clutch pedal effort

[Type R 328]

Hi All: I am new to this site and I have to say I have learned so much about these unique cars in a matter of hours.

I am thinking of purchasing a 90/91 ZR-1 and have done a lot of looking on the internet, but not actually seen any in person (there is one for sale local to me that has peaked my interest).

I did a quick search but I could not locate discussions about how heavy the clutch pedal effort is on these cars. I have been driving manuals for years (Hondas and Acuras) but the pedal effort for those cars is rather minimal (thus I am used to light pedal effort). If I end up buying one, the ZR-1 would be a second car, driven minimally on weekends, not as a commuter car.

Any thoughts on how much effort is required to depress the clutch pedal?

Thank you!

Joe

[RICHARD TILL]

its no problem for any able bodied person. why would that be a question?

[tomtom72]

Hi Joe, the pedal effort felt very similar to a Prelude I used to drive, not at all like the effort on my 72 LT-1! I was amazed that a clutch requiring an 80lb effort could be so light...but that's what hydraulics do for you as opposed to a straight mechanical clutch system.

:thumbsup:

[Type R 328]

Hi Joe, the pedal effort felt very similar to a Prelude I used to drive, not at all like the effort on my 72 LT-1! I was amazed that a clutch requiring an 80lb effort could be so light...but that's what hydraulics do for you as opposed to a straight mechanical clutch system.

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the reassuring reply! The car I was interested in was sold before I could check it out, so the search continues...

Joe

[tomtom72]

:thumbsup:

As a newbe I thought "this clutch can't be working right!" There was so little effort and the "push" required was the same as my 72 LT-1, 80 lbs. and yet I can sit at a light with the clutch in and my leg doesn't even feel it! These modern cars are great!:mrgreen:

[tokuzumi]

I know this is a 16 year old thread, but figured I'd dredge it up from the bottom of the lake.

My 94, with 58k miles has a pretty stiff clutch pedal. Also I have to give it more gas than I think I would need to in order to not bog from a stop.

I have no idea if the clutch and flywheel are stock. I would definitely say I need significant more force to push the pedal to the floor compared to a Honda. I need to verify the slave reservoir has fluid in it. Only had the car for a few weeks, so slowly going over everything.

I'm thinking the flywheel has significantly more mass than the one in my 280ZX, which would make sense.

It's fun switching from my ZR-1 to my 280ZX, as the pedal practically falls to the floor with my foot resting on it, and I barely need to give it gas when leaving from a stop.

[Matt B]

Mine needs a good amount of force, too. Drove 2 others that were similar to mine, one even a bit sturdier.
They're way more "stiff" than other, more modern stickshift cars I have.
To me this adds a bit to the feeling that your ZR is a beast to be tamed [emoji3]

[ram_g]

Compared to 2 other stick shift cars that I drive regularly - my 2003 911 Turbo and my son?s 2016 GTI - the 1991 ZR-1 has by far the stiffest clutch. All part of the character of the car.

[WARP TEN]

I have owned many, many stick shift cars over the years and never found the ZR-1 stock clutches to be overly heavy in effort. However, as was my long time habit with all stick shift cars, I always popped the cars into neutral when in heavy bumper to bumper traffic and when coming to a stop. Saved wear and tear on the throwout bearing and other parts, plus I did not have to keep my left foot pressed down for long periods. So it saved wear and tear on me as well. --Bob

[tokuzumi]

I have owned many, many stick shift cars over the years and never found the ZR-1 stock clutches to be overly heavy in effort. However, as was my long time habit with all stick shift cars, I always popped the cars into neutral when in heavy bumper to bumper traffic and when coming to a stop. Saved wear and tear on the throwout bearing and other parts, plus I did not have to keep my left foot pressed down for long periods. So it saved wear and tear on me as well. --Bob

But then you can say you didn't skip leg day after driving the ZR-1 around all day

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/MistyShowyElephantseal-size_restricted.gif

[kz098123]

I'm fairly certain my 1990's clutch is stock at 39k miles, and I think the clutch pedal effort is rather easy. It's not as light as my Honda Civic I had decades ago, but also not nearly as stiff as '96-'99 Mustang Cobras I've driven in the past.