The Clutch Is Great
Originally Posted by weaksauce
is this true? how do you rev match then?
Originally Posted by peet
our clutch absolutely sucks. I have driven stick all my life now (~21 years of driving) and this is absolutely a disaster. high engagement, chattery as all he1l and 1-2 shifts are whiplashing me half the time.
Any aftermarket options on this? I would gladly buy a new plate and flywheel - if one existed that ditched the chatter and made for a smoother engagement. The high point, I can get used to (cramps in muscle and all).
BTW: racing setup - no clutch. It's a speed shifter that you click through gear 1.2.3.4.5, or it's a hydro actuated setup with paddles.
So all: please post about aftermarket opportunities!
Any aftermarket options on this? I would gladly buy a new plate and flywheel - if one existed that ditched the chatter and made for a smoother engagement. The high point, I can get used to (cramps in muscle and all).
BTW: racing setup - no clutch. It's a speed shifter that you click through gear 1.2.3.4.5, or it's a hydro actuated setup with paddles.
So all: please post about aftermarket opportunities!
It is not a good thing to have a clutch that you only have to depress a bit to disengage because: 1) that is an unnatural motion that you have to think about to get just right instead of having a nice, short depression all the way to the floor with a quick catch right off the floor, and 2) it is impossible to know that you are fully disengaged every time you shift.
And for those of you who think this is how a racing clutch feels--well, I have tracked my car and had a professional driver take it out for a few laps during the day I was there. About half way through the first lap with him driving he told me that the clutch was terrible for track use--caught too late and required too much thought input to use on the track because of this.
The clutch in my 2003 CLS 6 speed was absolutely perfect. Shifter was smooth as butter and the clutch caught right off the floor making for extrememly fast shift. Ahhhh, memories. The clutch is the only issue that I don't like about the G--unfortunately, the clutch accounts for about 1/3 of the driving experience.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by JZ39
While I don't have the chatter, I agree that our clutch absolutely stinks. With the catch point so high up in the clutch travel it takes forever to shift. I remember when I got a new clutch in my 140hp 240sx way back when and the thing caught right off the floor--it straight up made the car feel like it was twice as fast and I just couldn't stop driving it because it was so much more fun. Every 1-2 shift was met with a nice chirp. Every shift was immediate without any delay. What a great transmission that was.
It is not a good thing to have a clutch that you only have to depress a bit to disengage because: 1) that is an unnatural motion that you have to think about to get just right instead of having a nice, short depression all the way to the floor with a quick catch right off the floor, and 2) it is impossible to know that you are fully disengaged every time you shift.
And for those of you who think this is how a racing clutch feels--well, I have tracked my car and had a professional driver take it out for a few laps during the day I was there. About half way through the first lap with him driving he told me that the clutch was terrible for track use--caught too late and required too much thought input to use on the track because of this.
The clutch in my 2003 CLS 6 speed was absolutely perfect. Shifter was smooth as butter and the clutch caught right off the floor making for extrememly fast shift. Ahhhh, memories. The clutch is the only issue that I don't like about the G--unfortunately, the clutch accounts for about 1/3 of the driving experience.
It is not a good thing to have a clutch that you only have to depress a bit to disengage because: 1) that is an unnatural motion that you have to think about to get just right instead of having a nice, short depression all the way to the floor with a quick catch right off the floor, and 2) it is impossible to know that you are fully disengaged every time you shift.
And for those of you who think this is how a racing clutch feels--well, I have tracked my car and had a professional driver take it out for a few laps during the day I was there. About half way through the first lap with him driving he told me that the clutch was terrible for track use--caught too late and required too much thought input to use on the track because of this.
The clutch in my 2003 CLS 6 speed was absolutely perfect. Shifter was smooth as butter and the clutch caught right off the floor making for extrememly fast shift. Ahhhh, memories. The clutch is the only issue that I don't like about the G--unfortunately, the clutch accounts for about 1/3 of the driving experience.
You can adjust the clutch pedal. On your next sevice visit, tell them your concern and they'll adjust the clutch pedal, and hopefully this adjustment will improve your driving pleasure.
Last edited by FAST1; Aug 6, 2005 at 09:48 AM.
I, too, noticed the same thing when I drove a 330.
To my displeasure, the clutch in my car behaved similarly, but, I loved everything else about the car so much that I was willing to overlook it.
The clutch isn't that bad when you are driving the car hard--I actually find it worse in normal driving situations when you want smooth shifts.
The dealer is going to try to adjust it next week when I get my chin spoiler on. We'll see.
To my displeasure, the clutch in my car behaved similarly, but, I loved everything else about the car so much that I was willing to overlook it.
The clutch isn't that bad when you are driving the car hard--I actually find it worse in normal driving situations when you want smooth shifts.
The dealer is going to try to adjust it next week when I get my chin spoiler on. We'll see.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by JZ39
I, too, noticed the same thing when I drove a 330.
To my displeasure, the clutch in my car behaved similarly, but, I loved everything else about the car so much that I was willing to overlook it.
The clutch isn't that bad when you are driving the car hard--I actually find it worse in normal driving situations when you want smooth shifts.
The dealer is going to try to adjust it next week when I get my chin spoiler on. We'll see.
To my displeasure, the clutch in my car behaved similarly, but, I loved everything else about the car so much that I was willing to overlook it.
The clutch isn't that bad when you are driving the car hard--I actually find it worse in normal driving situations when you want smooth shifts.
The dealer is going to try to adjust it next week when I get my chin spoiler on. We'll see.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 530
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From: NEW ORLEANS
Originally Posted by JZ39
While I don't have the chatter, I agree that our clutch absolutely stinks. With the catch point so high up in the clutch travel it takes forever to shift. I remember when I got a new clutch in my 140hp 240sx way back when and the thing caught right off the floor--it straight up made the car feel like it was twice as fast and I just couldn't stop driving it because it was so much more fun. Every 1-2 shift was met with a nice chirp. Every shift was immediate without any delay. What a great transmission that was.
It is not a good thing to have a clutch that you only have to depress a bit to disengage because: 1) that is an unnatural motion that you have to think about to get just right instead of having a nice, short depression all the way to the floor with a quick catch right off the floor, and 2) it is impossible to know that you are fully disengaged every time you shift.
And for those of you who think this is how a racing clutch feels--well, I have tracked my car and had a professional driver take it out for a few laps during the day I was there. About half way through the first lap with him driving he told me that the clutch was terrible for track use--caught too late and required too much thought input to use on the track because of this.
The clutch in my 2003 CLS 6 speed was absolutely perfect. Shifter was smooth as butter and the clutch caught right off the floor making for extrememly fast shift. Ahhhh, memories. The clutch is the only issue that I don't like about the G--unfortunately, the clutch accounts for about 1/3 of the driving experience.
It is not a good thing to have a clutch that you only have to depress a bit to disengage because: 1) that is an unnatural motion that you have to think about to get just right instead of having a nice, short depression all the way to the floor with a quick catch right off the floor, and 2) it is impossible to know that you are fully disengaged every time you shift.
And for those of you who think this is how a racing clutch feels--well, I have tracked my car and had a professional driver take it out for a few laps during the day I was there. About half way through the first lap with him driving he told me that the clutch was terrible for track use--caught too late and required too much thought input to use on the track because of this.
The clutch in my 2003 CLS 6 speed was absolutely perfect. Shifter was smooth as butter and the clutch caught right off the floor making for extrememly fast shift. Ahhhh, memories. The clutch is the only issue that I don't like about the G--unfortunately, the clutch accounts for about 1/3 of the driving experience.
It seems that most of the ones complaining have yet to become truely proficient with a clutch. Sorry, but its the truth.
An easy solution? Take a few rides with someone who really has a ton of experience driving manual and have them explain their thought process verbally as they go through the different shifting scenarios. Lean over, watch their feet. Im honestly not trying to get on anyone's case here, so don't get offended.
Originally Posted by ScapGF
There are a lot of you guys bitching about this clutch. And for whoever thinks that the high engagement point makes for slower shifts is smoking crack. It makes for FASTER more EFFICIENT shifting. Why? Because there is NO REASON for anyone to have to put the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. You are wasting time by doing so. Once the clutch is engaged, its engaged. It doesnt get any more engaged by traveling the pedal down the extra inches after the engagement point has been reached. Any further depression of the pedal is taking up time.
It seems that most of the ones complaining have yet to become truely proficient with a clutch. Sorry, but its the truth.
An easy solution? Take a few rides with someone who really has a ton of experience driving manual and have them explain their thought process verbally as they go through the different shifting scenarios. Lean over, watch their feet. Im honestly not trying to get on anyone's case here, so don't get offended.
It seems that most of the ones complaining have yet to become truely proficient with a clutch. Sorry, but its the truth.
An easy solution? Take a few rides with someone who really has a ton of experience driving manual and have them explain their thought process verbally as they go through the different shifting scenarios. Lean over, watch their feet. Im honestly not trying to get on anyone's case here, so don't get offended.
I had a professional driver take my car out for a few laps at Summit Point Raceway and he specifically pointed out that the clutch in this car was poor and that the action was too long.
Does this qualify as someone who has a ton of experience in your eyes?
I've been driving stick for 15 years and this is one of the least satisfying set-ups I have ever encountered.
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Joined: May 2003
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Originally Posted by Sukairain
More than half of the time when I upshift, and almost everytime I downshift. This is my first manual car and I don't know how to drive one any other way. Still used to the cushy automatic, which can only be achieved by rev matching on MT.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 530
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From: NEW ORLEANS
Originally Posted by JZ39
I dunno, man.
I had a professional driver take my car out for a few laps at Summit Point Raceway and he specifically pointed out that the clutch in this car was poor and that the action was too long.
Does this qualify as someone who has a ton of experience in your eyes?
I've been driving stick for 15 years and this is one of the least satisfying set-ups I have ever encountered.
I had a professional driver take my car out for a few laps at Summit Point Raceway and he specifically pointed out that the clutch in this car was poor and that the action was too long.
Does this qualify as someone who has a ton of experience in your eyes?
I've been driving stick for 15 years and this is one of the least satisfying set-ups I have ever encountered.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 348
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by cscirpoli
Ok, everyone i love how hight the stock clutch catches on this car. I've heard so many people complain about it, how it was so terrible because they couldn't work the clutch like a master right away. Well, newsflash, this is where racing clutches sit. It's great, you just have to tap that dam thing, and bam, shift, it's like a dream come true. I hate clutches you have to mash all the way to the floor. THIS CLUTCH ROXERS. Thank you
Are you kidding me? Ok let me put some perspective on this. My last job was a valet attendant in downtown San Diego for about three years. I have driven more types of cars on todays market than most (but not ALL) members on this board. Everything from corvettes/vipers to ferraris/porches (no lamobs unfortunately) and everything in between. Yes, I parked MOST of them without really stretching their legs. But nonetheless, I definately experienced the dynamics of each car's clutch. With this being said let me comment on my 2004.5 G35's clutch.
IT SUCKS PERIOD.
More sporty? Only if you call a 10 wheel rig sporty, and I have driven such a rig. Don't get me wrong I love my G, but my 13 year old Vdub's clutch is more sporty and communicative than my G's. I have adjusted the G's clutch a little which helped but did not remedy the condition.
Again I am no expert but I must disagree with those who praise the clutch as the best they ever had, and join the lot who wish they could kick the nissan egineers in the teeth for giving such a great car such a lousy clutch.
interesting thread.. few comments i'd like to make
1) the G was the first car i learned how to drive stick on.. so it should be the best in my opinion and should be the car i compare all others to right? wrong... its one of the hardest stick cars i've driven.. yah i got the hang of it now, but before i hated it.. i drove my buddies 300zx which i launched perfectly and also did a burn out with later all on my first tries.. i've driven cars like the 05 legacy 2.5gt, the rx8 and the c230 kompressor on stick.. all had better clutches and catch points than the G. the legacy was heaven to drive
2) 04 and 05 G clutches feel very different.. so it'd be nice if you guys specified which ur talking about
3) whoever praised acura transmissions should get shot in the head.. yah maybe their clutch is good, but their trannys suck.. remember how many probs the TLs and CLs had? i even hate my mom's tsx tranny.. its a piece of crap
4) some people use phrases like "lowering engagement point" and others say "lowering the height of the pedal".. which is it?.. one of the two or both?
5) i had a professional race car driver drive my car and he said the G was excellent in all aspects except for how high the engagement point it.. im sure he complained for a reason and that true racecars have the engagement point close to the floor. he told me he would try to lower the clutch for me, but once he opened up the hood he got over it.. he said normally it would be a really quick adjustment, but since everything is really squeezed in the G engine bay, it would be hard to do/reach
1) the G was the first car i learned how to drive stick on.. so it should be the best in my opinion and should be the car i compare all others to right? wrong... its one of the hardest stick cars i've driven.. yah i got the hang of it now, but before i hated it.. i drove my buddies 300zx which i launched perfectly and also did a burn out with later all on my first tries.. i've driven cars like the 05 legacy 2.5gt, the rx8 and the c230 kompressor on stick.. all had better clutches and catch points than the G. the legacy was heaven to drive
2) 04 and 05 G clutches feel very different.. so it'd be nice if you guys specified which ur talking about
3) whoever praised acura transmissions should get shot in the head.. yah maybe their clutch is good, but their trannys suck.. remember how many probs the TLs and CLs had? i even hate my mom's tsx tranny.. its a piece of crap
4) some people use phrases like "lowering engagement point" and others say "lowering the height of the pedal".. which is it?.. one of the two or both?
5) i had a professional race car driver drive my car and he said the G was excellent in all aspects except for how high the engagement point it.. im sure he complained for a reason and that true racecars have the engagement point close to the floor. he told me he would try to lower the clutch for me, but once he opened up the hood he got over it.. he said normally it would be a really quick adjustment, but since everything is really squeezed in the G engine bay, it would be hard to do/reach
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 530
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From: NEW ORLEANS
Originally Posted by MaDdFLaSheR
interesting thread.. few comments i'd like to make
1) the G was the first car i learned how to drive stick on.. so it should be the best in my opinion and should be the car i compare all others to right? wrong... its one of the hardest stick cars i've driven.. yah i got the hang of it now, but before i hated it.. i drove my buddies 300zx which i launched perfectly and also did a burn out with later all on my first tries..
1) the G was the first car i learned how to drive stick on.. so it should be the best in my opinion and should be the car i compare all others to right? wrong... its one of the hardest stick cars i've driven.. yah i got the hang of it now, but before i hated it.. i drove my buddies 300zx which i launched perfectly and also did a burn out with later all on my first tries..
Maybe one day I can be as skilled
Originally Posted by G35SanDiego
Are you kidding me? Ok let me put some perspective on this. My last job was a valet attendant in downtown San Diego for about three years. I have driven more types of cars on todays market than most (but not ALL) members on this board. Everything from corvettes/vipers to ferraris/porches (no lamobs unfortunately) and everything in between. Yes, I parked MOST of them without really stretching their legs. But nonetheless, I definately experienced the dynamics of each car's clutch. With this being said let me comment on my 2004.5 G35's clutch.
IT SUCKS PERIOD.
More sporty? Only if you call a 10 wheel rig sporty, and I have driven such a rig. Don't get me wrong I love my G, but my 13 year old Vdub's clutch is more sporty and communicative than my G's. I have adjusted the G's clutch a little which helped but did not remedy the condition.
Again I am no expert but I must disagree with those who praise the clutch as the best they ever had, and join the lot who wish they could kick the nissan egineers in the teeth for giving such a great car such a lousy clutch.
IT SUCKS PERIOD.
More sporty? Only if you call a 10 wheel rig sporty, and I have driven such a rig. Don't get me wrong I love my G, but my 13 year old Vdub's clutch is more sporty and communicative than my G's. I have adjusted the G's clutch a little which helped but did not remedy the condition.
Again I am no expert but I must disagree with those who praise the clutch as the best they ever had, and join the lot who wish they could kick the nissan egineers in the teeth for giving such a great car such a lousy clutch.
I drove a 100hp Chevy Pop in Mexico that had a better clutch feel than the 04 G.
To those of you that think this is a good set up, I can only say that you must not have ever experienced a truly good clutch. I think Nissan's manual transmission skills have deteriorated since my 1990 240sx. That car had a far slicker set up than the G.
As for Acura trannys--yes, the automatics fail at an incredible rate, but the manuals are fanatastic. Smooth as butter with a catch point right at the floor.
Originally Posted by MaDdFLaSheR
interesting thread.. few comments i'd like to make
1) the G was the first car i learned how to drive stick on.. so it should be the best in my opinion and should be the car i compare all others to right? wrong... its one of the hardest stick cars i've driven.. yah i got the hang of it now, but before i hated it.. i drove my buddies 300zx which i launched perfectly and also did a burn out with later all on my first tries.. i've driven cars like the 05 legacy 2.5gt, the rx8 and the c230 kompressor on stick.. all had better clutches and catch points than the G. the legacy was heaven to drive
2) 04 and 05 G clutches feel very different.. so it'd be nice if you guys specified which ur talking about
3) whoever praised acura transmissions should get shot in the head.. yah maybe their clutch is good, but their trannys suck.. remember how many probs the TLs and CLs had? i even hate my mom's tsx tranny.. its a piece of crap
4) some people use phrases like "lowering engagement point" and others say "lowering the height of the pedal".. which is it?.. one of the two or both?
5) i had a professional race car driver drive my car and he said the G was excellent in all aspects except for how high the engagement point it.. im sure he complained for a reason and that true racecars have the engagement point close to the floor. he told me he would try to lower the clutch for me, but once he opened up the hood he got over it.. he said normally it would be a really quick adjustment, but since everything is really squeezed in the G engine bay, it would be hard to do/reach
1) the G was the first car i learned how to drive stick on.. so it should be the best in my opinion and should be the car i compare all others to right? wrong... its one of the hardest stick cars i've driven.. yah i got the hang of it now, but before i hated it.. i drove my buddies 300zx which i launched perfectly and also did a burn out with later all on my first tries.. i've driven cars like the 05 legacy 2.5gt, the rx8 and the c230 kompressor on stick.. all had better clutches and catch points than the G. the legacy was heaven to drive
2) 04 and 05 G clutches feel very different.. so it'd be nice if you guys specified which ur talking about
3) whoever praised acura transmissions should get shot in the head.. yah maybe their clutch is good, but their trannys suck.. remember how many probs the TLs and CLs had? i even hate my mom's tsx tranny.. its a piece of crap
4) some people use phrases like "lowering engagement point" and others say "lowering the height of the pedal".. which is it?.. one of the two or both?
5) i had a professional race car driver drive my car and he said the G was excellent in all aspects except for how high the engagement point it.. im sure he complained for a reason and that true racecars have the engagement point close to the floor. he told me he would try to lower the clutch for me, but once he opened up the hood he got over it.. he said normally it would be a really quick adjustment, but since everything is really squeezed in the G engine bay, it would be hard to do/reach
Originally Posted by arizonag35coupe
Um I"m pretty sure the way that they adjust the clutch is done behind the pedal not in the engine bay. Thats why its really an adjustment of the cars pedal not so much the clutch itself.