Bought a Bullitt, never driven manual before. Looking for advice, question in body

[cth777]

Good evening all

So, I’ve wanted to switch from my auto to a manual for a while. Finally found a nice Bullitt that had what I wanted, bought it yesterday. Never drove a stick before.

got it home fine, most of it was on the highway.

now we arrive to my problem. I really struggle releasing the clutch to the bite point consistently in any sort of timely fashion. It feels like the bite point is so high, and the pedal stiffness changes right before it. So the pedal accelerates right through the bite point and I lurch or stall. I can get going smoothly by very very slowly releasing the clutch but that’s not practical driving with other cars.

Am I crazy and this is just how all clutches are? Any tips on getting a consistent clutch release?

Also, pic for pic tax! Haha



really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

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[NGOT8R]

You can try adding a Steeda clutch spring, braided clutch line and clutch pedal adjuster. Aside from that, there’s not a whole lot more that you can do with a hydraulic clutch.

See post #2 here.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/clutch-adjustment.192403/

 

[Rebmo]

Listen to the revs and add throttle as needed as you release. Don’t let it drop.

 

[WildHorse]

Full bite is high, engagement is quite low. With practice you'll find the sweet spot.

 

[ORRadtech]

Every single manual transmission car I have ever driven has felt different.
You're new to a stick shift. The more you drive it the more comfortable you will be and the more you will learn what quirks it has and how to handle them.

 

[Zrussian13]

Keep practicing. The s550 has a really easy clutch to work compared to other new manual cars I've driven. Lot of guys swear by the Steeda spring but I haven't tried it.

 

[steve_2020]

Good evening all

So, I’ve wanted to switch from my auto to a manual for a while. Finally found a nice Bullitt that had what I wanted, bought it yesterday. Never drove a stick before.

got it home fine, most of it was on the highway.

now we arrive to my problem. I really struggle releasing the clutch to the bite point consistently in any sort of timely fashion. It feels like the bite point is so high, and the pedal stiffness changes right before it. So the pedal accelerates right through the bite point and I lurch or stall. I can get going smoothly by very very slowly releasing the clutch but that’s not practical driving with other cars.

Am I crazy and this is just how all clutches are? Any tips on getting a consistent clutch release?

Also, pic for pic tax! Haha



really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

take it to a big empty parking lot and start/stop until it starts to feel normal. Pretty soon, it will be second nature.

 

[cth777]

Keep practicing. The s550 has a really easy clutch to work compared to other new manual cars I've driven. Lot of guys swear by the Steeda spring but I haven't tried it.

Hmmm. The clutch travel just feels so not smooth, it’s hard for me to control it finely. More practice I guess

 

[MD18EcoStang]

I agree with the suggestions that additional experience will help; however, this transmission sometimes made me feel like an idiot until I switched out the clutch spring. Ymmv

 

[Skye]

I've used manuals since I started driving. I felt the clutch action in my Mach left a lot to be desired. The clutch engagement was a very on/off, an all-or-nothing event.

Swapping to a Steeda clutch assist spring and perch made a big difference; it's definitely worth a try. If you find you like the Ford spring and perch better, you can swap it right back.

You can buy the spring only, or a spring with perch. I purchased the latter.

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-musta...UBem9wBkOJh7DYX9wVLrDC4W3xfElf9kVK8dQ9-9htHNa

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-7...5OPs450o3esdqUYo7k68I_DTCBHh3aEY3uUTI3cIHqMaU

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/steeda-clutch-spring-better.173206/

https://www.google.com/search?q=mus...HTfwIbcQrQIoAnoECB0QAw&biw=1450&bih=726&dpr=2

 

[ralph7]

Good evening all

So, I’ve wanted to switch from my auto to a manual for a while. Finally found a nice Bullitt that had what I wanted, bought it yesterday. Never drove a stick before.

got it home fine, most of it was on the highway.

now we arrive to my problem. I really struggle releasing the clutch to the bite point consistently in any sort of timely fashion. It feels like the bite point is so high, and the pedal stiffness changes right before it. So the pedal accelerates right through the bite point and I lurch or stall. I can get going smoothly by very very slowly releasing the clutch but that’s not practical driving with other cars.

Am I crazy and this is just how all clutches are? Any tips on getting a consistent clutch release?

Also, pic for pic tax! Haha



really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

Sounds like you are concentrating more on the clutch engagement than feeding in the gas pedal. It's ok to have the revs a little high as you approach the bite point as opposed to stalling the car. As others have said, after a time, practice will have you keeping the revs low for a smooth takeoff.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I also did a clutch spring and liked it better but the solution here isnt parts, its practice. (That and feeding in gas earlier/faster as you let the clutch out).

i agree with the above, you can hold the rpms higher well above idle and modulate the throttle to keep them up as you let out the clutch, until the clutch is fully out and any additional throttle just increases speed and rpm. An empty parking lot where theres no pressure or hurry is best but with daily driving practice it will come together pretty quickly.

even after driving for years, theres more to practice with a clutch. Rev match downshifts, etc. it all takes time.

 

[BigR4444]

Get the clutch spring!
https://www.steeda.com/steeda-mustang-clutch-spring-assist-spring-perch-kit-555-7027.html

My Mustang was also my first Manual. That spring made so much of a difference; especially for someone learning.... It will help you manipulate that bite point so much better.

Other than that, take it easy and dont do any serious pulls until you get some experience. Took me a couple thousand miles to really get it down

 

[MD18EcoStang]

On the other hand, maybe the clutch spring just makes the car feel like other cars we were used to driving, and learning to drive manual with the stock spring will give the OP the experience Ford intended!

 

[BigR4444]

On the other hand, maybe the clutch spring just makes the car feel like other cars we were used to driving, and learning to drive manual with the stock spring will give the OP the experience Ford intended!

Meh...
Somebody here once explained it well...
The stock spring isnt linear. It pushes back more at you unnecessarily right as you get to the bite point...

Im sure just like anything, the stock spring would feel better as you get used to it. But as someone who went through this exact same process with a Mustang being my first manual; This makes it WAY easier to learn, and thats important when you consider the alternative might be screwing up and earning yourself a costly repair.

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