soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

any service/transmission shop can do it.

If you don't want to do it, or it's unrealistic for you to do it, call around ~ I'd wager that a couple places are hurting for business right now, and would love to do this for you.

if you were planning on upgrading the clutch, this is the time to do it;
either get quotes with you providing the clutch kit, or see if they can get an upgraded clutch kit for you.

IIRC the LNF clutch has both an updated (read: heavy duty) insternal slave, as well as an upgraded clutch disc ~ so even an OE part for a 2008-2010 Cobalt SS should be an upgrade (just be sure to check if the part you plan on buying is considered OE for the LSJ to be sure you're getting what you want.)

CanadianCobalt

iTrader: (5)

I've called around to a few shops. I'm putting in the GMPP clutch for sure. Just unfortunately the cheapest I found was 750+ tax for labour. Im willing to pay a chunk just over a grand kills

Pay to play I guess.

Joel

soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

Yuppers ~ the only way around paying, is doing it yourself.

Book rate is going to be big on that one;

You essentially have to unbolt the whole drivetrain, lower it and remove the transmission ~ which sounds easier than it is.

CalgaryBalt had his clutch done late fall or early winter iirc ~ he too was shocked with the cost to R&R it
~ iirc he also opted to get an aftermarket 'stage2' or maybe even 'stage3' clutch... (I dunno the brand though)

I normally need a whole weekend to do one of these (GM/FWD) clutches ~ and believe it or not, the biggest PITA is actually getting the transmission back on ~ invariably getting the input shaft spline to line up with the clutch disc never works out on the first try.
You also need to remember to relieve pressure on the slave side of the clutch to reconnect the line (I'm assuming that Cobalt's are the same as 1993+ N-bodies, J-bodies, and the sort)...

@ $750, that's probably cutting it close considering I'd expect that book time should be around a good eight hours...

Also, don't forget the cost of resurfacing your flywheel... sometimes there's a day delay for this (some little shops can do it, but they can also wreck it ~ many shops will send them out to a machine shop for resurfacing).

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

you dont have to drop the motor, just the tranny and the subframe. It only takes me about 8 hours to do with the help of 2 others. on jons car we dropped it 2 times and still got it back together in one day. Its possible to do by yourself but is nice to be able to have some help, trust me. A shop charging around 750 is appropriate for time it takes.

Go with GMPP clutch and new slave ( do not skip replacing the slave) Order the one for the ss tc for the slave as its updated and better(talking about slave not clutch). If you want to spend some more order a spec or other companies if you want to spend more. Also either get the fly wheel resurfaced or order a new one. A new one from crate engine depot is about 150 and slave is about 50. Also order 6 new bolts for flywheel as these are torque to yield and new bolts for clutch( either 6 or 8 torx bolts) If you order all parts from tom at crate enigne it will be less than 500, also if you make a note they will refund you any shipping that the site over quotes. He is great to deal with, i have ordered all parts from them and u save a ton over GM Canada. ( Ie example i needed a new timing chain tensioner and i got it for 50 through him, gm canada wanted 230 haha) He also ships usps so not duties or fees

I also changed my clutch and we did jons clutch with jacks and jack stands, not that hard. Dedicate a weekend and dive in, i was nervous but everything on this car is easy, including the engine build im doing currently.

These cars make people nervous but i have literrally as of now taken every piece of my car apart. Doing it yourself is the great if you have time, and if doing it now a heated garage.

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

also build book takes you step by step, its a great resource.

CalgaryBalt

I would Try out Clutch-Pro thats where my friend is getting her LSJ done this week, I can tell you how it turns out when she gets it back tommorow evening. but seriously plan on spending $1000+ dealership will cost you $1400-2100.

I was surprised when I shopped around, most shopps with lowball you and then tell you they have run into problems.

BTW I have an Excedy clutch in my car now.

thedude411

iTrader: (1)

^^ thats what happened to me with my clutch. they were like it will be wayyy cheaper than 700 for install. then they were like ya it took us like 11 hours so... heres ur updated bill

Acey

iTrader: (3)

Hey Joel was that you northbound on Mayor Magrath between 5 Ave and 3 Ave S? Orange '05 or '06 LSJ around 3 pm ish.

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

i thought you were going to do it yourself?

CalgaryBalt

I was but I just got really busy and caught up with stuff and then I waited to long and my car just give up on the middle of the road, and I just didnt have the patience to deal with it so i dragged her to a shop and even though I already had my clutch it still cost me over $1100 in labor.

CanadianCobalt

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the advice guys, I don't have a lift or hoist to be able to drop tranny/engine etc and I think with jack stands and a jack this is too big of a project for me. There is ALOT to take apart (Checked out the book). So unfortunately this is going to cost me a bit. I'm ordering the clutch and stuff tonight to the border so I can pick it up in a couple days and get it in ASAP. Good thing I got paid today... haha.

Shitty day though, although inevitable .

Also, Acey my car was dead by noon today so no it wasn't me. But if you saw some ass going 50k on highway 3 with his hazards on then yes, that was me! .

Joel

soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

see I am accustomed to working by myself;

I thought I was clear, but incase I wasn't, I haven't done it on a Cobalt as of yet.
I've done this on N & J bodies ~ and the Cobalt appears to really be similar to them both...

that's a great tip!

do you have a link or part number for this book?

Man that sucks ~ if this was summer, and you could hobble it here I'd offer to help you do it in my garage...

I hope you get this figured out ~ and that it doesn't cost you too much.

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

you could do it yourself and i would say it would only add 2-3 hours, its just handy to have some help for things like lifting the tranny in and having someone put in a bolt.

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

joel it looks complex when reading the book, it honestly is not that bad, it just about scared me away as well but it was not near as bad as it looks. hoist makes the difference of standing vs laying on your back, no other difference between the two jobs

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

GMTunerSource.com - LSJ Build Book - LSJ Build Book

thedude411

iTrader: (1)

Calgary Deal of the Day, Local Daily Deals from Dealfind

guys check out this wicked ass deal. $49 for a Complete Interior and Exterior Car Detailing Package, Oil, Lube and Filter Change, 40 Point Inspection and Tire Rotation from Koncept Autoworks ($220 Value)

CanadianCobalt

iTrader: (5)

Aight, I have another car I can use for a bit so I'm going to think about doing it myself, I always have the help of people on the forums at least. My parents will let me use there garage (heated). Is there any other clutches you reccomend besides GMPP. If it's going to sit for a bit anyways, and I'm digging this far into it I might just put in a clutch I can absolutely forget about. I was thinking maybe an Exedy Hyperclutch.

Opinions?

Joel

thedude411

iTrader: (1)

ACT. when i was going to replace mine thats what caught my attention the most. its like 700 tho but the people who have them love them

Acey

iTrader: (3)

Bought it only because I need a detail at some point and it doesn't expire. I'll make it a day trip in the spring and hopefully find a shop that can do my Sportlines as well.

soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

I don't doubt you one iota.

I tend to play the role of the hermit ~ especially when working on my own cars.

I haven't seen the LSJ book! ~ thanks for linking!

Frankly, how lofty are your plans for the car?

I'd check to see if the readily available clutch kits are the same, or different part numbers for 2005-2007 SS/SC cars than the 2009-2010 SS/TC cars;
If they're the same, I'd skip if you have plans for building the car at all..
If they're different, I'd go for the LNF clutch, as I've heard it has a higher holding capacity.

soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

Update:

RockAuto appears to only list SS/SC clutch kits;
RHINOPAC Part # 04217 (includes slave) $376.79
SACHS Part # K7040301 (includes slave) $438.99

Crate Engine Depot;
LSJ Clutch upgrade kit $249.75
LNF Clutch kit $160.46

seems to me at least to be a clear decision ~ what's the point in buying an OE kit if it has the better slave (assuming you want it).

Does anyone know why CED lists the LNF & LSJ flywheels separately?

I had understood they were the same;
The F35's the cars both have will interchange;
Why list them separate?

For comparison;
Rhinopac LSJ-OE replacement = $377usd
GM LNF kit ($161) + LNF slave ($74) Pressure plate bolts (6x$3;$18) + Flywheel bolts (8x$6;$48) = $301usd

CalgaryBalt

Clutchmasters, ACT, Excedy all great names, but get the flywheel and the clutch if you plan on going big

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

i would caution u against a light weight fly wheel from the research id did if u plan do daily drive, my only suggestion. I run a spec 3+ and like it, others hate it. It is expensive though, think it was around 800 shipped to my door us, without flywheel and slave, etc

cli3e0339384398jk

iTrader: (6)

something with the lnf is different, it wont bolt up the to lsj, i was going to by a spec that someone had for sale for the lnf but it wouldnt work with the research i did, can look into it more but the clutch and fly wheel are different i believe, the slave though is compatible and is an upgrade

CalgaryBalt

anybody have a used lsj intake for sale