Clutch recommendation
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Clutch recommendation
I think it's about time for a clutch on my 02Z. Looking for a recommendation for something better than stock but good for street and my wallet. I hear about the LS7 clutch, but I see prices all over the place for the kit (where to buy?). Also considering monster single disk. Any other good options?
my car has a cam and LT headers and BB exhaust, so more than stock power, but not radical. Mostly street driven, hope to do some track time at some point but nothing crazy.
my car has a cam and LT headers and BB exhaust, so more than stock power, but not radical. Mostly street driven, hope to do some track time at some point but nothing crazy.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1,381
From: Orange County, CA
LS7 clutch kit (LuK 04905) on Rock Auto is what I went with for my Z06 a couple years back. Granted it costs $52 more now than I paid in April 2020, but still probably the best deal you'll find: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...&pt=1993&jsn=1
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
I'm not a fan of the LS7 clutch. It's bigger and heavier with a higher moment of inertia. It adversely affects acceleration and the added mass that the syncros have to deal with shortens their life span. I have a Spec Stage 1 with aluminum fw and pp and it adds a noticeable amount of acceleration. I'd hate to go the opposite direction, even if it were just a little bit.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
I'm not a fan of the LS7 clutch. It's bigger and heavier with a higher moment of inertia. It adversely affects acceleration and the added mass that the syncros have to deal with shortens their life span. I have a Spec Stage 1 with aluminum fw and pp and it adds a noticeable amount of acceleration. I'd hate to go the opposite direction, even if it were just a little bit.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 3,945
From: Cincinnati, OH
I'm not a fan of the LS7 clutch. It's bigger and heavier with a higher moment of inertia. It adversely affects acceleration and the added mass that the syncros have to deal with shortens their life span. I have a Spec Stage 1 with aluminum fw and pp and it adds a noticeable amount of acceleration. I'd hate to go the opposite direction, even if it were just a little bit.
I also DD this clutch and my wife will drive/autocross my car with a cam/full exhaust combo.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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Get the LS7 “kit” from Scoggin Dickey Parts Depot. Chev dealer since the ‘30s has a huge selection of performance parts.
The kit includes clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, bolts. $590. I bought mine from them and had great service, plenty of expertise. Note that this clutch is the same clutch used in the C6 Z06 LS7 over 500 hp, and is now the standard GM package for all C5 and C6 cars. So spend all you want, or get what you need.
https://sdparts.com/i-23179965-sdpc-...-flywheel.html
The kit includes clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, bolts. $590. I bought mine from them and had great service, plenty of expertise. Note that this clutch is the same clutch used in the C6 Z06 LS7 over 500 hp, and is now the standard GM package for all C5 and C6 cars. So spend all you want, or get what you need.
https://sdparts.com/i-23179965-sdpc-...-flywheel.html
Last edited by vette4fl; Sep 15, 2022 at 02:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Regarding other "while I'm at it", also planning on tunnel plate upgrade and heat shielding.
On the clutch side, help me avoid a mistake. Slave cylinder on our cars is the same as the release bearing, or throw-out bearing? This task is a step above anything I've done yet, so I have some learning to do. Not afraid to tackle it (maybe a little), but just have to learn a bit first!
On the clutch side, help me avoid a mistake. Slave cylinder on our cars is the same as the release bearing, or throw-out bearing? This task is a step above anything I've done yet, so I have some learning to do. Not afraid to tackle it (maybe a little), but just have to learn a bit first!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
LS7 clutch kit (LuK 04905) on Rock Auto is what I went with for my Z06 a couple years back. Granted it costs $52 more now than I paid in April 2020, but still probably the best deal you'll find: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...&pt=1993&jsn=1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
I suggest looking into the Centerforce DF 12 inch. For about $850 with the flywheel. Torque is rated at 700lb ft. and it's a good street/mild competition clutch.
I have the Centerforce in my car now with a Fidanza flywheel. Installed when car was NA making 428rwhp/408rwtq. Multiple track days and still kicking since 2008. In fact it's still holding up to 640rwhp/568rwtq 2 years after the procharger. No track days with the new power. So not sure how long it will last but it owes me nothing at this point.
I went with the LUK LS7 years ago and it was a good street driving clutch. I had 2 years of flawless street driving with it. The first day at the track it let me down. A little slipping and hard launches caused it to glaze. It's a good street clutch but spirited driving and a few track runs and it may let you down as it did me.
I have the Centerforce in my car now with a Fidanza flywheel. Installed when car was NA making 428rwhp/408rwtq. Multiple track days and still kicking since 2008. In fact it's still holding up to 640rwhp/568rwtq 2 years after the procharger. No track days with the new power. So not sure how long it will last but it owes me nothing at this point.
I went with the LUK LS7 years ago and it was a good street driving clutch. I had 2 years of flawless street driving with it. The first day at the track it let me down. A little slipping and hard launches caused it to glaze. It's a good street clutch but spirited driving and a few track runs and it may let you down as it did me.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,412
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
On the clutch side, help me avoid a mistake. Slave cylinder on our cars is the same as the release bearing, or throw-out bearing? This task is a step above anything I've done yet, so I have some learning to do. Not afraid to tackle it (maybe a little), but just have to learn a bit first!
I suggest looking into the Centerforce DF 12 inch. For about $850 with the flywheel. Torque is rated at 700lb ft. and it's a good street/mild competition clutch.
I have the Centerforce in my car now with a Fidanza flywheel. Installed when car was NA making 428rwhp/408rwtq. Multiple track days and still kicking since 2008. In fact it's still holding up to 640rwhp/568rwtq 2 years after the procharger. No track days with the new power. So not sure how long it will last but it owes me nothing at this point.
I went with the LUK LS7 years ago and it was a good street driving clutch. I had 2 years of flawless street driving with it. The first day at the track it let me down. A little slipping and hard launches caused it to glaze. It's a good street clutch but spirited driving and a few track runs and it may let you down as it did me.
I have the Centerforce in my car now with a Fidanza flywheel. Installed when car was NA making 428rwhp/408rwtq. Multiple track days and still kicking since 2008. In fact it's still holding up to 640rwhp/568rwtq 2 years after the procharger. No track days with the new power. So not sure how long it will last but it owes me nothing at this point.
I went with the LUK LS7 years ago and it was a good street driving clutch. I had 2 years of flawless street driving with it. The first day at the track it let me down. A little slipping and hard launches caused it to glaze. It's a good street clutch but spirited driving and a few track runs and it may let you down as it did me.