Is a heavy clutch unavoidable??

Discussion in 'Technical' started by A-Bris-Z, Jan 22, 2010.

  1. A-Bris-Z

    A-Bris-Z Carcraze

    I've owned two Z's and both of them had very heavy clutches. I understand that a powerful car needs a "bigger" clutch but does that always mean hard to use. From what I understand (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that to handle the extra power the clutch plates need to be pressed more tightly together, and the this achieved by way of increasing the pressure with the pressure plate. So back to my question. If I have a Z that has 200-300rwkw does it have to have a clutch that leaves you with a gigantic thigh muscle? Now this is important to me as my wife said if I'm to have another Z it has to be an automatic as she just couldn't drive the others due to this clutch. So can I get a Z with some good power that has a clutch that is pleasant to use, or is this technology only available to new cars??
     
  2. TWIN TERROR

    TWIN TERROR Well-Known Member

    TT's should have a vacum assisted clutch.Mine isn't overly hard and the minister of war and recreation has not complained about it ( now theres a first ).I recently fitted a exedy cluth to my triton and it was so light i thought it had a problem.My mechanic mate said exedy clutches are very light so maybe try a z with a exedy ?.
     
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  3. CHILI

    CHILI Indestructable Target

    Most full face performance clutch plates will hold 2-300rwkw without the leg breaking pressure plates you allude to.
    It is generally the button style plates that are accompanied by huge clamping rate pressure plates.
    I personally use an Exedy Sport Tuff pressure plate and a full face organic clutch plate and it is quite easy to push in. My TT has 272rwkw.
    Some will disagree, but they are wrong.:p:zlove::zlove:
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2010
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  4. OZX_320

    OZX_320 Detachable Member

    When redoing my clutch setup, I opted for a custom single plate with alloy flywheel. The Clutch Master and Slave cylinder were honed out and fitted with larger S/S sleeve and piston kits. Clutch Booster was also reconditioned.
    Final result was a comfortably light pedal, with a clutch rated well above any HP ratings I will achieve.
     
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  5. ZYTRAM

    ZYTRAM Formerly known as martini_Z

    My exedy button clutch without the booster is pretty heavy. Gets to the point of being painful in city traffic. If you are running without the booster and dont want to use one I understand the NA master cylinder is a happy medium between the two extremes of pedal feel and weight... Worth considering, but might wait for my knee reconstruction first.
     
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  6. Ascension

    Ascension Active Member

    I run a ORC twin plate clutch and it's very very easy on the leg but takes a little getting used to. Some can have a very small 'take up' window and be quite grabby but mine's not too bad at all. There are some I hear that can be quite difficult to master.

    Also some can rattle when you have the clutch in (mine does)

    I hear the Nismo twin plate is arguably the best (probably around $2k+) but having said that twin plates can take big power and decent punishment, which is probably huge overkill for what your after.

    Like others have said, a decent organic will do the job nicely and be easy to use.

    Ben
     
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  7. WhiteNight

    WhiteNight Littering and...

    Im the same as Ascention with a Gikken tripple plate. It is light to the leg, but it is on or off in its operation when its warm, so not very user friendly.
     
  8. MikeH

    MikeH smeg

    mine's a 2500lb 6 puck and it's very light, certainly a lot lighter than my barina's.
     
  9. lurker_nz

    lurker_nz New Member

    I also have an Exedy heavy duty clutch. very light and smooth, with about 50% more clamping force over stock. Its a little "on or off" but you soon get used to it.
     
  10. BLACK BEAST

    BLACK BEAST SLICKTOP TT R-SPEC

    UAS 6 puck 1400kg clutch
    feels nice and light grabs very well
     
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  11. Boost Junkie

    Boost Junkie Member

    mine makes around 250rwkw and has been through 2 brass button clutches which were hell to live with. now i've got an Extreme 6 puck organic clutch and heavy duty pressure plate and its really soft on the pedal, doesn't bite hard and has never slipped after about 3 years of fairly harsh abuse.
     
  12. A-Bris-Z

    A-Bris-Z Carcraze

    Is there any reason why you would choose to run without a booster?
     
  13. A-Bris-Z

    A-Bris-Z Carcraze

    Thanks everyone.....

    Looks like there are a number of alternatives so i can test drive some manuals as well :)
     
  14. CHILI

    CHILI Indestructable Target

    Insanity perhaps(or a desire to build up a withered left leg, after years of auto driving).:p:p:zlove:
     
  15. supersonic

    supersonic New Member

    take the wife to the gym :p or dont let her drive your Z!
     
  16. A-Bris-Z

    A-Bris-Z Carcraze

    Haha yeh, how about you come over and tell her she needs to go to the gym, I'll get some popcorn:rofl: and unfortunately I've been given the nod that I can get another Z as long as she can drive it. Not that she wants to, she means in the rare times that I have the family car and she has to.
     
  17. WhiteNight

    WhiteNight Littering and...

    Get an auto ?
     
  18. ZYTRAM

    ZYTRAM Formerly known as martini_Z

    Car was originally an auto, and booster wasn't used in the conversion. Bought it like that. Maybe some insanity there as well ;) older lambos were the same so that's what I pretend I'm driving!
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2010
  19. angrybear

    angrybear Moderator

    +1 for that

    Recently rats chewed through my clutch booster hose (yeah I know, here's angrybear with another rat story) and the clutch without boost was b awful. I have an Exedy Sports clutch (or some name like that).

    Couldn't wait to get the line fixed and get that nice soft pedal back. Those who delete the booster voluntarily (i.e. without the assistance of wandering rodents) have both my sympathy and my recommendation for appropriate therapy.
     
  20. Chrispy

    Chrispy Pretentious Upstart

    If you don't want the booster then change to the NA clutch master and pedal. Much nicer than the TT one with the booster disconnected.

    I've got a 1300kg 5 puk brass button in mine and it's entirely reasonable.
     

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