I am considering a triple disk clutch for my 2002 C5 Z06 but heard from someone via email that the additional mass of the three clutch disks can be a problem for the transmission synchronizers. Anyone had such a problem or heard of it? I'm sort of leaning toward the Monster LT1-S triple disk, but want to check to see if there are any notable drawbacks or gotchas.

427 custom engine with rear mounted twin turbos. Wastegates at 14 lbs. Street driven. In case it matters to the discussion.

Currently have a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch in it (actually it is laying on the floor of a shop right now) with burn marks on the pressure plate and flywheel. And I believe I have been real gentle with that clutch. Not sure what power the car is putting down, but I believe it should be a little too high for a dual organic disk and a little too low to go to a race clutch with the attendant driveability tradeoffs.

The LT1-S triple disk sounds like exactly what I want, but trying hard to not make a mistake I will regret a couple of months from now. Looking for smooth driving manners, and NO noise.

Anyway, would appreciate any feedback I can get. I need to make a decision on this real soon.


Thanks...

 

Sounds like a cool car. It would be much easier to help you decide, if you knew what kind of power your putting down. I run a RPS carbon twin, but I bought it knowing (roughly) my RWHP and torque numbers.
Overall clutch weight (and rpm) is what will affect your synchros playing nicely. There’s a LOT of misconceptions out there of what is too light for street use, and what’s not.

 

Well, I can't pin that number down for this discussion. Way back when, with the LS6 engine in the car, smaller turbos, and 5 lb springs in the wastegates, the car dynoed at 564 rwhp. Then the second shop butchering my car said the car was putting down 750 rwhp on his dyno. Which is unlikely since the LS7 throttle body he had on the car would invariably go into reduced engine power mode at WOT. Then I had Mike Carnahan come down from Atlanta to do the preliminary tune on my car, and he "seat of the pants" guesstimated that the car would be producing 850 rwhp. Then rather recently I took the car to a shop with a dyno, and they came up with only 594 rwhp. Which, of course seems way low with now a built 427 with RHS block, larger turbos and 14 lb springs in the wastegates. So see what I mean? Pick a number....

Rather than my fretting over why I don't know what sort of numbers my car can produce on a dyno, let's just say that I am strongly considering the Monster triple clutch disk and am trying to find out if there are good reasons why I should not use it. I believe it would be wise on my part to shoot too high rather than shoot too low with this.

I was told by someone from what I would consider as a reputable source that the triple disk clutches can damage the synchronizers in my transmission. Other seemingly honest first person reviews I have read do not appear to agree with that assessment, based on their claims of improved shifting. Sooo, just trying to figure out what is what here, and if I would be making a big mistake putting this clutch in my car. Yeah, might be overkill, but I am OK with that, as long as the price isn't too outrageously high. What I want is the clutch to be easy on my left leg on the street, and not make any noise as is sometimes the case with these multi-disk clutches. The Monster triple disk is an organic based clutch, which I think may be the better choice for me. The ceramics might be just a bit too grabby for my tastes. Not intending on taking it to the track, but heck, if I could ever get these drivetrain issues straightened out I have been having for years now, who knows? Do I want to pick a clutch now that I would regret then?

Got to make a decision soon, as the drivetrain from my car is laying all over the floor of a shop as we speak.

 

Are you sure they offer a normal large diameter triple for the older cars ?

But anything that adds mass....and mass at the outer circumference will mean the synchros have more work to do when shifting. There is no getting around that.

Hence triples or multiplates in general are often smaller diameter to try and reduce this effect.

Best to call them and speak to them. But if you cn get an organic option and dont intend on lots of hard launches, then it is definitely the way to go. Especially if you intend to drive it often

 

Yes, it looks like they offer a triple disk clutch for the C5 Corvette -> https://monsterclutches.com/c5-corve...lt1s-c5-triple

Not sure of the diameter of the disks, however, but I can ask.

Thanks for the reply.

 

If it is as pictured, they're probably OEM diameter as that design uses lots of OEM parts. Which is a good thing.

Just a pity they offer so little information on their clutches on their site, or pictures etc. That and their guy on here's inability to answer some of my questions a couple of years ago when I wanted a clutch was what put me off buying one.
But they are definitely one of the most popular brands out there with what seems to be very good stuff and reputation.

 

Spent a couple summers helping feed and care for a Road race Z06,, at higher HP numbers,,
Shifting technique is critical, that trans hates being hammered in to the synchro's
Driver that owned the car was a heavy handed shifter.. and a transmission every couple of weekends
got old.. Also ,, a good duct to cool the clutch isn't a bad idea.. Its pretty trapped in a fairly low air flow area..
The factory transmissions overheat at sustained speeds,, so plan on a cooler and a pump...

 

Yeah, if I go with their triple disk clutch, I'm hoping it lives up to their claims as well as the positive reviews I have read. Replacing a clutch in a C5 Corvette is not something you want to do all that often. I'm actually thinking I really don't want to ever buy another car with a torque tube in it again. It makes replacing a $15 pilot bearing quite the pain in the butt.

 

Are you running a amped up T56 or a conversion to a magnum or some other upgrades gear box?

 

Well, it's a rebuild from RPM Transmissions. I believe they were calling it their Level V rebuild at the time (2010 or so). With C6 Z06 gearing instead of the C5 Z06 gearing.

 

Well, I haven't heard any notable negatives about triple disk clutches generally, nor the Monster LT1-S organic triple disk clutch specifically, so I will likely be ordering one shortly.

Thanks to anyone who responded with input.

 

Have you tried the antivenin mod? I run the level 5 T56 from rpm also. Antivenom mod greatly reduced the notchiness. It was not in my case from the synchros. It was the shift detent causing a delay going into gear on the upshift. Two copper washers to fix it.

 

Yes, I did, but I only used one washer instead of two, if I remember correctly. I believe the reason I did that was because I read somewhere that putting two washers in place could cause the transmission to pop out of gear sometimes.

 

Yup I read that too. But one washer was not enough so I did a second one. I have not had it pop out. Ymmv?