Hey guys,

I need some help here & I’m hoping someone here knows what the deal is.

So I’m driving on the freeway in 5th gear at 2500 RPM, I step on the to get it up at 3000 RPM (80 mph) but right when I hit 3k RPM mark it jumps to 3250 for about a sec with no torque. Then it drops back down to 3k and you could feel the car pull a bit…

I have taken it to two dealers and one said “that’s just how the car is and the other says you should not be punching it like that… you should down shift to get it to go faster”

Also both dealers said that the clutch is fine.. the car is only has 35k miles

bump

 

Clutch is not fine.. promise...

 

What is the boost gauge doing during this?

I ask because I'm having a bit of the same issue. I have a 09 LAP 2.2 and I supercharged it. I noticed over the weekend that if I floor it in 5th at about the same RPM's, the RPM's drop (as well as the boost gauge) and then it picks back up again.

It doesn't do this in any other gear.

If it were the clutch slipping it would smell and the boost would be going up while the RPM's dropped... so it has been something I've been trying to figure out as well.

 

ill have to check... i'm about to head some so ill try it..

 

unless a clutch is slipping bad it wont smell. the clutch wont start to smell till it gets very hot. its just like brakes, they dont smell under normal use but you get them very hot and they stink.

the only way the rpm will climb and the car not accelerate is if the clutch is slipping. when in 5th gear cruising you shouldnt go full throttle, it puts a tremendous load on the clutch and yes, it can start to slip. im sure your clutch is just fine and will have a ton of life left in it. if you want to acelerate, drop a gear.

 

that was something they told me... thanks

 

I read the post, but I still don't buy into it. It doesn't mean you're wrong, I just don't think it makes sense.

To me, when I'm doing 1st through 3rd runs all the way to 7,000 RPM in each gear, that should be more load and torque than punching it in 5th. My car doesn't slip yet from 1st through 3rd.

Also, if I'm in the 85 to 90 MPH range and I want to punch it in 5th, I don't believe that it would be very good to downshift to 4th and that speed. But... I would have to try it first.

 

Gene - You are 100% wrong lol. It is more load and harm on an engine to floor it at a lower rpm then it is to at a higher rpm. There is a reason why the gear ratios are different in a transmission and there is a reason why 5th gear is considered a cruising gear. Down shifting is a GREAT idea when you are driving at lower speeds. I would NEVER go wot in 5th gear, it's way to much strain and stress on the motor.

 

When ever I do a run from an 80 punch I go down to 3rd and let her rip......

 

Thanks for the info

 

are you gradually speeding up or just hammering it?

 

punch it wide open

 

i'm going to agree with Sharkey & Zach on this.

if you are going to punch it, drop a gear first and make sure you rev match.

 

First I will agree with you I do the same thing and I never ever floor it in 5th, I always goto either 3rd pending who's next to me, or 4th, also never assume anything because I drove my ss/sc like a baby bird when I first bought it and at about 15k miles my clutch was gone and i mean every freakin gear even reverse and there was no smell what so ever. I mean I had my fun with the car but I never thrashed on it hard enough to totally destroy it, so it wouldn't hurt to have it checked..... or just wait till it goes out lol and buy a spec 3 or something lol...

 

Ok, lol. Good info.

I normally only take it easy in 5th myself, but I was testing out my tune and beating up on it a bit. What you're saying makes sense, so no problem.

 

how would i know if my clutch is sliping?

 

when u hit the gas, your rpms will go up, but your car doesnt go anywhere.

take off normally... go to about 4.5k in second, then shift right to 5th and hit gas..

If what i said above happends, ur slipping.

 

Ill have to try that on my way home...

Thanks

 

youre right.... take third, youll be glad you did

 

You should never floor it in your OD gear and under 3k. Drop it into 4th to accelerate. Youre going to **** up your tranny if you floor it too low of an RPM and in OD.

 

is it hard to replace a clutch on the balt?

 

kind of. It will take a while.

Buy the LSJ ecotec performance book. It has step by step instructions and pictures for modding ur LSJ. It is some of the best spent $20 for your cobalt.