I had the Road Race Engineering clutch kit (X-Clutch) and Fidanza flywheel installed 2 weeks ago. I've been very easy on the clutch while it's breaking in. The car has steadily developed a shudder when the pedal is released. Under light throttle, it's impossible to engage without getting the shudder. If I use more throttle, I frequently smell burnt clutch. I'm not talking about an all out launch. Slow, uphill starts have produced clutch smell several times. RRE suggested doing a few hard launches to smooth things out. I tried one last night that resulted in an overwhelming clutch smell in my garage for hours, after driving about a 1/2 mile.

I had over 16K miles on the stock clutch. Never once smelled burnt clutch. The stock clutch wasn't even worn out. I only replaced it to prepare for a future turbo upgrade. Could this be part of the normal break-in? I've probably put between 500 - 700 miles on the new clutch.

 

That sucks, where in de are you located? Maybe someting is not hooked up right, go back to the shop taht put it in and have them check it.

Mike

 

I'm in the Newark area. Unfortunately, the shop is almost 2 hours away.

 

maybe your not launching it right. Alittle bit of a shutter is normal with a heavy pressure plate

edit: did you have the restrictor removed when the clutch was installed?

 

maybe the step height is off, sounds like it is slippling or not fully engauging, i bet it was either installed improperly as the clucth is only partially grabbing or it still needs a proper break in, teh light weight flywheel and a 3000 POUND clamp force is the defenition of a studder though, thats for sure.

 

theres a threaded rod that goes to firewall wich sets the pedal height i adjusted mine and it greatly improved my clutch feel its just a nut that holds the rod to the bracket on the back of the pedal maybe this could help if not good luck

 

I did expect some shake with the light flywheel combo, but the constant clutch smell seems to indicate a serious problem. Unless I almost stall the car, I'm smelling clutch. If I ease the clutch out from 1500 - 2000 rpms, it smells like it's burning.

I removed the restrictor and installed the stainless line last year. The clutch also chatters like crazy. I know the springs are stiffer, but it chatters more than a multi-plate setup. I wouldn't expect that from an organic disc. The chatter has gotten worse over the past 2 weeks. I've also been getting an annoying buzz when I decel while in gear. I'm ready to pull the clutch out and flush $600 in labor.

 

Give the clutch a little more time before you decide to get rid of it. It may indeed still be breaking in.