New transmission going in ... need opinions - nismo or std or no clutch...

[2ndVQ35]

Bout three frustrating months into z ownership and I love the car, but the transmission has been driving me nuts...bought it with 29k on the clock and didnt notice some problems that cropped up within the first week of ownership. It's a 05 enthusiast. I have been driving it for 6000 miles with a freakish first gear wont engage problem that wont reproduce itself at the dealership...well...third visit...Finally - tech took it home and had it happen to him! YAY...New transmission on order under warranty...they offered to do the clutch for parts cost since the transmission is coming out ...

Phew... now that brings me to my next questions...while it is just a parts cost...

A. Car has 36k on it and the clutch feels bad to me - should I buy a clutch now?B. If I should buy one - should I have them get the nismo? Advandages/disadvantages?C. Since the car was bought 6000 miles ago and the clutch is kind of weak...do I have any leverage in asking for them to do the clutch for free?

they are quoting 689.53 for the nismo and 445.97 for the standard clutch, btw...is that a good price?

Thanks all...

[bmike818]

A. YES since you are getting most of the labor for freeB. not much eperience with the Nismo clutch- I would still go NismoC. You can always try. Worst thing they can say is no.

how about installing a new light weight flywheel.

Good luck!

[Sentientbydesign]

I'd recommend that you look for an aftermarket flywheel with a replaceable friction disc (Fidanza, Spec...).

They won't be as quiet as the stock flywheel, but the car will be more responsive and have better acceleration. Expect to pay around $1400 including labor.

[2ndVQ35]

can anyone tell me the advantages/disadvantages of the nismo clutch over stock?

[turbowofford05z]

I have the nismo installed on my 05zi love it they are far more touchy than stock was i drag race and drift and i really like it i also got the nismo flywheel for the car and installed it i would just go with both light weight flywheel now and the nismo clutch ipayed about 1009 bucks for mine because i got hooked up sick i work for a company that also has nissan. employee price is good!!!

[Sentientbydesign]

I'm thinking about doing RPS Cyn-R-G flywheel and clutch kit.

$899 shipped from Intense Motorsports (One of our sponsors).

The Flywheel has 4 replaceable friction pucks that cost around $35-$40/set versus $50 for refinishing the flywheel and possibly having to buy a new one if it's beyond repair.

[evildky]

avoid the Nismo clutch, they suck, I caought one on fire, yes apparently you can catch a clutch disk on fire!? ACT has one of the best reputations of anny performance clutch, and I have personally had good luck with Competition Clutches

[rmezz13]

ACT for the win on price and rep.

[LAKE ERIE Z32]

i bought my 03 enthu used at 50k within 1k i had the grinding problem took it back got the new transmission under warranty. they couldnt do anything about my clutch that was pretty much gone. so i doubt you will get the clutch thrown in for free. but i overnighted an ACT street disc clutch and i love it, very grippy ACT FTW. good luck

[2ndVQ35]

Takin the plunge - figure I might as well go for it and do the whole setup...Nismo clutch and new transmission install started today at the dealership. All in all I think I am doing ok...the dealer is really playing ball and they are doing everything they can...and being honest about it to boot. They are giving me the Clutch for $540 and no labor and doing the Transmission under warranty. $540 for a brand new and slightly upgraded drivetrain can't be a call I'll regret. Looking forward to seeing how good it will feel to have a 100% new setup in there.

[turbowofford05z]

I bet you will like it with the new clutch in there remember to take it easy for the first few hundred miles or so to let it break in a little before you get too crazy on the throttle

[aris_unlimited]

Hmm guess I came into this one a little too late, seeing as you have decided on the Nismo clutch. Anyways just my .02 on this one, I had my transmission replaced under warranty too. Although they charged me $200 for any clutch stuff I wanted put in. I went with the JWT clutch/lightweight flywheel package. Cost me about $500 and I love it. The clutch feels great, grips well, and you can definitely feel the improved response with the lightweight flywheel. So if anyone else comes along wondering....consider JWT lol.

Also be sure to let us know how you like your new nismo clutch setup.

[2ndVQ35]

Well...no more horrible first gear startup or jerky shifts and no more high clutch engagement.

Ahhhhh......

This thing grabs hard, fast and smooth...Very nice gear changes... feels like half the pedal travel for some reason, although I don't know why it would and the pedal effort is probably double and returns hard...I think the throw-out was possibly bad too. Problem solved there. The shifter is a little notchier going in but overall feels good.

So far so good.