New clutch (awesome), more questions

[meth0d]

My clutch broke apart with 45,000km on it. Apparently something was wrong with one of the springs, and the clutch wasn't engaging/disengaging immediately. Eventually it started to drag and the clutch was always partially engaged (never fully engaged or disengaged). So it bit the farm. :) I'm not sure how long this has been going on, but apparently the spring may have been damaged awhile back and I never even noticed it.

Well, the good news is I have a new clutch, and I can't believe what a difference it makes! The transmission is sooooo smooth... not jerky at all anymore... doesn't "bounce" at low RPMs anymore.

My question is this: normally when I shift, I let off the gas, press in the clutch fully, shift, and give it a bit of gas as I let off the clutch. Now, some people tell me not to do this, and some people tell me to do this. If I don't give it a bit of gas, the car loses momentum completely and it feels like the clutch is working too hard. If I give it a bit of gas, theres always the chance that I give it too much once in awhile and the engagement isn't as smooth as I like. So what do you guys think? Gas or no gas? I want to totally break in the clutch 100% properly... I want it to last!

[OUZO Power]

I see the benefits when downshifting. This way you rev match. About upshifting I don't know. I do it once in a while too. But if your going all out doing that on the upshift will cause you to loose time. What clutch did you get?

[Placid]

my shifting is pretty damn smooth....it's all about releasing the clutch and resuming acceleration in a fluid motion.

as for giving it gas before releasing the clutch, it just seems to make the car jump a bit (not smooth)

[meth0d]

It's an OEM clutch. I can't believe how light it feels compared to before. Damn smooth. :thumbup:

This is what Excite says, which is how I used to shift... I didn't explain it right I guess...

- Clutch in and gas off.
- Move the shifter smoothly from first to second.
- Slowly off the clutch while pushing on the gas.
- Completely let your foot off the clutch and gas it up.

Is this right? Exactly when do you start giving it gas... before, during, or after you release the clutch fully?

[Keith]

Dude, why didn't you get a performance clutch? Mine was still good but they had to replace my 5th gen syncho and since I was there already, I put in a ACT Stage 1 clutch... it was much cheaper than the OEM too! There is a noticable difference... it catches a lot sooner... (ask Ouzo...)

[91prelude2se]

I think the clutch is something that will form to the way you drive...just make sure your not burning the clutch and you;ll be fine...IMO....:thumbup: remember it's your car and you need to get around in it..and you dont really want to change your driveing style just because someone said too... I remember a buddy of mine got a new civic and he use to go around shifting at 10km......so if would be 1st 0-10, 2nd 10-20, 3rd 20-30, 4th 30-40, and last but not least 5th 40-140...:confused: everytime we got on an on ramp of a highway there was no power....;)

[Jarek]

I always give it a bit of gas, just before the "engagement point". The only way to shift smoothly imo.. This is where the practice comes in.. so you don't give it too much gas and rev/burn the clutch..

[XxXPreludeXxX]

Originally posted by Quick_lude
I always give it a bit of gas, just before the "engagement point". The only way to shift smoothly imo.. This is where the practice comes in.. so you don't give it too much gas and rev/burn the clutch..

I do this as well.
Nice and smooth

[phatz]

I havent had my car so long I forgot how 2 drive standard :mad:

j/k