So I got advice in another post to go with the GMPP clutch and LUK flywheel. @63 Nova SS confirmed the "upgraded" clutch kit, but is the LUK the "2.0L F35 Flywheel?" I will also be buying a new clutch master cylinder. I will be making one order through ZZP for this stuff so I want to make sure I get it right and don't buy stuff I don't really need. I am also thinking about getting a compression/leak down test before proceeding as I do want more power at some point.

My list is: pressure plate bolts, Clutch MC, Throw out bearing spacer (any input on this?), Clutch elbow, Clutch pipe, Master cylinder line, 2.0L F35 flywheel, Upgraded clutch kit. I will also be doing the water pump and an oversized radiator as I was hitting 230 during the summer.

Is there anything else I should be doing during all this to save on labor and install later? Trans mounts, engine mounts, upgraded axles, etc? I do not know what has been done to the car before I bought it as far as tune and mods but the stuff I know is: dual pass, front mount HE, aftermarket header, and the pulley is silver with 5 screws on the front and lastly, a +5 HP Trifecta sticker... that kind of scares me... My goal is to keep the car M62 and do what I can as I can, I love the sound...

TL;DR: A shop is replacing my clutch, water pump, and radiator and I want to know what else could (should) be done during this time (replace and/or upgrade) to save money on labor later. Also, compression/leak down test should be done before all this?

 

Tob spacer to what I've heard is nothing but problens

 

Super frustrated tonight, can't even find a shop that will do the work. All the good reviews have policies of "no customer supplied parts." GM wants 1100 just in labor and wont guarantee customer supplied parts so I think they will just "throw it together." I had a GM dealership fix the car after I bottomed out and busted my radiator, HE, and condenser and I couldn't believe what a terrible job they did...

 

you are rather uninformed about the spacer you have to measure the air gap between the tob and the pressure plate fingers to see if you need it or not there is a video on zzp channel o youtube that explains how to measure the air gap

 

I'm not saying I am informed about it, to what I've read here from people that have tried using them they have only had problems. It could be they dont know what he are doing or maybe they do. But thank you for sharing that info for the OP that should give him the answer he needs to know if he needs one or not

 

that is a relatively new video and very handy. with a stock (GM-sourced) clutch and flywheel (OEM dimensions) you shouldn't need a spacer but it's definitely a good idea to measure and is pretty easy to do.

 

Got it, I watched the video before but at the time I didn't make the connection on why he was measuring. I will take that part of the list. Still trying to find a shop to do the work before I order the parts.

 

If you are going with the gimp and luk setup I highly doubt a spaced will be needed. Sorry to hear about doing the job. I was quoted $700 2 yrs ago so I just did it myself. Had a garage and the car was parked for the winter so I just took my time. If the carriage bolts come out easy it's not a hard job with an engine stabilizer from harbor freight.

 

I'm sort of debating just getting a stage 3 block and going turbo... I don't know, I dont want another car payment and I do enjoy driving the cobalt. Course then I gotta worry about third gear going, breaking shafts and all that stuff... No solutions, only problems... lol Just the expense of staying supercharged to do more mods to only realize I am still making less power vs a mostly simple bolt on solution seems so easy. Or I might just give in to old age, buy a Prius and call it a day.

 

My suggestion would always be, figure out where you really want to be and then map out the path of how to get there. If you 'think' you might want to do 'A' or maybe you want to do 'B', then now is not the time to start buying parts.

Do all of your research, make a choice and then plan the road that gets you were you really want to be at the end of your project.

 

That's awesome advice^

 

You need to figure out your end goals like has been said and then figure out what parts will be needed to support that. If you are going to swap motors then there is no reason to pay for the clutch and then the motor as the cradle has to be dropped to do both.