Is my clutch normal?

[Bad Boy]

This is my first manual transmission, and on a powerful sports car...
Im just wondering if this is normal...
When I have my clutch fully depressed (to the floor), I have to let it go a little over 50% before the car starts rolling. Is that with all the 370Z's? or is something wrong?
Also, I have a friend at work who has a G35 and says he never fully depresses his clutch, that he just pushes it in just enough so that the gears open up so he can shift... also claims he has had the same clutch on his car for a verrrry long time...

How do you guys use your clutch?

[Bad Boy]

Also, When I depress the clutch, it goes pretty deep. I kind of find it uncomfortable, all that extra space, when the friction point is in the middle.

[aszyd]

Yes.

370Z & G37 AFP Clutch Pedal Assemblies - *RJM Performance.com

[0101]

I was just watching a youtube video on this.
Its bad on the clutch to push it to the floor if not needed.
Some people in the racing world weld a nut to the clutch petal and put a bolt through it that hits the floor to take travel out of the clutch. You only need to push it just a little past where it grabs.

[BC416]

I just picked up my 2012 with only 10k miles on I've been wondering the same thing. First time I test drove the 370z I had to make sure I was actually in 1st gear because I was slowly letting out the clutch and the car wasn't going anywhere. Like you said it doesn't grab until you let it out a decent amount.

Appears to be normal and I've been getting used to it.

[olddudesrule]

Sounds normal to me. This car just has long clutch pedal travel, and take a little getting used to. Try the clutch pedal spring mod (search for it). It won't shorten your pedal travel at all, but I felt it made finding the engagement area a bit easier. Made the pedal feel a bit smoother too.

As others have suggested, there are after market pedal assemblies out there that many feel are a vast improvement. Try driving the car for a while first and see if it's something you can get used to/live with...

[Bad Boy]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

[1slow370]

Originally Posted by 0101

I was just watching a youtube video on this.
Its bad on the clutch to push it to the floor if not needed.
Some people in the racing world weld a nut to the clutch petal and put a bolt through it that hits the floor to take travel out of the clutch. You only need to push it just a little past where it grabs.

I actually purchased a stop from GTM for it I don't think they have it listed yet I was like the first guy. Has an adjustable stop bolt, and a thing to hit the clutch switch so you can set the limit on the pedal wherever. It just replaces the factory blue plastic stop on the pedal.

[Aardwolf]

OP, similar situation and querry I had myself. Yea, the engagement window is small, it's too high combined with a higher clutch pedal resting position make this clutch trickier to learn. Yea, you'll get used to it and it will be no problem after a week or two. However, I wear dress shoes to work and the lack of feel I have with them on always makes for a few jerky shifts. So, I went with the RJM pedal. Read the threads, we have all been extremely pleased with the resulting clutch feel and stroke.

[Bad Boy]

Originally Posted by Aardwolf

OP, similar situation and querry I had myself. Yea, the engagement window is small, it's too high combined with a higher clutch pedal resting position make this clutch trickier to learn. Yea, you'll get used to it and it will be no problem after a week or two. However, I wear dress shoes to work and the lack of feel I have with them on always makes for a few jerky shifts. So, I went with the RJM pedal. Read the threads, we have all been extremely pleased with the resulting clutch feel and stroke.

Omg yes! I work a kitchen job while I go to school, and everyday after work the bottom of my shoe is oily and slippery... so I feel you on those uncontrollable jerky shifts lol.
I was looking at the RJM pedal, but am hesitant about the installation. And will it void anything in my warranty? (I have an extended warranty with Toyota)

[IDZRVIT]

I installed a Center Force DFX clutch in my vette. The pedal travel is far more worse than the Z's. Engagement is just at the end of the pedal travel on release, but boy, does it grab!

[Aardwolf]

Originally Posted by Bad Boy

Omg yes! I work a kitchen job while I go to school, and everyday after work the bottom of my shoe is oily and slippery... so I feel you on those uncontrollable jerky shifts lol.
I was looking at the RJM pedal, but am hesitant about the installation. And will it void anything in my warranty? (I have an extended warranty with Toyota)

I understand the hesitation when debating the install. I ended up getting a shop to install mine. I figured for $120 or so and it only taking an hour, compared to my 3+ hours and second guessing if I had done it perfect, I decided to just spend the money. As for the warranty, this will not void your warranty.

[MJB]

Originally Posted by 1slow370

I actually purchased a stop from GTM for it I don't think they have it listed yet I was like the first guy. Has an adjustable stop bolt, and a thing to hit the clutch switch so you can set the limit on the pedal wherever. It just replaces the factory blue plastic stop on the pedal.

Same concept the 350z guys use DIY Clutch Stopper aka. free D-wolf Clutch Kit - MY350Z.COM Forums

Just limits the travel peddle a bit. I did the same mod way back when I had a 350, felt great. I'm thinking this could work on the 370 as well.

[1slow370]

Nah what i bought is way better than that, if you have a really high clutch you could set the stop up like 3 inches of pedal travel for those lightning shifts.

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[kjz]

Normal. Engagement point high is compare to other cars. Mitsubisho Evo has higher engagement point than 370z.. its really hard to drive Evo.. lol. As a result, I installed RJM clutch pedal assembly and every issue with clutch has been resolved. It was my first and the best mod ever. Highly recommended. Still running great. Installed in April 2014.