Keys to Pristine Clutch Pedal Feel

[LunarS550]

Alright...
Who’s got the secret?

I currently run a Steeda clutch spring, McLeod RXT w/ aluminum flywheel, McLeod clutch line. I’ve taken the clutch assist spring out and felt much, much better but there is a concern that would accelerate master cylinder wear.

I don’t expect to have a perfect feel with a beefy clutch and such a light flywheel but I’d like to at least have a consistent feel. Seems like some days it will be a smooth, pronounced feel and the next it’ll have a wimpy inconsistent release. There hasn’t been any issues with shifting. Clutch, flywheel, slave all have roughly 1500 miles on them.

I’d like to see hear about your setups

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[NoVaGT]

When you mention "feel", and then go on to say that "some days it will be a smooth, pronounced feel and the next it’ll have a wimpy inconsistent release", it's clear you're mistaking your own daily physiological ups & downs affecting your shifting performance and perception, with the car's clutch pedal having "feel".

The major failing of S550 Mustangs is absolutely 0, and I mean NO feel through the pedal. There is absolutely NO feed-back/vibration through the pedal, so using the clutch has to be done by ear.

Unless you've driven an older car that actually provides clutch pedal feed-back/feel, if this car is your only reference point for clutches, you're not going to have the context to understand what clutch pedal feed-back/feel means. I mean actually being able to feel through the clutch pedal the clutch plate and fly-wheel engage, as they slip together, and as they lock-up.

There is no way, short of totally replacing the clutch/pedal system altogether with a mechanical system, to get any feel into it. Doesn't matter if you change the clutch, remove the pedal spring, change the hydraulic line, at best you can only change the weight of the pedal effort, and nothing more. That is NOT the same thing as actually feeling the clutch and pressure plate engagement through the pedal.

 

[LunarS550]

Clutch master cylinder was on its way out. Replaced it and car feels brand new.

If anyone plans on doing this at home, here’s what I’d recommend:
•100% take out the seat
•Save yourself the hassle and get the master cylinder out and replaced with the new one without removing the entire pedal assembly, just unbolt the assembly to have some wiggle room.

 

[T.O.Bullitt]

The major failing of S550 Mustangs is absolutely 0, and I mean NO feel through the pedal. There is absolutely NO feed-back/vibration through the pedal, so using the clutch has to be by ear.

Interesting. The clutch in my Bullitt has taken me quite some time to get used to and I discovered recently that driving in track mode somehow gives me a better feel for what’s going on with the clutch.

The result is that I’m finally shifting consistently during more spirited driving.

I installed the Steeda spring a while back and that made a positive difference, too, but this has even more.

I think track mode’s combination of irrepressible aural feedback from the exhaust and a more direct connection in the driveline with traction control being turned off that comes through more viscerally provides a compensating feedback loop for the lack of feel is the pedal.

You “feel” the car better overall, it seems, and so you even feel what’s going on with the clutch engagement and disengagement better, too, in spite of the numb pedal.

For me it means that I’m finally able to reliably pull off fast 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, whereas before I often flubbed it when I tried banging through the gears.

Getting used to the transmission and the car generally over the course of a year of ownership probably helped, too.

I suppose, then, my advice, based on my personal experience, is threefold: 1. get the Steeda spring; 2. play around with shifting it in track mode to dial in some compensating aural and visceral feedback to make up for the lack of pedal feel; and 3. you’ll get used to it.

 

[JohnnyGT]

Interesting. The clutch in my Bullitt has taken me quite some time to get used to and I discovered recently that driving in track mode somehow gives me a better feel for what’s going on with the clutch.

The result is that I’m finally shifting consistently during more spirited driving.

I installed the Steeda spring a while back and that made a positive difference, too, but this has even more.

I think track mode’s combination of irrepressible aural feedback from the exhaust and a more direct connection in the driveline with traction control being turned off that comes through more viscerally provides a compensating feedback loop for the lack of feel is the pedal.

You “feel” the car better overall, it seems, and so you even feel what’s going on with the clutch engagement and disengagement better, too, in spite of the numb pedal.

For me it means that I’m finally able to reliably pull off fast 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, whereas before I often flubbed it when I tried banging through the gears.

Getting used to the transmission and the car generally over the course of a year of ownership probably helped, too.

I suppose, then, my advice, based on my personal experience, is threefold: 1. get the Steeda spring; 2. play around with shifting it in track mode to dial in some compensating aural and visceral feedback to make up for the lack of pedal feel; and 3. you’ll get used to it.

Agreed. Track mode makes the car feel more like a "normal" manual. I started using that mode everyday it's not raining, even in heavy traffic.

Steeda spring has been in since somewhere around the 1k mile mark too.

 

[LunarS550]

Agreed. Track mode makes the car feel more like a "normal" manual. I started using that mode everyday it's not raining, even in heavy traffic.

Steeda spring has been in since somewhere around the 1k mile mark too.

That probably has to do with the throttle response. I used to have to be in sport or track when the car was naturally aspirated. With the ProCharger now it doesn’t matter which mode I’m in when cruising around town, sport does get into boost a lot quicker however.

 

[Donny53]

Agreed. Track mode makes the car feel more like a "normal" manual. I started using that mode everyday it's not raining, even in heavy traffic.

Steeda spring has been in since somewhere around the 1k mile mark too.

I did the Steeda spring and didn't think it made any difference at all. I'm going to change modes and see if that makes any difference....I usually use sport +.

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