F-Body Europe

During my Hockenheim trackday on Friday, I noticed when driving slowly in the pits (clutch between engaged and disenganged) a groaning noise coming from below the car. It was independent of engine speed (and also was present when the car was not moving) and went AWAY when I either released the clutch (i.e. not pressed the pedal) and was in 1st gear or when I released it and was in neutral/idle. Driving and shifting on the track was fine, no problems.

Could this noise be a worn/broken throwout bearing? But then, I read around a bit, and it's said that this throwout bearing noise goes away when you PRESS the clutch pedal, not when you release it. Any idea what my noise could be then...?

EDIT: I just read it "the other way round" (noise with pressed pedal, no noise with released pedal).

Any recommendations, how quickly I should change "this"? Or whole slave cylinder? Or whole clutch assembly (which one?)?

Another EDIT:
If it would be recommended to change the whole clutch "stuff", what do you think about this package:
http://www.tickperformance.com/tick-mon ... -firebird/

how many miles do you have on the current clutch?

Well... about 80000. Very little drag racing in the first 4 or 5 years. All else is street driving or road/track racing. Actually, I'm surprised that the clutch still holds very well. This new noise is the first clutch/tranny related problem I have.

Ben
I sent a message with my experiences with clutches.

Thanks Roy!

I just recently had a noise and tough to engage problem. It started with some noise and quickly got worst. My T-56 is a LT-1 model so different throw out bearing type. However, once I got everything apart, my problem was that a spring had blown out from the clutch disk. It was a SPEC 3 clutch. What sucks is that you have to take a gamble when the tranny is off for inspection, to have all parts on-hand or not. I replaced the clutch with a Competition Clutch and SPEC flywheel You can take the inspection cover off, but I think the starter needs to be removed. Cut the cover accordingly so next time starter removal is not necessary.

Good luck

I've finally installed my new Centerforce DF + Fidanza flywheel combo.
Not very smooth when driving away from a stop but I guess it needs to be broken in a bit. I hope it's normal that there's a bit of a "clutch smell"... had a lot of stop+go driving...

It should settle down once they wear/break in. Is the flywheel steel or aluminum? The aluminum ones are noisier on take off. Did you have to shim the throw out assembly?
Good luck

It's an aluminum lightweight flywheel, no shimming.

Iwould disagree on that. You should not be smelling the clutch lining unless the lining exceeded its operationg temperture through slippage.

Ben you will not have the smoothness that you had before for a couple reasons, Lighter flywheel and a more agressive clutch lining. I have found the best way to get the car moving in traffic is to get the clutch released as soon as you can in stop and go traffic. Also when at a stop light put the gear selector in neutral and foot off the clutch. This will minimize a lot of unnecessary heating of the clutch lining. It is going to be a little jerky and grabby when cold but does get better when a little heat is built up into the lining.

I'm not totally sure about the smell, that it really came from the clutch. I will monitor this during the next time...

I am always in neutral at a stop light.

... that would result in an awful R/T at the Light in Bitburg

LOL that's true.
OK, I did some driving yesterday to further break in the clutch. No more smell noticed so far.