hey, anyone know where to get a good clutch for my 91 v6 5 speed firebird? I am looking for dependability and price....I dont make loads of money just yet, so the wallet is usually a little thin. any one got any suggestions aside from the local parts store?

 

The local parts store is your best bet. A V6 doesn't need a high performance clutch until you do a lot of high performance tweaks to it. Dependable and cheap - your local parts store. Maybe wait for a sale too.
You might be able to get away with just a friction disc ($60), then when you've got $$ burning a hole in your pocket you can spring for a high perf kit ($250)

 

thanks. yeah, im not lookin for preformance right now, just drivability with a budget, didnt know if anyone knew like a discount place or something. How do I know if I will just be able to change my disk...this is my first 5 speed by the way, I have driven them alot, but never owned one, so i havnt had alot of experience in the clutch assy and workings of it.

 

rockauto.com might be a good inexpensive bet. Compare their prices to your local parts store, after you factor in shipping from Rock auto.

First off, how do you know you even need a new clutch?

The only wear part in the clutch system is the friction disc. It's kinda like the brake pads eh? The flywheel sometimes needs to be machined (like turning the rotors). Usually people buy the kit, which comes with the friction disc, pressure plate, a throw out bearing, and the tool to install it.

If your clutch is chattering or something, you probably need to have the flywheel machined. If the clutch just engages really late, then you most likely don't have much friction disc surface left.

 

well, see i finally got the thing running (VATS!!!) and I took it down the street and at first it slipped in second gear, but then quit and caught real good. Then I went out again after the engine had been warmed up and yes it does catch late, and it slips quite a bit and shakes violently. I mean it still moves and all, but shakes like when you let off the clutch too early, but worse. . I can even let completely off the clutch from a stop and it just slips alot...1st or R. Every gear change it slips....what do you think it is?

 

I'd look under the car for loose stuff. Clutch engaging late probably means you need a new clutch, but the shaking?
-motor mounts
-tranny mount
-TA mount (loose bolts, or screwed rubber mount)
etc.
You'll need to pull the tranny to do the clutch, so you'll find out then if something else is amiss.

 

ok, I'll crawl under there tonight...u think I will need the whole clutch kit? I know its kinda hard to diagnose it from another country, but like I said, I dont know much about manual transmissions...Thanks for all your help man, I will keep you updated incase i need some more help with it.

 

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...ory=clutch_kit

Figure on needing to get the flywheel refaced as well.

 

is the car leaking any oil... maybe a spot right between the engine and transmission?

 

not visibly, there is absolutely no oil on my garage floor. and the car just sits there, occasionally i fire it up, but no oil leaks or anything...does it mean it has to be the clutch when it is doing this?

 

well yes the clutch would be the my first guess i only asked about oil leaks because those will often cause a clutch to seem like it is spent when there is really just oil on the friction surface... clutch is still spent but you need to fix the leak before it ruins a new clutch... just looking out for your money

 

I think I am just going to replace the disk for now. From what I hear that should help it grab a lil more

 

okay but i would take an awful close look at the flywheel while you have a chance it might need to be resurfaced... think it costs about $15-20 might be worth it if you dont like clutch chatter

 

ok, I will do that. So, Im pretty much supposed to look for markings and wear like a break rotor? I know it wont be the exact same of course! Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

Very similar to brake wear, actually.

I don't think I've ever replaced just the clutch disk. The pressure plate and throw-out bearing are insurance, if nothing else.

 

alrighty...i guess it is just about as much work to do all of it. just a few more dollar bills.