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-   -   ZSpeed stock replacement clutch and flywheel (http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivetrain/120658-zspeed-stock-replacement-clutch-flywheel.html)

Kzonts 03-26-2017 05:12 AM

ZSpeed stock replacement clutch and flywheel
 
I have the ZSpeed stock replacement quiet clutch and 26lb flywheel. This was installed in combination with the ZSpeed CSC delete. I also have the RJM clutch pedal.

Overall I'm really liking the new setup, but I'm a bit surprised on how firm the clutch is. My leg is getting a workout and I'm still struggling with smooth launches during daily driving. But I've only had it for two days :icon17:

I also had the car tuned (ECUTEK) at the same time so all these changes have totally changed the overal driving experience. I'm having fun with it! She feels much more raw like a sports car should feel.

Back to the clutch. This thing is nothing like stock and I can't imagine what a stage 2 would feel like. It has significant grip during launches which I like and it responds much better if I launch it aggressively versus trying to baby it. I do realize the new flywheel is 6lbs lighter which contributes to some of this.

The dilemma I have is my wife drives the car, and she's doing ok with it but she is whining about it a bit. This could be trouble :rolleyes:

Anyway, I wanted to give the forum some feedback on this setup. It's very solid and likes being driven with some spirit. It has some slight chatter when sitting at a stop in neutral, just like the stock setup, maybe less.

I myself really love it, but I'm afraid the wife will be complaining for a while :icon14:

UPDATE:
After a month of driving I can unoquivocally say this new clutch is really nice! If you're looking for a stock-like replacement clutch I highly recommend this, but I would suggest you combine it with the RJM clutch pedal if you want a guaranteed comfort level with adjustability. And as with anything new, it just took a little seat time to become one with the car again. It's not completely "stock-like". It provides crisper launches with less slip. Complete driving pleasure is experienced! Very happy with the results AND that defective CSC is gone!

ZSpeed and RJM for the win! Thanks...

Joe@ZSpeed 03-27-2017 08:22 AM

It should have a pretty light pedal, Maybe something is off with the RJM pedal adjustment? There are a lot of people on here with the same set-up and we have not had anyone say it is stiff or drives harder than stock, We have installed quite a few here as well and they are always better than stock in both engagement smoothness and with a just slightly firmer than stock pedal.

I would definitely take a look at the RJM pedal adjustment and set-up and make sure everything is correct with its settings, You can adjust it so it will smooth it out and also make the pedal lighter, or the opposite, make it more aggressive and heavier feeling.

Kzonts 03-27-2017 10:34 AM

Thanks Joe. I adjusted the AFP settings to around 85-90% and it seems to be getting better. Engagement is still abut 1.5 inches off the floor and it shifts ok at that setting. It states in the RJM guide that you can use 100% AFP for aftermarket clutches, such as stage1, etc...

Kzonts 03-27-2017 10:50 AM

Ok. I adjusted the RJM AFP setting to 100% and it's feeling good! A little bit firmer than stock but smooth. I think that will do it for now... The wifey will provide her feedback later today, but it's all I can do for her.

:happydance:

Kzonts 03-27-2017 02:54 PM

I made one more adjustment - lowering the pedal height.

Ryan @ RJM 03-28-2017 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed (Post 3632764)
It should have a pretty light pedal, Maybe something is off with the RJM pedal adjustment? There are a lot of people on here with the same set-up and we have not had anyone say it is stiff or drives harder than stock, We have installed quite a few here as well and they are always better than stock in both engagement smoothness and with a just slightly firmer than stock pedal.

I would definitely take a look at the RJM pedal adjustment and set-up and make sure everything is correct with its settings, You can adjust it so it will smooth it out and also make the pedal lighter, or the opposite, make it more aggressive and heavier feeling.

Joe is exactly right, that setup should have a light pedal feel and I know multiple customers running that same combination with great results. However, something definitely sounds amiss with your setup right now as the default (As Shipped) setup of 75% AFP on your Rev3.1 Pedal system should have produced an already lighter then stock pedal feel. In fact the lighter pedal feel at 75% AFP is what most of my customers comment on first before test driving their cars when doing pedal installs for local owners.

Now with the Rev3.1 pedal units being shipped with the AFP preset to the default 75% recommended starting point and a new adjustment system with a sliding scale to show what AFP step you're on there should be no possible confusion as to how your pedal was setup when you got your car back. So I think we can rule out the AFP being setup backwards as some customers had issues with in the past when the AFP was adjusted by a dial and counting the number of turns either left or right.

Setup now with the AFP at 100% should be making your pedal extremely light and borderline mushy feeling if everything else in the system is good as even Stage 3 puck clutches become super light at 100% setting so something is off.
The only possible point I would have you check on the RJM pedal at this point is to ensure the two side tension bolts that lock the up/down movement of the center section and that also take up any side/side bearing play in the pedal arm. These have a very specific setup procedure in the install guide and if they're over tightened it can make the pedal quite stiff as it pinches the bearings together. Grab a 7/16" wrench, pump the pedal by hand a few times to get a feel for the pressure, then loosen both side tension nuts a 1/4 turn each and see if the pedal now feels lighter. These nuts are located diagonally on either side of the large bolt the pedal pivots on when looking at the upper right side of the pedal assembly. If the pedal does become lighter then you're done and they were too tight. If not then the pedal pressure being excessive is likely coming from one of the other new components installed.

Joe: Is there any points on the CMAK system that could be over tightened to cause stiffness or possibly something not installed correctly to your instructions that might cause this? I'm not familiar with the installation of these but it would be the next thing I'd think he needs to check if the above doesn't solve it.

Best Regards,
Ryan@RJM

Kzonts 03-28-2017 07:36 PM

Hi Ryan,

I will check that. I had to adjust for rod angle and don't think I over tightened them. All the settings were basically stock before the clutch upgrade and it was working great.

Maybe my opinion of how the clutch feels is different than everyone else's :-) Anyway, it's better now that I've adjusted it. I just didn't expect to make those adjustments for a "stock-like" replacement clutch.

Thanks Guys...!

Joe@ZSpeed 03-29-2017 08:57 AM

Ryan, The CMAK is a direct bolt on and fully assembled, There are no adjustments possible.

KZonts, Our clutch kits are designed to work correctly with the cars we offer them for and operate to their optimum ability with the stock set-up, So changing it from the original way it works may not be the best for them. You can fine tune slightly with the RJM pedal but getting to far off from the factory settings may not be the best.

With the OEM clutch or incorrectly designed clutch it is a huge help in getting them to operate correctly. Really works well on overly aggressive clutches or clutches not designed very well to help smooth them out.

Kzonts 03-30-2017 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan @ RJM (Post 3633553)
Joe is exactly right, that setup should have a light pedal feel and I know multiple customers running that same combination with great results. However, something definitely sounds amiss with your setup right now as the default (As Shipped) setup of 75% AFP on your Rev3.1 Pedal system should have produced an already lighter then stock pedal feel. In fact the lighter pedal feel at 75% AFP is what most of my customers comment on first before test driving their cars when doing pedal installs for local owners.

Now with the Rev3.1 pedal units being shipped with the AFP preset to the default 75% recommended starting point and a new adjustment system with a sliding scale to show what AFP step you're on there should be no possible confusion as to how your pedal was setup when you got your car back. So I think we can rule out the AFP being setup backwards as some customers had issues with in the past when the AFP was adjusted by a dial and counting the number of turns either left or right.

Setup now with the AFP at 100% should be making your pedal extremely light and borderline mushy feeling if everything else in the system is good as even Stage 3 puck clutches become super light at 100% setting so something is off.
The only possible point I would have you check on the RJM pedal at this point is to ensure the two side tension bolts that lock the up/down movement of the center section and that also take up any side/side bearing play in the pedal arm. These have a very specific setup procedure in the install guide and if they're over tightened it can make the pedal quite stiff as it pinches the bearings together. Grab a 7/16" wrench, pump the pedal by hand a few times to get a feel for the pressure, then loosen both side tension nuts a 1/4 turn each and see if the pedal now feels lighter. These nuts are located diagonally on either side of the large bolt the pedal pivots on when looking at the upper right side of the pedal assembly. If the pedal does become lighter then you're done and they were too tight. If not then the pedal pressure being excessive is likely coming from one of the other new components installed.

Joe: Is there any points on the CMAK system that could be over tightened to cause stiffness or possibly something not installed correctly to your instructions that might cause this? I'm not familiar with the installation of these but it would be the next thing I'd think he needs to check if the above doesn't solve it.

Best Regards,
Ryan@RJM

You were right Ryan. The tension bolts were a bit too tight. Much better now. I'll re-adjust to stock AFP settings and hopefully I'll be back to normal.

Thanks very much. I really appreciate the input I received from you and Joe @ ZSpeed!


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