Stillen Supercharger reliabiity

dansracing · 02-21-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkster

I think my clutch is on the way out also... Have not had any problems with the CSC and I drive it like I stole it every time I start the car.

After 20k on the stock clutch it seems to be going.

Thats not bad man. Im leaving the stock in till I burn it up.

irondoc · 02-22-2013, 05:32 AM

I generally do not keep my cars much past 100K miles, but I have had a single clutch go to 117K (without signs of wear) at which point I sold the car (1998 BMW 540i).
I have seen people do things with a clutch that make it clear they have no idea how a clutch works. A friend of my parents would go through the clutch in her 320 very 10k miles.
I have no doubt that the massive increase in the power of our FI Z's puts the stock clutch under increased stress, however, I also believe that the life span of a clutch will be most determined by how well you use the clutch (clutch spends as little time as possible "partially" engaged, and as much time as possible either all the way "in", or all the way "out"), rather than how hard you push the car.
So, my Z now has 3200 miles 1500 of which are with the Stillen SC. I am very curious to see how many miles I can get out of the stock clutch. I will not be babying the car. I drive it with traction control off most of the time and am continually amazed at how easy it is to leave rubber on the pavement, without actually trying to do so.

Sh0velMan · 02-22-2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irondoc

I generally do not keep my cars much past 100K miles, but I have had a single clutch go to 117K (without signs of wear) at which point I sold the car (1998 BMW 540i).
I have seen people do things with a clutch that make it clear they have no idea how a clutch works. A friend of my parents would go through the clutch in her 320 very 10k miles.
I have no doubt that the massive increase in the power of our FI Z's puts the stock clutch under increased stress, however, I also believe that the life span of a clutch will be most determined by how well you use the clutch (clutch spends as little time as possible "partially" engaged, and as much time as possible either all the way "in", or all the way "out"), rather than how hard you push the car.
So, my Z now has 3200 miles 1500 of which are with the Stillen SC. I am very curious to see how many miles I can get out of the stock clutch. I will not be babying the car. I drive it with traction control off most of the time and am continually amazed at how easy it is to leave rubber on the pavement, without actually trying to do so.

My philosophy has always been "clutch out whenever possible" just because putting wear on a TOB (or CSC in our case.. ugh) for no reason by holding in the clutch doesn't make any sense.

I think the #1 thing that people do to wear out clutches prematurely is engine braking improperly.

Rather than double clutching to match engine revs/input shaft to the lower gear, they just slap it in gear and ease the clutch out, forcing the friction material to bear the brunt of bringing engine revs to where they should be...

I have friends that do this to their cars all the time and I shudder every single time.

irondoc · 02-22-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh0velMan

My philosophy has always been "clutch out whenever possible" just because putting wear on a TOB (or CSC in our case.. ugh) for no reason by holding in the clutch doesn't make any sense.

I think the #1 thing that people do to wear out clutches prematurely is engine braking improperly.

Rather than double clutching to match engine revs/input shaft to the lower gear, they just slap it in gear and ease the clutch out, forcing the friction material to bear the brunt of bringing engine revs to where they should be...

I have friends that do this to their cars all the time and I shudder every single time.

No argument clutch out is better than clutch in. Best place for your left foot when you are not actually changing gears is on the dead pedal.
Clutch wear comes from clutch plates sliding against each other. I have seen people stop on a hill at a red light and keep the clutch half engaged with a little bit of throttle to prevent the car from rolling backwards. They seemingly have no clue as to the damage they are doing.

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02-22-2013, 05:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
irondoc Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 99 Drives: 13 370 6MT sport tou Rep Power: 13	I generally do not keep my cars much past 100K miles, but I have had a single clutch go to 117K (without signs of wear) at which point I sold the car (1998 BMW 540i). I have seen people do things with a clutch that make it clear they have no idea how a clutch works. A friend of my parents would go through the clutch in her 320 very 10k miles. I have no doubt that the massive increase in the power of our FI Z's puts the stock clutch under increased stress, however, I also believe that the life span of a clutch will be most determined by how well you use the clutch (clutch spends as little time as possible "partially" engaged, and as much time as possible either all the way "in", or all the way "out"), rather than how hard you push the car. So, my Z now has 3200 miles 1500 of which are with the Stillen SC. I am very curious to see how many miles I can get out of the stock clutch. I will not be babying the car. I drive it with traction control off most of the time and am continually amazed at how easy it is to leave rubber on the pavement, without actually trying to do so.