Is my clutch normal?
 

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?

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.

Yes.

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

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 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.

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...

Thanks for all the replies guys!

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.

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)

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!

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.

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.

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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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.

Someone stated that they dont depress their clutch all the way to shift, just slightly passed the engagement point... how do the rest of you feel about that?
Do you guys do it? does it really do harm, or is it just a myth?

I depress all the way. I heard not depressing the clutch all the way in could shorten the life span of the clutch. Not sure if its true though.

All new manual drivers should be taught to press the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor. But yes, it is true you can still find the engagement point without going all the way to the floor. Is it safe? Not so much unless you are perfect every time. If the clutch isn't fully disengaged while trying to make a shift, its going to put more wear and tear/stress on the syncros. Like I said, it can be done but you have to find that sweet spot every time. I've grind gears before trying to do a quick shift and I was just a fraction of an inch off with the pedal. Better safe than sorry, I just put it to the floor.

This might be a dumb question, but how do I know if im grinding gears? I can imagine what it might sound like.. but is it something loud and noticeable?

Yes, its loud, plus you'll feel the resistance in the shifter.

Something else I would like to add that I think you might know...
Whenever I shift from 1st to 2nd there is a weird noise that comes from somewhere, like a few clunks, is this normal? sometimes when I shift to 2nd in a high RPM it doesnt happen. I usually shift to 2nd at 2-2.5K.

This is my first Manual car and I get paranoid that I might break the clutch or something.

The Z gearbox does make a bit of noise...pretty normal. As far as breaking your clutch, you can't really break it, rather burn it. If you are burning up your clutch you will smell it. Kind of smells like a light ballast burning out.

You picked an advanced car/clutch to learn manual from.

I think that's the best way of learning lol. Because then everything else would be a piece of home made, freshly baked, heavenly smelling, strawberry iced, marble cake.
But on a serious note, I pretty much got a hang of it now. Every once in a while I might not shift so smoothly, but Im sure that happens to anyone.

Also, dont use the clutch pedal as a foot rest in traffic.

So I assume that you have practiced taking off from a stop heading up a steep hill so that you are able to do it effortlessly when some nincompoop is right on your butt? :stirthepot:

Is there a cutaway of the Zs trans? I wouldn't doubt that the first and reverse gears are cut a little different to handle the strain of being such a high ratio.

I've driven manual gearboxes since I started driving. Like everyone said, the point where it grabs is a little high compared to most cars. I had an EVO9 before and they are very similar in pedal travel and catch point, so it was an easy transition for me.

And regarding not pushing the clutch all the way in when shifting, I usually don't when driving normally. My seat is positioned far enough so there is about an inch of pedal travel left when depressing the clutch at a very comfortable position. If I need to depress it fully, I just fully extend my left leg (during aggressive driving).

Just wanted to share, I'm sure most of you know this

"You can upshift a manual transmission starting from 1st gear without ever using the clutch"