C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Clutch Question

Old Apr 18, 2018 | 08:40 PM
  #1  
Withnasty's Avatar
Withnasty
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 120
Likes: 17
From: Xenia Ohio
Default Clutch Question

09 Z51 M6 25k miles headers back, intake, and tsp stage 3 cam. Ive been having clutch issues for a while, slips in 3rd or higher above 4k rpm and/or when shifting hard. bled the clutch a few times as the fluid gets filthy really quickly and itll grab for a while after a fluid change. ive pretty much settled on just replacing with a monster lt1s with the billet support bearing and a new slave. my question is, and this might be indicative of further issues, but i've tried to practice launching a few times and with the clutch pedal in when i rev the car it pulls the pedal down and it wont release/engage. Im assuming as the car builds vacuum its doing something to the master cylinder?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2018 | 08:44 PM
  #2  
phils C5 vette's Avatar
phils C5 vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Default

your making more HP than the stock clutch can handle.

Last edited by phils C5 vette; Apr 18, 2018 at 08:44 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2018 | 09:57 PM
  #3  
Withnasty's Avatar
Withnasty
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 120
Likes: 17
From: Xenia Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by phils C5 vette
your making more HP than the stock clutch can handle.
it only makes slightly more than a stock z06. i was under the impression the clutch was the same as a z.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2018 | 07:13 PM
  #4  
jaybee924's Avatar
jaybee924
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 110
From: Chattanooga TN
Default

Originally Posted by Withnasty
it only makes slightly more than a stock z06. i was under the impression the clutch was the same as a z.
How much did your car make at the rear wheels? Over 505 at the rear wheels maybe?

There's a big difference in what you make in rear wheel horsepower vs. crank horsepower.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2018 | 09:08 PM
  #5  
Withnasty's Avatar
Withnasty
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 120
Likes: 17
From: Xenia Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by jaybee924
How much did your car make at the rear wheels? Over 505 at the rear wheels maybe?

There's a big difference in what you make in rear wheel horsepower vs. crank horsepower.
It made 480 to the wheels so even on the conservative side, thats only 550ish to the fywheel
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 02:06 AM
  #6  
jaybee924's Avatar
jaybee924
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 110
From: Chattanooga TN
Default

Originally Posted by Withnasty
It made 480 to the wheels so even on the conservative side, thats only 550ish to the fywheel
You may have a one of the older master cylinders that were prone to have engagement/disengagement issues. I think GM put a revised one out that around in the 2011/2012 C6 from what I've read over time. It has DOT4 on top of the cap. I could be wrong on that. Look up clutch stuck to the floor or Master cylinder and that may can help you out.

You also have to remember that yes that's a little bit more power than the Z06 but your are starting to beat on it which will shorten the life of it but if you an get a different master cylinder GM/maybe Tick it may help or the damage may already be done.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 10:47 AM
  #7  
Mike's LS3's Avatar
Mike's LS3
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 875
From: Bay Area CA
Default

The LS3/7 share the same clutch and with 480 rwhp it has more room to grow.

I would take the least expensive approach and replace the clutch master cylinder and add a clutch bleeder. Flush with D0T 4 and see if there is any improvement. The new clutch master cylinder design has improved seals and a black reservoir vs. white on the old one. I had the clutch master cylinder covered under service bulletin warranty, you still might be under warranty.

If that doesn't work, then replace the clutch.

25k on a clutch is low mileage, unless it was abused.

Last edited by Mike's LS3; Apr 20, 2018 at 10:52 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 07:50 PM
  #8  
Ahrmike's Avatar
Ahrmike
Drifting
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 221
Default

Originally Posted by Withnasty
09 Z51 M6 25k miles headers back, intake, and tsp stage 3 cam. Ive been having clutch issues for a while, slips in 3rd or higher above 4k rpm and/or when shifting hard. bled the clutch a few times as the fluid gets filthy really quickly and itll grab for a while after a fluid change. ive pretty much settled on just replacing with a monster lt1s with the billet support bearing and a new slave. my question is, and this might be indicative of further issues, but i've tried to practice launching a few times and with the clutch pedal in when i rev the car it pulls the pedal down and it wont release/engage. Im assuming as the car builds vacuum its doing something to the master cylinder?
If the fluid is getting nasty really quickly, you have a LOT of accumulated clutch dust on the slave side. I had to do the reservoir flush every weekend for almost 3 months before it started getting clean. You may want to try that before doing anything major.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Clutch Question

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:49 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE