I recently converted to 5spd, and was super gentle (stayed well under 3k RPM) for the first 800 miles.

Now I'm at 1000 miles and I notice that my clutch doesn't grab until nearly the top of the pedal, and I'm not getting the "grabbiness" that people talk about with the ACT clutch. When first installed, the clutch engaged near the floor.....

And when starting on a large hill, using the E-Brake method with a fairly quick clutch engagement (not riding the clutch), I get a NASTY clutch smell.

Is this normal? Is the clutch still breaking in or is there possibly something wrong?

Thanks!
IanS

 

The only time I've ever gotten the "nasty clutch smell" is when I've burned my clutch. Of course since I learned to drive stick on my stock clutch (which took a lot of punishment before it finally started to slip), I really haven't ever seriously abused the ACT, so I have never gotten it to smell bad.

Also, is this the first stick shift car you've owned? I'm guessing it is since you really shouldn't need to use the E-brake to start on hills after the first few months. I'm not an expert but it sounds like either your clutch is being worn out prematurely by improper installation or your driving (the fact that you're burning the clutch might mean its the 2nd). Of course like I said I'm no expert, I'm sure that since you're supercharged your clutch is under a lot more stress than mine is. Good luck!

 

No, this is not the first 5spd I've owned, but it is the first time I've driven a 5spd in 8 years.

Anyway - so if you burn your clutch some, does just regular driving eventually wear the burned surface away or should I just go get a new clutch right now?

 

Your clutch is probably fine..where is it grabbing exactly ?? When I first got my ACT it would grab right by the floor, now after about 13,000 miles its grabbing more near the top but not in dangerous leveles, I dont think...But on the other hand I never got the smell you describe ??

Are you gettin "chatter" in the clutch ??

-matt

 

Nope...0 chatter in the clutch at all. It just doesnt' feel very grabby and doesn't engage until literally the pedal is all the way out.

 

don't worry about the burned clutch...it doesn't require replacement.
the clutch gets burned when it spins too fast without full engagement, and its just rubbing. if you keep the revs low while launching...you should never burn the clutch.
and don't use the e-brake method on the hill...IMO learn to just engage fast...you'll move back like 2 inches...no biggie

if you have no chatter, thats a good thing, be glad about that

 

What about the grabbiness? Will that improve with time?

 

i lost my grabbiness after a few "power shifts"...like only 2. Now it's mushy like stock...not a happy customer. The good thing is, I babied it for 3000 miles and grabbiness was awesome. Engaged 1/2 way up the stroke, just like the old stock clutch. Then I decided to let it rip (never did a burnout) in 2nd and 3rd and now, i'm very very disappointed.

Jae

 

Smae thing happened to me, now that I think about it.

On a hill I over-revved and burned out a little....now clutch is not grabby anymore.

Anyone know a remedy for this?

TurzNite - how many miles are on your clutch since you did that?

IanS

 

why do you want it to be grabby?
it just induces chatter
if you want to...im sure you can shift super hard and it'll grab fine

ohhh...you're supercharged right? thats probably why you burned the clutch...you're putting too much power on the launch

i'd recommend launching..and being off the clutch totally by 1000rpm

 

The low-end power of a SuperCharged car is no different than an N/A car. Unless I let go of the clutch at 3500RPM, when I have boost, it's no different than any NA Maxima.

If I try and launch below 1000, it stalls....I've found I have to be at at least 1500.

 

been 1000miles since the grabbiness is gone. True, there's less chatter, but I prefer the chatter and awesome hookup to the mushy stuff I have now.

I'm not aspirated, but I get rolling w/minimal gas...typically releasing the clutch around 1k (super low and it freaks my passengers out to see the needle dip).

Jae

 

Double check that the clutch reservoir is holding fluid, especially since your car is a conversion.

 

I read somewhere that If you feel your clutch about to slip or not grabing good, it needs to be adjusted or else it will wear out faster. So find out how to adjust the clutch to make it last. In some cars you can look under the clutch pedal. There should be a cable with a nut on some threads. If your maxima has that then you can twist the nut one way. Test drive the car and if it feels even worse then turn the nut the opposite way and test drive again. On my car I have to put it into first with the engine off, put my foot under the clutch pedal, lift the pedal as far as I can, then push the pedal back down as far as it goes but do it really slowly and then release it really slowly. I dont know if any of these methods work on Maximas but thats what I came up with.

 

you just need to get used to launching at those low rpms...without stalling...or even coming close

regulate the clutch and gas appropriately...it takes practice

when you were on the hill...i assume you just revved to high on the launch and burned the clutch a bit...but not to worry its ok.

i can launch under 1000 if i want to..but im on a stock clutch
i usually get off the clutch by 1000 for daily driving.