1992 Corvette clutch vs 2005 CTS V Clutch
06-22-2015, 04:32 PM
#1
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1992 Corvette clutch vs 2005 CTS V Clutch
So I apologize if this seems like a stupid question/situation, but I just don't have enough experience with manual cars to judge this.
I drive a 1992 Corvette with a six-speed. It's the only manual car I've ever owned and driven extensively. I haven't driven another manual car in over 4 years. I recently went to test-drive a 2005 CTS V, and the first thing I noticed was that the clutch seemed extremely light and I caught myself letting the clutch hit the floor numerous times.
The CTS V shifted fine and didn't feel spongy, just felt really light, but I just couldn't help but worry if the clutch was going out on it. However, when I got back into my vette, I noticed that the clutch felt extremely heavy.
Would the clutch on my vette feel that much heavier normally, or is there likely a problem with the CTS V's clutch?
I plan on getting the CTS V checked out by my mechanic anyways, but I just wanted to get other's input. Thanks.
I drive a 1992 Corvette with a six-speed. It's the only manual car I've ever owned and driven extensively. I haven't driven another manual car in over 4 years. I recently went to test-drive a 2005 CTS V, and the first thing I noticed was that the clutch seemed extremely light and I caught myself letting the clutch hit the floor numerous times.
The CTS V shifted fine and didn't feel spongy, just felt really light, but I just couldn't help but worry if the clutch was going out on it. However, when I got back into my vette, I noticed that the clutch felt extremely heavy.
Would the clutch on my vette feel that much heavier normally, or is there likely a problem with the CTS V's clutch?
I plan on getting the CTS V checked out by my mechanic anyways, but I just wanted to get other's input. Thanks.
06-24-2015, 12:21 PM
#2
Every car's clutch has a different characteristic to how it engages. My brother has an 05 CTS-V, and while I haven't driven it recently back to back with my 'Vette, my experience in general has been that newer cars have a lighter feeling clutch.
One question:
"I caught myself letting the clutch hit the floor numerous times"
Isn't that SOP for clutch engagement in a typical passenger vehicle? Push it all the way in? That's the way I was taught anyways. I understand that so long as the clutch is disengaged, you don't *have* to push it in all the way, and that might aid in faster shifts, but in a car that is unfamiliar to you why would you not push it all the way to the floor to ensure full disengagement? We're not talking about a heavy duty truck with a clutch brake. Although I suppose if you were used to driving one of those, you might have different habits.
One question:
"I caught myself letting the clutch hit the floor numerous times"
Isn't that SOP for clutch engagement in a typical passenger vehicle? Push it all the way in? That's the way I was taught anyways. I understand that so long as the clutch is disengaged, you don't *have* to push it in all the way, and that might aid in faster shifts, but in a car that is unfamiliar to you why would you not push it all the way to the floor to ensure full disengagement? We're not talking about a heavy duty truck with a clutch brake. Although I suppose if you were used to driving one of those, you might have different habits.
06-24-2015, 01:22 PM
#3
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Thanks for your response.
Regarding the clutch hitting the floor, it was while the car was already in motion. I just caught myself a couple times pushing the clutch down to the floor, something that I never do with my Corvette.
As I said, I don't have a ton of experience with manual cars outside of my own Corvette, which I've heard has a heavier clutch than newer Corvettes. Just wasn't sure if it would be that drastic.
Regarding the clutch hitting the floor, it was while the car was already in motion. I just caught myself a couple times pushing the clutch down to the floor, something that I never do with my Corvette.
As I said, I don't have a ton of experience with manual cars outside of my own Corvette, which I've heard has a heavier clutch than newer Corvettes. Just wasn't sure if it would be that drastic.
