LS7 clutch limit
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 8
From: Taft TN
LS7 clutch limit
I am installing a LS motor with T76 in a C4. I have a new LS7 clutch laying here and want to use it. I did buy a fidanza FW. I plan on making about 550-600 rwhp at the most. Its a DD and will have street tires, no track time or DR are in the plans at the moment. Just getting a idea of what the clutch will hold as this is a budget build and dont really want to spend any more money than I have to at the moment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
Fast06z06 had stock clutch issues at 560rwhp first time at the track (ls7, cam, headers, tune, etc.). But the car had sticky tires... on the street it was fine... good old traction gets you every time!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1,547
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
If you never race, you will probably be fine with street tires. I am at 518RWHP and I have smoked it more then once on the drag strip. I have never used DR's and use a line loc to aide in the burnout. It still will stick to the floor sometimes, but comes back after sitting for a short time. At least if it does not work out, the clutch job on a C4 is much easier then the C5/C6.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I'm at 700+rwhp and its ok but I wouldnt do any type of hard launch at anything over 600rwhp. It holds on my car for hard 1-3 gear run-ups but no hard launches or hard shifts. I also run the fidanza AL flywheel.
As a street clutch and 550-600rwhp you will be fine. VetteJoel ran 550rwhp (Z06) on motor and a 100 shot for 650rwhp and 700+rwtq for 26k miles before it gave up the ghost. He ran Hoosiers and drove it hard with a 10.9 track pass too.
Its a good clutch but it doesnt like being slipped so dont do it.
By the way. You will be told by countless LS3 guys that they have the same clutch in there. I think GM uses the LS7 as a replacement and thats why it shows the LS7 part number but I'm not believing they have it stock and it dies under 500rwhp based on what mine is doing. There are so many 650-700rwhp Z06's out there without issue and it isnt matching with what the LS3 guys are saying.
The magic is that its a gm part and you know its going to work since its stock and runs like stock. No chatter, no driveability non-sense and no argument on the price.
As a street clutch and 550-600rwhp you will be fine. VetteJoel ran 550rwhp (Z06) on motor and a 100 shot for 650rwhp and 700+rwtq for 26k miles before it gave up the ghost. He ran Hoosiers and drove it hard with a 10.9 track pass too.
Its a good clutch but it doesnt like being slipped so dont do it.
By the way. You will be told by countless LS3 guys that they have the same clutch in there. I think GM uses the LS7 as a replacement and thats why it shows the LS7 part number but I'm not believing they have it stock and it dies under 500rwhp based on what mine is doing. There are so many 650-700rwhp Z06's out there without issue and it isnt matching with what the LS3 guys are saying.
The magic is that its a gm part and you know its going to work since its stock and runs like stock. No chatter, no driveability non-sense and no argument on the price.
Last edited by SpinMonster; Jun 23, 2009 at 03:38 AM.
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