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When ordered my TKX last year for the Cuda I ask about getting some mechanical clutch linkage parts and l was told they only have hydraulic setups. Now I wanted to keep using the mechanical linkage for the Cuda which I did but I will say the hydraulic setup on the Vette is a lot easier to press down on.
It is impossible for a hydraulic setup to be easier on your leg.
And it adds installation hassle and failure points.
The pedal ratio, the clutch fork ratio and the pressure plate ratio cannot be changed.
If yours is too stiff either:
A) your pressure plate is too stiff
or
B) you need to lube the pivot joints. or replace badly worn joints.
Don't know if this helps but I used mechanical linkage on my 73 Camaro with a LS3/TKO swap. Took a bit fab work to figure out the length of the pivot arms. Once that was done and adjusted I never had to adjust it again. Used 3/8' rod ends.
Pic.
It is impossible for a hydraulic setup to be easier on your leg.
And it adds installation hassle and failure points.
The pedal ratio, the clutch fork ratio and the pressure plate ratio cannot be changed.
If yours is too stiff either:
A) your pressure plate is too stiff
or
B) you need to lube the pivot joints. or replace badly worn joints.
Well both cars have McLeod pressure plates and from my standing McLeod pressure plates are the same, both purchase new from Silver Sport Transmissions. The Z bar, fork, and rods are all new from Brewers performance, no over the center spring in ether cars, and the stroke from point of engagement to full engagement is longer on the Cuda. Some say that you have more "feel" with the mechanical clutch. Honestly I don't feel any difference other than higher pedal effort. As far as longevity between the two, only time will tell. As far as the install, removing the pedal assembly from the Corvette was a pain. But that wouldn't be any different no matter what kind of set up was going to be used to do the auto to manual swap. After the pedal assembly is out, how is a hydraulic setup more of a hassle to install than a mechanical setup?
Effort can be changed on a hydraulic setup by changing the master cylinder bore/throwout bearing bore. Same as your brakes, you trade travel for effort.
Pretty much all modern cars use a hydraulic setup. They're plenty reliable and I've had no issues with the hydraulic setup from SST on my A-body over the past 6 years/6000 miles.
It is impossible for a hydraulic setup to be easier on your leg.
And it adds installation hassle and failure points.
The pedal ratio, the clutch fork ratio and the pressure plate ratio cannot be changed.
If yours is too stiff either:
A) your pressure plate is too stiff
or
B) you need to lube the pivot joints. or replace badly worn joints.
About reducing clutch pedal forces. My 70 BB is going to need a lot of clutch clamping forces. I realize that when my 70 hits the road, I'm going to be elderly. (No fault of my own.) To minimize leg muscle required to shift, I installed a twin disk McLeod clutch assembly. Even though I have yet to street drive the car, the leg forces required to shift my transmission are acceptably light. I'm shifting a Silver Sport 5 speed Tremac. I like also the Tremac shift feel. With my forearm resting on the console, I can shift the car with pretty much wrist motion only...nice short throw shifts.
...................
I was forced to drive a Triumph TR3 for the 2 years I was in grad school....The TR3 had a hydraulic clutch. Being in school, I had no money, no as in n....o...and the hydraulic clutch slave and master cylinders took turns alternately failing. I did a lot of gear shifting without the use of a clutch! As a result, I have a Pavlov's dog reaction whenever I hear the phrase "hydraulic clutch."
True.
I drive a OEM GM hydraulic clutch everyday and it is wonderful.
But that car was designed for it, from day 1.
A C3 has precious little pedal travel. for brake and/or clutch. It needs every bit of that travel to work a clutch. And even then it is barely enough.
You just can not use a smaller master cylinder, or change the lever ratios, and trade lower effort for an increased pedal travel.
There just is not enough room.
Chevelles have about ~50% more clutch pedal travel than C3s. They have room to play.
The stock C3 clutches have decent pedal effort, but barely contain 350HP.
More HP than that demands a stronger pressure plate, and then you get into the heavy pedal syndrome.
If you want a much lighter pedal, in a C3, then,
I strongly recommend that you run a twin disk.
Someone show me a C3 with a 500HP single-disc clutch, with a hydraulic setup, that has a light pedal, and let me measure it, and I'll be a convert.
But the physics say it can not be done.
I tried.
But my 500HP twin disk, has very light pressure plate springs and will have a C5 like light pedal.
I know it is so because I have measured it.
I'm reminded of my buddies supercharged C5 Z06 and the issues he had with clutch and hydraulic actuator - main issues seemed to be clutch release at high rpm. And then there was the actuator that seemed to 'boil-up', leak and generally fail to work properly......and irritatingly require removal and separation of of the rearend assembly to replace the hyraulic actuator. He did solve the leaking/boiling unit with an after market unit.........but the pedal pressure was so high you needed big heavy boots to operate the pedal and be immune from the risk of subsequently developing hemorrhoids........I remember a few car guys back in the day running remote vacuum brake boosters on hydraulic master to slave cylinder lutch lines with good (if a little 'dead' feeling) light clutch pedal feel.
I was once had the misfortune of being a mechanic in a Chevy dealer before I smartened up and got into heavy equipment repair. Mechanical clutch linkages ain't exactly trouble-free either. Clutch forks were the parts department biggest sellers.
Anyway in the words of Golden Earring "it's a half past 4:00 and I'm shifting gears".
The stock C3 clutches have decent pedal effort, but barely contain 350HP.
More HP than that demands a stronger pressure plate, and then you get into the heavy pedal syndrome.
