Noooooooooooo!!!!

[Earlsfat]

Clutch blew out. 454 with M22 four speed. What am I looking at? Is this a mechanic's job / would I be out of my mind to attempt this? Mechanic's first guess is between $300 - $500, says I need a high-performance clutch. Don't have that laying around, you know?

Any ideas about a "less expensive" way to fix yet another problem with my money pit?

[drvngstorm05]

well, if the clutch is gone, you don't have any other choice, you need a new one... now you can get a good clutch/pressure plate/throw-out bearing combo for around 300, that and pick up a book about your car to follow the instructions. then you can get the car going, and be satisfied that you did it yourself.

[Hypsi87]

Originally Posted by Earlsfat

Clutch blew out. 454 with M22 four speed. What am I looking at? Is this a mechanic's job / would I be out of my mind to attempt this? Mechanic's first guess is between $300 - $500, says I need a high-performance clutch. Don't have that laying around, you know?

Any ideas about a "less expensive" way to fix yet another problem with my money pit?

do it yourself. If you have the resources. Just get a manual and follow along. It really is not that technical of a job. Just hard heavy work.

[Hypsi87]

Also, how much power do you make? There are many types of high performance clutches.

[Earlsfat]

Resources? Hopefully you're not talking about a lift, etc. I have basic tools, but no bearing pullers etc.

I saw several websites that list how to do it, and it think I can handle it, but one question I don't see answered is... do the bolts that hold the transmission together need to be tightened with a torque wrench? If we're talking plain wrenches and muscle or an air compressor and pnuematic tools I think I'm ok. If I have to get torque wrenches, bearing pullers, etc. I'm gonna hafta see what this is really going to cost me. (Hopefully I would only be using those things once, Right?)

As far as power... Have absolutely no idea. 454 with a "mild" cam (lopey idle), Holley 4160 Carb, 11:1 compression ratio, solid lifters (I think), headers, 3" exhaust, electric rad fan, electric fuel pump, aside from that I have no idea what's in it, or how much power it's producing.

[89IROC&RS]

personally, being me, i wouldnt do tranny work without a trans jack, but im a spoiled little brat. if its only gonna cost 3-5 hundred for the tech to do it, id pay him. save yourself the headaches.

[Hypsi87]

muncie M22'a are light engouh. Not like an automaitic. I think they weigh like 60 lbs, or somewhere in that area.

[83XFIRE]

A tranny wouldn't be fun on a camaro, specially trying to get at the top tranny bolts, but paying for someone to do it for you would be less. Jackstands should get the car up enough to pull the tranny down (dosn't need to be out from under the car to do the clutch, just out of the way pushed as far back under the driveshaft hump that you can to get in there). I can drop the tranny out of the way to get at the clutch in my ranger while its on its wheels. You don't need a tranny jack, unless your a spoiled brat, lol. You can use a normal jack with someone to balance it. Do it yourself, and then you can afford a better clutch and you will learn how to do something.

[goldz28]

When my clutch went out it cost over $600 just for the clutch. and like $250 or 300 to install it. But mine is a 98. I think I had a heart attack when the mechanic told me the price.

[lckycharm713]

Earlsfat , thats a sweet looking car. wish more ppl had 2nd gens

[LT1MAN]

i just payed to have my clutch done, cost me 225 for the clutch and 150 installation from gm goodwrench mechanic.

i bet that red camaro is a damn beast with the 454 in it tho.

[92rs25th]

2nd gens have way more engine bay room than the 3rd and 4th gens do. His top end transmission bolts won't be difficult to get to. Clutch work is simple. You could do it in about 1 - 2 hours depending on previous exp. and tools ( proper tools help a lot. ) Mechanics are just going to rip you.

[Earlsfat]

I think I'm going to try this myself. Called Jeg's think I'm going to go with a Centrforce Dual Friction clutch and replace the throw out and pilot bearings all at the same time. Anyone used Centerforce and have an opinion on them?

Forget chirping, It breaks loose in third... forth is a little more tame.

[Hypsi87]

I wouold reccomend lookin at ram clutches as well. My grandpa has a 383 nova that runs 11.3 all motor in a full weight car. He went through 4 centerforce clutches. We called up centerforce and they told us that they do not make a clutch that will hold his power. RAM makes more extreme duty clutch.

[korndogg]

Originally Posted by 92rs25th

2nd gens have way more engine bay room than the 3rd and 4th gens do. His top end transmission bolts won't be difficult to get to.

not really true. mine werent super hard but you need like a 3 foot extension with a swivel to get at those top bolts from underneath the car. I figured it out the hard way. i had no clue how to get those out. i didnt use a torque wrench when i tightened my bolts but i tightened em enough just not to crack anything.