C5 clutch upgrade
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 82
Likes: 8
From: NY
C5 clutch upgrade
Hey All, looking to start gathering some info on a clutch upgrade for my ‘98 c5. Any suggestions out there? What works, what doesn’t?
I’d like to stay relatively inexpensive. Thanks!
I’d like to stay relatively inexpensive. Thanks!
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 7,387
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
What are you going to be doing with the car?
What power level?
Is there even anything wrong with your current clutch?
Do you know what is involved in changing the clutch on a C5?
Stockish car stockish power levels it's hard to argue with the LS7 or LUK LS7 clutch.
What power level?
Is there even anything wrong with your current clutch?
Do you know what is involved in changing the clutch on a C5?
Stockish car stockish power levels it's hard to argue with the LS7 or LUK LS7 clutch.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 8
From: A little place called Macungie PA
Mr. Black, not to steal this thread but what is "stockish" to you. The LS1 was rated around 350-360 HP if my memory serves and the LS7 was 505 HP, are you saying stock for the LS7 or the LS1? Thanks
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 197
From: Columbus, MS
All LS clutches are the same in terms of how they mount to the drivetrain. Since the LS7 is the Z06 engine, you'll frequently see clutches marketed as "LS7" just because of name recognition. The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of aftermarket clutches can handle LS7 power or more, whether they say so or not. Keep an eye on the actual torque handling values for the clutch you're considering. I'd try to get a clutch that's rated for 25% or more of your planned maximum torque just to leave a safety margin in there, but clutch ratings usually have their own margin built in too. It's up to you, but don't listen to anyone telling you to buy a "LS7 clutch" as they're likely pretty ignorant.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 7,387
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 8
From: A little place called Macungie PA
Thanks, I just wandered into this thread as I still have my original clutch on my '01 but I'm doing a cam and heads in two weeks so we'll see if I need to upgrade at some point. I've had 5 manual transmission cars over the years and I've never killed a clutch but there is a first time for everything.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 107
Likes: 29
From: Mohnton, PA
For those of you who have done this job, how would you rate the difficulty on a scale of 1-10? All Data says book time is about 9 hours on this; and I never expect to hit book time on the first go-around of something. For the heck of it, I got a quote from a semi-local Vette shop and they wanted $1700 for labor alone, which makes me think I'll just tackle this some weekend. Looks like there are no specialty tools needed (other than the included clutch alignment tool).
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 197
From: Columbus, MS
For those of you who have done this job, how would you rate the difficulty on a scale of 1-10? All Data says book time is about 9 hours on this; and I never expect to hit book time on the first go-around of something. For the heck of it, I got a quote from a semi-local Vette shop and they wanted $1700 for labor alone, which makes me think I'll just tackle this some weekend. Looks like there are no specialty tools needed (other than the included clutch alignment tool).
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 107
Likes: 29
From: Mohnton, PA
It's not super difficult, but you need some space. The entire driveline aft of the engine needs to come out. You'll need to figure out how to support/move it, and how you're going to get it back in. Having a helper really helps with getting it back in and lined up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 377
From: SW Ohio
It wasn't too bad at all when I did mine. I also rebuilt my torque tube and changed my '04 fuel pumps while i had everything out of the way. I did it on jack stands, and everything was out in a couple of hours as a whole unit - cradle, trans / diff, and torque tube. When I reinstalled, the TT went in first, then the trans / diff, and then I brought the cradle up to it. It was the only way I could do it by myself and it was smooth.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 107
Likes: 29
From: Mohnton, PA
It wasn't too bad at all when I did mine. I also rebuilt my torque tube and changed my '04 fuel pumps while i had everything out of the way. I did it on jack stands, and everything was out in a couple of hours as a whole unit - cradle, trans / diff, and torque tube. When I reinstalled, the TT went in first, then the trans / diff, and then I brought the cradle up to it. It was the only way I could do it by myself and it was smooth.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
That’s a google search unto itself. Different years have different levels of complexity, in particular relative to the large snap ring on later years.
in all cases ensure you treat the inner shaft similar to a drive shaft, marking each component so that you maintain the balance as best possible.
in all cases ensure you treat the inner shaft similar to a drive shaft, marking each component so that you maintain the balance as best possible.