V8 manual question

[Destructo09]

Wow, this thread was started in '09 and somehow keeps getting brought back lol.

I'm guessing people searching and finding it without noticing how old it is.

[GPz1100]

I found this thread by way of google search. I was looking at a mustang gt and camaro 2ss. Test drove both, found the same clutch issue (with both).

Seems manufacturers are adding these worthless springs to make pedal effort less. Compared to my 4th gen z28, the clutch in the '15 felt like a feather, practically zero effort. This is great, but it completely masks any clutch feel in the process.

On the 370z/G37 we have the exact same issue. Two (3) solutions exist.

1) remove the spring entirely
2) replace the spring with a weaker one
3) replace the entire pedal assembly with an adjustable pedal.

Prices range from $0 - $250 (+ labor if not doing it yourself). Removing the spring entirely brings back much better feel. There is a bit of slop at the top. This is mitigated by going with #2, a $20 option. This ensures the pedal still comes all the way to the top but also allows for much better feel. This is what I have in my car now. This does nothing to increase the friction zone window which is very small on these cars. For that you need the third option.

I've also helped a few guys install the third option. It takes a few hours taking your time and is done entirely under the dash in a rather uncomfortable position. You get the following adjustments

1) Grab point
2) friction zone window width
3) Pedal angle

I was happy with just the weaker spring but some guys want the full adjustment.

Perhaps a weaker spring can also be implemented in the new camaro. I'd suggest contacting spring manufacturers with some dimensions of the current spring to help them match it up to something they already manufacturer. One such supplier is century springs in CA (http://www.centuryspring.com/) .

[Mach83]

This gets revived every now and then, but it is relevant to our cars. The 5th gen sans spring feels similar to my 4th gen with the Tick Master - only the pedal throw is longer because the master is still the same. The Tick actually called for the spring to be removed as part of the install.

I find the pedal to be more predictable without the spring - but in my case the pedal seems to be stiffer in both directions. I've stared at the geometry and for the life of me I can't figure out how the stock spring actually made my pedal lighter.

I'm running without it for a bit. I found the 4th gen stock setup to also engage high, but the engagement window was probably a smidge wider. The first time I test drove a 5th I hated the pedal - still do actually. Found this thread desperately searching to find out if I'm just a jackwagon or this is a common frustration. Between the clutch feel and the rubber driveline I've been thinking I'd be better off with an automatic.

So far so good.

[mustang50lx]

The clutch in my car also feels different than the Mustang's I used to have. This is the first car I ever owned that I actually smelled the clutch on. If you don't let that clutch out right, especially on hills, you do get a clutch smell. I don't really care for the hill holder either.

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by mustang50lx

The clutch in my car also feels different than the Mustang's I used to have. This is the first car I ever owned that I actually smelled the clutch on. If you don't let that clutch out right, especially on hills, you do get a clutch smell. I don't really care for the hill holder either.

I describe it as a very firm friction point. This was the first thing I noticed about. It takes some getting used to, but now I wouldn't want it any other way.

[FAST SHIFT CAMARO]

I just bought a 2010 2SS RS with 70,000K and absolutely hate the clutch pedal action. When depressed in all the way as you release pressure it suddenly springs up very quickly. There is no uniform release pressure with the entire travel. This is just plain BAD ENGINEERING!!! Compared to my 1989 clutch this is crazy!!! The first thing I am going to do is remove the demon spring. Too bad someone has not found a weaker spring to replace it with...

[cabbe]

I had the same problem on my 2011. Took out one of the springs and it got a lot better. But the clutch was still weird compared to my 2014.

[jethrobandit]

I've always described it to others that this clutch attacks you. I'm taller and while I have no issues depressing the pedal, it really jumps at you right in that very small friction window, which for me is when my leg is bent further making it hard to be smooth. I've mostly gotten pretty good at it over the last 3 years, but I still have issues from time to time. Especially if I haven't driven it in a while. Will try removing the spring and see if that feels better.

[jethrobandit]

I'm reviving this again because I just did this after saying I would almost a year ago. This is MUCH more like a performance clutch I expected when I bought the car. Short travel, mid engage friction window. The only thing I don't like is there is now a little play in the peddle at the top. Like its loose or something. Is there a lighter spring someone has bought that works to clean that up a little?

[acammer]

Subscribed - I too hate the clutch feel in this car. Removing the spring sounds attractive, but I agree there is probably a reason that the spring is there.

I'm putting in an Ideal Garage clutch master cylinder this week to attempt to alleviate the high rpm 1-2 upshift grind. I'll see how the pedal feels after that and then make some decisions on the clutch spring.

I'd love to hear from some of the guys that did this 2,3,4,5 years ago if they suffered any ill effects.

[acammer]

Originally Posted by jethrobandit

I'm reviving this again because I just did this after saying I would almost a year ago. This is MUCH more like a performance clutch I expected when I bought the car. Short travel, mid engage friction window. The only thing I don't like is there is now a little play in the peddle at the top. Like its loose or something. Is there a lighter spring someone has bought that works to clean that up a little?

Lingenfelter sells an $80 return spring for C5/C6 Corvettes. I think you could come up with your own setup pretty easily with a trip to the hardware store. It seems like going with a return spring would be the way to go, rather than the factory spring which yields that over center feel, rather than a linear pull against your foot. That would solve for the worries of the pedal not returning far enough to expose the compensation port in the master cylinder. I'm definitely thinking about trying a setup like that.

[acammer]

Here is some telling video that shows how the pedal behaves without the hydraulic system connected to the pedal. You can see how that pedal springs to the floor once moved off the top of the throw. Says a lot about the strange feel this thing has. My spring is coming out.

[jethrobandit]

I am going to try Lingenfelter-type spring setup on mine now. After driving it for a few days I'm not liking the spring-less feel either. Maybe I got used to the pedal with spring before, but the pedal feels dead now and I REALLY don't like the play in the pedal at the top. Feels like something is wrong. I think the return spring would give a full linear feel all the way through the travel. I do like the connection point in the friction window of the pedal though. Much easier to grab.

[phk36]

I only have 10k on my car and hate the clutch any one have a link to that spring you are talking about ? Thanks Pete