I was searching some posts on flexplates. I noticed that there seems to be a small bit of confusion on which year GM went to the "new" [weaker] flexplate. Just thought I'd clear it up in case anyone is wondering.

I was under the car working on some stuff and went ahead and double checked my '00 flexplate to confirm which it has, and it is definitally the "old" style [stronger]. The '00 is exactly the same as the '98-'99 one. '01 and up is different.

So:

'98-'00 is the old [stronger] unit
'01-'02 is the new [weaker] unit

I wonder if this is part of the reason that '01 and up cars got more TM stock? GM must have known that the new ones were weaker?

 

Thought I'd bring this one back up for anyone that wants to see it.....

 

That's good to know. Thanks!

 

I have a 2001 Z28, and when I did the TC change, I just had them replace the flexplate with the TCI SF-29 unit. Cheap insurance in my opinion.

SteveC

 

Did you notice any gains or losses by going with the TCI piece?

 

No, none at all, just peace of mind knowing I had less of a chance of cracking the flexplate.

There was a big difference between the stock flexplate and the TCI unit.

SteveC

 

Aright man, thanks. I heard the TCI unit was considerably heavier than stock, but I guess it's worth it.

 

Certainly. If you own a late 00 - 02 car.. get rid of that POS flexplate. I had one take large piece of my tranny out. Thought it was a freak.. till I found 2 others with the same story. One still had the stock converter.

I installed a 98-99 style flexplate after that, never had another issue. I would consider changing the flexplate with a converter install on those years of cars... if not.. keep an eye on that stocker.

 

This is crazy and still flips me out everytime i hear it. We have swap 6 converters into our 01' z and did not hear anything about this until after our last swap, so i have not been back into it to change it out to a stronger piece. I guess we have been lucky, but i still wonder if we are living on borrowed time with the flexplate??? hmm?

Clint

 

Considering how fast your car is, I would say you are on borrowed time.

JMHO

SteveC

 

Clint.. keep an eye on it. I would suggest the next time the tranny is out to replace it. Thinking about it now.. 2 of the cars I've seen with issues were early 2001's.. maybe that the "common" link..

Of course, with the speeds Lynda and I are running now, a SFI piece is probably a good idea anyway.

 

I don't think even the late '00s have the weaker plate. Mine was built in May of '00 which is pretty late and it's still the old style.

I'd say it's '01 and up that have the new style.

 

Cool. Haven't seen a 00 with one, but someone had told me their's had the "kidney bean" '01 style one, where others had said they had the old style.

 

I have a 2001 Z28, which I purchased new early in the model year (12/00) and it came with the weaker flexplate in it.

SteveC