Z Speed CMAK Review Part 2 (The Sequel)

jcosta79 · 08-26-2016, 03:50 PM

I ordered the Stage 2 CMAK clutch kit with lightweight flywheel from Z Speed and had it shipped directly to Jotech Motorsports in Garland, TX as that was the shop that does all the work on my car. Ordering was pain free and the kit shipped the next day. Got me a free t-shirt too.

Jotech installed the kit, along with a new OEM master cylinder that I picked up locally. Just picked up the car and drove it to work.

HOLY FREAKING COW. This thing is awesome. It's a completely different driving experience now. I have a new car. I love it. Engagement point moved slightly higher, which I'm not crazy about, but it took me 2 times to get adjusted to it and it's not an issue. And everything is a WHOLE LOT SMOOTHER! No more jerky starts from standstill. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

The only thing that will take some getting used to is the much stiffer pedal. It's not horrible, but you definitely have to macho man the pedal now. Not a problem since I already am one, but...

Overall I give this upgrade a 10/10.

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Ventruck · 08-28-2016, 06:50 PM

This was on pre-order when I was deciding to get the SB2 Stage 2 package earlier in the month. Thought about it, but had no idea who knew to install it in the area already, and if I could get everything and the work done on my only weekday off. Nice to know the setup has been consistently praised so far.

Are your comparisons compared to stock or did you already run the ZSpeed HD CSC? If stock, it seems the SB flywheel (and/or clutch) is a vast improvement no matter which CSC setup is chosen. I'm a strong advocate for new owners to replace the stock setup ASAP because it's more reliable, maybe a smidge faster, but also a billion times better to drive.

I used to seriously ***** out of parking in a lot of areas, because I knew if I tried to be more assertive with the slip, I'd probably lurch onto the curb or something.

The shift from 1-2 is also improved since the flywheel (if you opted for a lighter one), helps the revs drop more timely between shifts.

jcosta79 · 08-28-2016, 08:23 PM

I had the stock CSC. I already had one CSC fail and was replaced under warranty. Flywheel is the 18.5 lb Z Speed option.

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Joe@ZSpeed · 08-29-2016, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

I ordered the Stage 2 CMAK clutch kit with lightweight flywheel from Z Speed and had it shipped directly to Jotech Motorsports in Garland, TX as that was the shop that does all the work on my car. Ordering was pain free and the kit shipped the next day. Got me a free t-shirt too.

Jotech installed the kit, along with a new OEM master cylinder that I picked up locally. Just picked up the car and drove it to work.

HOLY FREAKING COW. This thing is awesome. It's a completely different driving experience now. I have a new car. I love it. Engagement point moved slightly higher, which I'm not crazy about, but it took me 2 times to get adjusted to it and it's not an issue. And everything is a WHOLE LOT SMOOTHER! No more jerky starts from standstill. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

The only thing that will take some getting used to is the much stiffer pedal. It's not horrible, but you definitely have to macho man the pedal now. Not a problem since I already am one, but...

Overall I give this upgrade a 10/10.

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Pedal should not be higher than a stock clutch at all, I wonder if they have the master cylinder adjusted a bit too high?
Where does it start to grab on the way up?

With the ZSpeed Stage 2 Quiet Clutch and CMAK engagement should start before you even reach half way up on the pedal. I have personally installed quite a few of the exact same set-up here at ZSpeed and they have all had a lower bite point than stock as that is the way this kit was intended to be.

jcosta79 · 08-29-2016, 11:36 AM

Stock engaged just off the floor, this one engages about 1/4 of the way up. I've driven it some more and I actually prefer it this way as now I can take off from a standstill much more smoothly. I love it!

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Joe@ZSpeed · 08-29-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

Stock engaged just off the floor, this one engages about 1/4 of the way up. I've driven it some more and I actually prefer it this way as now I can take off from a standstill much more smoothly. I love it!

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Ah ok, Sounds just right then, Stock clutch is normally very high.

08-26-2016, 03:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	Z Speed CMAK Review Part 2 (The Sequel) I ordered the Stage 2 CMAK clutch kit with lightweight flywheel from Z Speed and had it shipped directly to Jotech Motorsports in Garland, TX as that was the shop that does all the work on my car. Ordering was pain free and the kit shipped the next day. Got me a free t-shirt too. Jotech installed the kit, along with a new OEM master cylinder that I picked up locally. Just picked up the car and drove it to work. HOLY FREAKING COW. This thing is awesome. It's a completely different driving experience now. I have a new car. I love it. Engagement point moved slightly higher, which I'm not crazy about, but it took me 2 times to get adjusted to it and it's not an issue. And everything is a WHOLE LOT SMOOTHER! No more jerky starts from standstill. Smooth, smooth, smooth. The only thing that will take some getting used to is the much stiffer pedal. It's not horrible, but you definitely have to macho man the pedal now. Not a problem since I already am one, but... Overall I give this upgrade a 10/10. Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk Joe@ZSpeed, Jimbo370, lj909 and 1 others like this. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

08-28-2016, 08:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	I had the stock CSC. I already had one CSC fail and was replaced under warranty. Flywheel is the 18.5 lb Z Speed option. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

08-29-2016, 11:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	Stock engaged just off the floor, this one engages about 1/4 of the way up. I've driven it some more and I actually prefer it this way as now I can take off from a standstill much more smoothly. I love it! Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

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08-28-2016, 06:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ventruck Track Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: California Posts: 785 Drives: '13 Sport+Touring M6 Rep Power: 22898	This was on pre-order when I was deciding to get the SB2 Stage 2 package earlier in the month. Thought about it, but had no idea who knew to install it in the area already, and if I could get everything and the work done on my only weekday off. Nice to know the setup has been consistently praised so far. Are your comparisons compared to stock or did you already run the ZSpeed HD CSC? If stock, it seems the SB flywheel (and/or clutch) is a vast improvement no matter which CSC setup is chosen. I'm a strong advocate for new owners to replace the stock setup ASAP because it's more reliable, maybe a smidge faster, but also a billion times better to drive. I used to seriously ***** out of parking in a lot of areas, because I knew if I tried to be more assertive with the slip, I'd probably lurch onto the curb or something. The shift from 1-2 is also improved since the flywheel (if you opted for a lighter one), helps the revs drop more timely between shifts.