Clutch Replacements?
Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: Technical Topics Forum
Forum Name: Technical Questions and Discussions
Forum Description: Got a technical question about your fiero? ask it here.
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1333
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Topic: Clutch Replacements?
Posted By: Romeo
Subject: Clutch Replacements?
Date Posted: 24 May 2009 at 8:05pm
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Hey guys and gals, as David is aware, my clutch is about as useful as a flashlight during the day. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about what shops to take the Fiero to get a new one put in (Preferably one which allows customers to bring in their own clutches). Also, if anyone has any history with the Center Force Dual-Friction clutch, please share, as so far, I think that's probably the best long-term solution for me, as the stock one isn't really suited to my right-foot. ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Replies:
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 24 May 2009 at 8:31pm
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Run Far, Far away from Centerforce in a Fiero. See pics and info below. Clutch lasted 12 months, disk was not worn, pressure plate seemed good, but hub exploded into a million bits. If you so some searching on Pennocks there are lots of people that would just as soon use them as paperweights. After blowing up the stock clutch, then toasting the centerforce, I found 3 different places, Bully Clutches in Alberta, Spec Clutches in I believe California and Finally the one I chose Clutchnet Clutches in California. Shop around and look into prices, but best for the money was Clutchnet, I have pics of the clutch and after several guys in the club looked it over it was the best assembled unit any of us had ever seen. IIRC it was about $450 for the clutch. I did go with a race version which you may or may not want or need. The one I got is speced to handle 450+ lbs of torque. The 2.8 V6 makes 170-180 when NEW. Exploded Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch Part Number DF201502
------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 24 May 2009 at 9:25pm
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And here are the clutchnet pics, posted in another thread.
Scan of Clutch Invoice ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 24 May 2009 at 11:59pm
Re-visit my thread http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=983&PN=1 - Here and give them a call and ask for Marvin. See what he says. He seemed like a good guy when I talked with him back in 2005.
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Romeo wrote:Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 25 May 2009 at 5:50am
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Haha, that's the one Craker suggested too. Will do, thanks Patrick! ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 25 May 2009 at 3:16pm
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Ouch, I don't know if I could afford both the ~$425 (Clutch) and the $527.22 (Mr. Clutch's price) together. Any other shops? Or was that pretty much the best I'll see? ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Bobz0r
Date Posted: 25 May 2009 at 4:52pm
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The stage 2 Spec Clutch I used in my Turbo Sunbird was great. Was nice in a daily driver, and held up good too. The Stage 2 I had was about $350. http://www.specclutch.com - http://www.specclutch.com I know some people in the J-Body world didn't like them, but they have good service (from stories at BCJbody.org) and resonable prices. I would buy from them again. As for the price of the install, I believe I paid about $450 for labour here in Langley at a place called Chois Auto. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 25 May 2009 at 5:00pm
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Its rather unfortunate, but shops seem to either run screaming when they see a Fiero clutch job, or they see BIG $$$'s floating around. Most shops will quote around $1200, some as high as $2000 for a clutch Re and Re in a Fiero. The $1200 shops will use the crappiest off the shelf cheap junk clutch they can find. In regards to the Spec, I have heard good and bad stories regarding them. I believe the 6 puck I posted above is equal to a Spec Stage 4. So if you can find a place that will do a Fiero clutch for less than $600 and guarantee the price won't go up, I'd jump on it. If you do end up in a total pinch, the discussion we had last night can still be an option. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 25 May 2009 at 5:38pm
I'm holding that in the back of my mind. But my step-sister's fiancee has both an engine hoist and clutch alignment tool, and owes me a favor for helping him with his engine swap, so I may call in that favor in getting him to help me now. Free, and I learn.  ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 25 May 2009 at 7:53pm
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If you want a clutch alignment tool for your Fiero, let me know. I think I have 3 hanging on my wall, LOL. All it is, is a dowl with grooves in it for the clutch disc so it lines up with the input shaft when you install the trans back in. They use to be free with every clutch kit you bought and now they are sold separately. So I have a few here and can toss you one if you need. If you do get him to help you out, PLEASE talk to me first so I can let you know all the tips and tricks to make your life a lot easier. There are more than a few things that you can do to make it much faster and saving you money in the long run. I.E. remove the top strut bolts, then remove the drivers side tie rod, then remove the drivers side caliper and hang it on the frame, then remove the 2 lower control arm bolts to the cradle, then pop the drivers side CV shaft, and remove the strut, spindle, brake disc, bearing, control arm all as one large piece. That way when you put it all back in, the alignment will still be correct. Also doing it this way, it saves you a fair bit of time fighting each single piece. Dropping it out the bottom is the #1 way to do this. You unhook the remaining suspension bits, related hoses, wiring and anything else that could get hung up. It varies almost car to car on how much slack has been left in the harness from previous jobs.
As long as you get all your ducks in a row, and read as much as you can and ask even the dumb questions it can go smoothly. I am assuming that the place you are going to work on it has air tools. Doing the job without air tools can nearly double the time it takes. Trust me I know this from experience, having done it both ways many a time. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 26 May 2009 at 6:06am
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Word has it you simply suggest hopping over to Mr. Clutch once I get the clutch anyways. Guess I'll hold onto that favor. lol ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 26 May 2009 at 8:56am
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When you read this reply, you are probably going to have to sit back and think, Uhm, what did he just say. I intentianlly did not make a direct point on one side or the other. I just wanted you to see both sides of the coin. I had a fairly in depth discussion last night with Dean, Here are some of the pitfalls you could end up with Exhaust Y-Pipe to Manifold bolt breaks, then you are stuck drilling or hammering it out, and without Air Tools and a Welder it can take you several hours. Exhaust Y-Pipe to Catalytic Conver bolts siezed, or nut snaps off, again drilling and trying to repair it. Your Going to need fresh trans oil. About 20 bucks Chances are you are going to need antifreeze, $20 bucks If you take the wrong part, apart, you could end up with a tow bill to the alignment shop, plus the cost of an alignment. Combined could be $150 Bolt snaps off or you cross thread it into the trans case. You will need to drill and tap a whole, or worst case, destroy the mounting hole and possibly destroy the trans, which means getting a new trans. Rear Cradle bolts snaps, our nut spins. You have to cut a hole in the side of the frame to eve get access to it. Real Pain in the A$$. I told him we could work something out and you "could" do it here. It would be a learning thing for you, rather than just taking it someplace and paying to get it done. If you did it here, we could have the option of going through my used parts if you found one of yours is toast, like brakets, mounts, and so on. However again on the flip side, if you take it to Mr. Clutch, they have the proper tools to deal with any issue quickly and not spend hours fighting with things. Welder, Torch, Taps and Die's and so forth. Getting it done at a shop vs doing it at home, there is not a HUGE diffrence in cost vs time. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 26 May 2009 at 11:26am
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Romeo, did you talk directly with Marvin Clark, the owner of Mr Clutch? (Or have they changed ownership?) The $527 you were quoted is over 50% higher than the $350 I was quoted by Marvin back in 2005. I'm not sure if that's a reasonable increase in labour costs in a four year time span or not. If it wasn't Marvin you were dealing with, and if he still owns Mr Clutch, I'd phone him up if I were you and ask about this large price difference. Make sure you mention the Fiero club and all the potential customers he would have if he makes it worth everyone's while.
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Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 26 May 2009 at 3:26pm
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Oh, I did mention the Fiero club, and he mentioned he hadn't seen any in there for a little while (Which makes me believe it was that Martin fellow). Like I said, I'm installing a performence clutch, like Dave's, so perhaps that's why he's charging so much more? Or perhaps inflation? No idea, but yeah, if you want to give him a call, that'd be nice, as if he quotes a lower price I can ask for that instead. And Dave, I would actually love to learn this, seeing as how this is the trade I'm hoping to learn, let me just see where my clutch is and what I'm doing for the next while. ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
