I've got a 98 Z28 with still under 50K on it. Bought it new, always tried to keep the 'use it don't abuse it' philosophy. Doesn't always happen, but I try not to 'beat' on it, but sometimes I can't help laying down long squirly patches in 1st and 2nd.

Anyway, I catch an old muscle car shootout on speed channel, and in their burnout portion of the testing, the guy was launching the cars in 2nd gear and really roasting them up. The rubber on my 16s is getting a little aged, so I figured the next time I feel like lighting them up I'll try that. This was months ago, but I kept thinking about it. LIke I said, I try not to beat on the car, but I really wanted to try this. Big mistake.

So from a roll I rev it to about 2500 and let it out in 2nd, nothing but a small chirp and then it bogged down. Try again, rev to about 3000 and let it out a little quicker, little spin but it hooked quick and bogged. I didn't try again until the other night, this time reving up to about 3500, letting the clutch out real quick and jumping on the throttle. A real surreal feeling, the motor rev'ed like mad, the car pulled but not hard and it pulled dead straight (i remember thinking that it doesn't feel like a burnout). So I let off the gas and go to shift and the clutch pedal feels dead and the shifter is hard to get out of second and into fourth. I get home, clutch feeling a little soft but still working and put it in the garage and get out of the car and it absolutely wreaks. I come downstairs an hour later and the whole downstairs wreaks(next to the garage). I had to open the garage doors to let it air out (15 degrees out!).

So is it new clutch time, or could it just be a little hurt but still survivable?

 

Drive it nice for a few days and find out. If it still feels ok you got lucky. You'll know if it's toast. Mine's not in very good shape right now. If you want to do higher rpms drops an aftermarket clutch is a neccessity.

 

Bad news is; yes its probably toast. Sounds exactly how mine gave out at 70k miles. Like green demon said, try it tomorrow and see.

Good news is that even if you clutch is worn to the point that the rivits are dragging on the flywheel, you clutch will still drive fine under 'normal circumstances'. I drove mine for well over a month knowing that it was toast till i put the street twin in. As long as you drive it 'normal' and let it fully engage before you get on it it will likely hold even if it is trashed. Mine sounded like absolute hell, metal on metal while it was engageing, but it never slipped under load if i gave it gas after it was engaged. 351rwhp.

Of course if you can afford to do the clutch now, why not.

did i mention i highly recommend the street twin, even if you car is only mildly modded. Contrary to what some will say, with the street twin you won't have too much clutch because it engages like stock and holds like a mother.

good luck,
Brent