Sticky: (Official) 370Z Clutch Pressure (CSC) Failures

Wu01ok · 07-11-2015, 10:06 PM

I plan to buy 370z mt but reading this disc failure. Would be safe to say if I do purchase 370z to go ahead and replace the csc with zspeed along with the aftermarket clutch since they have to take transmission out anyways? Also plan to do the arp clutch pedal. I should be all good? Anybody know the price range install and good shop around Dallas area?

KoolKarmaJoe · 07-12-2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wu01ok

I plan to buy 370z mt but reading this disc failure. Would be safe to say if I do purchase 370z to go ahead and replace the csc with zspeed along with the aftermarket clutch since they have to take transmission out anyways? Also plan to do the arp clutch pedal. I should be all good? Anybody know the price range install and good shop around Dallas area?

You could go many miles before CSC fails. It's really a personal decision. I had no plan, my CSC failed . Luckily I had Triple AAA Tow coverage. I never had problems with clutch plate/pressure plate. I just chose to upgrade to a stronger Street Performance/track clutch kit since I later plan on going "forced Induction". OEM flywheel is heavy but ensures quiet trans. I went to a solid steel ACT Streetlite flywheel for improved performance. I do notice minor chatter when at idle, in a garage, in neutral with A/C on and windows down. It's not noticeable once out in the open. The performance improvement & responsiveness by far out weigh that minor chatter under those circumstances. I purchased clutch kit, flywheel, HD CSC, CMC, Insulated Cluthline, MOTUL Gear Oil & GTR Fluid all from ZSpeed and very pleased with their service/parts/prices & S/H.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

MagmaRed370z · 07-12-2015, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoolKarmaJoe

The performance improvement & responsiveness by far out weigh that minor chatter under those circumstances. I purchased clutch kit, flywheel, HD CSC, CMC, Insulated Cluthline, MOTUL Gear Oil & GTR Fluid all from ZSpeed and very pleased with their service/parts/prices & S/H.

Can you please elaborate on this if you don't mind? Looking at this setup and would like to know how this compares to stock in performance gains, longevity and feel?

KoolKarmaJoe · 07-12-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schellingr

Can you please elaborate on this if you don't mind? Looking at this setup and would like to know how this compares to stock in performance gains, longevity and feel?

OK, bare with me, I'm a "driver" not so much a "gear head" so my observations are from that perspective. ACT HDSS Clutch, needs 300-500 miles breakin (not just highway miles; stop n go daily driving too). So far I only have 78 miles on it. The lighter ACT Streetlite Flywheel gives quicker revs, and upshifting is extremely fast & smooth. Quick downshifting I found is much smoother with double clutching/rev matching, & heel n toe driving method. Yesterday on my way to a "Z & Coffee Event" I got stuck in a backup on I-70, stop n go 5mph or less. It did get a little annoying with some clutch judder. It seemed to increase with each time I let out on clutch (about every 30-90 seconds as cars inched along). Once cleared and moving clutch settled down & was fine during normal stop light/intersection stops. Again, remember I have not reached the full BREAKIN PERIOD as of yet! The lighter flywheel has less mass therefore as quickly as it revs up, it also revs down. You will notice that you may have to rev a little higher to start from a stopped position on a incline/hill. But I've gotten much better with it with practice. In a way, you will have to learn your clutch style over again when changing from OEM setup, but thats not bad, its no different than getting use to clutch feel in a different car than your are use to driving. Definitely change transmission gear oil to the MOTUL Gear Oil (ZSpeed 4qts=$74.00). Cheaper, old gear oil may result in louder chatter noise. There is a YouTube by ZSpeed where Joe demonstrates flywheel chatter from a 19lb solid flywheel. Though he doesn't mention brand name, I DO NOT THINK it is a ACT 19lb flywheel, because no-way does the ACT HDSS Clutch Kit & ACT 19lb Streetlite Flywheel sound that loud on my car whether it be cold/hot start, or A/C on or off, clutch in or out at idle.
As I break-in this system I will post updates and will closely monitor if there is any change in level of noise chatter, grabbing, slipping etc. It's still new setup (only 78 miles on it), and currently I am very pleased with it.
If you plan to eventually go FI, you will have to upgrade from OEM Clutch.

MagmaRed370z · 07-12-2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoolKarmaJoe

OK, bare with me, I'm a "driver" not so much a "gear head" so my observations are from that perspective. ACT HDSS Clutch, needs 300-500 miles breakin (not just highway miles; stop n go daily driving too). So far I only have 78 miles on it. The lighter ACT Streetlite Flywheel gives quicker revs, and upshifting is extremely fast & smooth. Quick downshifting I found is much smoother with double clutching/rev matching, & heel n toe driving method. Yesterday on my way to a "Z & Coffee Event" I got stuck in a backup on I-70, stop n go 5mph or less. It did get a little annoying with some clutch judder. It seemed to increase with each time I let out on clutch (about every 30-90 seconds as cars inched along). Once cleared and moving clutch settled down & was fine during normal stop light/intersection stops. Again, remember I have not reached the full BREAKIN PERIOD as of yet! The lighter flywheel has less mass therefore as quickly as it revs up, it also revs down. You will notice that you may have to rev a little higher to start from a stopped position on a incline/hill. But I've gotten much better with it with practice. In a way, you will have to learn your clutch style over again when changing from OEM setup, but thats not bad, its no different than getting use to clutch feel in a different car than your are use to driving. Definitely change transmission gear oil to the MOTUL Gear Oil (ZSpeed 4qts=$74.00). Cheaper, old gear oil may result in louder chatter noise. There is a YouTube by ZSpeed where Joe demonstrates flywheel chatter from a 19lb solid flywheel. Though he doesn't mention brand name, I DO NOT THINK it is a ACT 19lb flywheel, because no-way does the ACT HDSS Clutch Kit & ACT 19lb Streetlite Flywheel sound that loud on my car whether it be cold/hot start, or A/C on or off, clutch in or out at idle.
As I break-in this system I will post updates and will closely monitor if there is any change in level of noise chatter, grabbing, slipping etc. It's still new setup (only 78 miles on it), and currently I am very pleased with it.
If you plan to eventually go FI, you will have to upgrade from OEM Clutch.

Thank you for your reply. Interesting that it revs up quicker than stock. I eventually will go FI but not for a couple of years. At the moment its my DD and I mostly drive in the city and not in the highway. Just want something robust that its better than stock quality wise.

Wu01ok · 07-12-2015, 07:35 AM

Yeah so save a little money the stock clutch is fine than. I plan on getting use but low mileage. So csc with the arp pedal change should be fine?

Wu01ok · 07-12-2015, 07:43 AM

Sorry guys meant afp by rjm performance

firulice · 07-12-2015, 11:05 AM

I'm in the same boat in deciding what all to update while I'm in there for the csc

Wu01ok · 07-12-2015, 01:09 PM

Meant installing

jwick · 07-12-2015, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wu01ok

Meant installing

Basically the same as a clutch install since most of the labor is dropping the tranny. 5-6 shop hrs. Cost will depend on the labor rate but roughly $100/hr

KoolKarmaJoe · 07-12-2015, 05:43 PM

It's becoming apparent to me that the Nissan 370Z Manual transmission has a "Achilles Heel", the CSC ! So no matter how Nissan boasts of HP, 0 to 60mph times, or any bogus claim of fame of the 370Z, IT IS A WEAK CAR,, their CSC product is SH*T ! And leaves you stranded & embarrassed no matter how good the car looks. The fact is A Mazda Miata, or a Suburu BRZ has a more reliable Drive Train! It's a classic tale of the "Tortoise & the Hare". Nissan being the Hare, and all others being the steady/reliable Tortoise. ! Dam the Suburu WRX STI is looking really good. You build cars upon a foundation, and if you build a car upon a WEAK DRIVE TRAIN, then you got a WEAK car no matter the horsepower/suspension/interior features etc. Very Disappointed in Nissan!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

jwick · 07-13-2015, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoolKarmaJoe

It's becoming apparent to me that the Nissan 370Z Manual transmission has a "Achilles Heel", the CSC ! So no matter how Nissan boasts of HP, 0 to 60mph times, or any bogus claim of fame of the 370Z, IT IS A WEAK CAR,, their product is SH*T ! The fact is A Mazda Miata, or a Suburu BRZ has a more reliable Drive Train! It's a classic tail of the "Tortoise & the Hare". Nissan being the Hare, and all others being the steady/reliable Tortoise. ! Dam the Suburu WRX STI is looking really good. You build cars upon a foundation, and if you build a car upon a WEAK DRIVE TRAIN, then you got a WEAK car no matter the horsepower/suspension/interior features etc. Very Disappointed in Nissan!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

That's like throwing the baby out with the bath water. Miata and BRZ aren't even in the same ballpark for performance and the WRX has a shitty factory tune that could very well pop your motor. Think that's more of an 'Achilles Hill' than a weak CSC.

If you don't like your Z, trade it in on something else.

JARblue · 07-13-2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwick

That's like throwing the baby out with the bath water. Miata and BRZ aren't even in the same ballpark for performance and the WRX has a shitty factory tune that could very well pop your motor. Think that's more of an 'Achilles Hill' than a weak CSC.

If you don't like your Z, trade it in on something else.

weak CSC ≠ weak drivetrain

but then again ... Miata doors

KoolKarmaJoe · 07-14-2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwick

That's like throwing the baby out with the bath water. Miata and BRZ aren't even in the same ballpark for performance and the WRX has a shitty factory tune that could very well pop your motor. Think that's more of an 'Achilles Hill' than a weak CSC.

If you don't like your Z, trade it in on something else.

Luv the Z, hate the CSC & Nissan's answer to the CSC issues many of us have had, which is "the sound of cricket's". You are correct that Miata & BRZ aren't in the same class. But each passed the Flatbed Truck towing my Z to repair shop for CSC issue!

jwick · 07-14-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoolKarmaJoe

Luv the Z, hate the CSC & Nissan's answer to the CSC issues many of us have had, which is "the sound of cricket's". You are correct that Miata & BRZ aren't in the same class. But each passed the Flatbed Truck towing my Z to repair shop for CSC issue!

So did a bunch of econoboxes but you fail to mention those

07-12-2015, 11:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
firulice Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: utah Posts: 277 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 1107	I'm in the same boat in deciding what all to update while I'm in there for the csc __________________ 40th-40th edition. HFC, Nismo exhaust, Stillen intakes, GTR start, UpRev

07-12-2015, 05:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
KoolKarmaJoe Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 417 Drives: 09' Nissan 370Z R M6 Rep Power: 13	It's becoming apparent to me that the Nissan 370Z Manual transmission has a "Achilles Heel", the CSC ! So no matter how Nissan boasts of HP, 0 to 60mph times, or any bogus claim of fame of the 370Z, IT IS A WEAK CAR,, their CSC product is SHT ! And leaves you stranded & embarrassed no matter how good the car looks. The fact is A Mazda Miata, or a Suburu BRZ has a more reliable Drive Train! It's a classic tale of the "Tortoise & the Hare". Nissan being the Hare, and all others being the steady/reliable Tortoise. ! Dam the Suburu WRX STI is looking really good. You build cars upon a foundation, and if you build a car upon a WEAK DRIVE TRAIN, then you got a WEAK car no matter the horsepower/suspension/interior features etc. Very Disappointed in Nissan! Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ "Joe" AAM True 3" Duals / Whiteline Bars & Rear Links / Tanabe Sustec Pro / Mishimoto Oil Cooler / Michelin Pilot SS ACT HD Pressure Plate / ACT Performance Disc / ACT Streetlite Flywheel / ZSpeed HD CSC on GTR Fluid. Last edited by KoolKarmaJoe; 07-13-2015 at 07:20 PM. Reason: typo*

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07-11-2015, 10:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wu01ok Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Dfw Posts: 8 Drives: Na Rep Power: 11	I plan to buy 370z mt but reading this disc failure. Would be safe to say if I do purchase 370z to go ahead and replace the csc with zspeed along with the aftermarket clutch since they have to take transmission out anyways? Also plan to do the arp clutch pedal. I should be all good? Anybody know the price range install and good shop around Dallas area?

07-12-2015, 07:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wu01ok Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Dfw Posts: 8 Drives: Na Rep Power: 11	Yeah so save a little money the stock clutch is fine than. I plan on getting use but low mileage. So csc with the arp pedal change should be fine?

07-12-2015, 07:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Wu01ok Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Dfw Posts: 8 Drives: Na Rep Power: 11	Sorry guys meant afp by rjm performance

07-12-2015, 01:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wu01ok Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Dfw Posts: 8 Drives: Na Rep Power: 11	Meant installing