I Bought an Auction Camaro ZL1 with a "Bad Clutch" and Fixed it in 3 Minutes

[@Samcrac]

Everyone asks me how to find these auction cars, and I give a brief outline in this video but always remember to start small, learn the ropes, and when it's time to grow, fund your business with Revenued: info.revenued.com/apply?refsource=Influencer&subrefsource=Sam-Crac

[@printmastert]

Sam i use wd40 and an old sock by hand to clean my engines. This was the same price as my 2021 honda. Glad you washed it. :)

[@jwalster9412]

So to find these auction cars you recommend I start my own auction??

[@PONO-go3ee]

Bushings look Broken under the subframe that’s a High Miles Car

[@masskilla469]

Sam, if youre looking to sell it I am definitely interested. I have been Subbed to you for years now and this besides the Audi are the only two cars i would buy. Please get back to me!!

[@madislandguy]

Years ago, a lady in my town asked me if I wanted a 4x4 F150 of hers that got stranded in a parking lot because she thought the clutch went out. She described what happened and I said it sounds like if she just put some more fluid in the clutch reservoir, it would start working properly. She got agitated and insisted the clutch was shot and asked again if I wanted the truck. I said sure, and proceeded to put some more fluid in my new free truck. Here it is 15 years later and it still works fine.

[@heatheraimz1]

That lady did you a huge favor... i hope you gave her some money eventually.

[@SalemTechsperts]

Next ZL1 video is going to be how a frog got sucked into the intake leading to catastrophic engine failure.

[@EequalsMC2ed]

Car farmer. How many head of car you got now, partner?

[@HereForAStorm]

Florida cow pasture full of clapped out hoopties.

[@Henchman1977]

Damn, turns out I'm an OG with the pizza car.

[@ocularpressure4558]

Wait u got the pizza car? 🍕 🚗

[@AeroGuy07]

I started watching him because Steve Lehto did some videos about it.

[@ocularpressure4558]

@ try legit street cars it’s a friend of Sam cracs it’s a good channel

[@jbinmd]

I was first here because of the guardrail car

[@romandabrowski8994]

I remember the pizza car! That got me subscribed!!

[@resqguy]

I knew at some point we were going to see a hack job stereo install when I noticed the wires sticking out of the driver's door jamb with no protection. The self tappers in the trunk were the icing on the cake. Rip all that stuff out and plug those holes and call it a day!

[@Samcrac]

Exactly, I noticed the door wires too. There's a bundle of stuff under the dash too. I like aftermarket stereos but not a big point to one in this car since the engine sounds so good!

[@melissathompson7229]

​@@SamcracI've been a professional installer since 1998, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff I've seen. I'll never understand why someone with this nice of a car wouldn't find a nice shop to do the work correctly

[@daveaustin69]

I started to think it had a NOS tank bracket screwed into the trunk floor at one time then saw all the wires.

[@Arcella1981]

@@melissathompson7229 probably didn't have any money left over and thought "hey I could do this, looks easy enough" and do they do it that way and since it works they think they did it right

[@justincase9471]

@@Samcrac Who needs a radio when you have an engine, I totally agree 😁😁

[@lyf6626]

The fact that Sam has a small garage/barn with a lift, but prefers to work on the cars in the field with a squeaky jack, beats me 🤣 Now, Samcrac followers, we got Sam to buy a lift that he hardly uses, lets get him to build a huge garage for all his cars laying around in the field, that he'll never use. 👇Like for that garage.

[@Delm21]

I worked in the oshawa assembly building these Camaros, used to marry the engine and trans together. Great to see this video

[@chiefrocka8604]

Tell us something funny that happened at work there broski ?????👍

[@Delm21]

through out the plant we have yellow lines to walk on, safety thing so forklifts know where you are. One day a pigeon got in the plant and was walking all the way down an aisle and stayed on the line. When it rains really hard the plant would flood in some areas and even come up the water fountain drains. When the first ZL1 engine came to the motor line, there was dozens of huh end managers and security to make sure people weren’t taking photos, When we first built the convertibles, Earnhardt jr and ppl from Hendricks motor sports come for a tour and to pick theirs up.

[@skipdegraff6547]

I appreciate your service

[@tuck6464]

So you're like a GM ordained minister ?

[@_Haris1904]

A True OG man, been here since the Flooded Jetta. (like close to 8 yrs ago)

[@ImpalaSS08]

I was a vehicle inspector for an auction company. Any non factory hole bigger than a dime drilled through a panel deemed a structural element would be marked structural damage. Look harder, I don’t think the screw holes for the amp grounds is why it was listed with structural damage.

[@Samcrac]

Under the structural disclosure they showed a picture of the trunk holes

[@ImpalaSS08]

@Samcrac Wow! I thought I picked apart cars too much. Great buy then.

[@kyimo007]

Sam did you ever bought a cls? ​@@Samcrac

[@waxingchandler3895]

I still find it wild that you work on these cool cars in either a field or in a horse barn. Keep wrenching Sam!

[@DoctorMotorcycle]

A buddy of mine had a 5 speed manual Silverado that had a clutch that would keep losing pressure. My gut instinct was to check to make sure the hydraulic line wasn't loose - sure enough, it was. We tightened that down, manually bled it by just pumping it for a few minutes, and it was good to go. It's always nice to have a super simple solution to a problem that could potentially be a pain!

If the brake fluid in the clutch actuation has adsorbed some water when the engine bay heat soaks after engine shutdown the water can boil creating small bubbles in the line and preventing proper clutch release when the vehicle is started. This confuses the owner because the clutch released just fine the last time that they drove it. The solution is a full fluid flush. A simple bleed will fix it short term but without changing all the contaminated fluid the issue will return.

[@SingleTrackMined]

The wear 'sensor' is that little piece of metal at the top of the pad. When the pad wears down the metal scrapes on the rotor and makes a noise. That is the indication you need new pads.

[@CarlosGutierrez-qw6pr]

Well that's not really a sensor at all then, right?

[@SingleTrackMined]

@@CarlosGutierrez-qw6pr Hence the 'quotes'. But it does audibly let you know that your brakes are worn out

[@Beer_Dad1975]

@@SingleTrackMined Yup, works fine without unnecessary complications - except that most people are idiots and ignore the noise.

[@muskokamike127]

yeah, you can tell sam is a young pup lol.....I bet those brakes squealed like his step mom getting it up the bum lol

[@crherniman]

Squeal Tab

[@akshonclip]

The carbon fiber hood was actually cheaper than a steel hood for GM because of the re-tooling that would be required for a steel hood to integrate with the supercharger bump. On a limited production car it wouldn’t have made sense

[@MichaelWillems]

I had to replace my carbon fibre hood insert on the ZL1 I used to have and it cost $5000.

[@mikejamesalt]

This looks like a carbon fiber insert?

[@aymaneoubad5057]

This is easily one of the best cars you have scored. Cheers!

[@MichaelBrown-jo3jk]

That cooler you see looks like a FI interchiller or a killerchiller, it uses the A/C to keep the IAT's down in the blower

[@YioerSoui]

Your films are so great because of your honesty, humility, and demonstration of your hard work. Regards. Real, no magic.

[@kurtjohnson5412]

lol!!!!

[@SturbokSensei]

Massive respect for refreshing the brakes before you go out and try out the 700hp! The brake pad wear sensor was that small metal prong on the edge of the pad, it's called an audative wear sensor since it makes an absolute racket if the metal prong starts touching the rotor.

[@Samcrac]

I had no clue! Thanks for telling me so I don't sound so dumb!

[@SturbokSensei]

@@Samcrac i don't blame you, last time i saw one it was on a late 90's Toyota! But hey, if it works it works.

[@mishopetkov7633]

I refreshed the brakes in my 82hp car when i got it is common sense 😂

[@jeffduncan02]

@@Samcrac Not all replacement pads come with them, and often they are bent out of shape. If they don't touch the rotor surface they don't do anything either. I always heard them called "squealers" because they were supposed to make that sound when you were on the brakes. But they seem to be less common place... which isn't good in a time when common sense is even less um common.

[@crherniman]

​@Samcrac auditory wear blah blah...that's just a 10 dollar word for a squeal tab.

[@jfv65]

That little connecting cross pipe between the 2 exhaust pipes is for boosting lower and midrange torque. In some cars it is shaped like a big X. Sometimes people remove it to get 2 separate exhaust systems. It might get a more fruity sound but it actually hurts performance. There are lots of sports bikes that also have these connecting pipes between 2 exhaust header tubes. It's for the same reason, to improve torque in certain lower or midrange rev range. ( i think i saw it on a Yamaha R1)

[@josephprice6557]

Outright bargain for sure! Thanks to the guy who misdiagnosed the clutch issue. Another great video Sam

[@TanguDisen]

Oh no. In the footage of the pizza car, Sam appeared youthful.

[@ocularpressure4558]

Damn Sam looked young in the pizza 🍕 car video

[@michaelwynne4346]

Good buy Sam, i wouldn't be afraid to buy that Car with that mileage.

[@muskokamike127]

The problem is you know those were hard miles.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

@@muskokamike127 Hard miles are OK if the car was prepped for hard miles...and this one was physically.... with the extra coolers. It also helps if you cruise it for the first 10 miles making sure all operating temps are reached....all fluids not just coolant temp. Problems occur when you rag on a bog standard car expecting it to perform like a Daytona 500 race car....

[@trebm3]

The way Sam “stores” all his cars in an open field never ceases to amaze. Tons of issues can arise from this

[@OmniaNihil]

Yeah Sam, all the other famous car tubers got their own pole barns for storage. *_We expect some results for our participation here._* Just saying, no pressure. If daddy sez no, get mommy to say yes.

[@jimmyaber5920]

Only Australia has more destructive creatures than Florida.

[@grderuiter6472]

Great car, with approax 700 bHp I would first of all change at least the two different front tires.

[@rob-u2l]

Damn love me a ZL1. Beautiful car!

[@Ollie2846]

Man you scored another one. I hope that your luck continues. Can't wait to see what you find next!

[@georgemartin1436]

I prefer this type of video in that it is a domestic car that someone as dumb as me could buy and get parts for without taking out a home equity loan.

[@JohnHoganN8]

I do like this model series of the Camaros. Great video! 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@itsverygreen532]

Did you notice the split in the brake fluid cap? The fluid will have a lot of moisture in it, needs changing.

[@daveyspeed]

Really love your videos Sam - we just don’t have the monster motors in the uk for us mortals as they are really expensive to run but you tips for avoiding the big repair bills are ace 👍 keep it up Sam

[@dexietyy7922]

Been here since the money pit Jetta you’ve come so far keep it up Sam I love your videos!😄

[@NearObsolete]

Just bought my first car for $1000 because it had a “bad clutch”, had to pump it for 5 minutes to have a chance at going into gear. Guy said it would be a pretty easy fix regardless but not to have high hopes. $5 of clutch fluid and a total clutch bleed later and it was on the road shifting no problem at all and continues to run perfectly. Total cost was around $1800cdn

[@Ripperx121]

WOW! I been watching too long. I remember the Dominos car. Then they wanted it back. Good times! 😀

[@Johana-c9n]

This content is so good! I'm hooked!

[@g60force]

with those puppies i'm not surprised... BOIT!

[@TheChenny73]

I was a mechanic in the Air Force for 24 years. More than half that I supervised younger less experienced mechanics. I can’t count how many times people would tell me it’s hard broke we need a new engine or whatever. I’d say let’s go look at your problem. More times than not it was a simple fix that the Airman missed. One time comes to mind when an airman wanted to replace a Detroit Diesel 471 engine because no matter what he did he couldn’t tune the fuel rack, he thought the engine was just worn out. I removed the valve cover took a really close look and found a push rod that was bent at the very tip of it, maybe a half inch of the end was bent. We ordered then replaced the $5 part and the engine roared to life. Just one example of many. I can only imagine this happens a lot with vehicles.

[@WildDigger]

21k for a ZL1... Heck yeah everyday and twice on Sunday. Our auction isn't as rough on calling everything structural damage. But our CR guys did hit a ss Camaro with it because someone added a supercharger to it and trimmed the hood. I told them that just hurt it as the hood isn't a structural part.

[@user-xv3zp8gl7j]

This is the best car show on here, how you repair and explain, dont change the format.

[@mikedodge3910]

I think i just realized that I've been watching you since the beginning, I totally remember when you bought that Lil pizza car

[@COOKMAN102]

@samcrac that black box you see at the front is called an intechiller. A company in Australia makes it. And it uses your AC system to cool the fluid going through the heat exchanger for the supercharger. Depending on which one that is they're actually may be a switch somewhere where you flip it and it will divert all the AC freon to just the inner chiller. That thing is able to cool your air intake temperatures by 70° f

[@pinkysgarage4517]

Always entertaining AND informative. Thanks Sam!

[@donspringer8222]

I got a great deal on my 13 2SS but once I've put all the power adders on it to equal that ZL1, I will have way more than $21K into it. Looks like you got a very good deal on a nice Camaro!

[@rafaeltorovip]

Your honesty your humbleness and a show of your hard work is what makes your videos so amazing. Thanks. No magic, just real.

[@Far2hip]

I think that’s the cutest frog I’ve ever seen. Plus he’s obviously a car enthusiast judging by the way he was scanning over that engine (🐸Wow!), lol. 😂

[@iamelcapitan]

How smokes I forgot how far we’ve come from the pizza car Samcrac to todays Samcrac #bringbackpizzacars

[@slincolne]

Hi Sam - good to see you back online. With the recent weather over there I wasn't sure if you were OK. Hope everything has dried out now :-)

[@nicobellic2465]

What a sick find, man I wish I was in US would have bought it from you.

[@Joeshomegarage]

That's an interchiller. Had one on my 06 supercharged gto. Uses the AC to cool the supercharger coolant.

[@_BAD_MERC_]

Nice buy Sam!!! Even with a worst case it's still a DIY job.

[@joemyers8289]

Just noticed the cooler on the gearbox, so it probably has diff cooling also. The pump in inside the box that runs it through the heat exchanger when the clutch is out on the manual. Should be 2 lines running from the gearbox to the diff and both the diff and gearbox use the same gear oil.

[@fiily1]

Nice car, good job, we love you Sam. Keep up the good work, God bless.

[@Samcrac]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@edh4686]

I think that was an excellent deal if I had 21,000 I would have bought that car in a heartbeat. I think it was a great find.

[@tonybosworth5382]

Sam back at it! Nice buy!

[@MarkSegree]

Always look forward to your videos, can't wait till the next one. I'm kinda hoping one of these cars give you big trouble so you'll have to post more. I'm not entertained by trouble, I just like your vibe.

[@FilomenaMckerley]

Another hit from my favorite creator!

[@ThatandCo]

yeah, I admit I was drawn in by the dominos car. like the way you find ways around expensive parts too very informative channel overall.

[@gordowg1wg145]

Many years ago I was buying some parts of a guy who was parting out a very tidy vehicle, he said it had "dropped a valve", but his "diagnosis" was entirely because of a sudden loss of power, and when asked he said there wasn't any horrible mechanical noises - which a dropped valve would definitely cause. I suggested checking a single, specific part because I thought that would have been the problem, and he called back later that it was indeed faulty - writing off a very nice car for a, literal, $12 part and less than 5 minutes of work... Ouch!

[@HasoliMida]

The cooler you see appears to be a killer chiller or FI interchiller, and it employs air conditioning to keep the IATs in the blower low.

[@CarolTurner-e1o]

This just made what I needed today!

[@Nedreck11]

One of your best vids.

[@waynerobinson4978]

Damn Sam have I been watching you that long lol those pizza 🍕 cars were Great content

[@mrb3991]

HI Sam , its a Cool car I am in UK , I don't think we can get that type of car here in the UK, Great Video 👍

[@matthewbrock6338]

Good thing you were driving it when the clutch gave out. It would have been bad if your stepmom had been driving it and gotten stuck in the middle of nowhere! 😂

[@TheSwampDonkey]

Yeah, those 2 piece rotors and Bilstein Shocks on my Hellcat are super super expensive.

[@omorin34]

In a pinch to get home once, I untied my left shoe lace and ran it around the clutch pedal. That was a lifetime ago and with a VW Jetta. Not the best choice with 700 HP.

[@Javierhernandez-lh1qm]

Great buy Sam

[@marcswinnen9100]

You have a good voice and the cars are good too😊

[@caseyspeer8179]

I like the deal and I like the car I just wish the mufflers had a little bit more rumble to it it kind of sounds like a tin can a little bit but you got a good deal Sam

[@robsdeviceunknown]

That's too funny. My first car was a 1980 Honda Accord. Got a bazillion MPG which was great for a high schooler, but it did NOT do me any favors with the girls lol

[@sarnieken]

Another great vid. That Camaro is nice!!!

[@spawn_blacksmith]

I love the ZL1 Camaros!

[@RyanCarpenter-fm7gc]

Sam can fixed everything

[@Mattie_LIGHT]

Quick flip for 30k? Not a bad deal for you and the next buyer

[@RPO6464]

I would definitely buy it from you for 21000. Great find Sam.

[@pattikasten]

No one gonna talk about the 0 oil pressure at the end?!?

[@skylerburreson9764]

And at 13:50 when he is clearly driving it. Haha

[@BrandonTuerff]

@@skylerburreson9764 i thought that said 0 lol

[@carguy4658]

Nice car. Were it in my grasp, I would say it needed a new set of matching tires ...

[@thecman26]

Nice steal! Easy fix!

[@MrTilbin]

It has a wear sensor. A squealer. Owners ignore flashlights too anyway. Too many can afford the payment and fuel but neglect maintenance costs or regular inspections and you get issues like this.

[@corporalclegg914]

Win. nice work, Holmes

[@vincegraves1176]

You doing something fundable 😊

[@aybehcee]

I been trying to buy a camaro at auction but the prices seem too much sadly. Taking a break for now but hope to get one in the future. I even tried winning 200k mile cars but no luck 😞. Maybe when my car sells, I will increase my budget lol

[@lukewalker1051]

Love the 5th gen ZL-1. What a car. Congrats Sam.

[@Samcrac]

Thanks man! They're pretty awesome!

[@justdoit123]

It has mechanical brake wear sensors, those little metal tabs on the brake pads start rubbing the disks when the pads wear to the point they touch then makes the annoying squealing sound

[@Samcrac]

Interesting! Didn't know

[@JamesWolfgang]

You definitely got a hell of a deal on that one

[@kodythexton4034]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[@jagunn1972]

Poorly installed intercooler for the blower! But will help out big time!

[@jamesrobinson1579]

LOL always tweaks me when I see your cars with mismatched (and/or cheap) tires! 😅 The only part that connects you to the pavement is like a pair of dull skates.

[@sanbraunfels2964]

Great car and deal!

[@armandopatane5343]

I always learn on this channel

[@YOEL_44]

Please help me with this: My 2008 Abarth T-jet has a clutch pedal that does this, but I can also recover most of the pressure just by pulling instead of pushing on the pedal, pumping does nothing. Any ideas of what could be? Edit: It losses pressure with time, maybe in 2 or 3 months I start to have issues if I don't pull the pedal back up.

[@JenseHenriksen]

You should clean up those leaves under the hood/Cat delete also if you can

[@Holabirdsupercluster]

Oh great, now I need to start to be worried about getting some window louvers through my windshield the next time some guy in a beat to shit muscle car passes me on the highway

[@thomasharris5151]

Great find💎👌🏾

[@pali1H]

Yeah both 5th gen and 6th gens suffer from heat soak on the starter, especially when running headers.

[@felixdacat2000]

Samrac now buying only cars with bad clutches for more missionary action with his neighbor.

[@thesaltlifemanshow5522]

Man, I gotta admit I would like to get a newer camaro manual v8 drop top. I did own a 5th gen but when I found a mint 2002 Pontiac ws6 manual v8 in white with tan interior and only 28k I had to get it. The last of the pop up and down headlights baby. I guess I'm weird since I'm a German car guy my baby is my rs5 and cls63. But I also like my 92 cutlass supreme convertible. I guess we all have our differences. One thing that drives me nuts is I have a lot of respect for puddin fab shop and vice grip and even pole barn garage. However I've never seen one of them with a killer stereo install in their rides. I don't have a single ride that doesn't have subs and top of the line stereos. Since not every car comes with a bang and o stereo... Nice video Sam very informative. Funny 25k is what I gave for my 06 Mazda rx8 shinka back in 2008 with only 1800 miles as a demo for a manager. Nowadays you have to buy a 5 year old car with 60 to get below 30k

[@slowery43]

so much "Who cares' in your post not sure where to start... nobody came here hoping to hear all about you and your car wants

[@tuck6464]

You call yourself " a German car guy" your post, clearly states that you're a "car whore" you have no clear preference, no indication of brand loyalty . The only thing you're consistent with is "killer / bang and o stereo, which has absolutely nothing to do with performance and is forever more of a liability than an asset. to each their own but you're a confused individual, who you are, and who you think you are, is two completely different people.

[@jeffeffinggluck]

Sounds so good

[@247Therocker]

Honing rotors was the norm for years and years … until cheaper quality parts came along and rotors became more affordable to replace

[@ForeverDownByLaw]

Yes, but modern pads are harder (no asbestos) and wear the rotors. The rotors are now a wear item.

[@247Therocker]

@ I don’t change my rotors everytime. Maybe … every second time

[@muskokamike127]

yeah, what he did wasn't honing. My dad bought a house and a camping trailer and a few cars from honing rotors. that was his job in a large service centre. I used to hang out sometimes after school. He'd put me on a bench to watch the 10 lathes turning "come get me when one stops" and he'd go off to change some tires or do something else. Me: so you get $5 per rotor x 10 machines and you can do something else while they're being turned? Him: yup, good gig eh? Me: damn right! The kicker? the machines were supplied and maintained by the garage. Now he wouldn't always have 10 on the go, sometimes 4, or 2 but he always had at least 2 going.

[@Alfadragon17]

I wish my 2007 Saab 9-5 was that easy. But my car has 265k miles on it. Likely a factory clutch assembly. My clutch is just worn out. So I'm getting ready to pull the engine.