Think I lost/am loosing another OE clutch

[Jason@JacFab]

Went out to the track this last Friday, also the last race of the season here... I was hoping to get some good comparisons running the stock airbox vs. the JacFab cold air intake...

Runs with the stock intake were nice and consistent 13.40, 13.38, 13.336, which is about where it likes to run in crap air (2500 DA) when stock. Exactly what I was after, a nice consistent baseline.

After Intake swap:
First pass: 13.156
Second pass: 13.40 (drop clutch for burn out, tires stay stationary, clutch slips to 5k rpms... Uhoh)
Third pass: 13.44 (drop clutch for burn out, clutch still slipping, no burn out)
Called er quits after the 2nd clutch mishap.

So unfortunately I wasn't able to get repeatable times with my intake, and I think my clutch issue needs to be assesed before trying again.

This is the second OEM clutch in the car after the first one was replaced under warranty for similar issues (slipping, pedal droping to the floor). The first clutch was replaced at 9k miles at the dealer for what is supposedly "the ugraded oem clutch"... I haven't had any issues with the new clutch until now, new clutch has appx 15k miles on it. I put the LPE "clutch return" kit on the car after the second clutch was installed, the pedal did not stick to the floor during any of these problems at the last race, most likely due to the LPE kit. This clutch probably has between 30 or 40 passes on it.

I'm thinking my racing days for the Camaro are done at least until I can get a decent clutch into the car... So without going full on race only clutch, what are you guys going with for a street/strip unit? Hopefully one that won't break the bank?

Anyone ever experience anything like this?

[Jason@JacFab]

ZR1 clutch? ZL1 clutch? Aftermarket? Anyone have any recommendations?

[danielblack60]

I have a monster level 3 clutch and flywheel sitting in my living room. Picked it up pretty cheap for 400 bucks. I know a few people have had bad experiences with them but for 400 dollars I guess it's worth a shot. Should be putting it in this winter sometime.

I've heard lots of good reviews on the zr1 clutch. If I ever have to buy another clutch that's probably what I'll get.

[AngelSpeedFreak]

Originally Posted by danielblack60

I have a monster level 3 clutch and flywheel sitting in my living room. Picked it up pretty cheap for 400 bucks. I know a few people have had bad experiences with them but for 400 dollars I guess it's worth a shot. Should be putting it in this winter sometime.

I've heard lots of good reviews on the zr1 clutch. If I ever have to buy another clutch that's probably what I'll get.

you buy that used I assume?

[Camarowguy]

I'm thinking if you just trade it in for an auto it will not only eliminate your problems, but you'll be faster too. Just saying. Lol

[dangjohnny]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

I'm thinking if you just trade it in for an auto it will not only eliminate your problems, but you'll be faster too. Just saying. Lol

Or you could buy a GT500 that only comes in manual, or a Z06 that only comes in manual, or a ZR1 that only comes in manual, and will not only eliminate your problems, but you'll be faster too. just saying. Lol

[danielblack60]

Originally Posted by AngelSpeedFreak

you buy that used I assume?

Yes sir. The guy bought too much clutch for his application. He ended up putting his OE clutch back in

[PQ]

Maybe just bad luck? Go with another GM clutch if it's being offered.

I haven't had any problems. 70k miles.

[mikepage0007]

streetslayer over a zl1 clutch..look up tommy hendrix

[dekan513]

ya , streetslayer i hear does good , i know a guy with the zl1 or zr1 whatever and it didnt do so well for him, but he big hp tho.

[Bad70supreme]

Are you dumping the clutch in 2nd gear at 5K? If you dont dump it hard this could happen but does not mean you clutch is gone, if you quick slip it trying to do a burnout your going to smoke it for sure! I have a good 100 passes on my stock clutch and a burnout for every pass, I have only had a issue when the fuild gets to hot. The pedal got stuck and the clutch was not grabbing or engadged completley... so it was smoking the clutch at full throttle with me not moving very fast!

That was last year and my clutch is still working great, but now I flush the fuild before every track day and let my car cool for a 1/2hr between runs... never happened again!

[Jason@JacFab]

Unfortunately, trading the car for an auto is not an option I don't think I'll ever have BIG HP... No plans for an S/C or turbos in my future. I think not this winter, but next winter I will do a cam swap, and possibly port the heads, and intake.

I like the idea of the Street Slayer Lite as it's lighter than a factory setup, but it looks like they do not offer it for the Camaro (yet?)... I sent Thomas @ Street Slayer an email asking if they had it, or planned to offer it in the future.

The other clutch I'm interested in is the Mantic ER2.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Originally Posted by Bad70supreme

Are you dumping the clutch in 2nd gear at 5K? If you dont dump it hard this could happen but does not mean you clutch is gone, if you quick slip it trying to do a burnout your going to smoke it for sure!

I usually drop the clutch between 3-4k in 2nd for the burnout... I've had no problems up until the last race. I've probably got 30-40 passes on this clutch. Probably had 20 on the first clutch, but I used to do a shorter burn out in first, but I was getting worse 60' times and some spin, so I started doing them in second turning them faster & longer. Usually for about 2-3 seconds.

I've been meaning to change the fluid again, but haven't yet... Unfortunately I can't let the car sit for 30 minutes between runs... As the cars drop out of eliminations, the classes run through faster, so toward the end of the night, it might get as low as a 10 minute wait for the next pass...

[Bad70supreme]

When was the last time you changed the fluid? Trust me it makes a world of a difference on how that clutch works... you need to get those revs up to 5 and dump it... your in second gear between 3-4k then your putting to much load on the clutch like that in my opion. Thats asking for issues, I would try it again before you change your clutch and do what I am saying. If you still have issues then replace it, but make sure before you spend money you might not need to. I truely think its your burnout procedure.

[Jason@JacFab]

That seems like it would be pretty hard on things... I got the 3-4k number from the ranger acceleration page...

Step 6
Rev the motor to 3500 and pop the clutch. Immediately lightly apply the brakes with your left foot. The brakes help keep the rear-end from walking sideways.

Which has been fine as long as I've been doing it. Although that is recommended for a Corvette which is a lighter car, so maybe the Camaro needs a higher rpm drop as it's heavier.

I changed the fluid mid season, so probably ~15 passes on it (2 days, including the problem day). I also run a Super DOT 3 (can't remember brand off the top of my head), which is supposed to have a higher boiling point I believe?

Perhaps I will change the fluid again, and upgrade to the Ideal G master cylinder while I'm at it prior to changing a clutch.