Improved Clutch Action Dramatically
05-22-2012, 01:12 AM
#316
Drifting
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bastrop By God Texas
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No offense Hurdi, but I have driven sticks my whole life in almost every kind of vehicle you can imagine. It's not my ability on the clutch. The ability to execute silky smooth shifts under normal driving is a point of pride for me.
The release point on the spring was in the exact wrong position for the engagement point on my clutch. It was extremely difficult to shift even at speed without giving my passenger whiplash. Also, you shouldn't have to rev the engine to avoid stalling when starting from a stop. Perfect timing of the application of throttle at clutch engagement minimizes wear on the clutch. You can't really do that if clutch pressure isn't linear through the pedal travel.
Replacing the stock spring with a much lighter one holds the pedal in the proper position while providing the linear feel that I feel is optimum. It takes about 20% more effort to depress the clutch, but on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest to depress clutch I have ever had, it's a 5. No big deal.
If you are happy with you clutch that's great. I wasn't happy with mine and found a simple effective fix. I'm at almost 60k on the original clutch. Let's say I replace it at 60k and my mod causes the next clutch to only go 30k. I doubt that will be the case, but it would still be worth it to effortless execute proper shifts.
Like I said. To each his own. Glad you like your car. Cabs are great.
The release point on the spring was in the exact wrong position for the engagement point on my clutch. It was extremely difficult to shift even at speed without giving my passenger whiplash. Also, you shouldn't have to rev the engine to avoid stalling when starting from a stop. Perfect timing of the application of throttle at clutch engagement minimizes wear on the clutch. You can't really do that if clutch pressure isn't linear through the pedal travel.
Replacing the stock spring with a much lighter one holds the pedal in the proper position while providing the linear feel that I feel is optimum. It takes about 20% more effort to depress the clutch, but on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest to depress clutch I have ever had, it's a 5. No big deal.
If you are happy with you clutch that's great. I wasn't happy with mine and found a simple effective fix. I'm at almost 60k on the original clutch. Let's say I replace it at 60k and my mod causes the next clutch to only go 30k. I doubt that will be the case, but it would still be worth it to effortless execute proper shifts.
Like I said. To each his own. Glad you like your car. Cabs are great.
05-22-2012, 08:14 AM
#317
Drifting
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ephrata, PA, USA now. Originally from the UK
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No offense Hurdi, but I have driven sticks my whole life in almost every kind of vehicle you can imagine. It's not my ability on the clutch. The ability to execute silky smooth shifts under normal driving is a point of pride for me.
The release point on the spring was in the exact wrong position for the engagement point on my clutch. It was extremely difficult to shift even at speed without giving my passenger whiplash. Also, you shouldn't have to rev the engine to avoid stalling when starting from a stop. Perfect timing of the application of throttle at clutch engagement minimizes wear on the clutch. You can't really do that if clutch pressure isn't linear through the pedal travel.
Replacing the stock spring with a much lighter one holds the pedal in the proper position while providing the linear feel that I feel is optimum. It takes about 20% more effort to depress the clutch, but on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest to depress clutch I have ever had, it's a 5. No big deal.
If you are happy with you clutch that's great. I wasn't happy with mine and found a simple effective fix. I'm at almost 60k on the original clutch. Let's say I replace it at 60k and my mod causes the next clutch to only go 30k. I doubt that will be the case, but it would still be worth it to effortless execute proper shifts.
Like I said. To each his own. Glad you like your car. Cabs are great.
The release point on the spring was in the exact wrong position for the engagement point on my clutch. It was extremely difficult to shift even at speed without giving my passenger whiplash. Also, you shouldn't have to rev the engine to avoid stalling when starting from a stop. Perfect timing of the application of throttle at clutch engagement minimizes wear on the clutch. You can't really do that if clutch pressure isn't linear through the pedal travel.
Replacing the stock spring with a much lighter one holds the pedal in the proper position while providing the linear feel that I feel is optimum. It takes about 20% more effort to depress the clutch, but on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest to depress clutch I have ever had, it's a 5. No big deal.
If you are happy with you clutch that's great. I wasn't happy with mine and found a simple effective fix. I'm at almost 60k on the original clutch. Let's say I replace it at 60k and my mod causes the next clutch to only go 30k. I doubt that will be the case, but it would still be worth it to effortless execute proper shifts.
Like I said. To each his own. Glad you like your car. Cabs are great.
06-07-2012, 10:52 PM
#318
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London, Canada
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clutch
After 2 weeks after putting the spring back in I am happy to report it was a great decision. I never stall the car anymore, the shift are smooth and everything works like it supposed too. I strongly recommend for anyone to had it out for few months to put it in and see how it feels, you might be happy with the results.
10-25-2012, 01:54 AM
#320
Drifting
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LOL. I cant believe this came up again. I still have the light Spring and still love the mod. 12k and no issues.
I met another 996 TT cab guy a couple of weeks ago. We were talking about our cars he he said his only complaint was that the clutch was very difficult to drive smoothly. He had recently sold a 9934S to get the Turbo.
I told him about the mod, so we exchanged contact info. He called me Sunday to tell me he had done the spring mod and it was brilliant.
I guess it's all about personal preferences.
I met another 996 TT cab guy a couple of weeks ago. We were talking about our cars he he said his only complaint was that the clutch was very difficult to drive smoothly. He had recently sold a 9934S to get the Turbo.
I told him about the mod, so we exchanged contact info. He called me Sunday to tell me he had done the spring mod and it was brilliant.
I guess it's all about personal preferences.
10-25-2012, 02:44 AM
#321
Get rid of the 996 shift assembly. Swap to a 997 SS kit. I ignored all 22 pages since I've driven 993/996/987 with no complaints of the clutch pedal. However the shifter in 996 is terrible....
10-26-2012, 05:46 PM
#323
Race Director
How does the shifter have anything to do with how the clutch engages?
I'm glad you like your short shift kit, but I think you might have missed the point. It was somewhere in those 22 pages you skipped...
I'm glad you like your short shift kit, but I think you might have missed the point. It was somewhere in those 22 pages you skipped...
10-26-2012, 06:00 PM
#324
Three Wheelin'
Yes the 996 shifter is not great - but it's a whole lot better than the BBM short shifter. I've heard nothing but good things about the 997 shifters ...normal, short and GT3 - they all seem to be better than the 996 setup. I guess this should be my next mod.
BUT - this is a clutch spring thread - not a shifter thread.
As I reported earlier, my clutch action improved dramatically when I repaired my broken clutch spring. Anyone here still running without the spring is nuts in my book - but whatev.
Moreover - I replaced my clutch this summer. The diaphragm on the old one finally broke. I replaced it with a Sport Clutch and spring centred disc to complement the Light Weight Fly Wheel that I installed.
I expected the effort to increase, but much to my surprise the exact opposite happened. My clutch is light as a feather.
I have *zero* problems modulating my clutch, and yes the stock spring is still installed.
BUT - this is a clutch spring thread - not a shifter thread.
As I reported earlier, my clutch action improved dramatically when I repaired my broken clutch spring. Anyone here still running without the spring is nuts in my book - but whatev.
Moreover - I replaced my clutch this summer. The diaphragm on the old one finally broke. I replaced it with a Sport Clutch and spring centred disc to complement the Light Weight Fly Wheel that I installed.
I expected the effort to increase, but much to my surprise the exact opposite happened. My clutch is light as a feather.
I have *zero* problems modulating my clutch, and yes the stock spring is still installed.
10-26-2012, 11:28 PM
#325
Rennlist Member
So I read the first 5 pages and the last 5 pages - does anyone in between those pages mention how to lube the spring to get rid of the squeak? My clutch feels fine but the little chirp bugs me.
10-29-2012, 05:56 AM
#326
Advanced
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10-31-2012, 01:48 PM
#328
I have the same issue. Seems the first few posts detail how to yank the canister holding the spring out of the car. From there I imagine it is easy to disassemble (perhaps wear goggles if spring could fly out) and use some high quality automotive grease after cleaning.
10-31-2012, 01:57 PM
#329
Rennlist Member
It has been too long since I researched that idea, but I do remember learning that it is at best a short term fix, if viable at all.
12-22-2012, 05:25 PM
#330
Rennlist Member
removing this spring is a great, free, 5- minute mod. I've owned over 30 Porsches and my '02 had the worst clutch action with this spring installed. Not sure why some folks feel like the clutch is too stiff without it. It now feels much like a cable actuated clutch from a 70's 911. Nice. Will shim the 1/4" free play in the pedal and will be done