Hey guys. I started test driving 2003-2005 Z's. Manual of-course
I realized that the clutch is pretty damn hard... I know sporty cars tend to do that but why? I feel as if if I get stuck in traffic for 30 minutes my leg will go numb. Is this something that I just get used to or what? I tried the search button in order to avoid getting my *** wooped for that lol (it seems to happen a lot around here)

 

Clamping force needed?

 

Papa bear says too hard.
Momma bear says too soft.
Baby bear says just right.

 

 

When I 1st test drove the Z/G, I always felt the clutch was significantly harder to press than other cars I've driven. I thought it would be hard to get used to, but after owning the Z for a few weeks, you get accustomed to the pedal feel. Afterwards, if you go back to drive other cars, you'll feel their clutch is too way soft.

Either that or the Z you test drove has some high stage clutch for the drag strip lulz.

 

Lol am I the Papa bear?

 

I can't say I noticed the clutch was hard when I first got my Z. I first learned to drive manual on a sport clutch in my 240sx. When I put a stock clutch in it just before I got my Z I thought that was way too soft. The Z was a welcome feeling after driving a stiff clutch/pressure plate in the 240sx and having dealt with the stock clutch for months. That said if its the stock clutch in the 350 its not too bad and you'll get use to it after a short while.

 

hookah have a look here New Fully Adjustable Clutch Pedal Systems for Z's & G's - Check it out.html
Z's don't have to be difficult to drive and you don't need to get used to just how bad the factory clutch feel is compared to other cars.

 

I thought the clutch was extremely easy.

I learned to drive standard in an old grain truck that needed to be double-clutched and my daily driver for the last four years has been a Cherokee.
After driving the Jeep I surprise myself in the Z, there is so little resistance that I feel like I'm about to put my foot through the floor!

 

The new adjustable brackets aren't about making the pedal lighter. It does that slightly but the real magic is the adjustable fulcrum point which changes the pedal ratio at the master cylinder. The removal of the "Assist" spring in the new design makes the pedal heavier but by increasing the pedal ratio the firmness goes slightly less then stock but your ability to modulate the clutch is vastly improved through a wider and more progressive engagement window, lower friction point and being able to fine tune it all to your liking. Also without any worries about slipping and burning up your clutch by over adjusting the clutch rod like the factory setup.

Its not about pedal pressure, its about improved clutch control. See the 8page review thread started here as well.

The factory setup has a relatively long pedal travel, a very short engagement window and grabs right at the top which is a real pain in heavy traffic and to smooth driving in general. The only time the factory pedal feels good is when shifting it hard at high rpms. To me everything else felt like a crap compromise considering how little time is spent wide open compared to daily driving in traffic. Thats not to say the new brackets hurt wide open shifting one bit either as it still feels fantastic shifting flat out as well.

 

Join Date: Apr 2012

No you are the new guy.