the OFFICIAL aftermarket clutch thread
l61
spec stage 3 clutch
even with all the bad reviews i haven't had any problems with mine and I have around 10,000 miles on it already. built engine and zzp stage 2 turbo kit with e85. No slippage yet (knock on wood)
spec stage 3 clutch
even with all the bad reviews i haven't had any problems with mine and I have around 10,000 miles on it already. built engine and zzp stage 2 turbo kit with e85. No slippage yet (knock on wood)
Senior Member
Joined: 02-01-11
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: modesto
07 lsj
full boltons
zzp stage 4 clutch with fidenza flywheel
wen i first got in the car with the new clutch i stalled it twice trying to get it out of the shop. the car was so different. i drive 180 miles a day. i put the clutch in about 3 months ago so i have a few mile on it now. at first i hated it and now i dont think i could go back to a stock flywheel. i run about 20 psi of boost with a 2.5 pulley the clutch seems to have no problem with a dig or a roll or even break boosting
full boltons
zzp stage 4 clutch with fidenza flywheel
wen i first got in the car with the new clutch i stalled it twice trying to get it out of the shop. the car was so different. i drive 180 miles a day. i put the clutch in about 3 months ago so i have a few mile on it now. at first i hated it and now i dont think i could go back to a stock flywheel. i run about 20 psi of boost with a 2.5 pulley the clutch seems to have no problem with a dig or a roll or even break boosting
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: 04-06-10
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 0
From: 6000ft on a Mountain in Colorado!
I was told that KY Clutch has a new model out and from what I've heard its engagement point is mid way, but the clutch pedal is way softer than stock.
Can anyone confim?
Can anyone confim?
New Member
Joined: 07-07-09
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: DFW
I had my local dealer put in my clutch masters stage 4 - 6 puck. Dealer was kind enough to give me a credit when my factory IC blew the cheap plastic tank out so I could put in a better after-market IC.
The guy that installed my clutch did crappy job of bleeding it and got brake fluid everywhere.
Clutch feels great but still seeing some fluid dripping, so hope its just the mess he made and not the slave cylinder. If it was leaking I would expect it to lose fluid and gain air, which would make it feel soft again. so far so good. I have 120 miles on the new clutch, like it so far.
If the slave was leaking on the new ceramic disk I wonder if it would damage it like it might do on a organic disk??? any thoughts???
The guy that installed my clutch did crappy job of bleeding it and got brake fluid everywhere.
Clutch feels great but still seeing some fluid dripping, so hope its just the mess he made and not the slave cylinder. If it was leaking I would expect it to lose fluid and gain air, which would make it feel soft again. so far so good. I have 120 miles on the new clutch, like it so far.
If the slave was leaking on the new ceramic disk I wonder if it would damage it like it might do on a organic disk??? any thoughts???
New Member
Joined: 07-07-09
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: DFW
So far they have answered all calls quickly, I hate phone auto attendants. lol
They even said if the disk have fluid on it they would make me a deal to re-puck it.
Im pissed about the leak and not sure how the dill-weed dealer did not see that. but that is another headache for another day....grrr and of course the dealer service writer is not returning my calls...ha
New Member
Joined: 10-15-10
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Waukegan, IL
2007 Cobalt SS. About 330 WHP. Stock clutch needs replacement. Recommendations welcome for best choice given this power level. Would like clutch strong enough to launch with maximum speed and efficiency. Advice greatly appreciated.
05 ss/sc lsj. 2.7" pulley, 60lb injectors, meth injection, zzp intake, clear image header, 2.5" exhaust, option b dual pass, cobra h/e
GMPP lsj upgrade clutch kit and fidenza flywheel
about 2500km on the clutch and flywheel
car drives great with this clutch. its a little stiffer, but feels good, not a lightswitch clutch like many others. holds everything ive thrown at it, no more of the dreaded tire spin in 1st, grab 2nd and the clutch slips. id recommend this clutch to anyone with a street driven lsj.
GMPP lsj upgrade clutch kit and fidenza flywheel
about 2500km on the clutch and flywheel
car drives great with this clutch. its a little stiffer, but feels good, not a lightswitch clutch like many others. holds everything ive thrown at it, no more of the dreaded tire spin in 1st, grab 2nd and the clutch slips. id recommend this clutch to anyone with a street driven lsj.
New Member
Joined: 10-15-10
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Waukegan, IL
Had Kentucky Clutch installed, fly wheel machine shopped. So far, smoother than the stock clutch. No slippage. Right now, seems like the right choice. Reasonably priced. Prompt shipping. Solid performance. Next year's hard spring and summer driving will tell the final story.
LNF
Clutchmasters Stage 3 (Segmented Kevlar)
Stock flywheel (Not resurfaced, factory machining was still 100% there, no burned spots)
1,400 miles so far.
This clutch operates just like the stocker. The pedal is a bit heavier though but there is absolutely no chatter and can be easily slipped. It holds the power of Stage 1 perfectly. After the break-in period its only started to grip harder and harder.
I'd definitely reccomend this clutch for anyone not going crazy with their power levels and wanting something that may be a little more DD friendly than ceramic. That and you won't wear out your flywheel with it.
Clutchmasters Stage 3 (Segmented Kevlar)
Stock flywheel (Not resurfaced, factory machining was still 100% there, no burned spots)
1,400 miles so far.
This clutch operates just like the stocker. The pedal is a bit heavier though but there is absolutely no chatter and can be easily slipped. It holds the power of Stage 1 perfectly. After the break-in period its only started to grip harder and harder.
I'd definitely reccomend this clutch for anyone not going crazy with their power levels and wanting something that may be a little more DD friendly than ceramic. That and you won't wear out your flywheel with it.
i got a KY Stage 3, just finished breaking it in. i like it so far except sometimes it sticks in gears, like its hard to get it out of gear.
i am fully bolted and tuned
LNF Sedan
i am fully bolted and tuned
LNF Sedan
Member
Joined: 07-09-08
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, MI
2008 SS/TC
Had a ZZP Clutch - Stage 4 IIRC - installed near the end of last year
Resurfaced stock flywheel
ZZP clutch rod adjusted for mid-pedal engagement
Approximately 8K miles on the setup (mostly highway drives between Detroit & Lansing each weekend)
Think the clutch just took a **** on me this week after less than 6K miles (mostly highway). The car competed in 1 autocross (with the stock tune) a few months back. Other than that, it's been on DD duty. I was showing a friend the NLS feature and was locked out of 4th gear when I went to execute. Parked the car at the restaurant, came back out and it was acting up (more chatter than normal, uneven grip/jerky engagement, and a few new noises). Got the car home fine and let it sit over night. Took it for a 5 minute test drive around lunch and didn't notice a whole lot. Figured it was nothing. Then, hopped in the car and headed an hour or so away. When I got where I was going, the clutch started acting up again and the noises were back. Sounds like it's a bit of a metal on metal sound as the clutch is engaging.
I originally had the heavier clutch put in because the stocker was slipping with my tune. Powertrain is otherwise stock. The ZZP clutch (aka South Bend Clutch) holds the torque a lot better than stock. But, it had increased chatter (expected) and rattled at idle/decel (unexpected). Until further investigation, I'm not sure exactly what I'm gonna do. Have a feelin' the same clutch isn't goin' back in though.
Had a ZZP Clutch - Stage 4 IIRC - installed near the end of last year
Resurfaced stock flywheel
ZZP clutch rod adjusted for mid-pedal engagement
Approximately 8K miles on the setup (mostly highway drives between Detroit & Lansing each weekend)
Think the clutch just took a **** on me this week after less than 6K miles (mostly highway). The car competed in 1 autocross (with the stock tune) a few months back. Other than that, it's been on DD duty. I was showing a friend the NLS feature and was locked out of 4th gear when I went to execute. Parked the car at the restaurant, came back out and it was acting up (more chatter than normal, uneven grip/jerky engagement, and a few new noises). Got the car home fine and let it sit over night. Took it for a 5 minute test drive around lunch and didn't notice a whole lot. Figured it was nothing. Then, hopped in the car and headed an hour or so away. When I got where I was going, the clutch started acting up again and the noises were back. Sounds like it's a bit of a metal on metal sound as the clutch is engaging.
I originally had the heavier clutch put in because the stocker was slipping with my tune. Powertrain is otherwise stock. The ZZP clutch (aka South Bend Clutch) holds the torque a lot better than stock. But, it had increased chatter (expected) and rattled at idle/decel (unexpected). Until further investigation, I'm not sure exactly what I'm gonna do. Have a feelin' the same clutch isn't goin' back in though.
what would you guys recomend me? 2.2 l61 turbo. at 10 psi right now slips like a mo fo on stock clutch.. eventually gonna build engine and be in the 300 club..suggestions?
New Member
Joined: 03-15-12
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Was wondering if I could ask for a recommendation.
what would be a good clutch for around 340whp/360ish wtq. Stiffness doesn't really bother me so long as the clutch holds the power well. I'll probably be grabbing the ZZP adjustable rod so I can have the engage point super low as well
what would be a good clutch for around 340whp/360ish wtq. Stiffness doesn't really bother me so long as the clutch holds the power well. I'll probably be grabbing the ZZP adjustable rod so I can have the engage point super low as well
Member
Joined: 11-20-11
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Right behind you
How much power/ torque can a clutch masters stage 3 hold? I want to mod my LNF, but I don't want to replace the clutch down the road cause it couldn't hold the power. I'm wanting to go into the 350- 400 hp range. Would the clutch masters stage 3 hold up?
New Member
Joined: 12-30-10
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: warrensburg
08 LNF
KY stage 3
clutch masters aluminum flywheel
10 miles
engagement is halfway, still getting use to it. i cant say i like it. i can tell it grabs, but wont know until i try boosting to 26 psi. however i know that it hold 5 psi with no slip!!!
KY stage 3
clutch masters aluminum flywheel
10 miles
engagement is halfway, still getting use to it. i cant say i like it. i can tell it grabs, but wont know until i try boosting to 26 psi. however i know that it hold 5 psi with no slip!!!
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-10
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
From: Moline IL
From everything I read here, i think im going with the ClutchMaster Stage 3. I know people say the KY stage 3, but cheaper isnt always better. Also, thanks for the good info about clutches and light weight flywheels. I am going to resurface my stocker, but this was definitely a great thread to read through!!
Thanks guys and thank you OP
Thanks guys and thank you OP
So i've noticed it's been a few years since anyone has posted about they're clutch setups. What is the best setup for a DD and pushing 400 ish WHP? I Am asking because I've just installed a ZFR 6758, and the stock clutch isn't very happy about it. It starts to slip just after 4k. The clutch is original (as far as I know) and has a lil over 75k on it. I don't mind a stiffer clutch feel, but I do prefer something smooth without chatter. From what I can tell, the stock flywheel will be my choice, but there are sooooo many clutch companies and stages to choose from. I Am kinda leaning to KY clutch with a 6 puck. I don't plan on going over 400 WHP, but I would like to make sure I have something that can handle 500WHP, If I want to.
