Please Help!!! Massive clutch problem!

[ricekillerz28]

Someone please tell me what the hell I did and how to fix it.
First off, I drive a 97 Z28, LT1, 6 spd, somewhere in the mid 300s hp (stage 2 cold air intake, hooker exhaust system, short throw shifter, Jet Stage 2 Controller, Kumho 245/50/16 tires.
Alright, I've been drag racing this car for a little over a year with no problems. This past Saturday night (first race with new computer and tires) I go through the staging lines, warm my tires, and dump the clutch at 4,500 (yes I know that was way to high, lesson learned). But, when I let the pedal go, the clutch stays about 3/4 engaged. Needless to say I burn the hell out of it, and most likely broke the disk and pressure plate. It stays in through 1,2,3 and finally pops out into 4th. Now, the car drives somewhat npormal, it still burns/smells in 1st, but every other gear/shift is smooth. I tried a 2nd launch at 3,400 and still produced the same problem. Like I said the car is still very driveable, but I cannot launch, and it is very sketchy in 1st gear. If anyone has any thought onto what all I broke, why that happened, and how to fix it (besides the obvious clutch kit) and where to get a decent but affordable racing clutch, please let me know! THANK YOU

[LS1fishtail]

inspect your shift fork, throwout bearing (more likely) and your slave and master cylinders. also may need to do the drill mod in the future to be free of any obstructions.

[jaycenk]

Fork or throw out bearing is what it sounds like. I did that to an 1983 T/A and broke the fork and the joint were the fork meets the trani. That was fully mechanical but you might want to look into a new hydrolic throw out bearing for racing. Is there any change in the throw of the clutch that you can feel in you foot?

[burnzilla]

First off, I drive a 97 Z28, LT1, 6 spd, somewhere in the mid 300s hp (stage 2 cold air intake, hooker exhaust system, short throw shifter, Jet Stage 2 Controller, Kumho 245/50/16 tires.


What is a Stage 2 Intake? Never heard of that.
Also, the Jet Chips are junk. Maybe good for 3-5 hp... Maybe.

I would guess you have about 270-280 hp to the wheels.
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It sounds like you slid your Throw Out Bearing. It may be clutches, but since they are so cheap, I would replace the clutches, pressure plate and throw out bearing to be sure.
Could be the master cylinder, but I doubt it since you say youre clutch still works ok.
Also, its good to break in a clutch some before heading right to the track.

[Grims]

Moving to Manual Transmissions.

[LS1Insyde]

i had the same thing happen to me at the track. clutch just got to hot and would disengage. i just replaced the whole damn thing didnt even bother to see if anything was broke. but now i have chadder out the ass because i replaced everything but the pilot bearing.

[CamTom12]

agreed with the fork. Also, get a new clutch :lol:

[fastformula309]

i had the same thing happen to me at the track. clutch just got to hot and would disengage. i just replaced the whole damn thing didnt even bother to see if anything was broke. but now i have chadder out the ass because i replaced everything but the pilot bearing.
the pilot bearing shouldn t make your clutch chatter. Thats what the end of the tranny shaft spins on.

[bichinblackws6]

[quote=burnzilla;41975]What is a Stage 2 Intake? Never heard of that.
Also, the Jet Chips are junk. Maybe good for 3-5 hp... Maybe.

I would guess you have about 270-280 hp to the wheels.
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I know I'm talking totally different engine here, but.....

Before I had my LS1 torn down (LS6 block...lucky me) and re-built (forged rotating assembly 383 stroker), I had the car dynoed to get some base-line comparison numbers. The car ('02 WS6, M6) had the following mods:

Kooks 1-3/4" LT headers
Magnaflow catted y-pipe
SLP lid
Stainless Magnaflow cat-back
20% underdrive balancer
De-screened MAF
Jet Stage II Programmable PCM

350.6 RWHP
388 RWTQ

I know, it's not an LT1, and we may be talking about two different Jet products, but I gotta believe the Jet Stage II Programmable PCM was good for a LITTLE more than 3-5 HP. For the basic, mild bolt-ons the car had, I thought the rear wheel numbers were pretty good. It would have been interesting to pull the Jet Stage II Programmable PCM, and do another 3 pulls, but I didn't think of it. It's just sitting in a Zip-Lock baggie in my nut 'n bolt organizer now. The stroker's getting the HPTuners treatment now.