I can't remember how long i've been watching these threads, but i do remember the time before you were a sponsor on here.

I've been trying to think harder as i drive about what this would do that i can't already do with the stock setup. I'm beginning to get a good idea on where it might help, and, whilst i'm still not convinced that i need it, it's still got me thinking...

 

I'm confused on your confusion.

First, removing the stock assembly removes the return spring therefore instantly you have lighter pedal pressure since you aren't pushing against a spring (that is quite stiff). This also gives a direct feel for the clutch with no break over point. It is a direct relationship to the pressure of the pressure plate. This is how a GOOD design feels. It is hard to modulate and control a clutch when there is a spring at the pedal changing the actual feel of the clutch. It makes your leg "numb" to the feel of the clutch.

Now, the other major benefit on top of that is an adjustable fulcrum point. That should be pretty easy to understand. As you change the fulcrum point you can adjust the leverage therefore pedal pressure. You can set it to the OEM fulcrum point and the clutch will have the same (minus the spring) pedal pressure. As you move the fulcrum point closer to the mounting point the required force to move the pedal is reduced.

So if you don't want to fine tune the pedal pressure to your task and have a perfect feel of engagement point like it should be then by all means stay with the stock assembly.

Also, your comment about compromise isn't quite true. There are MANY things to change on stock vehicles that are an upgrade with no compromise at all. I don't feel like naming them all out but upgraded fuel pump, larger radiator, stand alone engine management, larger injector, exhaust system. None of those require a compromise if properly set up. If you say fuel economy is affected on any of those then that is false. Fuel economy isn't affected unless you DRIVE IT DIFFERENTLY therefore no compromise. I can compromise my fuel economy by driving a stock vehicle hard as ***** just as much as I can with aftermarket injectors. So it's the driver causing the drop in economy not the performance parts.

 

Yes, the number system on the side is amazingly helpful in setting the pivot point.

Also I like the keyed nut on the backside of the top mounting bolt. Before when it was a long bolt with a nut it was hard to get a wrench up on the backside to tighten that bolt down. Now it just needed that 11mm to tighten without holding the backside nut still (since it is keyed into the pedal assembly now).

 

Binder, i'm not entirely sure my car has a spring on the clutch.

I know exactly what you mean about the 'feel' if one is one there, but i don't get that when driving it. Maybe i have a spring removal already done before i got the car? Easiest place to check for it in case i'm just being dumb?

As for the fulcrum, yes, i understand, i guess it could help in allowing the bite point to be a little more linear, it's a kind of one spot hit right now, if you don't hit and hold at the same place each time, it's not the perfect engagement.

 

Now that's an interesting observation..albeit unique to your application. I just saw this thread... This appears to be a very interesting mod indeed. I've actually used *Liquid Wrench* (white lithium grease) on the pedal spring and moving parts..including the piston rod shaft. Makes things a hell of a lot smoother...but doesn't change the engagement characteristics like this mod.
I've actually become accustomed to the spring and can modulate the pedal with relative ease (especially with the * Lithium grease mod*..LOL) . However...this mod is really something to consider...a stroke of genius.
Cudos to RJM!

 

Anyone got a pic of the stock spring in place?

 

The spring is located under the pedal..easy to spot.
Crawl under the Clutch pedal and use a flash light...take your time.

 

OK, thanks, i'll have a look for that, hopefully this weekend, i'll be surprised if it's still there as i can feel the clutch reasonably well.

 

I'm sure you'll find a spring...only this mod eliminates it .
Try using Liquid Wrench in there to start..if you don't like it..do the mod as indicated here.

 

I will say that driving the Z now with the RJM clutch is much more enjoyable and clutch is much easier in heavy traffic. No more bogging/lurching going 1 to 2

 

If you have ever driven a sports car with a proper clutch you will understand that there is zero feel in this stock pedal system on these cars. Absolutely the worst clutch system I've ever felt.

After this the clutch system is finally up to par with other sports cars. There is no reason to have a breakover point with a spring in the pedal assembly.

 

Yeah.... there's a spring

I assume you mean spraying lithium grease on the push-rod?

 

Yup, driven nothing but manual for 15 years. Everything from a french van, to a corvette, mustang, prelude, GT6, and whilst this isn't the greatest clutch i've ever used, it's by no means french/italian....

I 100% agree about there being no need for spring, wtf is one doing in there? this is a light clutch, well, it is with the spring


Never had the problems changing gear or setting off that everyone is reporting though.

 

Spray in on the rod shaft and ALL OVER the moving parts in that pic.
Spraying the spring itself won't do anything..but you're going to blast it anyway.

 

Trade-offs of using the RJM bracket?

One, there is the small cost involved.

Two, more adjustability means the possibility of adjusting it wrong which leads to problems. (problems which have been reported here and fixed by re-adjusting)

Three, a well-adjusted RJM clutch pedal is slightly harder to do clutch-drop burnouts and clutch-kick drifts. I have found that my engagement is so smooth, even on fast shifts, that I have to rev higher when I dump the clutch to break grip. (thank goodness for my supercharger )

 

My comment wasn't attacking you personally by saying if you have ever driven a proper clutch but to show the contrast on how shitty this setup is. The spring actually makes the top half of the clutch harder than it should be with the bottom half softer than it should be. So it's not a consistent pressure like a normal clutch system. There is no need for a spring or that weird crap. The pressure plate has plenty of spring to return the pedal.

On a stock clutch with tons of practice a person can get used to the weird feel and maybe be smooth from a dead start but once an aftermarket clutch is put in the car the pedal assembly makes it impossible. Now without the spring screwing things up and my fulcrum point moved I can feather the clutch out from a stop without adding any throttle. This is on a triple disk carbon clutch. A clutch that required at least 2500 rpms to keep from stalling with the original pedal assembly installed.

 

Yeah, you're exactly right about the way the spring will mess it up, i'm just surprised that i haven't had the problems in the way people have said.

But i too abhor things like this, it's completely unnecessary, throws off the feel, all for the sake of, i guess, ease of driving for those not used to manual or with weaker legs.

I knew the 370 had a spring in it, i didn't realise the 350 did too Gah, now i've got to take a more serious look into this pedal mod

 

Here's the bottom line..
If you want to launch from a dead stop with MAX performance...get his mod.
Other than launching...I don't see a significant advantage. I can shift OEM very quickly with no problems...but launching takes finesse. I think this is a great mod..but i don't need it.

 

And see, launching isn't something have any problems with. I don't *really* have any problems with normal operation, but it requires more concentration than other vehicles i've driven in order to make sure things are smooth.

And that's one of the biggest reasons why i'm uncertain about this, it's almost contradictory with some of the reporting as to what it does Still on the the fence.

 

I haven't had any issues with shifiting AFTER learning the clutch. It's very smooth. The spring pedal puts this thing on steroids..ie...it doesn't cut you any slack. However..once you *learn*...you can really shift this thing fast.
Off the line..I think this pedal mod would be more user friendly.