I just test drove an 04 350Z Touring today for my bro-in-law. The clutch seems a lot stiffer than my 07 350Z. Does anyone know if the 2004 models are suppose to have a hard pressing clutch? ..... it almost feels like a mustang clutch......stiff and squeaky

 

I believe in 05, the hydraulics were changed and people started reporting that the clutch felt different than in the earlier models.

 

My early 03 clutch felt a lot more ballsy than any later clutch that I have felt. It held up for almost two years on a car making 400whp.

I drove an 07 and the clutch felt horrible - limp like a wet noodle with engagement up by the top of the range of the pedal.

Later model Z's have extremely weak clutches in them. I hate it.

 

I have a daily driver 04, and i would like a softer clutch like the newer models...would i need to buy an 06 clutch? fit?

 

I've driven 2 04 manual Z's, an 06, and an 07... the 04 did have heavier clutch but IMO I like it because it is easier to control for some reason. Soft clutch pedals annoy me as well, they are harder for me to use. It shouldn'y really be much of a problem for you unless your sitting in first gear at stop lights with the clutch in, which you shouldn't... put it in neutral until green is coming.

 

why did nissan dissimprove the way the clutch feels when they should be improving the car? i absolutley hate the clutch on my 05, doesn't feel sporty.

 

i think they revised the clutch assy in order to accommodate for the average Z driver, who wants a simple and easy to drive car. i know that they applied the dual mass flywheel for the 03/04 models, then changed the flywheel and the pressure plate for the 05. i am pretty sure the setup remained similar from 05-08.

trackster, i think the different clutch types are not interchangeable between the 03-04 and the 05-up. regardless, it is not as much about the clutch as it is about hydraulics.

 

i hear ya...what would be another option as i am stop and go traffic all day due to my job so a heavy clutch is something that i dont like. Aftermarket?

 

you could go AT lol.

no, i honestly do not know much about the subject, i apologize that i am not able to further assist you. i am sure someone on here will know more about it though.

 

aftermarket would be worse.

 

Really just get used to it... if its that big of a deal you should get an automatic. They are pretty much the same speed as the manual in terms of acceleration.

Aftermarket as its been said will likely be worse, the aftermarket stuff is designed for better performance and strength which will make the clutch pedal heavier.

Some people have reported lighter clutch pedal after removing the spring from the slave cylinder valve. I'm not 100% sure if the Z has this spring but I think it does. I've removed the spring in my previous car but I didn't notice any change in the weight of the clutch pedal.

 

Hi... I have an early early 2004 model. Mine is really stiff too. Its because the early Z cars had different pressure plates and hydralics. I personally like it because it feels substantial. But mine squeeks too. hahahaha Yeah it feels kinda like an older mustang clutch, but oh well. I have heard that after market can help. I know many think that it is heavier because it has stronger plates, but actually the pedal feel is often i little bit lighter. That doesnt mean that it is soft though. You still have good pedal feel, just less effort to press down. It makes since if your a race driver, you need to shift fast, so a lighter clutch is obvious. Do some more research and i am sure you will find a good aftermarket one. My friend had an aftermarket clutch in his WRX STI........ it was much lighter than my clutch. But it was not mushy or soft either. It felt progressive. And that is what after market clutches are for, to make more progresion. =)

 

I love the stiffness of the earlier clutch. But that's just me

 

amen!!!!!!!!!! :d

 

I can live with the stiffness of my 04 clutch but I don't think i would want it stiffer as it is my DD.What would I replace it with.Any info on A/M clutch kits or better off to use OEM?? I am very easy on a clutch and I don't drive very hard most of the time.

 

I did not care for the feel of the clutch on my '07 350Z (compared to my MGB).
I installed an adjustable RJM clutch pedal assembly and am now much happier with the feel of the clutch.

 

10 year Dead thread bump