Clutch pedal feel
 

I recently traded in my 2013 7AT base for a 2014 6MT nismo and have been struggling with getting smooth first gear starts due to how the clutch pedal feels when slowly engaging the clutch. When the clutch is fully pressed down and I start releasing it's smooth for about the first half of the travel then suddenly when it hits approximately the "bite" point there's suddenly quite a bit of force from the pedal trying to spring up and it pushes my foot causing me to release the clutch much faster than I should (I've probably stalled the car half a dozen times so far in the very little driving I've done since I've owned it). When I bought the car from the dealer I was informed that an aftermarket clutch was put on (supposedly) and was curious if my clutch pedal engagement is normal for 370z or not?

Also, I glanced at the helper spring and it's yellow, not sure if this is oem or not.

tl;dr: non-linear clutch pedal movement, is this normal?

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...-problems.html

http://www.the370z.com/group-buys/37...er-spring.html

http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...ase-where.html

I wouldn't know about aftermarket clutches since I don't have one, but when I had the OEM helper spring in, there was some force against my foot around the engagement point. Try holding the clutch at the bite for a few seconds while giving 1200-1500 rpm to get moving smoothly.

I'd suggest removing the helper spring to see if it feels the same. Yellow is stock. If you like the way it feels without it, order the $20 one found on ebay these days.

Don't feel bad about the stalling either lol, this was my first manual car as well and the ride home was a mess. After 7 months I still have my rough starts, but it's fluid 95% of the time.

I've been driving for most of 40 years, after learning on a VW Beetle. Stock clutch on my Nismo, and I've managed to stall mine a few times, and had even more instances of jerky starts. At first I thought it was just me, but I'm not that clumsy, lol. It gets better with practice. Don't give up.

Kirk B.

Yeah the stock clutch is horrible. Buy yourself the RJM adjustable clutch pedal now before you start pulling your hair.

Do yourself a favor and get the RJM clutch pedal assembly. Ive had other manual cars and the 370z clutch pedal feel is unacceptable for a sports car, I too stalled randomly because of the vague feeling you get from the stock one. The RJM clutch pedal transforms the way the car feels with its shorter throw and adjustability for engagement. I now feel connected to the car like it should have from the factory, nothing but easy and buttery smooth shifts with the RJM pedal.

I find my clutch engagement in my '16 Nismo smooth and progressive with no issues. I don't know if it was improved in my car but it sounds like to me that your problem may be related to the aftermarket clutch that was supposedly put in. But regardless, practice makes perfect. I know that some aftermarket performance clutches will have harder engagement than stock so that may be what you're experiencing.

As suggested, get the RJM pedal..it just works. The spring he puts in the pedal assembly is a godsend..so smooth, linear, and predictable.

I have a RJM V2 for sale cheap pm me if you want it.

I don't have any issues with the clutch on my 2010. Everything feels ok and good for me. I learn to drive stick on a 1961 Ford F-100 that had 3 on the tree.

I find it strange the Z has such a progressive clutch engagement, but not the G37. Do both of these cars use the same spring? I haven't actually checked, but i have noticed between the two cars, the G's bite point is bit more linear and easier in that regard.

I think for me, its not actually the pedal itself, but the angle of my leg on the two cars. With the G, i had a bit more of a bend at the knee at full compression. With the Z my leg was straight (primarily because i can't put the seat and steering wheel where i like) when fully compressed and it made my leg tense up aggressively when it got to the bite point. It made it mentally weird trying to modulate gas and clutch pressure. After a while i just trusted that the bite point was at X point and i gave gas. This wasn't always smooth though.

Is anyone else experiencing this sensation? This was in a 2011 nismo and a 2014 nismo compared to a 2013 G37s.

it's all about the driver IMO.

my 17 nismo feels great.... only thing still getting used to is the 1st gear into 2nd gear can be a bit tricky to get through smoothly.


cheers:twocents:

Yes, that's the only issue I had when I first got the car. Of course, I'm 65 years old and have driven some of the most god-awful sticks ever.

I hadn't driven a stick in about 10 years but have been lucky to not stall it out yet (knock on wood). I've discovered the OEM clutch engages best at a very low RPM around 700-800 but of course you run the risk of stalling it with any wrong move.