Does the clutch fake you out?
 

I've driven nothing but manuals as well as ridden all kinds of bikes my whole life. I have easily had clutches last over 100K miles.

The travel between touch point and full engagement on this clutch feels like it just goes on forever. I sometimes, too often for my comfort, find myself rolling on the throttle before fully engaging the clutch. So right at the worst time, when it's almost engaged, I slip and then have to either back off the throttle or dump the clutch. Either way, I cringe because it's a disaster waiting to happen.

I've adjusted it to get the touch point as low as reasonable but it's ridiculous. I know it's not me.

Has anyone played with different cylinder bore ratios to decrease the mechanical advantage of the system? Part numbers?

Edit: Also, what's this talk about a clutch delay valve? I'm not buying it.

Welp, I've driven clutched vehicles for over 65 years ...... and I still "kill" my FR-S on startup, from time to time.

I reckon the clutch just takes some getten used to .....;)


humfrz

The clutch delay valve isn't something you buy.. it's already on the car. Many newer manual cars have them. It's part of manufacturers dumbing down the driving experience IMO.

Here is a post on how to remove the valve in an STI: (fwiw)
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/diy-mods...post-pics.html

No, sorry, I mean I'm not buying into the idea that there's some kind of clutch engagement delay valve in this thing. If you want to dump the clutch, boom - it drops.

The long throw drives me insane. I think it's what others have called the "lack of feel." I'm just used to a MUCH shorter distance between that first bite and full engagement.

Removing the clutch return spring really helps make it feel like real clutch again. It's amazing. I'll never go back.

Yes it drives me crazy. The clutch is like this

floor|--------------------Half engaged|<|Full engaged

I feel like an idiot half the time because i'm easing off and it feels like it slaps on there at the beginning of the engagement point. You have to make an actual effort to move your foot what feels like 5" and then stop, then ease it in like a real clutch. It's like they built the throwout bearing for a clutch 5 times thicker.

I know, right?! You describe it perfectly.

Did you do the trick with pulling the pin? That leaves some parts just hanging up against the firewall, no? If you had to, do you think you could put it back together?

It's not too bad putting it back in.
I just compressed the spring with a few zip ties, stuck it in place and then cut the zip ties.
I only put it back in because I was considering selling the car. I've since pulled the spring back out. Makes driving a lot better but it's still somewhat vague.

I hear people talk about the "long throw" in this car and I am confused.

Mine is fully disengaged after pressing it down only about 2 inches
Other people have commented on how soon it disengages.

The only time I have to push it more than a~3 inches is to start it.

I bought it used, so I am assuming that the PO adjusted it?

I'm assuming most people push the clutch to the floor. That's what I do.

Yikes! Glad it worked out for you. :D

Ok, spring comes out today but I don't think I'll be finished there.

Fully? Wow.

I adjusted mine within a couple weeks of driving it. The touch point is maybe an inch off of the floor.

I've been driving clutch cars since I started driving with my 73 Vega GT and I have stalled this car more times than all the cars combined I have owned with a clutch, and that's a bunch of them.