I am looking at buying a 1984 Z28 that has had a 350 droped into it. The catch is it needs a clutch. It is supposed to be running around 300hp. What clutch would you recomend and how much power do you think the transmission can handle. The transmission has possibly been stregthened, but I have heard the t-5's are bad at holding power. The kid I am buying it from is kinda bad with the information because everthing was done by the guy who owned it before he did. He only drove it for a few months before the clutch went and he has a truck now. And one last thing what do you think would be a reasionable offer on this car, its in really good shape, not flawless, but no rust and the interior is good, it just some minor paint flaws. He wants $2000 for it but high book on it is $2150. It needs new tires and a clutch is around $300 I am looking mostly at a Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch from thunderracing.com but any recommendations would be good. Sorry about the length and help is appreciated.

CamBob

1982 Camaro Berlinetta 305

 

Hey I'm in Utah also (Logan) as far as clutches the centerforce dual is the way to go! you are right about the T-5 being weak, but a little conservation of shifting will make it last ALOT longer.... also 2000$ isn't a bad price assuming it is in the condition you describe and is IN FACT a 350 motor swap car.... anyhow check out

ww.ufba.org

see ya

 

Wow im just over the mountain over in Tremonton. Yeah the car does appear to be a real good deal. I have a 82 Berlinetta at the moment but it needs more put into it than I have/want to put into it. Also it just came up that if I can come up with the money I get a 89 IROC-Z. But if I got this IROC it would be for a totaly different purpose than I want this Z28 for. The IROC would be kept stock but the Z28 would get souped up. So the dillema continues.

CamBob

1982 Camaro Berlinetta 305

 

Are you in the transmission business or is that just your personal opinion? My opinion is the CenterFARCE clutch is a piece of crap. But its just my opinion...

I highly recommend McLeod, and yes my father IS in the transmission business. We both run McLeod clutches and have for over 30 years. My dad knows the owner of McLeod personally. http://www.mcleodind.com/

 

Check this out about Mcleod clutches. www.infiniteweb.com/mcleod.html

Don't kill the messenger...

 

It seems there is a controversey about the whole clutch business. Well it does look like I'm going to go for that IROC instead. which brings up another problem. It is in perfect shape and and low low miles on it, but there is something about having raw fuel in 2 of the cylinders. From what I've head there is tons of things that can cause that. And when the current owner took it to a shop the mechanic said that the car needed a new engine and that it would cost around 3 grand (it is an l98 5.7TPI ) and if infact the car does need a motor I could get it for 3 grand if it is repariable or the current owner gets a new motor (highly unlikely) then it would run around 5-6 grand. Thanks in advance for help with my ongoing problems lol.

CamBob

1982 Camaro Berlinetta 305

 

Sheesh. I've got close to 500 ft/lbs of torque at the input of my McLeod clutch, both with the T5 and the T56. I had no problems like that, and I'm using ET Streets. One incident does not make for a bad product, especially with someone making over 450 HP like your example.

However I've heard and seen many more worse things about Centerfarce. Again, just my opinion...

 

Speaking from personal experience I'm on my second CF DF and love it. I've used OE, OE HD, and Ram clutches. CF gave me the best service of all. Doubled the mileage I got out of the Ram.

 

When I was choosing a clutch, I found that every brand out there has a few people that hate it and a bunch that like it. I finally decided on the centerforce and so far I'm quite happy with it. The pedal effort is non-existant. The clutch pedal works with less effort than my 2.8 camaro, and it grabs very smoothly. It makes the car very easy to drive. So far I'm quite happy with it.