Clutch Confusion

[Andy_H85]

Good evening,

First time poster long time follower (although with some years of absence inbetween, absolutely gutted to see The Fish have shut (yes I am some years behind the times).

Anyway yadda yadda yadda.

Currently looking to get what I always wanted, a 'Ro, Preferably Black Facelift / VZ VXR.

Seen one around on the tinterweb and it hasn't had the fabled LS7 Clutch yet by sounds of it and has a noisy bearing, so i've been mooching around and have come across conflicting stories. So long story short, when upgrading to an LS7 (well standard LS clutch by the sounds of it now) clutch on an LS2, do you need to upgrade to an LS7 Flywheel, or was that purely on the LS1s?

Also is it clutch / pilot bearing(assuming one and the same?) and slave cylinder that is recomended to change at the same time?

Lastly, any decent UK suppliers of the above, unfitted? Or is shipping from the US or Aus still cheaper?

Sorry I know its a topic that has probably been done to death but I can't for the life of me find and definitive answer.

Cheers

Andy

[mfp4073]

The ls7 is probably the most popular clutch upgrade on these cars.
You will however need the full kit, flywheel, clutch, and cover plate. You also need a new pilot/ spigot bearing and slave cylinder.
Don't forget the quick bleed line upgrade kit, it's basically a long braided hose that runs from the slave cylinder up to the engine bay and allows you to do the regular clutch fluid changes in a couple of minutes as opposed to crawling under the car.
If the car is making a noise from the clutch or gearbox area it maybe that the pilot bearing is already worn out. If that is the case then it's bad news as this problem can caus major damage to the gear box depending on how long the noise has been overlooked.

John

[Lincsls1]

As above, you'll need the full LS7 clutch kit which includes the appropriate flywheel.
The kit 'usually' comes with the pilot bearing, also known as spigot bearing.
The slave cylinder comes with the release bearing as one, well it does if use the LUK part.
Also a good idea to replace the rear crank seal whilst the box and fly is off.
I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the said car either, just give it a thorough check over and factor it in the price. especially if the rest of the car is excellent as many are getting a rather rough round the edges, many of the good ones are staying with long term owners.

[mfp4073]

Why do I always forget to mention the rear crank seal

[Lincsls1]

I wouldn't worry about it mate.

[Andy_H85]

Cheers for the info, any links to good UK suppliers or is getting from abroad still better? Yeah I’ve seen a few popping up recently and all seem to have the regular, dodgy drivers seat bolster etc it’s reasonably priced just the opposite end of the country which worries me about return journey if it’s got a dicky clutch.

[mfp4073]

The usuall uk suppliers are, Walkinshaw performance, AAS in Newcastle, Partsworld performance and WMP, google that lot for contact numbers.
If you want to import from the states try Rock Auto, but I think parts from OZ are a bit too pricey.

[Lincsls1]

Beat me again!

Although you mean't MWP...

https://mwperformance.co.uk/

Edited by Lincsls1 on Friday 22 May 20:34

[mfp4073]

Lincsls1 said:

Beat me again!

Although you mean't MWP...

https://mwperformance.co.uk/

Edited by Lincsls1 on Friday 22 May 20:34

Oops....it looks like I'm having a bad day

[maccavvy]

if it has a dodgy release bearing worst case is make sure you have breakdown cover.
but worst case scenario is pilot/spigot bearing failure which can lead to gearbox issues (potentially not cheap)

rock auto is the cheapest place for a clutch you ll need a luk 04905 . full ls7 kit inc pilot bearing .
luk lcs265b slave cylinder ,just need to swap the input fitting over .
FEL-PRO BS40640

this is what I ordered from rock auto . was about 450 inc postage delivered

[Andy_H85]

Firstly thanks all for your help.

maccavvy said:

if it has a dodgy release bearing worst case is make sure you have breakdown cover.
but worst case scenario is pilot/spigot bearing failure which can lead to gearbox issues (potentially not cheap)

rock auto is the cheapest place for a clutch you ll need a luk 04905 . full ls7 kit inc pilot bearing .
luk lcs265b slave cylinder ,just need to swap the input fitting over .
FEL-PRO BS40640

this is what I ordered from rock auto . was about 450 inc postage delivered

Maccavvy, Thanks for that, seemingly a bargain compared to some uk suppliers (wanting ~£1200 Unfitted) although I am struggling to find the slave on that Part number, assume any Pontiac GTO slave would do the job?

What kind of potential damage we looking at on the box, input shaft getting nackered or worse? (either way i'm guessing several thousands to fix (of which the wife would not be amused as i've only just convinced her a monaro is a good idea lol)

[Lincsls1]

Slave cylinder - LUK LSC384 includes release bearing fits LS1 and LS2 engines. This is what you want.

[Lincsls1]

Yes, a failed pilot bearing if left for too long will knacker the end of the input shaft and then put strain on the internals of the box. The amount of damage will depend on how long its been used in those conditions and can only be assessed my opening up the box.
Read my recent pilot bearing woes....

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Long story short, I got lucky and my bill was £1550 however £300 of that wouldn't be on your bill. So in normal terms my gearbox repair inc.new LS7 kit etc. would have been just £1250.

AAS will supply a LS7 clutch kit for around £500.

[stevieturbo]

mfp4073 said:

Why do I always forget to mention the rear crank seal

if it ain't broke...don't touch it !

[mfp4073]

stevieturbo said:

if it ain't broke...don't touch it !

That's what Monkfish said to me a few years ago when they fitted my new clutch. So why do some need changing and others don't, it's not a stressed component .....or is it?

[Andy_H85]

Any ideas how much AAS Charge for fitting roughly? I thought a friend of mine who owns a garage would do it but he isn't keen and i'd tackle most things on my back on the drive, clutch change i'm not so sure about lol.

Remind me as well, AAS are Newcastle aren't they? I'm thinking MWP would be most sensible option for location but they also seem a touch pricey?

[Lincsls1]

AAS are very reasonable indeed. And yes they are in Newcastle.
It takes them around 4 hours on a Monaro, about £250. That includes time to replace rear crank seal, don't know what difference that makes. Or if the VXR8 takes any longer...I doubt it.
They would want the car for a day though to allow for issues. In normal times I drive up for 830am, go to Metrocentre for the day watch a film etc. then collect and drive home (130miles each way).

Edited by Lincsls1 on Saturday 23 May 10:40

[Andy_H85]

And last of the silly silly questions - Pilot Bearing and Clutch release bearing, one of the same or two different things?

[mfp4073]

Andy_H85 said:

And last of the silly silly questions - Pilot Bearing and Clutch release bearing, one of the same or two different things?

The pilot bearing is another term for spigot bearing, that's the cheap to buy part that causes some expensive issues. The clutch release bearing is the hydraulic component and a totally different thing.
There are no silly questions just expensive mistakes when you don't ask, and I should know

[Lincsls1]

Clutch release bearing is part of the slave cylinder assembly....LUK LSC384.
Ask as many questions as you need, these are expensive hobbies and it can help keep the costs down. And is interesting.