Help Plan a Future Clutch Replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 128
Likes: 17
Help Plan a Future Clutch Replacement
Hi,
I have a stock engine/manual transmission '99 FRC with ~188K miles. The clutch still works fine at the moment and everything runs smooth, but I know eventually I'll have to replace it. I also have a small transmission fluid leak between the differential and trans since I've had the car. I'm finally starting to get tired of having to lift the car and top off the trans fluid every 1-2 months and would like to get fixed all in one shot with the clutch. I understand from my research that I should install a remote bleeder and slave cylinder when replacing the clutch. I'll be giving my car to a Corvette performance shop to do the labor and would like to supply the parts. I'm not too familiar with transmission work in general, would you guys be able to help me put together a parts list so I can start putting aside money for it? I would very much prefer to keep the stock clutch feel since I'm so used to it. It's my daily driver but I also have several suspension mods/roll bar/big brakes/cooling mods for the occasional track day. If there is a clutch that holds higher power (for potential future engine mods) but with similar stock clutch feel, please let me know
. Thanks.
I have a stock engine/manual transmission '99 FRC with ~188K miles. The clutch still works fine at the moment and everything runs smooth, but I know eventually I'll have to replace it. I also have a small transmission fluid leak between the differential and trans since I've had the car. I'm finally starting to get tired of having to lift the car and top off the trans fluid every 1-2 months and would like to get fixed all in one shot with the clutch. I understand from my research that I should install a remote bleeder and slave cylinder when replacing the clutch. I'll be giving my car to a Corvette performance shop to do the labor and would like to supply the parts. I'm not too familiar with transmission work in general, would you guys be able to help me put together a parts list so I can start putting aside money for it? I would very much prefer to keep the stock clutch feel since I'm so used to it. It's my daily driver but I also have several suspension mods/roll bar/big brakes/cooling mods for the occasional track day. If there is a clutch that holds higher power (for potential future engine mods) but with similar stock clutch feel, please let me know
. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
One thing I can recommend, from a recent experience. If you are going to get the torque tube out, Unless you have already, go ahead and plan on a torque tube rebuild, new couplers at the least.
Now, if you're taking it to a shop, hopefully a specialist on these cars, I would really have this conversation before ordering anything on your own.
Now, if you're taking it to a shop, hopefully a specialist on these cars, I would really have this conversation before ordering anything on your own.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 202
Likes: 39
From: SACRAMENTO
Currently in the middle of having clutch, torque tube refresh and transmission replacement. Daily driving 03 Z06 and since I'm not planning power upgrades I went with Tick LS7 complete clutch kit since it is all inclusive but they have a variety of different clutch combinations depending on HP/TQ. LS7 Complete Clutch & Hydraulic Upgrade Package for 1997-2004 Corvette & Z06 | Tick Performance Also had issue with leaky transmission and grinding of gears now and then. Most auto shops around here do not rebuild transmissions so I got a general message of "we'll remove transmission for $XXXX and send to transmission shop where they'll tear it down and then give cost to rebuild...probably another $XXXX." I ended up buying RPM level 4 T56 transmission instead since a standard rebuild would cost aboot $2000-$3000. T56 - Level IV - RPM Transmissions and torque tube rebuild kit with Billet couplers Torque Tube Bearing Rebuild Kit - RPM Transmissions
Costs so far:
$1100 Tick LS7 clutch kit
$2300 labor to replace clutch
$2770 T56 level 4 transmission ($2695 transmission + $75 fluid)
$500 torque tube rebuild kit ($200 kit + $300 billet couplers)
Costs so far:
$1100 Tick LS7 clutch kit
$2300 labor to replace clutch
$2770 T56 level 4 transmission ($2695 transmission + $75 fluid)
$500 torque tube rebuild kit ($200 kit + $300 billet couplers)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Currently in the middle of having clutch, torque tube refresh and transmission replacement. Daily driving 03 Z06 and since I'm not planning power upgrades I went with Tick LS7 complete clutch kit since it is all inclusive but they have a variety of different clutch combinations depending on HP/TQ. LS7 Complete Clutch & Hydraulic Upgrade Package for 1997-2004 Corvette & Z06 | Tick Performance Also had issue with leaky transmission and grinding of gears now and then. Most auto shops around here do not rebuild transmissions so I got a general message of "we'll remove transmission for $XXXX and send to transmission shop where they'll tear it down and then give cost to rebuild...probably another $XXXX." I ended up buying RPM level 4 T56 transmission instead since a standard rebuild would cost aboot $2000-$3000. T56 - Level IV - RPM Transmissions and torque tube rebuild kit with Billet couplers Torque Tube Bearing Rebuild Kit - RPM Transmissions
Costs so far:
$1100 Tick LS7 clutch kit
$2300 labor to replace clutch
$2770 T56 level 4 transmission ($2695 transmission + $75 fluid)
$500 torque tube rebuild kit ($200 kit + $300 billet couplers)
Costs so far:
$1100 Tick LS7 clutch kit
$2300 labor to replace clutch
$2770 T56 level 4 transmission ($2695 transmission + $75 fluid)
$500 torque tube rebuild kit ($200 kit + $300 billet couplers)
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 202
Likes: 39
From: SACRAMENTO
Guess it's a little late now but good to know going forward. Is there a reason why billet couplers do this? the choices were either rubber or billet and I figure the billet would last longer.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
My understand is that there may be very slight mis-alignment issues between the components of the torque tube, that the rubber couplers can compensate for, without issue. The billet couplers are a non-forgiving connection, so unless everything in the tube aligns "dead nuts", you'll have issues. But you are right, the billet couplers would last longer, if that was your only criteria.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Tight clearances, and there is some movement in the drive line. Pretty much why GM used the rubber couplers. The billet will last longer themselves, but if they meet the housing, the housing will get beat up. This guy specializes in high HP Corvettes, turbo, suercharged etc. He was pretty quick to talk me out of it. Given that the OEM are good for around 100k or so, I'm not too worried about it.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 202
Likes: 39
From: SACRAMENTO