Dropping the Clutch.....
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 7
From: WA
The clutches is most cars are not designed for high rpm engagements. The car has a 50/50 weight balance so if done correctly the rear wheels spin most of the time. This is the desired launch because the engine stays above 6000 rpm (VTEC) and the throttle can be modulated to gain traction and a quick start.
The situation that will quickly damage the clutch is the inability to break the tires loose.. instead the clutch will slip burning all surfaces. Repeated slips and the clutch is destroyed. This happens anytime you cannot overcome the traction.. new tires, sticky surface, uphill grade, rpm or power too low, and especially releasing the clutch too slowly and beginning the slip.
The clutch can actually slip in other conditions where the power applied cannot be translated to forward motion or tire slip. I have seen it more than once when driving very hard uphill with repeated shifting at the power peak.
Keep in mind that this is a very small clutch in order to fit the package and to spin 9000 rpm. It seems to be marginal for hard driving, and it will definitely live a shorter life if you regularly do standing start high rpm drops.
The situation that will quickly damage the clutch is the inability to break the tires loose.. instead the clutch will slip burning all surfaces. Repeated slips and the clutch is destroyed. This happens anytime you cannot overcome the traction.. new tires, sticky surface, uphill grade, rpm or power too low, and especially releasing the clutch too slowly and beginning the slip.
The clutch can actually slip in other conditions where the power applied cannot be translated to forward motion or tire slip. I have seen it more than once when driving very hard uphill with repeated shifting at the power peak.
Keep in mind that this is a very small clutch in order to fit the package and to spin 9000 rpm. It seems to be marginal for hard driving, and it will definitely live a shorter life if you regularly do standing start high rpm drops.
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