Remote clutch fluid reservoir

[AaronsSS]

Who's installed a remote clutch fluid reservoir? Are there any problems with the small size of the new reservoir and is it worth it? I'm looking at the Tick Performance one but does anyone know where to get the new hose for the connection?

[Coz3z3]

I did it on my 1LE and Z/28. I think it's worth it. I track the Z/28 so it's nice to be able to bleed that one separately. No issues with the size. What hose are you referring to? The kit will come with everything to get it installed. Only thing is the brackets are usually cheap and will sag. I got one on here from a forum member that made better ones

[hesster]

Alwys search the Forum first - plenty of examples. Yes it is worth it. Use correct dia EPDM Hose with any Brake Fluid.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=411141

[Bee]

I agree, the remote clutch reservoir is totally worth it. The smaller size really only becomes a pain if/when you have to bleed the clutch...more so if you still use the stock bleeder location.

Depending on where you mount the remote reservoir, you could reuse the stock hose already running to the brake reservoir. I initially attempted to use the mounting bracket that came with the Tick kit, but it interfered with my brake reservoir cover so I ended up mounting the clutch reservoir to the back of the positive battery bracket and had to get a longer EPDM hose.

On a side note, I did clutch reservoir as a combo with the Tick speed bleeder and RAM clutch adjuster. The speed bleeder turned into a debacle for me, but in the end I absolutely love the new setup. I can flush the clutch fluid myself from under the hood using a Mityvac pump.

[102SSRSLS3]

I used the JDP kit as it came with the brake reservoir for an automatic, which looks like the reservoir came separate from the factory.

https://www.jdpmotorsports.com/produ...-kit-jdp-c1002

Absolutely worth it as even a daily driver pollutes the fluid significantly. No trouble on the install at all.

[TheBrightSide]

Nope, no issue at all. Only thing you’ll want to do, is switch out the Phillips head bolts, for some metric hex head ones, as well as some matching nuts on the ends of them, to keep them from backing out. I believe the size is M6-1.0 x 40mm(?). I can’t recall the length, but you’ll want to match the same size as the stock Phillips bolt. The replacement bolt(s) should be fully threaded, and you’ll have just enough threads on the end of the bolt, to tighten the nut on and have it locked in place by the design of the brake booster.

Aside from that, I guess using the stock bolts aren’t an issue; they just simply constantly back out, and you won’t be able to tighten them enough to keep them from getting loose and smacked around when working on the engine bay. I would recommend worm gear hose clamps if possible; but if not, then the stock spring clamps should work. If you don’t get the Tick kit, you’ll need to get an EPDM rubber vacuum plug, to cap off the unused brake master cylinder/fluid reservoir.

You’ll also need an EPDM rubber (brake fluid resistant, just like plug) 3/8” ID hose, around 17-18” inches in length. And last but not least, get at least a quart of some decent to high quality DOT 4 brake fluid (the higher the boiling point, the better). You will NOT want to touch the clutch pedal at all until the new clutch master cylinder/fluid reservoir is filled up, to have the new clutch fluid cycled. And for the original shared brake fluid reservoir, do NOT remove the top cap when disconnecting the original line. This will keep vacuum to prevent all the existing brake fluid from releasing.

Other than that, siphon out and cycle in new brake fluid, to the remote clutch fluid reservoir every 4-6 months, especially if daily driven or just driven hard in general. Some clutch hydraulics will allow clutch dust to make it’s way up to contaminate the brake/clutch fluid. This is why it’s generally so important to separate the reservoirs. I’ve seen a lot of people with their bone stock cars neglect their clutch hydraulic maintenance, and this causes shifting quality, as well as brake performance, to go right out the window. If contamination is “ultra” severe, you most likely need a new clutch slave cylinder (but not always).

I guess for non-V8, RWD, manual platforms, other makes/brands/companies trusted their clutch slave/master cylinders and the seals on them, to not backwards contaminate the internal system with active clutch dust…

[AaronsSS]

FYI, I found someone who has successfully used this reservoir kit from Wildwood (260-11098) and for only $28 it's a steal + much larger reservoir than others. I'm going to go for it and find a place to mount.

[SS_Dave]

Originally Posted by AaronsSS

FYI, I found someone who has successfully used this reservoir kit from Wildwood (260-11098) and for only $28 it's a steal + much larger reservoir than others. I'm going to go for it and find a place to mount.

I like that better than the G8 reservoir most use. May have to grab one.

[AaronsSS]

Originally Posted by SS_Dave

I like that better than the G8 reservoir most use. May have to grab one.

Supposedly, the hose will be slightly smaller than factory, but it fits and if anything that just makes the connection more snug. Credit:

[NiteProwlerSS]

I'm also looking into installing the Tick remote clutch reservoir, but since it doesn't supply a replacement hose can anyone verify what size EPDM hose I need. I've seen 3/8" and also 5/16" ID.

The Wilwood listed above has an appealing price, but I don't like that it's 2 piece. It looks susceptible to leaks

[CamaroCracka]

I have the G8 OEM unit on one car and the Wilwood on the other. No leaking issues on the either. The biggest potential leak I see is the plug on the brake master cylinder since it is not threaded, but the turbo car has been that way for over 10 years without issue.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by AaronsSS

FYI, I found someone who has successfully used this reservoir kit from Wildwood (260-11098) and for only $28 it's a steal + much larger reservoir than others. I'm going to go for it and find a place to mount.

I had this, but I forget the other company that makes the same style… But anyhow, the clamping area would always leak. They tell you to put silicone grease around the o-rings at the clamping area, and people have tried various “methods” of tightening it, to prevent leakage.

Also, if you don’t run enough brake fluid and you happen to drive real hard or track the car, the fluid will slosh around and you could potentially end up introducing air; although you’d have to be super low on fluid, I guess.

It’s a nice kit, and the one I had was fairly close in design with it’s mounting bracket, to the one that came in the Tick GM remote clutch fluid reservoir kit. I haven’t had any particular issues with the Pontiac GTO clutch fluid reservoir, although I wish it was a tad bigger. That’s probably why GM/Chevy decided to use the shared reservoir.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by NiteProwlerSS

I'm also looking into installing the Tick remote clutch reservoir, but since it doesn't supply a replacement hose can anyone verify what size EPDM hose I need. I've seen 3/8" and also 5/16" ID.

The Wilwood listed above has an appealing price, but I don't like that it's 2 piece. It looks susceptible to leaks

3/8 for sure. That’s what the diameter of the nipple on the clutch fluid reservoir and the clutch master cylinder are.

Also, if you dig around in some of the forum threads about bigger clutch fluid/master cylinder reservoirs, I ended up using a brake fluid reservoir from a tractor. LOL It was a big reservoir with a nipple right directly underneath the reservoir, in the center of the bottom. It held quite a fair bit of brake fluid, so I had to keep it full to prevent it from sloshing around.

I didn’t post pictures, but I basically “fabricated” up a custom mounting bracket for it and used the same 3/8” EPDM rubber hose. I believe the diameter of the nipple was either 3/8” or 5/16” as well too, but I can’t recall. I’ll go home and try measuring it tonight with my measuring calipers.

[NiteProwlerSS]

I ordered the Tick reservoir kit last night. The only EPDM hose I could find on Summit that was for sure meant for brake fluid was 5/16". I went ahead and ordered it since I had a few other things I needed from Summit.

The slightly smaller size shouldn't be an issue since I seen someone on here used 5/16" and 2 of the reviews on Summit were actually for gen5 camaros