Stiif clutch, weak legs. Advice please.
11-30-2012, 12:18 PM
#63
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This thread makes me happy I've driven a manual for the last 11 years, since I was 16.
A cheaper mod than a new clutch would be leg muscles and practice.
Seriously... squats, leg presses, and drive the z to the gym.
A cheaper mod than a new clutch would be leg muscles and practice.
Seriously... squats, leg presses, and drive the z to the gym.
12-01-2012, 06:59 PM
#65
Yea, mine became really stiff after I had my JWT clutch and flywheel installed. I was in the same boat as you and thought I'd never get used to it. Luckily, after about a week or two, I got accustomed to the stiffness and it became like second nature. Trust me man, practice make perfect.
12-02-2012, 08:46 AM
#66
I think the stock clutch pedal is a bit stiffer than other manual cars I've driven. But once you drive on it for a week or so, you get used to it and go back to driving other cars, the other cars' clutch will feel like mush.
But if you are a guy and having an extremely hard time getting used to your Z's, I'm guessing it could be a stage 2-3 clutch. I've driven a stage 3 on my friends Z, and it is much more difficult to press than my stock one and I've gotten used to my stock clutch and don't feel it's hard to drive on at all.
But if you are a guy and having an extremely hard time getting used to your Z's, I'm guessing it could be a stage 2-3 clutch. I've driven a stage 3 on my friends Z, and it is much more difficult to press than my stock one and I've gotten used to my stock clutch and don't feel it's hard to drive on at all.
02-04-2013, 05:30 AM
#67
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Ok. So I purchased a 2003 350z today and I have never driven stick before. Please Don't flame. I Find I am having problem with the clutch or more likely, the clutch is having a problem with me. The clutch seems to engage with the pedal 3/4 of the way up. I find when I am pushing the pedal to the floor and releasing it to the catch point, by the time I have released it enough my legs are in an awkward position and starting to shake and twitch from the strain and the stiff pressure coming from the pedal, thus me stalling the car 50 percent of the time. My friend drove it and he says it's a bit stiff, but he isn't having problems. He drives semi for a living.
I am not at all complaining, just seeking some advice here. Maybe I am keeping my leg in a bad position. I don't know.
Thanks.
I am not at all complaining, just seeking some advice here. Maybe I am keeping my leg in a bad position. I don't know.
Thanks.
02-06-2013, 04:39 AM
#69
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It's noted that you have a 2003, so are you sure that the clutch is OEM or an "high performance" upgrade. I recall when looking at used "Zs" one had an "upgraded" clutch that was very stiff. The stock clutch in my "Z" is actually lighter than the one in my old Volvo wagon and easier to moderate, so I'd suggest you try the clutch in another "Z" and determine if yours OEM or not. Perhaps it's not your lack of strength, but rather some hard-to-use high performance clutch. If it's the latter, you might consider changing it out. Sure you can used to anything, but a stiff clutch in heavy traffic especially is a real pain in the a$$. Depsite the initially cost, you might be better off fixing the problem now with the upside being an easier learning curve and a more pleasant car to drive over the long term. Sometimes these boy-racer mods can be a disadvantage in a daily driver.
02-06-2013, 09:23 PM
#70
Could be an upgraded clutch. Right now I have a stage 2 full kevlar plate clutch with my clutch pedal adjusted 4 full turns on the nut on the back of the clutch pedal. My engagement point is significantly shorter how i like it, and it doesnt feel so long. This link might help https://my350z.com/forum/g35-g37/439...eat-mod-2.html the hyperlink on the post doest work, but just read the posts. just google around "350Z clutch pedal adjustment"
02-08-2013, 09:14 AM
#72
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02-14-2013, 07:58 PM
#76
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saying he hasn't checked it since last year is not saying much seeing how last year was only 3 months ago, but I see what you are getting at.
Also my 03' clutch is pretty stiff ( not complaining, I love it ) but after driving my friends 03' RSX type s, and a TL and a Civic SI ... I love the stiffness of my clutch. I feel like I can actually feel the clutch when it catches and I like the feeling of the pressure it gives versus my friends car where their clutches are ssssooo light I can barely feel when it engages and it is like pushing in air!
Also my 03' clutch is pretty stiff ( not complaining, I love it ) but after driving my friends 03' RSX type s, and a TL and a Civic SI ... I love the stiffness of my clutch. I feel like I can actually feel the clutch when it catches and I like the feeling of the pressure it gives versus my friends car where their clutches are ssssooo light I can barely feel when it engages and it is like pushing in air!
Last edited by oozero; 02-14-2013 at 08:00 PM.
02-15-2013, 10:30 AM
#77
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02-15-2013, 06:00 PM
#78
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How many miles has the engine got on it? How late does the clutch bite? My old clutch was biting fairly early and was as heavy as hell. I replaced the clutch and its as light as a feather and bites a lot later aand is now a heck of a lot easier to use.
02-16-2013, 09:11 AM
#79
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saying he hasn't checked it since last year is not saying much seeing how last year was only 3 months ago, but I see what you are getting at.
Also my 03' clutch is pretty stiff ( not complaining, I love it ) but after driving my friends 03' RSX type s, and a TL and a Civic SI ... I love the stiffness of my clutch. I feel like I can actually feel the clutch when it catches and I like the feeling of the pressure it gives versus my friends car where their clutches are ssssooo light I can barely feel when it engages and it is like pushing in air!
Also my 03' clutch is pretty stiff ( not complaining, I love it ) but after driving my friends 03' RSX type s, and a TL and a Civic SI ... I love the stiffness of my clutch. I feel like I can actually feel the clutch when it catches and I like the feeling of the pressure it gives versus my friends car where their clutches are ssssooo light I can barely feel when it engages and it is like pushing in air!
02-17-2013, 06:06 AM
#80
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I doubt there is any relationship between a heavy clutch and its ease to drive. A clutch can be heavy, but not necessarily easy to modulate (finding the point at which it engages). For example, older cars and especially trucks at one time used a cable linkage to operate the clutch and that made it very stiff to use. Modern ones use hydralics making clutches seem lighter. However, neither system makes a clutch easier to moderate. If one has a very powerful pressure plate, as in most high-performance clutches, it will engage in a very positive fashion (usually better than an OEM one), but harder to moderate (i.e. slip). Generally it's the reason a clutch with little slippage is called a high-performance one. However, if the object is to learn to drive a manual vehicle, the lighter clutch with some slippage (usually the OEM type) will be easier to master without his/her leg muscles giving out. Try holding a car on a steep hill with a high-performance clutch. Even those who have mastered a stick do not like this and will occassionally stall the it.
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