I have an '07 6MT G35 and the clutch engagement when speed shifting (or really shifting in general) is very hesitant. Do these cars have an "clutch delay valve" or something similar? I use to have the same problem w/ my M3 but I removed the "CDV" and the clutch engagement is like a dream now...I'm talking a night and day difference. I hate when I am driving the G and expect it to shift through the gears like my M and there is that clutch engagement hesitation that makes the car buck like a bronco. Anyway to fix this?

 

I dunno, shift better maybe? Turning off the VDC helps too.

 

There's a kit that significantly reduce the traveling in between the engagement point. Many have found that mod to be very helpful especially for the ones that drive heavily. I don't have it.. I drive 75+ miles a day. I get exactly what you're talking about, I just shift slower so it doesn't feel like I am dumping the clutch. G is a luxurious coupe, of course its manual transmission won't be the most impressive machine you'll see. Nonetheless, if you're talking about quick shifting at high RPM, you can barely tap the clutch and you'll shift like there's no other. Here's the link to that product

https://g35driver.com/forums/reviews...lutch-kit.html

Hopefully that helps.

-Jason

PS: don't turn your VDC off........... ANYWHERE besides track. You'd be amazed one day what VDC can do... true experience.

 

I have the D-Wolf clutch kit installed and I gotta say it's awesome. It gets rid of all the excess unnecessary play in the clutch pedal.
Terry also is not making these any more.

 

^^ looking at the kit, do you think you can make the kit just by using some basic materials from Home Depot?

 

Yes, this is exactly what I did. Look around for "clutch mod" as there is another thread that details what materials to buy (basically a plastic spacer and 3m tape) and how to install it. Total cost is around 5 bucks.

As for the effectiveness. I did it and it reduces how far you can push your clutch in, but that's about it. In my experience it doesn't affect the engagement point or how easily your clutch catches.

 

I don't think it's my driving as I have been driving manuals for around 10 yrs. now and have no problems w/ my other car. If turning VDC off helps, wonder if this hesitation is due to the car's ECU. Does aftermarket software help this?

This is exactly what I'm talking about...I hate having to shift slowly in order for the clutch to engage properly. The D wolf clutch kit sounds more like a clutch stop which won't fix my problem. Surely there has to be some other fix for this?

 

Maybe a stage 2? I've heard GREAT things about the JWT clutch kit. I thought the hesitation of the clutch is from the actual clutch itself? Like the oem ones are obviously less aggressive compare to the higher stage one?

 

I've been driving manuals for 12 years, and I can tell ya there aren't any 2 models that have the same feel to the clutch.
The clutch kit stops you from pushing the clutch unnecessarily low, which limits your ability to "dump it", which would help you out.
As always it's better to get an aftermarket clutch and flywheel. Stock clutches are just to get us by until we're sick of it.

 

Don't the G and the 350z share the same engine, transmission and clutch...

 

I agree w/ you on that.

To me the G35 clutch engagement feels like either a valve or the computer retards the quick engagement. I know w/ my M3 the clutch delay valve's (CPV) job was to delay or retard this quick clutch engagement (BMW felt like this would prolong the life of the clutch, guess they had little faith in our manual driving abilities). I simply removed the CPV and presto the car no longer bucked like a bronco w/ quick shifts. Seriously, the car is so much easier to drive as well as so much more enjoyable. I guess I'm hoping the G has a quick fix for this problem as well, although it doesn't seem that way.

 

Is the CPV mod a quick fix for bmw's? Do you think the same mod can be done for us G's?

 

Yeah you just remove the valve and then bleed the clutch line and your done. I'm hoping that same mod can be done to the G's, but you guys are the experts...I'm new to G's so I was hoping some of the vets would have some insight.

 

Are you referring to a damper type set that gives the clutch a feathery no feel feel! If so on 240s that thing is removedand bypassed and the clutch feel is more fuller if that make since! I drive a 5at so...

 

When I first got the G, I though the shifts were pretty rough.

I quickly found out that if you want a smooth engagement, you have to catch the revs at the right spot as it comes down. If you wait too long or shift slow and release the clutch too late, the revs will drop too far and will cause a slight jerk when you release the clutch cause the revs will have to come back up again. Kinda hard to explain.