I need to replace the clutch assembly in my 66, and having a hard time deciding what to buy. I remember hearing good things about LUK clutch sets here in the past, and some not so good things about others, namely centerforce. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience with aftermarket cluthes. By the way, I am running a modified 350 (~400 hp.), an M21 Trans., and 3:55 gears. Thanks in advance, Dan
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Re: Clutch Replacement
Dan-----
A LUK unit is equivalent to a GM OEM clutch. I think that you could use one with no problems, whatsoever. No components of the 10-1/2" GM clutch remain available for your mid-year. LUK/Sachs manufactures many of the current-day GM clutches and also made the last available GM friction discs for 11" clutches. I've not personally used a LUK unit but I know many folks that have and all have been very satisfied. The LUK standard unit will easily handle the power output of your engine.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Clutch Replacement
Dan,
I put a LUK clutch in my 67 390 Coupe over two years ago and have had no problems whatsoever. What I like is that from an operational standpoint, it is impossible to distinguish from the original.Comment
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Re: Clutch Replacement
I replaced the clutch in my L79 '67 a year ago and have had no problems. As Joe said it is a good OEM type replacement.Comment
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Re: Clutch Replacement
I agree with the comments about the LUK. Put one in a friend's car this spring and drove it for the first time yesterday. Very nice piece, pedal pressure was about right with very smooth engagement.
Don't bother to use the plastic clutch alignment tool that comes with it. To me, it was a POS. We never got the disc aligned right until we canned it and got an old input shaft and everything lined up perfectly.
BLComment
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Re: What is LUK?
A type or brand?
ChuckComment
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Re: What is LUK?
Chuck------
LUK is a brand of clutches. It is a German company but I believe that it is now owned by Sachs, another German company and the largest manufacturer of clutches in the world. In fact, I think that the whole thing might be part of ZF, now.
LUK and Sachs manufacture many of the OEM clutches for GM and other auto manufacturers.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: What is LUK?
Can't anything be manufactured in this country anymoreComment
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Re: What is LUK?
Ralph----
Surprisingly, there are some "foreign" cars with more US-manufactured content in them than "American" cars. Toyota Corollas, for example, manufactured for the US market right here in Fremont, CA have a very high US content.
Also, keep in mind that while companies like Sachs/LUK may be German-based, they have plants here in the US that produce most of the parts. Their parent company, ZF Industries, also German-based, produces products here in the US, too. In fact, although the first ZF 6 speed transmissions (the ABSOLUTE BEST manual transmission EVER used in a Corvette) used in C4s for 1989 through about 1993 were produced in Germany, the later (about 1993 through 1996) versions were produced in the US. With all due respect, though, I'm glad that my 92 has one of the German-built models---it's a jewel.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: What is LUK?
Interesting coments,
With many of my corvette buddies loosing manufacturering jobs I made the assumption the clutches were manufactured outside the USA. I still maintain we need more manufacturing job to stay here in the USA.Comment
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Re: What is LUK?
Ralph-----
I TOTALLY agree! Without getting into a socio-political discussion which is not appropriate here, I consider the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US to be, without a doubt, the very worst thing that has ever happened to our country and our economy. All real wealth is produced. If an economy doesn't make things, it will stagnate and "wither on the vine".In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: What is LUK?
AmenComment
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Re: What is LUK?
Joe: fully agree the ZF-6 is the best MT ever installed in a vet.Sorry to report though that when you break one of them, the cost to repair is outrageous and there are only a few repair facilities in the USA that have the fixture to dis and re asemble the bad boys. After a 3k trip to richmond gear for a failed 3rd ear synchro, i've retired my 61 bodied 92 ZR-1 from future 1/4 mile trips. now getting it into auto-x ing which appears to be less stressful on mr. zf6.mikeComment
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Re: Clutch Replacement
I like McLeod clutches. Product line from stock replacement to hard core race. Call their tech line and see if you can speak to a gentleman named Red Roberts. Don't know if he still does, but he used to answer the tech line. They have a web site.
Roger
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