it NEVER slips.

I can guarantee that if you brought yoru car down here and let me put it in it'd work flawlessly just like everyone else's properly set-up/installed RAM 402/6130 combo.


[Modified by C5Noir, 12:19 AM 7/29/2002]