I'm trying to help my friend out who is just to lazy to become a member of this awesome source of information. Here is the situation: my friend has a 2002 S2000, and has had it for a year with 15K miles on it. I have an '03 with 2500 miles on it and he asked to drive my car, of course I obliged. When he was done taking it for a spin, he couldn't get over how easy my clutch was to push down. I asked him if I could drive his car, and man, night & day. His clutch was 100 times harder to throw then mine. His is very stiff and just harder. Does he have a problem with his clutch, or do I? Mine is very easy, and smooth, his is just a lot harder. What could be the problem? Thanks in advance.

 

I don't know the exact answer, but maybe this will help.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm

that site has answered a lot of my questions before.
tell your buddy to stop being lazy and become a registered guest

you should also probably post this in under the hood section.

 

Did your friend buy the car new? If not than it likely has an ACT Heavy Duty clutch Pressure plate installed. This is a very common clutch upgrade and will cause the clutch pedal to feel significantly harder. If you are sure it is stock than i'd have a dealer check it out as the stock clutch should be very easy to push, just like yours.

 

The S2000 has the stiffest clutch of any car I've ever driven except for a Viper. It even feels stiffer than a Z06.

 

I don't think you've driven a Z06 then. It's a fair bit firmer than the S2000.

 

My original oem clutch on the 02 was easy to push, it was like there was no peddle there. I was under the impression that it meant the pressure plate wasn't that strong. I drove an 01, and his was a little harder to push but, it engaged more smoothley.
I used to have to ride the clutch a little longer than normal for a smooth engagement. ACT feels much better.

 

I noticed that too.
I've driven several S2000s, and some are stiff and some are light. Mine is light.

 

I've driven s2000's of all years and they all feel different! Mine is an "02" and it's easy!

 

Compared to my old Viper and any of my old Vettes, the S2000 clutch is like almost nothing to push. I would suggest two possibilities. One has already been mentioned - that being an aftermarket pressure plate has been put in. The second possibility (and I don't wish to cause alarm) is that it was reported here some time ago, that when the TSB for the clutch rattle was done, the throw out bearing and the spindle it rides on was not greased and was put on dry. This caused an almost immediate wear problem that eventually seized this bearing on its shaft. Again, this is only a remote possibility.

 

Mine is an '01 and its really easy.