370z clutch feel

Chuck33079 · 09-26-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

No, I don't think I ever tried taking the spring out. But I did notice with my lightened flywheel, shifting didn't feel as clunky, especially from 1st to 2nd. I just never had a problem with the clutch, as far as shifting smooth. I think some people might be new to a manual gearbox and for whatever reason they are embarrassed to say so.

It's worth trying, especially given how easy it is to do and the put back if it's not your thing. I would have been fine if I hadn't driven a buddy's G37S with the spring out. After that, mine was coming out.

100% agreed on the rest of your post.

Magic Bus · 09-26-2014, 05:19 PM

Chad, Don't make the clutch the deciding factor, you'll get the hang of it in a little bit. If not, go no or light helper spring, then RJM if you want it even easier. These are not expensive mods at all.

Magic Bus · 09-26-2014, 05:23 PM

Oh, one more thing. Base + sport = good choice

Chad11491 · 09-26-2014, 11:00 PM

It's not the deciding factor, it just overshadowed the whole drive, so it was honestly my main complaint really, besides wanting to drive the sport, haha. Was just wondering if it was the brand new car that made the clutch so different feeling. My old Z had a really smooth clutch, so the "springy" feel was something I'd have to get used to. I appreciate all the replies guys!

Dcocci · 09-26-2014, 11:14 PM

I've had my 370Z base for a week, and I agree that when you first get into the car it's alot different than whatever car you're coming from. My gti's clutch was super soft and had no feel what so ever compared to the Z. I felt it was grabby as hell when I first drove it, but after a week and driving around town, I'm really getting used to it. The 1-2 notchy shift is now smooth as glass, and clutch engagement is not a problem. So in simple terms, yes, you get used to it...quickly.

SurfDog · 09-26-2014, 11:35 PM

For me it was not the clutch spring (assist?) it was the on off quality of the engagement range and the fact it "floats in the middle of a huge dead space. I tuned my pedal (not really the clutch which only needs a much improved CSC) so that the engagement starts nearer the floor 3/4th inch or so, and the clutch travel ends just a bit after full engagement I left about 1/2 inch for feel. I also widened the engagement window to about twice its OEM size (by changing the actuator attachment point closer to the hinge point)

Now my pedal is more predictable and much easier to feather. As a side benefit the CSC takes much less abuse by not stroking a huge unneeded volume of fluid when I shift.

You can custom tune the pedal like I did, or just put in a tunable pedal, either way the clutch is much more track-able and street-able. If i did it again I'd install the tunable pedal to dial it in "just so". As it is, my clutch (pedal) blows OEM out of the water.

Were really not talking about the actual clutch here, (that is not too bad aside from the huge flywheel) were really just talking pedal geometry, and assist (the spring)

If they'd put in a more user friendly pedal they probably wouldn't have needed the massive flywheel which really just helps smooth out blown/poor shifts.

with my light JWT flywheel synchrorev match gets to speed about 2x as quickly. Handy when downshifting on the track where time matters. The difference is dramatic.

cooltoy · 09-27-2014, 12:41 AM

Putting in a weaker helper spring was one of the best mods so far.

onzedge · 09-27-2014, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

search helper spring

LMBMike might still have a few to sell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Removing that spring does wonders, otherwise $250 or so buys a replacement pedal that solves all the problems.

09-26-2014, 11:35 PM	#21 (permalink)
SurfDog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado (9000 feet) Age: 56 Posts: 1,796 Drives: 09 6mt, 13 Sequoia, Rep Power: 15749	For me it was not the clutch spring (assist?) it was the on off quality of the engagement range and the fact it "floats in the middle of a huge dead space. I tuned my pedal (not really the clutch which only needs a much improved CSC) so that the engagement starts nearer the floor 3/4th inch or so, and the clutch travel ends just a bit after full engagement I left about 1/2 inch for feel. I also widened the engagement window to about twice its OEM size (by changing the actuator attachment point closer to the hinge point) Now my pedal is more predictable and much easier to feather. As a side benefit the CSC takes much less abuse by not stroking a huge unneeded volume of fluid when I shift. You can custom tune the pedal like I did, or just put in a tunable pedal, either way the clutch is much more track-able and street-able. If i did it again I'd install the tunable pedal to dial it in "just so". As it is, my clutch (pedal) blows OEM out of the water. Were really not talking about the actual clutch here, (that is not too bad aside from the huge flywheel) were really just talking pedal geometry, and assist (the spring) If they'd put in a more user friendly pedal they probably wouldn't have needed the massive flywheel which really just helps smooth out blown/poor shifts. with my light JWT flywheel synchrorev match gets to speed about 2x as quickly. Handy when downshifting on the track where time matters. The difference is dramatic. __________________ 09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

09-27-2014, 12:41 AM	#22 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,971 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	Putting in a weaker helper spring was one of the best mods so far. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

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09-26-2014, 05:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
Magic Bus A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Honolulu Posts: 1,427 Drives: 17 6MT M2 Rep Power: 18754	Chad, Don't make the clutch the deciding factor, you'll get the hang of it in a little bit. If not, go no or light helper spring, then RJM if you want it even easier. These are not expensive mods at all.

09-26-2014, 05:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
Magic Bus A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Honolulu Posts: 1,427 Drives: 17 6MT M2 Rep Power: 18754	Oh, one more thing. Base + sport = good choice

09-26-2014, 11:00 PM	#19 (permalink)
Chad11491 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 7 Drives: '82 280zx Rep Power: 12	It's not the deciding factor, it just overshadowed the whole drive, so it was honestly my main complaint really, besides wanting to drive the sport, haha. Was just wondering if it was the brand new car that made the clutch so different feeling. My old Z had a really smooth clutch, so the "springy" feel was something I'd have to get used to. I appreciate all the replies guys!

09-26-2014, 11:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 11	I've had my 370Z base for a week, and I agree that when you first get into the car it's alot different than whatever car you're coming from. My gti's clutch was super soft and had no feel what so ever compared to the Z. I felt it was grabby as hell when I first drove it, but after a week and driving around town, I'm really getting used to it. The 1-2 notchy shift is now smooth as glass, and clutch engagement is not a problem. So in simple terms, yes, you get used to it...quickly.