G-35 Coupe 6MT, Clutch Adjustment, Royal Purple, Revised Engine, and Corvette

[Jacko3]

Hey guys:

This morning I had a beautiful red Vette with an awesome exhaust sound, that deliberately drove in front of me when he heard my exhaust sound---I beleive to show off. So I let him in front of me. So, we drove normally for a while and when the road cleared up, he gunned the car for about 30 seconds. Surprisingly, my G-35 Coupe 6MT kept up without any stress or increase in gap or distance, behind him. He eventually slowed down and we went our seperate ways. You should have heard the most beautiful exhaust note coming out of this Corvette---I loved it. It made my exhaust note even with test pipes sound like a joke.

I was amazed at how easily my car kept up without even struggling. My eyes were wide open at this phenomenon. And so I asked how that was possible? This isn't the first time I have gone at it with vettes. On two occassions, I found the G-35 Coupe faster off the lot than a Vette.

I suspect two things I have done to my car that has helped it a great deal. The first is the use of Royal Purple---we have discussed this at length on other threads. The second is the adjustment on the clutch pedal which can either increase or decrease the clamping force of the clutch system. This adjustment can lead to an increase or decrease in in the amount of torque the car will transfer to the rear wheels.

I was able to keep up with the vette on the low to midrange end simply because of increased torque due to clutch adjustments. I am very pleased with my technician for making the type of adjustment to my clutch that has now increased the sensitivity of my clutch and clamping force of the clutch. Of course, using Royal Purple also did help as well. My technician is going to get a nice christmas gift in about a week from now.

However, there is a sacrifice to this clutch adjustment. The G-35 Coupe clutch pedal after depressing and releasing the clutch, may sometimes not come up completely on the portion of the pedal where it is connected to the hinge. You may have to lift this portion up with the top of your feet or shoe while driving. And this process can get uncomfortable for a novice after each shift. But for me, I am used to it now. But my technician set it up in such a way that this occurs only during normal or slow driving but does snot occur during fast and exhiliarating episodes of funa nd excitement shifting.

Again, another reason why one must stay close and committed to an Infiniti technician they trust and know well. There is a lot of energy/torque lost in G-35 Coupe 6MT clutch system probably a result of how the clutch is installed and adjusted. Again, i cannot speak for the longevity of the clutch with such adjustments that takes full advanatage of the torque the car produces. This is just my experience so far. I would love to hear the experience of others with 6MTs.


Modified by Jacko3 at 7:29 AM 12/3/2008

[Sentientbydesign]

I highly doubt your clutch now has more clamping force than a standard clutch. Futhermore, the standard clutch should have a torque margin that exceeds the engine's output by a decent amount. If that weren't the case, EVERYBODY with mods and the stock clutch would be making it slip under heavy acceleration.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Where is this tech located? Maybe I need him to work on my car... Im not joking!

DJ

[Jacko3]

Nate:

First, I never said my clutch had more clamping force than a standard clutch. In fact, the reverse would be true because the standard clutch does not have a dual mass in its flywheel, and so probably has the benefit of better clamping potential, pound for pound than OEM clutch system. But then, it does come at a cost---chattering. Any serious racer, in my opinoon would generally dump the OEM clutch and go get an after-market clutch system inspite of the chattering.

Secondly, you said, "the standard clutch should have a torque margin that exceeds the engine's output by a decent amount". The same probably applies to OEM clutch systems as well. However, my argument is based on how conservative the OEM clutch installation really is, and thus, makes it harder for the driver to fully experience the full potential of their OEM clutch system. And by careful and monitored adjustment, that full potential can be extracted and realized from OEM clutch systems but at a price---inconsistent pedal return at the fulcrum, which I clearly noted.

[Sentientbydesign]

Jacko,

Please reread my post and replace "standard" with "OEM". Had I meant aftermarket or single-mass, I would have stated it in that manner.

[Jacko3]

Tampa:

You will have to do a little bit of driving---he works at a nissan dealership. Send me an e-mail and lets see what we can set up. List out all you need done and we will make an appointment to see him.

[G37 Man]

Just when I was ready to go Mobil 1,JackO tells me this about Royal Purple.

Now I got to go Royal Purple