New Nismo - Clutch tips

ImportConvert · 12-28-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllll210lllll

if im not gunna be at a stop for too long i just balance the car out.. takes some practice but if u press the clutch and the gas alittle together the car will stay still on a hill. easier takeoff no rolling back. thats just me though

Works, but it's wear and tear on the clutch that is totally un-necessary.

mults · 12-28-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Hey guys,

I appreciate the advice. After driving it more, im slowly getting it down. As mentioned above, ive been somewhat riding the clutch more in 1st and realized that i have to give it more revs at the get go. Where do you guys typically rev to when starting? In the past, ive typically tried to keep it under teh 1000 rpm, but i think with this car, especially on any sort of incline, thats near impossible... unless im just not used to the car yet...

Pelican170,

I've driven manual's my whole life and the Z has (by far) the "touchiest" clutch that I have ever driven. You will get used to it, but there is a learning curve for sure. Also, there are clutch helper springs that others talk about that really seem to help a lot. I replaced mine at the end of the season and there was a marked difference.

As they say, "practice makes perfect", but in the case of the Z, "practice makes better!" Good luck, and this means that you'll have to drive it more, oh darn!!!!

Jsolo · 12-28-2011, 04:14 PM

The clutch design in these cars (assuming it's similar/same as in the G), is not the best to learn on. In stock form, it's extremely vague with a high uptake and short friction zone.

Most manual car clutches start to grab slightly off the floor and the friction zone is lengthy. This gives very good feel and you're able to modulate the throttle accordingly. My camaro (stock clutch) was similar with regard to the uptake/friction zone, but had much better feel. The pedal was also required at least 2-3x more effort to depress. More so than even the nissan setup with no assist spring.

These engines also have very lightweight flywheels, resulting in quick rpm revup AND revdown when you're off the throttle. Get used to blipping it. Finally when shifting up, just as you almost let off the clutch pedal (pedal nearly all the way off the floor), apply some throttle - this will smooth out the shift.

lingling1211 · 01-04-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldr911

Found that half-clutch works well on hills and starts - but does this hurt the car? like letting the clutch out till it starts to crawl then gas it or on a hill when the RMPs dip you can let off the brake and the car will stay still (no e-brake).

That's what I do. It burns your clutch if you gas it really hard and only let your clutch out half way. I actually smelled the burning sometimes when I started driving my Z. My friend tells me it's cuz it's also a new car, but I tend to be more careful now and don't keep it at half clutch unless I really need to on a hill.

m4a1mustang · 01-04-2012, 12:56 PM

You will definitely smell some clutch when the car is new.

If you have trouble with hill starts you can blip the throttle just a bit before you start to release the clutch. It will help you get going... just don't ride it.

ronaldr911 · 01-04-2012, 09:31 PM

I tried the handbrake way - and I suck at it... I'm all about the half clutch. I'm in Houston where its flat - so the not a problem, I only really need it on a driveway / overpass in traffic.

01-04-2012, 12:56 PM	#20 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	You will definitely smell some clutch when the car is new. If you have trouble with hill starts you can blip the throttle just a bit before you start to release the clutch. It will help you get going... just don't ride it. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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12-28-2011, 04:14 PM	#18 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 14	The clutch design in these cars (assuming it's similar/same as in the G), is not the best to learn on. In stock form, it's extremely vague with a high uptake and short friction zone. Most manual car clutches start to grab slightly off the floor and the friction zone is lengthy. This gives very good feel and you're able to modulate the throttle accordingly. My camaro (stock clutch) was similar with regard to the uptake/friction zone, but had much better feel. The pedal was also required at least 2-3x more effort to depress. More so than even the nissan setup with no assist spring. These engines also have very lightweight flywheels, resulting in quick rpm revup AND revdown when you're off the throttle. Get used to blipping it. Finally when shifting up, just as you almost let off the clutch pedal (pedal nearly all the way off the floor), apply some throttle - this will smooth out the shift.

01-04-2012, 09:31 PM	#21 (permalink)
ronaldr911 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 188 Drives: 370Z Nismo '10 Rep Power: 14	I tried the handbrake way - and I suck at it... I'm all about the half clutch. I'm in Houston where its flat - so the not a problem, I only really need it on a driveway / overpass in traffic.