AutoZone clutch quality

[limey]

So, i had a customer order a clutch, i place the order with Autozone and they send me the L98 - LT1 - LT4 clutch assembly, although the part # and all info says it's the LT5, but it's not.

Here is what i have noticed, the pressure plate is stamped VALEO BRAZIL, which i believe goes to show that the manufacture is producing these under license from Valeo, but the metal used appears to be what we call Monkey Metal, or a very poor cast alloy, You'll also notice that the pressure plate facing is about 12mm thick, whereas the LT5 pressure plate facing is roughly 17mm thick. The L98 pressure plate weighs less and also requires shorter bolts.

It's my firm opinion to avoid these and to make certain that you install the LT5 specific pressure plate, the price is good @ $240.00 all in, but for that money, quality certainly suffered.

I sent it back and ordered an LT5 specific pressure plate which i received and is 100% oem, much better quality too.

[bobbyhi]

Thanks for the info Kurt

[LGAFF]

Bought a lifetime warranty BMW waterpump from them(Autozone), lasted 15K miles and spun the impellar off.

[Hammer]

I did the same thing, ordered a ZR-1 clutch off the website and it came in (and was installed) in my car. It wouldn't move afterwards. The installer removed it and the pressure plate was about 1/4" or so thinner than the original. There was no comment in the instructions to use shorter bolts. We ordered two clutches, another one of the Autozones and a LUK. Both were the right size this time and were identical. I also had them install an aluminum flywheel this time.

Everything went back great and it worked fine. The clutch pedal is actually lighter and smoother than before. It worked so well that I popped a 1/2 shaft u-joint on the first pass at the strip. Oh yeah, the Autozone has a lifetime warranty also.

Autozone paid for the extra install in it's entirety...finally.

[rhipsher]

Hey Limey the one I ordered from Autozone was Part# 04-114. Its a Luk and has Valeo stamped on it but I don't see Brazil anywhere. And the clutch preasure plate is 5/8 or .625 think. I'm sure they gave you the wrong one. It wouldn't be the first time. I'm getting ready to put a Fidanza flywheel on this weekend. I have the clutch sitting on the work bench if there's any info you need off it?

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by rhipsher

Hey Limey the one I ordered from Autozone was Part# 04-114. Its a Luk and has Valeo stamped on it but I don't see Brazil anywhere. And the clutch preasure plate is 5/8 or .625 think. I'm sure they gave you the wrong one. It wouldn't be the first time. I'm getting ready to put a Fidanza flywheel on this weekend. I have the clutch sitting on the work bench if there's any info you need off it?

That's the clutch I ordered and the LT1 clutch came in the box the first time. If you put that clutch plate in with the Fidanza you will have a direct link in the drivetrain. I would highly recommend replacing the disc with one that has the springs in the plate.

Once I got the right one there was slight vibration through out the drivetrain. You will have to make sure everything in the interior is tightened, cause that clutch/flywheel combo will find all the loose stuff in your interior. It will also find the weak spots in your drivetrain should you launch the car hard (3500-4000) at the dragstrip. It broke a half shaft u-joint on the first pass at the starting line after the install.

If you don't race the car you shouldn't have a problem other than the vibration.

Hope this helps.
JB

[rhipsher]

Originally Posted by Hammer

That's the clutch I ordered and the LT1 clutch came in the box the first time. If you put that clutch plate in with the Fidanza you will have a direct link in the drivetrain. I would highly recommend replacing the disc with one that has the springs in the plate.

Once I got the right one there was slight vibration through out the drivetrain. You will have to make sure everything in the interior is tightened, cause that clutch/flywheel combo will find all the loose stuff in your interior. It will also find the weak spots in your drivetrain should you launch the car hard (3500-4000) at the dragstrip. It broke a half shaft u-joint on the first pass at the starting line after the install.

If you don't race the car you shouldn't have a problem other than the vibration.

Hope this helps.
JB

Well luckily I just replaced all the u-joints with brand new Spicers non zerk fittings. And I do plan to drag race it. So what was the difference that you noticed in the performance of the Fidanza vs the duel mass?

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by rhipsher

Well luckily I just replaced all the u-joints with brand new Spicers non zerk fittings. And I do plan to drag race it. So what was the difference that you noticed in the performance of the Fidanza vs the duel mass?

The car defintley revs quicker. I bought the new #473 car so I haven't really raced #458 since repairing the u-joints or I would probably have some incremental times I could compare for you.

I can tell you that the best time without the flywheel, but with an open AC Lid & K&N, Haibeck Chip, Flowmaster Cat-Back and Watson small headers was 12.53 @ 113, with a 1.92 60' and that was with a killer burnout, 25 PSI in the tires (GS-D3's) and popping the clutch at about 3500. It stuck well. The same car after the flywheel, with no burnout, no reduced pressure in the tires and not leaving hard easily ran a 13 flat @ 113 with a 2.28 60 foot.

Hope all that helps.

[flyin ryan]

Originally Posted by Hammer

The car defintley revs quicker. I bought the new #473 car so I haven't really raced #458 since repairing the u-joints or I would probably have some incremental times I could compare for you.

With your 'old' car & flywheel program you'd probably take off before the tree was even activated, compared to when you 'just' Red lit against me in Portland, LOL. i've been riding you about this ssooo hard since the last PNW gathering, next time we line up i'll be halfway down the track before you 'dare' to let the clutch out , . good thing your a good sport, John

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

With your 'old' car & flywheel program you'd probably take off before the tree was even activated, compared to when you 'just' Red lit against me in Portland, LOL. i've been riding you about this ssooo hard since the last PNW gathering, next time we line up i'll be halfway down the track before you 'dare' to let the clutch out , . good thing your a good sport, John

Ohhhh man, I'm never gonna live that down. I actually did leave before the tree once, slip showed a .000 Rt and I went to the track official about it thinking I cut a perfect light. "How could I lose with a perfect light" I asked and he told me "Knucklehead, perfect light is .500, you left before the tree even started". That was actually funny.