Clutch

ProfessorDave · 08-23-2010, 12:33 PM

I'I also like where the pedal engages on the Z. It does have a decent amount of spring to it...I still get caught off guard sometimes by how easily to travels back up from the floor.

kenchan · 08-23-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

i just drove my friend's '87 300zx yesterday. i learned to drive stick on it a while back. i always thought our 370z had a high clutch, but that 300zx is really high. i almost stalled my car when i went to drive mine afterwards.

hahaha, yah, it takes me a few min to get my Z drive mode back after driving my other MT cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I'I also like where the pedal engages on the Z. It does have a decent amount of spring to it...I still get caught off guard sometimes by how easily to travels back up from the floor.

yah, it's very progressive to full engagement but starts pretty close to the floor.

Jeffblue · 08-23-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

hahaha, yah, it takes me a few min to get my Z drive mode back after driving my other MT cars.

Biggest difference was definitely my friend's saab 900cs. Cable clutch, the thing is has about 5 inches of travel before it actually does anything. then once it starts to disengage, you need the super strength to get it to the floor. the friction point is about a cm off the floor.

when the flat bed driver came to pick up my car a while back, he was able to get used to my clutch in about 2 seconds, then drive it up at a 40 degree angle onto the truck without burning it or stalling. i was impressed.

ProfessorDave · 08-23-2010, 01:25 PM

I believe the manual states that the Z should never be flatbedded. Only moved via teleporter.

pquaid · 08-23-2010, 04:28 PM

I just added turbos to my z and left factory clutch in. If I get into the trottle and shift when turbos are engaged and am not completely off the clutch when I hit the gas again the clutch never catches almost like its in nuetral. I guess motor over powers the clutch.

Cmike2780 · 08-23-2010, 04:52 PM

I'll try not to repeat what has already been said, but the shift indicator light was usefull in learning when to shift. I set it to light up at 4,000 rpm.

Letting the clutch out slowly won't burn the clutch, it only starts to wear just as it begins to engage/disengage. Too much gas and slow release will cause more wear however because the two components are not "locked". My advise would be to shift the car "smoothly" instead and ignore how much time it should take you to shift.

1st to 2nd is always the hardest to master. Just shift at a little higher rpm to give yourself enough time to release the clutch smoothly. It also prevents the rattle you hear if you stomp on the clutch too fast in 1st. You can then shift a little quicker with the other gears. Also, just stay in 2nd gear when cruising slow like in parking lots. It will only stall if the car comes to pretty much to a complete stop.

JayYoon · 08-23-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madonps

I am new to driving a manual. My shifting is not pretty smooth but I really want to improve it. I have 2 questions though.

1. When shifting from 1st to 2nd, do you let the clutch out (and press on gas) pretty quickly (like the whole motion of letting out the clutch takes place in less than a sec i.e. immediately)? Or do you let it out slowly similar to what you do when going from a stop?

2. If you're driving around a parking lot pretty slow in 1st gear. Do you also press the clutch since the car is slowly and tends to shake?

duude... i trully feel you~~;;

1. I really cant help u there... i've only been drivin stick for like 2months...
2. in residents and parking lots i just put it in 2nd... these were the places that i have hard time with... and this is what i do now...

bumpers- i just put it in neutral until the front tires go over the bumper... and i usually put the gear in 1st or 2nd... i think if the cars rolling i put it in 2nd gear...

parking on hills- to be honest... i still have hard time... but when parking on a steep hills... this is when i press both clutch when rolling in...

btw what do you guys do when your parked on a steep hill when reversing the moment you let go of the break and ur car moves foward toward the bumps???

Mt Tam I am · 08-23-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayYoon

..

btw what do you guys do when your parked on a steep hill when reversing the moment you let go of the break and ur car moves foward toward the bumps???

Hold the car with the hand brake and let go as car goes backwards.

JayYoon · 08-23-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Hold the car with the hand brake and let go as car goes backwards.

wow... so press the gas and at the same time let go of the ebrake?

madonps · 08-24-2010, 01:59 PM

This is what I do when I shift into second. I'm in first, rpm @ 3, press clutch, put shifter in 2nd, put foot on throttle and keep rpm in 2,500 range and slowly let out the clutch (like very slowly since Im afraid that if I let it out faster it would not be good for the car).

Is this right? Am I wearing out the clutch since Im releasing it VERY slowly?

And should I not apply throttle?

Cmike2780 · 08-24-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madonps

This is what I do when I shift into second. I'm in first, rpm @ 3, press clutch, put shifter in 2nd, put foot on throttle and keep rpm in 2,500 range and slowly let out the clutch (like very slowly since Im afraid that if I let it out faster it would not be good for the car).

Is this right? Am I wearing out the clutch since Im releasing it VERY slowly?

And should I not apply throttle?

Releasing the clutch quickly at that speed and rpm won't do any damage or wear. It will make the car "jerk" but thats it. The clutch is more durable than you think and releasing it a little slower is better than losing control of the car. Just let go as soon as its fully engaged and you'll be fine. As far as throttle, If you do it quickly enough, you won't need to apply more until the clutch is already engaged. This stuff happens in less than a second. Just practice your timing.

Mt Tam I am · 09-22-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayYoon

wow... so press the gas and at the same time let go of the ebrake?

Yes. You give it enough gas/clutch to feel the car pull the direction you want to go in, then let go of e brake and continue to use gas and clutch. It is awkward at first, but it works. It is probably the most coordinated situation a manuel driver faces.

1slow370 · 09-23-2010, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayYoon

duude... i trully feel you~~;;

1. I really cant help u there... i've only been drivin stick for like 2months...
2. in residents and parking lots i just put it in 2nd... these were the places that i have hard time with... and this is what i do now...

bumpers- i just put it in neutral until the front tires go over the bumper... and i usually put the gear in 1st or 2nd... i think if the cars rolling i put it in 2nd gear...

parking on hills- to be honest... i still have hard time... but when parking on a steep hills... this is when i press both clutch when rolling in...

btw what do you guys do when your parked on a steep hill when reversing the moment you let go of the break and ur car moves foward toward the bumps???

I'm just quick. hold the brake pedal put it in reverse get the clutch near engagement then slip it for a half second until you move your foot and start putting the gas on and back up. Oh and first to second you should be doing about a quarter of what you do from a stop i.e. slip it a tiny bitto match the motor and throttle because there is a big ratio difference between 1 and 2

FERRARI · 10-16-2010, 03:16 PM

I learned years ago, when you are in parking lots etc, let the clutch out and when you are moving fast enough.... rolling, just push the clutch in and "Coast". If you need to roll faster, just let the clutch out without slipping the clutch enough to roll faster and then push it in again. This takes a little practice, but it works great when you master it. This keeps you from "Lugging" your engine and it is much easier and faster to stop fast if you need to.

08-23-2010, 12:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	I'I also like where the pedal engages on the Z. It does have a decent amount of spring to it...I still get caught off guard sometimes by how easily to travels back up from the floor. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

08-23-2010, 01:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	I believe the manual states that the Z should never be flatbedded. Only moved via teleporter. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

08-23-2010, 04:52 PM	#21 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	I'll try not to repeat what has already been said, but the shift indicator light was usefull in learning when to shift. I set it to light up at 4,000 rpm. Letting the clutch out slowly won't burn the clutch, it only starts to wear just as it begins to engage/disengage. Too much gas and slow release will cause more wear however because the two components are not "locked". My advise would be to shift the car "smoothly" instead and ignore how much time it should take you to shift. 1st to 2nd is always the hardest to master. Just shift at a little higher rpm to give yourself enough time to release the clutch smoothly. It also prevents the rattle you hear if you stomp on the clutch too fast in 1st. You can then shift a little quicker with the other gears. Also, just stay in 2nd gear when cruising slow like in parking lots. It will only stall if the car comes to pretty much to a complete stop. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

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08-23-2010, 04:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
pquaid Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Texas Posts: 81 Drives: 370Z TT TS PW Rep Power: 16	I just added turbos to my z and left factory clutch in. If I get into the trottle and shift when turbos are engaged and am not completely off the clutch when I hit the gas again the clutch never catches almost like its in nuetral. I guess motor over powers the clutch.

08-24-2010, 01:59 PM	#25 (permalink)
madonps Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: PA Posts: 30 Drives: '11 Mustang GT/CS Rep Power: 15	This is what I do when I shift into second. I'm in first, rpm @ 3, press clutch, put shifter in 2nd, put foot on throttle and keep rpm in 2,500 range and slowly let out the clutch (like very slowly since Im afraid that if I let it out faster it would not be good for the car). Is this right? Am I wearing out the clutch since Im releasing it VERY slowly? And should I not apply throttle?

10-16-2010, 03:16 PM	#29 (permalink)
FERRARI Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee Posts: 324 Drives: PERFECTION Rep Power: 492	I learned years ago, when you are in parking lots etc, let the clutch out and when you are moving fast enough.... rolling, just push the clutch in and "Coast". If you need to roll faster, just let the clutch out without slipping the clutch enough to roll faster and then push it in again. This takes a little practice, but it works great when you master it. This keeps you from "Lugging" your engine and it is much easier and faster to stop fast if you need to.