So I just passed the 600 mile break-in period this weekend and decided to try and launch the car for the first time. Didn't 2-step it, was at like 4k, slipped the clutch too slowly and gave to much throttle pushing RPM's to near redline. Car launched pretty good, but then there was this smell....bad smell...and it stayed. Got in the car a few hours later...still there...all up in the cabin too when the air is on. Gonna take a wild shot in the dark and say it's the clutch but can anyone tell me how long this smell lasts? And what is the clutch actually made of to cause this smell? And lastly, did it smell cause I "improperly" launched or will even the most perfect 2-step launch cause a stinker? Thanks in advance.

 

I see a new clutch in your future....

 

clutch burning

 

Yep its the clutch. Im all too familiar with this smell. The evo is my first stick so ive been there done that. It will go away. Just drive around with your windows down if it bothers you that much. Hell, during the fall a leaf landed on my center hood vent and when i started driving it got blown back into the turbo heat shield and caught fire. I opened my hood and smoke was coming out. ( at least i hope it was a leaf lol) Talk about a bad smell. That was there for a day or two lol.

 

Next morning, gone already. Good thing too, was gettin worried. Welcome back new car smell.

 

Till the next time you launch it.

Better to smell the clutch, then not smell the clutch and see parts coming from the bottom of the car.

 

Just accelerate hard from 10mph. You don't really need to launch unless you're at the track. You don't want to risk losing your clutch unless you're ready to spend $1500 replacing that and the flywheel (including install).

 

Great advice.

 

god that is the worst smell isnt it lol... still annoys me this clutch is soo weak. Come from the domestic side and have driven 03 cobras with stock clutch pushing near 500whp, and z06 with the same and not once did i ever smell or burn a clutch. I get the whole deal since those cars can break the wheels loose it doesnt burn, but I am also not pushing 500whp. My car from the factory should be better prepared i think. Its smelt a few times just backing up, especially at night when i cant see crap out the back windows lol.

 

Yeah I don't plan to launch very often, just when I'm egged on by some early '90 auto-part store hooked up civic hatch or something. And unfortunately for me, there's a lot of those in my area.

 

Civics are like a**holes, everyone has one, and they're all sh***y.

 

Even with a great 2-step launch, you will still burn the clutch. It's one of the give and takes with an AWD car. Your tires won't slip, but your clutch will.....especially the stocker. Anything is better than breaking the drivetrain.

 

I hear that. It's my first AWD manual so I'm learning the ropes. Hard launch=bad smell, gotcha.