StandardShift.com

First, let me state that I am not a newbie with a stick tranny...

Im having a HELL of a time leaving with this car (drag race). Let me explain...

When first bought this car, I didnt think that the clutch felt right. A buddy of mine has a 13.4 second 2002 Max. I have driven his car and his clutch feels way different from mine. He has had his clutch replaced before. His clutch is a NISSAN REPLACEMENT, not some Slep-Boys, Auto-Bone, or Retard Auto Parts cheapie.

My buddys clutch starts to engage about halfway up from the floor. Mine... Damn near at the top! Pressure plate maybe? Marcel spring flat? I dont think the previous owner knew how to drive a stick very well.

I went to the track Friday night....

First pass: Cut a .506 reaction time. Car spun and wheel hopped like crazy. I tried to pedal out of the wheel hop. I did, but the RPM dropped REALLY LOW. I dont even wanna post the E.T.

Second pass: I didnt even try to cut the tree down. Got a good launch. Spun at the top of first. Power-shifted into second and spun halfway through. Again, I wont post the E.T.

On top of the clutch feel, this engine has a WEIRD torque curve.

Im considering replacing the clutch.

Anyone ever drag race a VQ35 equipped 5.5 gen Maxima? I would like to hear what you all are doing, if there are any of you out there.

nope, all i've driven is my 3.0
gotta agree about the clutch being weird and even with the 4th gens the 3 litre has an interesting torque curve
shift at 6 and call it a day

OK... What about when you leave???

I have gotten better but its still not the way I like it.

if by when i leave you mean when i launch, that is almost always a little rough. it is hard to get a perfect launch since the clutch doesn't have a wide engagement zone and the gas is rather sensitive, so you usually end up either getting wheelspin, roasting the clutch slipping it, or you stall. i've been driving my maxima for over 2 years and i still botch half my launches. i've gotten used to it though .

Yeah...

high engagement point with a narrow engagement zone. It sucks. Maybe the new clutch will help. When this one dies, Im putting in an aftermarket clutch.

my engagement point is about half-way up and it was about the same on the original clutch before i replaced it last year. i went with stock clutch for replacement. i think you can adjust the clutch from under the dash where the pedal is but i forget what the procedure is. if no one knows on here, they definitely know on the org.

Oh, so youre on the org too? I go by the same name over there also.

I thought about the pedal adjustment also but I dont think it adjustable on 5.5 gens. It may be adjustable on the 5th gens. Its definately adjustable on the 4th gens.

What is your name on the org?