I've searched but didn't find a answere. Question is is there a procedure for braking in a new stock clutch? I have a new engine with 1232 miles and clutch with 1500 miles. Is it normal to smell clutch when down shifting? AATCO who installed the clutch says there was no brake in needed. Reason I ask is because I been using the clutch to down shift more rather than using the brakes to stop. I'm not letting go of the clutch pedal all that fast but still get a little smell when ever I do down shift, or is this normal? Worked and still works fine for the first 1200 miles or at least untill I started paying attention once I started intentionally down shifting on purpose. Keep in mind the Z has been parked for awhile and since that time a month later I was rowing through the gears and broke the front input shaft seal in the transmission and begun leaking fluid out the bell housing. But the car was parked a month before that happened and hasn't been driven since so doubt that is related to the question. Thanks Z

Edited February 20, 201015 yr by WingZr0

I always made sure the adjustments were proper and then just drove the same way I drove the old clutch.

BREAK in a clutch ? Do what Stephen ^ said . Downshifting and over feathering a clutch will result in premature wear , and it smells like that's what's going on.

Unless your adjustment is out to lunch , use your brakes to slow down .

Just my 2 cents worth , no flame intended , man .

Edited February 20, 201015 yr by Unkle

Thanks guys no worries on the flame bro haha, was just curious if I was missing something or not. Like said it works fine but I'll have those adjustments checked when a new trans goes in. Adjustments might of gone off a bit from the new enging install maybe. Pedal is set and still feels right though and takes 1/3rd travel distance to fully disengage. If the clutch is let out slow enough or I can match the revs then no smell, but come off to fast. . . Burn. So yeah, I'll use those brakes

Edited February 20, 201015 yr by WingZr0

If you smell clutch on a downshift,something is really,REALLY wrong.

A tip I got from an experienced racer way back when - "brakes are cheaper and easier to replace than clutches and transmissions."

If you smell clutch on a downshift,something is really,REALLY wrong.

I'm talking from top of fourth to third gear. Still something WAY wrong?

A tip I got from an experienced racer way back when - "brakes are cheaper and easier to replace than clutches and transmissions."

Funny cause it's true, I'll pass it along

I'm talking from top of fourth to third gear. Still something WAY wrong? Funny cause it's true, I'll pass it along

Yes.You should not smell clutch AT ALL unless you intentionally slip it.

Is it normal to hear some noise when breaking in a new clutch? I hear a noise that sounds like tires chirping when I slip the clutch on a quick start. Its got about 1500 miles on it so far. Works fine.

Is it normal to hear some noise when breaking in a new clutch? I hear a noise that sounds like tires chirping when I slip the clutch on a quick start. Its got about 1500 miles on it so far. Works fine.

Did you have the flywheel resurfaced when the clutch was replaced? Just like brake rotors, the flywheel can get surface irregularities from an old clutch disk, and after replacing the clutch it can take some time for the two to wear into each other if the flywheel isn't resurfaced. (clutch chatter...)

Yeah I got it resurfaced. New pressure plate and clutch.

Yes.You should not smell clutch AT ALL unless you intentionally slip it.

Agreed, and why would you be shifting to 3rd from the top of 4th? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. One slip and you'll over-rev the motor or destroy the clutch or both.

You should spend the most time easing out the clutch pedal when you're starting from a stop. Once you're moving and shifting gears (up or down) you really shouldn't be spending a lot of time letting the clutch out. If you are, you're doing something wrong.