Looking to replace a 5 speed clutch in an 85 Firebird BASE. This is my first one I've ever done.

Getting help on this one. Cant figure out some things.

Currently don't know what clutch I need. I just need this thing to run. This clutch is what I need to make it happen. Is there any way to figure that out? Do I need to drop the whole transmission to do this?

Also, Im pretty sure I gotta drop the whole tyranny to replace the clutch. I can't do it with the tyranny inside the car. Wanna make sure I'm correct.

Also do you have any advice to make this easier. I'm doing this in a driveway. Fun times.

Just tryna get this thing done. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Just get yerbasic stock replacement clutch, from just about anywhere. One of the dirty little secrets of that business is, they're ALL made by the same company (LKQ if memory serves), until you get up into the super high-$$$ racing type of stuff. People just paint em different colors and print different things on the box and add a different price tag. About the only part that's ever different among them, is the throwout bearing; some of the cheeeeeep ones put really cheeeeeeeeeeeeeep TOBs in their "kit", and they only last a few thousand miles, then you gotta change that out again. Might not be a bad idea to just buy a known good one of those, even if one comes in the "kit".

Yup, gotta drop the transmission. Which SUX: takes about a half-hour to drop it, and another 45 min or so to put back, if you're slow like me, and stop for cold refreshing adult beverages and updates on the race too often during the process. You're probably faster than me though so it probably won't take you that long, especially if you stay on task and don't get distracted. There's ways of making is as eeeeeezy as possible; when you get around to doing the job, we can talk about that.

 

Advice: Get a friend to help. Yes you can wrestle the trans out by yourself and put it back, but an extra pair of hands is very helpful.
It's not a difficult or overly technical job. You'll probably want to replace the pressure plate and throw-out bearing while you're in there as well.

 

Really should re-surface the flywheel for a new clutch... I have two t-5 cars... And one extra flywheel so I always have one ready....

Agree with the throw out bearing comment... Someone didn't on one of my cars... Sounded so bad...

Have done two clutches in 3 years on third gens...a good jack helps move the tranny... Get the car up as high as you can...have a good set of torx bits, rachets, and lots of extensions...

Inside it's also easier if you remove the console... Don't have to but it's easier to get the shifter boot off... And easier to refill the tranny from the top before reinstalling the shifter... You will lose a lot of fluid when you pull the driveshaft.

Those exhaust hanger bolts are always fun...

It's a 4 hour job for me....

 

Got some help on standby. Definitely gonna replace those while I'm in there. Any suggestions on throw-out bearings? A guy above you mentioned cheap ones don't last. I want this thing to last (I'm doing this in my driveway on a 100+ degree day so I really only wanna do this ONCE).

 

What ways you got? Doing this in my driveway on a 100+ degree day, would like to make this change as fast as possible.

Also, any suggestions on good brands to get that throw out bearing from?

 

Exhaust hanger bolts shouldn't be too bad. I had the gas tank/ fuel pump/ and sending unit replaced recently so they should be pretty good.

Flywheel is definitely getting resurfaced, although I've found flywheels for 40-50 bucks. A shop will charge me that to resurface the thing. Are these flywheels worth a damn or should I avoid them like the plague?

 

When I put my t-5 in I went with a McLeod Super Street Pro clutch pack, came with the pressure plate, clutch, thowout bearing, and pilot bushing. Probably overkill for your application though. A good OEM replacement from NAPA would work just fine I'd wager.

 

Curious if the new clutch kits come with a "plastic" fake input shaft, to align the disc during installation.

 

Mine did, yeah.

 

I got a trans plug kit to go where the drive shaft did. Helped with fluid loss only a little bit. But if you have not changed fluid in a while now is a good time. Either fill through the shifter before you put it on or get a pump to fill through the case.

 

Yeah, cost about the same as new to resurface... But I like having the original in there... I did pick up an extra flywheel for about 80 bucks and it's been just fine... But I don't beat on my cars...

Both my cars have Zoom clutches... Kit contains clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and alignment tool. Been happy with both.

 

For sbc applications I only use hays bearings usually toss what comes with the kit