Ok, I know how to drive stick...drove stick for over 2 years...but recently got a new used car...a 300zx NA...and the clutch feels really different from my old escort zx2...for example, i can just tap the clutch while upshifting to 2nd, 3rd and up... However, it's a little more tricky to take off from a stop than it was with my escort...i find it harder now to release the clutch in a controlled but fast motion and the car tends to lurch sometimes...anyone got any tips? i'm not into racing or anything, but i'd like to have some "quickness"!...thanx
YACT: How to "launch" the car...
- Thread starter RgrPark
- Start date
This is usually the case with sports-cars. If it is a problem once you've driven it for a few weeks, have it checked out. Usually you learn quite quickly though.
I used to lurch quite often just as I changed from my Golf to my Porsche Boxster S.
Now I can hardly even drive a normal car since I feel that the clutch and the accelerator don't give enough feedback.
Just my two cents...
/Matt
I used to lurch quite often just as I changed from my Golf to my Porsche Boxster S.
Now I can hardly even drive a normal car since I feel that the clutch and the accelerator don't give enough feedback.
Just my two cents...
/Matt
Two ways I found work pretty well. First, you can use your hand brake to hold the car while you rev to about 2k and have the clutch about 50-60% engaged. The car will try to pull forward, but you're holding it with the brake. When you're ready to launch, release the hand brake, give it a little gas, and quickly release the clutch. Then give it gas and go.
Another way to do this is to keep your foot on the brake and slowly let the clutch out until you feel the load trying to stall the engine. Do this while idling. On small engines, you can't put too much resistance because it will stall. Larger (6 cyl) engines are more resistant to stall because of more mass and more plugs firing per second. When you are ready to launch, give a moderate amount of throttle and let the clutch out the rest of the way.
Both take some practice, especially if you have a short clutch and small engine.
Another way to do this is to keep your foot on the brake and slowly let the clutch out until you feel the load trying to stall the engine. Do this while idling. On small engines, you can't put too much resistance because it will stall. Larger (6 cyl) engines are more resistant to stall because of more mass and more plugs firing per second. When you are ready to launch, give a moderate amount of throttle and let the clutch out the rest of the way.
Both take some practice, especially if you have a short clutch and small engine.
I lurch a little every time I launch my 240sx. I can launch smoothly, but I feel uncomfortable slipping the clutch that much.
Same!! Was your clutch quite stiff and felt like it was "on or off" rather a gradual take up? It was a pain in the ass (compared to a Civic or Protege stock clutch).
UNCjigga
Lifer
- Dec 12, 2000
- 24,817
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Check this thread...
There are some pretty cool videos...though that guy sounds like a TOTAL DORK when talking about his M5. I don't know if the M5's clutch is anything close to the Z's...but hey its better'n nothin...
There are some pretty cool videos...though that guy sounds like a TOTAL DORK when talking about his M5. I don't know if the M5's clutch is anything close to the Z's...but hey its better'n nothin...
yeah - you're in a sports car now...totally different.
The cluctch is going to be very fast and won't have much throw. If you wanna get going in a hurry then give her a little more gas and be a just a little slower on the clutch. Once the clutch is fully disengaged then quickly depress the gas...to the floor.
The key is getting the gas up and the clutch out quickly...just don't let your tires slip.
Careful - even the NA 300zx can break the rear end loose without thinking.
The cluctch is going to be very fast and won't have much throw. If you wanna get going in a hurry then give her a little more gas and be a just a little slower on the clutch. Once the clutch is fully disengaged then quickly depress the gas...to the floor.
The key is getting the gas up and the clutch out quickly...just don't let your tires slip.
Careful - even the NA 300zx can break the rear end loose without thinking.
Yeah I dled all the vidoes and watched them, but it didn't really help with the "launch"... However, i never knew you had to match the rev when you downshift...that was cool...and the braking and throttling at the same time, i think that's a bit too advanced for me hehe...
You're not trying to launch the car, you're just trying to learn a new clutch. Give it a couple weeks and you'll get used to it.
You didn't know you had to rev match to downshift? What did you do? Shift and let the engine brake before accelerating?
Hmm, what is that funny smell? Smells like burnt metal fillings and clutch plate.
LOL.
Dude - DO NOT BURN YOUR CLUTCH LIKE THAT.
He doesn't seem to be joking. What some ppl do to their cars.
Btw..the toe-heel technique is really good when you want to downshift and brake at the same time. It is actually a lot more comfortable. It's the official name of the technique when you push the throttle and the brake at the same time while downshifting.
/Matt
Btw..the toe-heel technique is really good when you want to downshift and brake at the same time. It is actually a lot more comfortable. It's the official name of the technique when you push the throttle and the brake at the same time while downshifting.
/Matt
Right, I wouldn't recommend launching like that (holding the hand brake) because you will wear the clutch. I launch maybe twice a year, and have never replaced a clutch in any of the 3 cars I've owned with manual transmission. My clutch usage is not what you'd call normal.
My intention wasn't to offend you with my statement, however if a person owns a sports car he should be able to handle the clutch properly. It's true that your technique works quite well if you do it once or twice per year but if you do it more often it will soon become quite expensive.
/Matt
/Matt
I find it amazing that after the F&F came out, every wants to "heel-toe" and "double clutch" their cars, lol
Unless you are doing hardcore racing, it's not really necessary.
I've had people tell me that I needed to do that to win, so I challenged them to a race and handily beat them.
Also, I like how everyone on here is an expert on 300ZX's.
Let me tell you the correct answer- The clutch on your Z just may be adjusted incorrectly. If it's not adjusted correctly the travel won't be right.
But what do I know, I only owned 2 of them (both 5 speeds... with plenty of clutch travel)
Unless you are doing hardcore racing, it's not really necessary.
I've had people tell me that I needed to do that to win, so I challenged them to a race and handily beat them.
Also, I like how everyone on here is an expert on 300ZX's.
Let me tell you the correct answer- The clutch on your Z just may be adjusted incorrectly. If it's not adjusted correctly the travel won't be right.
But what do I know, I only owned 2 of them (both 5 speeds... with plenty of clutch travel)
Is it a Z31 or Z32?
Is the clutch stock or aftermarket?
Is it adjusted properly?
It shouldn't be any problem to launch. Maybe something's not right, or maybe you just need to get used to it.
I took no offense, and you are correct that correct clutch usage is important. In fact, muscle memory is a good way to launch. (BTW, I know from experience that moving your seat back or forward even one notch can screw this up!)
It's a 91 2+2...
stock clutch i believe...
i believe the clutch is adjusted fine...an expert from ttnet told me it was fine...
i think i just need to get used to...actually, i've gotten a lot better with it ever since i tried to completely forget how i used to drive my escort...i guess it just takes some getting used too...
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