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I'm going to be doing and LS7 clutch on my car with a lighter flywheel (Aluminum, like Ram) . Which flywheel does one use? LS1/6 or LS7 Flywheel or something else?
I think it's the LS7 Flywheel, but making sure
If you got an actual LS7 factory clutch, you cannot use the LS1 style flywheel.
I have enjoyed Fidanza lightweight flywheels in recent years. Best of all, the friction plate is replaceable for about $75, making it quite affordable to reuse in the future.
Interesting combo using a nice flywheel with the LS7 clutch. Not interested in a twin?
In my experience the dual disc clutches have always been very unpleasant on street cars. The old McLeod Street Twin made C5's really foul to drive in traffic. This is a street car that will see occasional auto-x or HPDE, it's making well under 500HP (has to be CARB legal) so I don't see a reason for a really wild clutch setup.
My plan has been a version of the Tick-LS7 setup with the Ram aluminum flywheel, but I'm not 100% decided. They offer a similar package with Monster and what I assume is a more conventional LS1 style flywheel
If you think there's something else I should explore, I'm listening.
In my experience the dual disc clutches have always been very unpleasant on street cars. The old McLeod Street Twin made C5's really foul to drive in traffic. This is a street car that will see occasional auto-x or HPDE, it's making well under 500HP (has to be CARB legal) so I don't see a reason for a really wild clutch setup.
My plan has been a version of the Tick-LS7 setup with the Ram aluminum flywheel, but I'm not 100% decided. They offer a similar package with Monster and what I assume is a more conventional LS1 style flywheel
If you think there's something else I should explore, I'm listening.
I certainly understand going aluminum for a track car.......it's a different animal on the street. Have you considered a light weight steel flywheel to put you more in the middle?
I ran an RST on 500whp for years starting back in 2015, then NA 343whp on same car for the last few. I utterly abused the thing in a daily driver car year-round with traffic, snow/ice driving, stop/go, and performance harm - not just aggressive - and it worked like a champ while being lighter on the foot than oem. RST / Fidanza 11lb / Tick Adj.
I have the reverse perspective though, that going with the LS7 clutch it akin to putting a truck clutch on a sports car. Heavy, five mile engagement, slow rpm changes. It certainly does the job. It just doesn't tick off any of the boxes I want in my sports car.
Short answer, yes. The LS7 clutch itself is pretty heavy, so the aluminum flywheel basically brings it back down to a comparable weight (slightly lighter) to the factory LS6 setup. I'd be happy to have something a little lighter than factory as I like a quick revving engine This is a quick comparison I had Perplexity put together.
Weight Comparison
Component/Setup Flywheel Weight Clutch Assembly (est.) Total Rotating Mass (est.)
I don’t believe GM makes the LS6 clutch/flywheel assembly any longer. So that leaves the LS7 and aftermarket. I have the LS7 clutch kit. Seems fine for my neighborhood driving.
Fwiw I have a twin-disc mcleod rst with lightweight aluminum flywheel. Car has a mild cam as well (222/226). Even with a commute that includes stop and go traffic over bridges I have no complaints compared to stock.
Sorry for requesting additional clarification, that's the GM LS7 clutch kit 24255748, and which flywheel? GM LS7 flywheel 12571611?
Unfortunately I don’t know the individual part numbers. I bought them as part of a kit from Scoggin Dickey about five years ago. Same as linked below, although about $350 more since I got mine!
I bought the standard version with the steel Corvette LS7 flywheel, but if you use the link to their site it states they can upgrade this kit to a lighter flywheel.
Perhaps you can call them for the specific info. They have good customer support
Did anyone ever suggest questionable durability of any twin disks?
I literally abused mine with 500rw for half a decade. Then I went back to NA and downshifted SO HARD when trying to race a ZL1 that I managed to SHEER the bolts on the rear torque tube adapter. That was 'just' an RST clutch with the 11lb Fidanza. Just saying.
I believe you, but honestly, the dual disc setup is overkill for my power levels. The early Street Twin my shop installed in a Z06 back in 2003 really made me sour on them. Just a light-switch of a clutch, that was VERY hard to modulate on the street. I know a lot of time and R&D has gone on, but man that thing was a beast
<EDIT> dammit, I just spoke with the Monster Clutch guys... the S-Series Twin Disc is mighty tempting. Monster S Series Twin Disc Clutch – C5
Factory pedal feel, lower MOI with the smaller diameter, comparable overall weight.
... I'm probably over-thinking this, but I really don't want to ever look at this clutch again once this one goes in.
I believe you, but honestly, the dual disc setup is overkill for my power levels. The early Street Twin my shop installed in a Z06 back in 2003 really made me sour on them. Just a light-switch of a clutch, that was VERY hard to modulate on the street. I know a lot of time and R&D has gone on, but man that thing was a beast
<EDIT> dammit, I just spoke with the Monster Clutch guys... the S-Series Twin Disc is mighty tempting. 1997 - 2004 Corvette C5 Clutch | Twin Disc Race Clutch
Factory pedal feel, lower MOI with the smaller diameter, comparable overall weight.
... I'm probably over-thinking this, but I really don't want to ever look at this clutch again once this one goes in.
If the monster is as good as the rst you’ll love it
I don't know that brand from direct experience yet. But my dual disc experiences have been very positive. I have two RXTs currently.... One not yet running lol.... But I just drove the other one yesterday and even the more touchy RXT is a fine daily clutch. RST or equivalent get my unquestioned support all the way.
Re McLeod - this was 20 years ago in my Speed Merchant days. At the time I think the McLeod LS clutches had just come out and probably weren't that sorted yet. It was the "Street Twin" with an Aluminum flywheel. Rev'd so fast, but just wasn't a street clutch. We'd use the Tilton 3-disc setups in our road race cars, and it felt pretty similar / unmanageable
I remember the guy had just bought the car new, to use for track days, his daily was a Lamborghini. I remember asking him why not the Lambo for track, he said tha Corvette fenders were cheaper... made sense.
We swapped in the Clutch, Hurst Shifter, a bunch of bolt on stuff, headers and Baer Eradi-speed +1 brakes (that was a mistake, they cracked almost immediately). They had just discovered the torque management system and the owner of the car didn't want to pay for a tune (remember LS1-edit!) so ended up being pissed off that it didn't pick up any real power. The car felt quick though...
I dunno memory lane.