New Nismo - Clutch tips
 

Hey Guys,

I just picked up my Nismo this week and find it difficult starting out in 1st, especially if its on a hill. Its really tight and leads me to stall a bunch. Any tips on this? Im sure its more of me needing to get used to it but suggestions would help, thanks...

After not driving manual Zs for some time, I went back to the old standby for starting on a hill. Pull on the hand brake, let the clutch out until it starts to take affect and release the hand brake.

:icon18: I agree...this works just fine to get started on a hill.

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A little more throttle. E brake works too.

Thanks guys. I havent used the old E-Brake trick in forever. I also thought about throttling up a little more but typically dont like to rev too high when engaging in 1st. Guess this car im not used to yet and will have to get a little higher on the rpms at the get go. thanks...

Use the ebrake on hills, blip the throttle, and practice. Even though I've driven a manual for 22 years, it took a little practice with a stiffer clutch and twitchier car till I got my shifts down.

I have noticed that it helps to start a little later when a car is in front of you because the Z pulls and accelerates so quickly compared to other cars, even at idle and low RPMs. Sometimes I'll find myself subconsciously pushing the clutch back in or leaving it partially engaged so you don't tailend the car in front if I start too quickly.

Congrats on the Nismo! You'll have to take it to the track to really see what it can do!

More gas, slower clutch. Don't be afraid to "ride the clutch" a little more than normal on a hill. There's a difference between riding the clutch and releasing a little more slower than normal.

^^^^ All great advice here...

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...

1k is too low, in my opinion. 1.5-2k is probably more of what I do, but it happens so fast I don't really say there that long. Remember, you can be between 1k and 5k on the accelerator but the speed at which you release is the clutch is what moves you, not the throttle.

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

This in an old thread - but I just got a 2010 Nismo and love the car - but getting it out of first smoothly has been a bit tough.. it bucks a bit and ya the throttle causes it to engage the track control. Getting up a hill (even w/ the ebrake) has been hard. I am new to the MT so maybe thats why - but is the Nismo clutch any different than a regular 370z w/ a sport package? I've only really tried like 5-6 times, stalled like 4 of those times... so a bit trigger shy now. I guess it will take some time / practice to launch the car smoothly.

Seach clutch return spring helps a lot

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 the only way to go when a $120K Jag or something is sitting 12" from your rear bumper at a light on a hill-top.

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

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!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.