OK, since I work at a parts store, one of the (few) perks of the job is that in my spare time, I get to play around with the computers and various parts we have. Since my mind can wonder, I've come up with a couple of interesting idea's and theories for clutch availability for the 03+ F23 Getrag ECO cars. Here's what I got so far...
1. Almost every FWD GM manual transmission equipped car ever, has the same hub dimensions - 14 spline, 1 inch hub.
2. The only difference in most of these models is the clutch disc diameter.
3. The factory clutch disc setup in the ECO has the exact same dimensions as the 96-99 LD9 cars.
4. The ECO pressure plate is the exact same bolt pattern as the LD9 pressure plate. The only difference that I see so far is that the LD9 cars use locating dowel pins that the ECO cars don't.
5. Preliminary measurements show that the factory ECO pressure plate has the exact same offset as the LD9 pressure plate.
So in theory, that means that an aftermarket clutch out of a 96-99 LD9 car,
SHOULD work in an 02+ ECO J-car, unless someone has done this before and proved my theory wrong.
I'm going to take some precise measurements tomorrow using a mock-up with my stock clutch set, my Centerforce DF (JUNK!!!) set, and the factory replacement LD9 set all mated to my Fidanza flywheel. If all goes according to plan, and the measurements and mock-ups work out, we ECO guys might have a couple more aftermarket clutch options for our cars.
I'll keep eveeryone updated on my findings.
Currently #4 in Ecotec Forced Induction horsepower ratings. 505.8 WHP 414WTQ!!!
Currently 3rd quickest Ecotec on the .org - 10.949 @ 131.50 MPH!!!
I had thought about this at one time.But never tried it. So good luck and let us know how it works...
RSM, back in the day, gave me an ecotec SPEC Stage 3 clutch for my LD9 - those idiot twats. GUARANTEED me it was an LD9 clutch even though the box said ecotec.
Racetech installed the clutch, found that the dowel pin holes in the Pressure Plate weren't big enough, drilled them out a bit, installed the clutch.
It ran fine for about 1800 miles, then started slipping in 5th, by 2,000 miles it was slipping in 3rd - badly.
The clutch lasted 3 weeks.
Removal showed a heavily scored (it was purple) and warped brand new flywheel, totally destroyed friction plate, pressure plate looked fine.
Try this at your own risk.
-Chris-
-Sweetness-
-Turbocharged-
Slowly but surely may some day win this race...
Ok, here's what i found out today... Long story short, both clutch
discs are
EXACTLY THE SAME in every dimension.
This is the side dimensions for the clutch discs for both an ECO and a LD9. Both discs are on a standard GM 14 spline alignment tool.
This is a view with both clutch discs, old ECO one on top.
Same view, new LD9 clutch disc on top.
The problem, and probably the reason why it didn't work for you SweetnessGT, is the
pressure plate . I found out that although both plates have the same bolt pattern, and the same dimensions, the problem is twofold. First, the diaphragm plate that actually pushes on the clutch disc is different.
This is a view of the LD9 plate on my Fidanza flywheel for the Ecotec.
This is the stock Eco plate on the same Fidanza flywheel.
Although you cant see it, there is actually a difference in the height between the 2 pressure plates where the inner diaphragm sits against and compresses the clutch disc. When the clutch disc is bolted down to the flywheel using the Eco pressure plate, both the Eco disc and the LD9 discs are fully compressed as they should be. Using the LD9 pressure plate though, I was able to see that although the LD9 pressure plate will compress the discs, it doesnt compress them fully and you can still see a slight gap between both halves of either disc.
The 2nd problem, is the finger height of both diaphragms. The stock Eco pressure plate fingers are alot higher than on the LD9 pressure plate.
You can see here that the diaphragm spring is alot higher on the Eco pressure plate compared to the LD9 pressure plate. Due to the way our cars are designed, this could lead to a couple of different outcomes. Either...
- Using the LD9 plate on an Eco/Getrag setup will cause it to not fully disengage the clutch...
or
-Using the Eco plate on an LD9/Getrag/Isuzu setup will cause the Eco release bearing to be constantly pushing on the diaphragm springs, effectively not letting the clutch release all of the way and causing a lower clamping force on the clutch disc.
For what it's worth, both the Isuzu and Getrag setups for the LD9 have basically the same pressure plate setup.
Currently #4 in Ecotec Forced Induction horsepower ratings. 505.8 WHP 414WTQ!!!
Currently 3rd quickest Ecotec on the .org - 10.949 @ 131.50 MPH!!!
curious... wat happened to you're centerforce clutch???
more springs on clutch in second pic...
I must confess... I feel like a monster!
My Centerforce never really gripped like it should, always had a lighter pedal feel than the stock clutch, and it slipped within 15,000 miles.
The reason the Eco disc has 4 springs and the LD9 has 6 is because the LD9 is an aftermarket disc and the Eco is factory GM.
Currently #4 in Ecotec Forced Induction horsepower ratings. 505.8 WHP 414WTQ!!!
Currently 3rd quickest Ecotec on the .org - 10.949 @ 131.50 MPH!!!
