Some Clutch questions

[rx7Noobie]

Sorry if all my recent threads are annoying, I know how to drive clutch but i dont have that much experience yet, here are my questions: Depending on the resistance of the clutch pedal u can tell how worn ur clutch is? How much damage does a burnout do to your clutch? Ive heard once a clutch is broken in people dont fully depress the clutch pedal when shifting, shouldnt u always fully depress it? To do a burnout hold clutch in fully, rev to 3k rpms, slip off the clutch and fully depress gas? Thanks

[BoostedFC]

A sign of a slipping clutch when you hit the gas, the revs go up quickly & the vehicle speed does not. Different clutches engage differently. Burn outs do take their toll on your car, so I wouldn't suggest doing them to show off. In doing the burn out the RPM will vary depending on the size of burn out desired & the power delivery. The travel of the pedal when shifting doesn't need to be to the floor just enough for engagement.

[rx7Noobie]

My friend got a 01 integra and he had the stock clutch and he would go to shift and the car wouldnt take the gear.. I guess thats how worn it was and he still occasionally spins the wheels lol, but obv im assuming the higher the rev to the burnout when u stomp the gas and dump the clutch the more damage is done to the clutch but how much damage is really done to the clutch? I got my car from a police auction and unlike my friends clutch whos pedal doesnt have much resistance mine has a good amount of resistance, also i wa wondering my gas pedal freely depresses about 2 1/2 inches before it even gives gas is there a way to tighten that?

[BoostedFC]

You can adjust the throttle cable. It should have some play, but not be loose. If you tighten it too much it will start to open the throttle plates. Different type clutches will have different pedal pressures. If I remember you can adjust pedal travel on the rod between the pedal & master cylinder.

[rx7Noobie]

Alright thanks a lot boosted, and to tighten the e-brake cable u jus remove the plastic covers under the handle and tighten some screw? & It sucks not having any idea what kinda clutch i have =[

[BoostedFC]

Yep under the plastic covers by the handle is where the adjustment for the E-brake can be done. You could always drop the tranny to see what clutch is in there.

[rx7Noobie]

Ok i have two more questions lol, 1: i was watching a jdm drifting video n he said you cant do 360's without an LSD 89 gxl fcs have a lsd rite? And lsd means the torques distributed more evenly to both rear wheels so they can both break traction correct? And #2: whats a 2 step launch control?

[BoostedFC]

Here is a pretty decent explanation of an LSD.
from our FAQ section.
Only the following FCs had a LSD from the factory:
86-88 GXL
87-91 T2
88 GTU
89-90 GTUs (however not the 89-90 GTU)
It is also rumored that a few rare 91 coupes with both the A (upgraded the interior trim, added a power sunroof, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and 4 piston front disc brakes and vented single piston rear brakes) and the B package (leather seating, a CD player, and rear cargo cover) came with a LSD, but you should note that Mazda denies that any FC other than the T2 came with a LSD in 91). You can also tell by looking at the differential as there will be a LSD tag on S4 cars with a LSD.

An idea of 2 step launch control.
Two-step is also known as a stutterbox and is a form of launch control. Essentially two-step works as a secondary rev limiter. Two-step works off of your speed sensor so it knows when you’re moving and when you’re not. When you’re not moving and the clutch is depressed, the motor will be able to rev and hold at a lower set value. This puts load on the engine and if you’re running a turbo setup will also build a few pounds of boost. Three-step just adds another step (no kidding) and comes into play after you’re already moving. Three step is a third rev limiter essentially and allows you to No Lift Shift. NLS also allows you to hold boost between shifts. So basically if you’re at the dragstrip and you roll up and stage, you will be able to slot the car into gear, put your foot to the floor and it will hold to whatever RPM you set the two-step for. All you have to do now is slip the clutch on the third yellow and proceed to launch.

[black rocket]

Alright, boosted!!!

There aren't much for me to say... other than the fact you really have to know your clutch to determine feeling soft or feels like your left leg would have muscle spasm for being so hard.

Just because clutch pedal feels soft that des not automatically translate to weaker engagement, visa versa.

My FC, for example, has Centerforce DF installed after a tragic disk shattering event. My existing clutch, in spite of excellent gripping force, has traffic jam friendly pedal pressure. Although the clutch system I had to replace was not stock its pedal pressure has always been tight and feels as though you have an excellent workout on your left foot after an hour or so driving in traffic.

Since you claim yourself a beginner, word of advise to you is always engage clutch fully between shifts to reduce unnecessary wear & tear to your system!

Yes, your friend may say you can shift w/o engaging clutch. So can I! But you'd be abusing your gear box and find lot of "shinys" on your next gear oil change.

[rx7Noobie]

F***! i thought my car had an LSD, without an lsd isnt it not that great of a drift car? & thanks a lot for the info.

[black rocket]

I'm not into drifting but I believe not having to compensate loss traction via use of LSD would, theoritically, be advantageous for drifting?

[rx7Noobie]

Idk, its prob not that big of a deal. At the end of the summer im prob gunna have to sell my fc because i need to get something good year round so im prob gunna either get a 02 wrx, Maybe 99-01 impreza rs, eclipse gsx, or talon tsi

[BoostedFC]

It's not hard to swap in an LSD. The RX7 can be a year around car or you could keep it & buy a daily driver. On pedal pressure I tell you what I have used a few different clutches on my various 7's & other cars I have worked on. My Exedy pucked clutch was a lot stiffer then then the Centerforce DF, Clutchmasters stage 3 & The Racing Beat street/strip. I had a twin plate Quartermaster but it was chattery & definitely stiff, was not fun to drive in town.

BTW I see that all the cars you listed were AWD, have fun with drivetrain work.

[rx7Noobie]

Hahah yeah i need something awd and turbo hopefully i can find an 02 wrx for around 6500 & i dnt really have room, patience or money for two cars, tmrw im gunna try sanding around the front shocks of my car a little so the eibach ground controls can fit but at the end of the summer i have a feeling im gunna fall in love with the rotary n not wanna sell it

[BoostedFC]

Speaking from experience Subies & DSM's can be fun but they do have their problems.

[rx7Noobie]

Dont all cars? And apparently theres a pin ontop of the shocks my dad thimks are for gas/air and to help fix my suspension since we have a compressor my dads gunna try putting air in them to lift the car a bit.....

[rx7Noobie]

Suspension fixed!!!<3

[BoostedFC]

^ Good to hear!

[rx7Noobie]

Now im having trouble hunting down signals.. All i have is one yellow side signal lense i need the light assembly itself, another whole side signal light and lense and both front signals. I looked on ebay but didnt find much can anyone point me in the rite direction?

[rx7Noobie]

Are there lights in the lenses on the sides of the bumpers or are they just orange lenses?

[BoostedFC]

There is lights behind the lens. Go to your local part stores & have them check for availibility , if not you can always go to Mazda or the salvage yard.

[rx7Noobie]

Im gunna check some used parts places and keep checking ebay, mazda will be my last resort, there gunna want top dollar$$$

[BoostedFC]

Here are a set of front side lenses.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/mazda-rx7-13b-86-88-front-turn-signal-lenses-lights-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c5af2b34dQQitemZ19050 4416077QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

[rx7Noobie]

I found and am stalking a pair of 91 convertable front signals >:) deff getting those i have the winning bid rite now, and ill keep these in mind.. I might just put the lenses on and not bother with the lights.. There not really neccessary anyway..

[black rocket]

Sry I just bid on that, too jk... my opinion is you'd get it cheaper from a local pick n pull.

[rx7Noobie]

Probably, i know 4 used parts yards in brooklyn im gunna go on saturday. Sucks i need more crap still in order to be done with my car, head unit wired to stock or new speakers, new brakes, put in new seats, put in new harnesses, buy two new n1 style mufflers, register the car and get an inspection --____--

[rx7Noobie]

Won the auction! Both signals with the wires for 17$ shipped!!!!

[black rocket]

17 shipped isn't bad at all, and not having to burn fuel to go to a local junkyard!

[rx7Noobie]

Still waiting on the signals.. Cars getting registerd next week!! I have a question tho, im ordering two 2.5 to 3.5 inch n1 style mufflers n i was thinking of welding them on but my dad is thinking of "clamping" them on, im not familiar with clamping but it sounds cheap to me.. Does it work as good as welding?

[BoostedFC]

I'm more partial to welding over clamping. By welding in an exhaust flange on the muffler then one on the pipe connecting will give you the ability to change them out easily while getting a good seal. Slip fit exhaust that are clamped do work fine.

[rx7Noobie]

Alright thanks, another thing is my car is newly painted but was never polished/waxed i bought some turtle wax F21 do you wax first or polish first or is it the same?

[black rocket]

How newly paint is it and is it a 2 stage paint?

[rx7Noobie]

Uhhh.. It was painted about 3 months ago and idk how many stages?

[black rocket]

2 stage is one w/ clearcoat... if that's the case you really don't want to use abrasive wax and stay with carnuba wax which will not do you wrong.

[rx7Noobie]

Crap =| idk it got primer and the body shop said they had to polish it but we didnt wanna wait for them to do it so we jus took the car back n i was gunna do it myself

[BoostedFC]

Man I have to be honest your post need some more thinking. I'm going to assume you didn't speak with the paint shop at all, because they should have went over with you the process. Paint jobs can be approached in different manners. You should know how many layers of paint you have, if you have clear in the paint, what type of paint & paint code. I also hope since you didn't let them finish, you didn't come straight home & wash the car.

[black rocket]

Just for your future reference, you should NEVER rush bodywork & paint job as you will be extremely disappointed and kick yourself every time you notice flaws that could have been prevented :/

I have contacted various top notch painters and some of them won't let you get your car back unti they are pleased with it.

[rx7Noobie]

I had my car at a body shop and they primerd an painted the car and they screwed it up n had to do it all over and after they did it they were screwing around saying my car would be done in 4 days then after 4 days they say 3 days then after that 5 days so we got fed up with it and rented a uhaul trailer and called the cops saying they wouldnt give us the car.. The paints not bad though just thattheres a paint drop on the front bumper and they painted my headlights and inside the windshielf -_- but i scraped it all off with a razor its fine now, i got my signals today and with some sanding there going to fit perfect in the AIT G4 bumper i installed one so far, and are your headlights supposed to turn on when down to shine through the FTP lights? Cuz im not sure mine do idk

[black rocket]

I see... nothing irretating than a bad paint job. You know what kind of paint they used, right? Make sure you keep that info for the next paint job.

Yes, the lights should work for your next question.

[rx7Noobie]

I installed my signals :) and yeah idk what paint, and if if i turn the knob to turn the lights on it automatically flips up my headlights =\ the guy who fixed them must have done it