Help with clutch adjustment

username182 · Jul 20, 2009

Just finished up my 5spd swap this weekend. Hardest part was the stupid clutch adjustment!

I'm using the UPR triple hook quadrant, firewall adjuster and their adjustable cable. Yes, I know that OEM cables are better, but I'm going to stick with this one.

I know you aren't supposed to use the 1st hook on the UPR quadrant, so I have it on the middle hook. Should I be using the last hook (closest to firewall)?

What should I be adjusting to lower the engagement point? Right not its engaging a tad high for my liking...

Do I need to adjust the cable at the clutch fork or should I be messing with the firewall adjuster only?

wytstang · Jul 20, 2009

I used the middle hook but I used the stock cable, you may have to go under and adjust the cable as well.

username182 · Jul 20, 2009

I guess I'm confused on what each adjustment does.

When I tighten the cable from the clutch fork, that would raise the engagement higher in the pedal travel right? Since less pedal travel would be required to pull the cable the same distance.

If I backed the firewall adjuster AWAY from the firewall, that would do the same thing right?

So how would I go about moving the engagment point LOWER without having slack in the line?

username182 · Jul 21, 2009

So nobody uses an adjustable cable and a firewall adjuster? No help here?

wytstang · Jul 21, 2009

Correct they both accomplish the same thing. You are just going to have to play with each one to find the setting you want.

MikeF · Jul 25, 2009

i set the trans connection about halfway.then i use the firewall to get travel on pedal i want.its hard to get good feel down low to floor for some reason.maybe try to take up on trans fork with firewall bottomed out.then when you adjust firewall you should have pedal lower to floor(i think)

Venom351R · Jul 26, 2009

with a firewall adjuster turning it which way lowers or raises the pedal engagement? Mines really high Id like to have it lower

wytstang · Jul 26, 2009

Counter clock tightens, clock wise loosens.

username182 · Jul 27, 2009

I still haven't figured it out.

It engages too high. If I loosen the cable at the fork, there is too much slack.

If I tighten the firewall adjuster (closer to firewall), it does the same thing, makes too much slack and I have a bunch of weird "dead" area at the top of the pedal.

I've given up, guess I just have to deal with the higher engagement.

Venom351R · Jul 27, 2009

wytstang said:
Counter clock tightens, clock wise loosens.

Thanks

greenscobie86 · Jul 29, 2009

To the OP:

I'm kind of in the same boat as you... But i have a different problem.

My adjustment is ok, but my pedal is a bit on the stiff side and it's hard getting into 1st and reverse. It feels like some drag/clash in the gears.

I am using EXACTLY the same parts as you are, and my car is a 5 speed swap as well...

My quadrant is set on the middle hook, the cable is adujsted to about halfway of the adjustment threads on the fork, and the firewall adjusted is roughtly halfway out.

How is your pedal feel? Is it "bindy" feeling? Or is it smooth?

Thanks! :headbang:

username182 · Jul 29, 2009

greenscobie86 said:
To the OP:

I'm kind of in the same boat as you... But i have a different problem.

My adjustment is ok, but my pedal is a bit on the stiff side and it's hard getting into 1st and reverse. It feels like some drag/clash in the gears.

I am using EXACTLY the same parts as you are, and my car is a 5 speed swap as well...

My quadrant is set on the middle hook, the cable is adujsted to about halfway of the adjustment threads on the fork, and the firewall adjusted is roughtly halfway out.

How is your pedal feel? Is it "bindy" feeling? Or is it smooth?

Thanks! :headbang:

Mine is smooth all the way except for about 1/2" of "dead" pedal at the very top.

It sounds like your cable might be too tight. Mine was like that at first, about halfway through the pedal travel it had a weird hard feeling. Try screwing the firewall adjuster in towards the firewall a little. UPR told me that there should be no "tension" on the cable. They also said about 1/2" of dead/mushy pedal at the top was normal.

greenscobie86 · Jul 30, 2009

^ Thanks for the prompt reply.

I'll try to screw with it a bit more.

One more question for ya? When you installed the flywheel, did you resurface or use a new one? Is you engagement or "sweet spot" smooth? The reason I ask is because mine engages with a bit of a clunk...

The car is great, its just that getting the clutch pedal/engagement to feel factory smooth has been a little bit of a PITA so far.

Thanks again, and sorry for all the questions. Enjoy that 5-speed swap, cuz' I know I enjoy the ish out of mine haha. :thumbsup:

username182 · Jul 30, 2009

greenscobie86 said:
^ Thanks for the prompt reply.

I'll try to screw with it a bit more.

One more question for ya? When you installed the flywheel, did you resurface or use a new one? Is you engagement or "sweet spot" smooth? The reason I ask is because mine engages with a bit of a clunk...

The car is great, its just that getting the clutch pedal/engagement to feel factory smooth has been a little bit of a PITA so far.

Thanks again, and sorry for all the questions. Enjoy that 5-speed swap, cuz' I know I enjoy the ish out of mine haha. :thumbsup:

I used a brand new flywheel from Kragen/Autozone.

The engagement point is pretty smooth, but I do have a little clunk and some chatter from the clutch. I've only got about 150 miles on the new king cobra clutch, so I"m sure it will get better as I get some more miles on it. I think the slight clunk I'm getting might be my ujoint (used alum driveshaft), as it was a bit loose when I put it in.

I spent about a week messing with the clutch engagement. Luckily my buddy has a lift, so it made the adjusting a little easier. I pretty much just gave up and have gotten used to where it is now.

Definitely enjoying the 5spd...Made the car feel completely different :thumbsup:

greenscobie86 · Jul 31, 2009

Great! Thanks for the reply.

Mine chatters a bit too, I used the Ram HDX set on a completely unresurfaced flywheel(stupid move.)

I think yours will wear in quite nicely, and also the King Cobra clutch is known for having a softer pedal so I think you'll be good.

I don't have a lift and my car is slammed to the ground so adjusting the cable from the bottom is fun... :BangHead:

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you to do the physical swap?

I did that part on a lift in a total of 3 hours.

username182 · Aug 1, 2009

greenscobie86 said:
Great! Thanks for the reply.

Mine chatters a bit too, I used the Ram HDX set on a completely unresurfaced flywheel(stupid move.)

I think yours will wear in quite nicely, and also the King Cobra clutch is known for having a softer pedal so I think you'll be good.

I don't have a lift and my car is slammed to the ground so adjusting the cable from the bottom is fun... :BangHead:

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you to do the physical swap?

I did that part on a lift in a total of 3 hours.

Yea I can notice it getting a bit better as I'm getting more miles on it.

The entire swap took us about 5 hours total, plus another 2 hours going up and down on the lift trying to figure out the clutch adjustment lol.