Took the Corvette to the shop...

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
07/21/2014 at 14:28 • Filed to: None

And it's staying there :(

It also stopped shifting at a stoplight and some kind person helped me push it out of the way. This is right after an old woman complimented the car, too... The mechanic says it's probably the clutch pressure plate, so I've lost hope of it needing a linkage adjustment. This shits all over my getting it road legal, not to mention my bank account. So much for a good deal!

DISCUSSION (24)

quarterlifecrisis > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 14:30

Well. That's no good.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 14:32

Did you buy a C3 yet? Can't wait till you add the two together.

Flavien Vidal > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 14:51

If you were anywhere near where I am, I would gladly help you out with it... If it's the pressure plate, it's not much of a big deal... I've changed the clutch on my car myself at a "do-it-yourself" garage and it took me less than a day, not really knowing where I was going the first time...

A complete clutch kit is going to cost you from 200 to 500$ and that will include the clutch itself, the bearing and the pressure plate. It's very easy to change, as long as you have a lift. You just need someone to help you to get he transmission in and out of the car (the ZF6 on mine weights about 200lbs...)

If you do it at a garage and can help the mechanic a little, it will be done in 5hours maximum.

Remove the exhausts, the C-Beam, the driveshaft (don't forget to put a transmission-stand under the trans or you will destroy the firewall lol), then start unbolting the transmission from the housing bell (make sure it stays on the stands while doing so lol), pull the transmission out, remove the housing bell and there you go, you have access to the clutch and the pressure plate.

Change both as it's not gonna take anymore time, you now have a brand new clutch and put everything back together, topping whatever oil fell off the transmission while you're at it.

It should cost you maximum 600$ in a garage, 250$ cluch kit included...

Flavien Vidal > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 14:57

PS: do not hesitate to buy cheapish clutch kit from ebay... I've done it numerous times and have never been desappointed whether on my mustang at the time (I even bought 200$ brake kits including 4 vented discs AND pads from ebay for it lol and was damn happy about them for over 2 years including track days haha) or on the Corvette now (though I bought a 500$ stage 2 kit for the Corvette... Works GREAT!)

Here is one that will probably do the trick:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Clutch-Kit…

Flavien Vidal > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 15:05

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Altostanda…

Damn, you can even find complete new clutch kits for 125$ lol... I would honestly love to try it that if it was my Corvette... I'm really curious at how it would do. I would even write an article on Oppo for it actually :)

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/21/2014 at 15:13

I don't need a C3, I just need the 4+3 to work and the process will be complete!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > quarterlifecrisis
07/21/2014 at 15:14

No good at all!

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 15:15

Why not just buy a C7!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Flavien Vidal
07/21/2014 at 15:16

Thanks for all the advice! I'll be sure to keep all of this in mind. If you lived near me, I'd have to take you up on your offer. I appreciate the help! Hopefully I can get a cheap clutch kit in time...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/21/2014 at 15:21

I actually don't lust after C7s (much), but the C4s get enough hate for me to make that title since there is a worldwide C7 circlejerk I partake in. The C4 is the C7 of its time but also looks more muscular and functional in person with classic lines so I'm content. Except for shit breaking. Scratch that: somewhat content and broke. Scratch that again: somewhat content and totally broke. So that's the story of me not having a $50,000 car!

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 15:26

Oh! Well that's interesting. The C4 is my least favorite corvette.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/21/2014 at 15:40

Well it's manual, RWD, has 330 ft/lbs of torque from a reliable pushrod V8, goes 150 MPH, looks decent, has a targa top and a pretty nice interior, has a retro digital dash and pop-up headlamps, epitomizes the 80s and will appreciate because of that, and has a Lotus-designed fully independent aluminum suspension, and has distinctly corvette with many C3 styling cues yet understated styling that makes it more aerodynamic than almost anything on the road. Ticks a lot of boxes for $5,000. It's not my favorite Vette by any means, but it's still a corvette and looks better than the late C4s and C5s according to most while being 25 years ahead of the model it replaced. Perhaps I have more respect for the C4 because I own one, but I think it's a fun car and the more you learn/drive it the cooler it gets and the less true the stereotype becomes.

Flavien Vidal > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 15:41

also could you describe me what happen exactly when you try to get in gear? Coz what could feel like a pressure plate problem in a normal car could actually be a clutch space cylinder problem... How was your clutch behaving? Was it catching really late, with your foot almost fully pressing the clutch?

The Corvette is not a normal car... Hydraulic clutch and so on... It might not actually be the pressure plate... Did you not use it or drive it for a long time? If so chances could o be that it's a leak with the clutch slave cylinder...

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 15:43

I said least favorite, not unliked! They're great cars! I just like the other ones better.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Flavien Vidal
07/21/2014 at 17:45

Here's what happens exactly: I get in the car, start it up, put it in reverse, everything's fine. First, second, third, fourth, all fine. Some time after that, I'll foolishly put it in neutral and push the clutch in as usual to change gear. When I try to put it in any of the forward gears, it won't even move forward into the gates. When I pull up on the ring for reverse, it grinds gears. The car is off for a while (being pushed), and somehow will go into gear when I move the shifter into any gear afterwards. I drive a bit more, the problem resurfaces. Make of this what you will, because I don't have a clue! By the way, it went on two reasonably long trips without fail before this happened. The clutch operation is still normal, though. Thanks for the help!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/21/2014 at 18:14

I understand what you mean; while the C4 is in the awkward position between modern corvette and classic corvette, and therefore thought of the most primitive non-classic corvette, early examples can also be thought of as the most advanced of the classic corvettes. Despite their, rather because of their pubescent state between old and new, they are perhaps the only revolutionary Corvette in the lineage. I certainly don't think of them as the prettiest or most thrilling corvette ever by any means, but the L98 Corvette was truly the only car that could the nameplate from joke-status to being revered again considering the regulations. In the context of the times, the '84 was more of a revolution from the '82 than a 2013 would be from a '96. And yes, I've been considering selling the C4 and used this as an opportunity to make myself like my car again... I will, however, say that the pre-facelift cars are much more exciting to be in and nicer to look at because they are more original, classic, and less pedestrian than a post-'90. Seeing a clean early model with its C3-like styling cues and unadulterated 80s-ness was what sold me on it, whereas a post-'89, which I isn't so interesting, is what came to mind when I heard "C4."

Okay. I'm done trying to sell us both on the C4. Thank you for making me realize it only disappoints as a corvette but not as a car. I won't sell it now.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 18:28

Damn! So close!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/21/2014 at 18:31

I'll feel the same way next time something breaks. And/or I drive it. Haha

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 18:32

SOON

you'll be turned

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/21/2014 at 18:43

NOOOOO DON'T DO IT I'M VULNERABLE, LIABLE TO SELL MY CAR, AND WRITING IN ALL CAPS!

Flavien Vidal > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 18:49

Hum... still could be the slave cylinder leaking and losing pression as you start using it, to then get back to normal once the car is stopped... or the main clutch cylinder...I don't think it's the pressure plate. Do you feel ANY difference at all in the clutch pedal feel when it fails and when it works? Does the clutch feel any different when you can't put the car into gear? Does it get worse and worse (harder and harder to put in gear) and THEN you can't put it into gear or does it happen all of a sudden?

Hopefully for you it's not the synchros acting up some weird way... Once it fails, can you still shift gears without touching the clutch? (rev matching)

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/21/2014 at 18:53

MMMM 944s AND MIATAS FOR REASONABLE PRICES EVERYWHERE

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
07/23/2014 at 19:12

Hmmm... let's do two one-on-one comparisons

944 vs Corvette:

Sound: C4
Handling: tie
Acceleration: C4
Nameplate: tie
Fun and hooning: C4
Looks: tie
Reliability: C4
Ease of use: 944

Score- C4: 7, 944: 4

Miata

Kinja'd!!!

vs Corvette:

Sound: C4
Handling: C4
Acceleration: C4
Nameplate: C4
Fun and hooning: tie
Looks: C4
Reliability: Miata

Kinja'd!!!

Ease of use: Miata

Kinja'd!!!

Score- C4: 6, Miata

Kinja'd!!!

: 3

*DING DING DING* Knockout! (Okay, I do want a 944 and an NA Miata still)

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Flavien Vidal
07/23/2014 at 19:17

Definitely not the synchros, fortunately. My mechanic and his friend who is a transmission guy next door took the car out for a drive, and the transmission guy quickly found that the gear oil really needs to be changed. Sure enough, it was way overdue and looked awful. It's possible that has something to do with the problem, and the ATF and filter for the OD unit are being replaced along with the clutch fluid and gear oil. Hopefully that's it. The clutch feels fine even when the car won't shift, though, but the slave/master cylinder are definitely possibilities!