Is the Z4M clutch engagement point adjustable?

[AParsh335i]

Hey guys,
So i have not had a ton of time driving my Z4MC yet as i just got it and it's a work in progress, but i'd really like the engagement point on the clutch to be *MUCH* lower (closer to the firewall). It seems to travel almost all the way to the fully released position before the engagement point is met. Is the clutch in this vehicle adjustable? I've had some vehicles where it is and others where it is not.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob question.
I did search first and did not have any luck.
-Alex

[ZeD4Mr]

search clutch stop.. you'll find a bunch of threads.

[AParsh335i]

Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr

search clutch stop.. you'll find a bunch of threads.

You rock.
For anyone coming to this thread because you searched and found "clutch engagement point" - here are the answers.
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthr...ht=clutch+stop

A $9.99 free shipping part from ebay is supposed to fix the clutch issue.

Here is the ebay link. I just ordered one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/23082055930...84.m1497.l2649

Thanks again Zed4mr

[longress]

Originally Posted by AParsh335i

You rock.
For anyone coming to this thread because you searched and found "clutch engagement point" - here are the answers.
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=764888&highlight=clutch+stop

A $9.99 free shipping part from ebay is supposed to fix the clutch issue.

Here is the ebay link. I just ordered one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/230820559306?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1497.l2649

Thanks again Zed4mr

Sounds to me that you're talking about the Clutch Delay Valve. This is what changes the rate of engagement. Pull it out for a more natural clutch feel.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by longress

Sounds to me that you're talking about the Clutch Delay Valve. This is what changes the rate of engagement. Pull it out for a more natural clutch feel.

Removing the CDV will make the clutch engagement more direct, and is a good thing to do for anyone who has even a minimum of experience with a manual transmission. The clutch pedal throw is also ridiculously long, which the longer pedal stop fixes. Do both and be a happy shifter.

[GuidoK]

A clutch stop doesn't adjust the clutch engagement point.
That parameter is not adjustable. Its a self adjusting clutch.

The clutch stop limits the free travel after the engagement point.
Be sure if you're installing a clutch stop to set it correctly.

[AParsh335i]

Originally Posted by longress

Sounds to me that you're talking about the Clutch Delay Valve. This is what changes the rate of engagement. Pull it out for a more natural clutch feel.

Thanks for the input, ill have to remove this as well then. No CEL from pulling i take it?

[KevinC]

I took the CDV out of my old '07 and noticed ZERO difference. I think a lot of the "benefit" is butt dyno baloney. YMMV!

[pungo]

Originally Posted by KevinC

I took the CDV out of my old '07 and noticed ZERO difference. I think a lot of the "benefit" is butt dyno baloney. YMMV!

If you release the clutch slowly, then you might not notice a difference since the purpose of the valve is to slowly release the clutch. The quicker you release the clutch, the more noticeable is it, though it is a subtle change.



Also, some people enlarge the hole in the CDV by drilling it to make it a non-CDV, I remember places were selling pre-drilled CDV so you didn't void the warranty since a CDV was still installed. Maybe if you're not the original owner someone did the drill mod, so removing it made no difference?

[longress]

Originally Posted by AParsh335i

Thanks for the input, ill have to remove this as well then. No CEL from pulling i take it?

Originally Posted by AParsh335i

Thanks for the input, ill have to remove this as well then. No CEL from pulling i take it?

No CEL as this is just a orifice in the hydraulic line. The CDV slows the apply of the clutch and can result in a jerky engagement if you're not use to it.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by pungo

Also, some people enlarge the hole in the CDV by drilling it to make it a non-CDV, I remember places were selling pre-drilled CDV so you didn't void the warranty since a CDV was still installed. Maybe if you're not the original owner someone did the drill mod, so removing it made no difference?

I was the original owner, and had it removed completely. If I'd done a blind A/B test of before/after, I probably would not have been able to identify when it was there and when it wasn't. Just wasn't noticeable, certainly not the huge improvement that some tout.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by KevinC

I was the original owner, and had it removed completely. If I'd done a blind A/B test of before/after, I probably would not have been able to identify when it was there and when it wasn't. Just wasn't noticeable, certainly not the huge improvement that some tout.

I didn't notice a difference in the M, but I sure did notice it in the 3.0si.

[StickMon]

I rev match, pop the clutch, and punch it.
I definitely noticed something wasn't right the first day I had the car.
Put it the Zeckhausen valve and all was well.
Turns out it wasn't really needed.
There's sufficient slack in the line and the input and output fittings are identical, so you can just take the CDV out and connect the hose directly to the slave cylinder.

[garz747]

My low mileage m coupe clutch engages about 1/2 way up from floor. Perfect with no changes from stock- in fact about the best ive ever driven. My E46 330i grabs about 1" from top of travel so no where near as good.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

A clutch stop doesn't adjust the clutch engagement point.
That parameter is not adjustable. Its a self adjusting clutch.

The clutch stop limits the free travel after the engagement point.
Be sure if you're installing a clutch stop to set it correctly.

This is absolutely correct, the clutch stop has nothing to do with the engagement point.



I tried a clutch stop since they're cheap enough. I really didn't care for it since I didn't like the pedal coming to an abrupt stop when pushing it in. I ended up adjusting it very close to the floor so I rarely ever hit it. Been driving a clutch for over 40 years and never had a clutch stop so maybe I'm just too used to not having one.

[AParsh335i]

So i received my clutch stop today and have yet to install it.
I also have not pulled my CDV yet.

I'd like to describe my request a little clearer to make sure I am doing things correctly.

Let's say that the clutch travel is 1-9, with 1 being the firewall and 9 being fully released with no pressure.

Visually:
Firewall | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9| Fully released

My Z4MC feels like the engagement point is at about 6-7, which i hate. Does not have a sports car feel to me at all. I'd prefer the engagement point to be more around 2-3ish. Is there a way to do that with the stock Z4MC clutch?

[XMetal]

As other have said, the clutch engagement point is not adjustable as it is a self adjusting clutch. All you can do is move the "firewall" toward you with the clutch stop to simulate a movement of the engagement point. Basically, you're just moving the reference point from the firewall to where ever you want above the firewall.

In your example, you can "simulate" an engagement point of a 2 if you set the clutch stop all the way to #4 on your scale. So now, if you press on the clutch pedal, instead of going all the way down to the firewall, your clutch pedal will stop at #4 and your engagement point will remain at #6. But you get a sensation of an engagement point movement of a 2. Clear as mud?

With that said, there's a limitation to how much you can move/set the clutch stop until you can't start the car unless you also move the clutch starter safety switch.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by AParsh335i

So i received my clutch stop today and have yet to install it.
I also have not pulled my CDV yet.

I'd like to describe my request a little clearer to make sure I am doing things correctly.

Let's say that the clutch travel is 1-9, with 1 being the firewall and 9 being fully released with no pressure.

Visually:
Firewall | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9| Fully released

My Z4MC feels like the engagement point is at about 6-7, which i hate. Does not have a sports car feel to me at all. I'd prefer the engagement point to be more around 2-3ish. Is there a way to do that with the stock Z4MC clutch?

Simply said, you're essentially raising the firewall location.



Example:

Clutch stop |4 5 6 engagement point 7 8 9| Fully released.


Then one day the clutch safety switch doesn't doesn't trigger so the starter never turns over and you're stuck somewhere. Make sure you can remove the clutch stop by hand or have the tools to lower it more.

[AParsh335i]

Thanks pungo and xmetal, your explanations were very clear and I understand now. Have any of you had an experiences with aftermarket clutch that grabs lower than OEM without use of the clutch stop? I've done that on other cars I've owned in the past and felt a huge difference.