How does your OEM clutch feel?

Dreezy562

Yeah I'm getting more used to it now. For sone reason Im scared to rev past 1500 and slip it into first. Ive drivin manual transmissions before but they werr broken in and this one is brand new. Some times shift to fast I will buck a little. The more I drive it though its starting to feel like second nature.. I almost wish I could hear the engine a little bit more at lower rpms so I wond haveto look at the tach hah

Jeffblue

sometimes when people feel the clutch grab, they have a tendency to just let it out really fast because they panic or are scared of burning it when thats exactly the point where you want to just smoothly let it out.

turbodog

My only complaint is that the engagement point is too far off the floor (pedal too high). I like to be able to modulate the clutch with my ankle at the engagement point. With the point so high in the pedal travel, my knee is too flexed and I don't have the movement I want at my ankle. I compensated by moving the seat back. Now, I have to stretch a little to get the pedal to the floor (for starting the engine), but the engagement point is more controllable with ankle motion.

Jessobear

This is the problem I have with it. I've been driving manual trans cars for about 15 years and I felt like a complete idiot when I test drove this one. The guy asks me if I know how to drive stick and I say yeah sure. I didn't stall it but when we got back to the dealer lot, I over-slipped the clutch parking it and got a nice burning clutch smell (on a car I wasn't going to buy). I felt like a total a-hole.

I had a turbo Celica with an RPS clutch in it. It was an organic clutch, but it engaged pretty low on the pedal and I think the overall pedal travel was less. I really liked being able to modulate the pedal by pivoting my heel on the floor. I felt I had much better control over the engagement.

Does anyone know if there's a way to adjust the clutch pedal on this car? I'd like to bring the pedal down since half the travel is wasted anyways.

turbodog

There was a thread on a 350z site, that referenced a thread on a G35 site, wherein such an adjustment was discussed. However, I never could find the original 'how-to' upon which the discussion was based. It seemed like it was deleted, maybe because someone realized it was causing damage to the clutch or trans. There WERE some folks reporting problems downshifting after doing this mystery adjustment.

[edit] I found this procedure. I have not tried it. It may, or may not, be the procedure I mention above. Looking at it, I think it would do the trick with no bad side-effects (may have to adjust the Pedal Stopper Bolt and/or ASCD Clutch switch). Do this at your own risk. I THINK posting this link is within forum rules, but I'm sure a Mod will correct me if I am wrong.
http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Clutch_Adjustment

To read the procedure and compare to the diagram, realize that when the writer says "fork" he means "clevis".
When he says "rod" or "Rod with a hole drilled in it" he means "clevis pin".
When he says "bobby pin" or "cotter pin" he means "clevis pin retainer".

pokeyl

I'll be doing this today, can't stand the high engauge point!

pokeyl

Just finished, clutch is perfect now. The trick is to unmount the clutch master from the fire wall, then you can ajust it easy. Don't take the nuts off, just loosen them all the way, then there is room to work in.

Dreezy562

Is it ok to change the transmission fluid beforethe first oil change? I hear a clunk sometimes if I depress the clutch while I'm slipping it into 1st. Like if I'm not giving it enough gas and depress the clutch quickly to avoid stalling, it will make a weird clunky sound.. normal? Thanks guys +rep!

Jeffblue

don't worry about that clunk. its nothing bad. it just happens when you push the clutch in too fast, like when you are panicking and slam it to the floor. Normally when you're driving this car, theres no need to be doing that. Just push it in nice and smooth, maybe just a TAD slower than you think you should,and that clunk wont happen.

daisuke149

you can change the tranny fluid before engine oil..

daisuke149

They would be able to do it easily and quickly. And yes you to nedd a pump to get it in.

And the mt-85 is the one u want.

LuckyJinx

Practice on a hill is always better, that's how my dad taught me. You'll learn to keep it going and you're gonna become one with the clutch and will make heel to toe VERY easy.

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AlphaSnacks

Well, I went out for a 120 mile ride. I stalled it once at the very, very beginning (I got nervous when a car pulled up my f-ing ***), but I fired it right back up and took off. Didn't stall again after that. What I learned is that revs are very important and that I shouldn't be too worried about feeding into the throttle. 2K RPMs gives the car healthy momentum forward as the RPMs begin to drop, and then I can keep the clutch at the grab, feed some more throttle and let off.

Since I have the synchro rev-match, bucking is non-existent here (only if you shift too quick at a slow speed). This 120 mile drive really helped me familiarize myself with the car. I went to my girlfriend's, and then to my brother's just to drive around. Both of their neighborhoods have a ton of stop signs so I got some solid practice in. Woo!

Jeffblue

yea, you start to look at stop signs as a place to practice starting off in 1st.

AlphaSnacks

Yep, yep. Indeed. Such a shame it'll be raining all day Wednesday. Ugh, I was looking forward to the meet with the new car.