SS 1LE clutch feel is awful! What can be done about it?

gearhead6873 · 10-16-2018, 11:20 AM

Hi all,

New member here. I've been lurking for a couple weeks gathering info about the 6gen in preparation for getting a 2018 1SS 1LE. Well, I went and test drove one yesterday. I loved everything about the car...except the clutch. The clutch feel absolutely sucks! It's way too soft, the engagement point is way too high, and it's very non-linear. Meaning tension changes dramatically mid stroke, I've read others refer to it as having a "cam" feel. I hate it enough for it to keep me from buying the car. After reading posts on here it seems that this is not limited to the 1LE but all SSs, and that I'm clearly not alone in my opinion. The question is what can be done about it? Now I know that there are many of you who like it as is, so this question is not for you. "It's perfect, just get used to it" or "It's a road race car, it's supposed to be like that" or "Just get an automatic" are not what I'm looking for. But if you feel like I do, what have you been able to do about it?

I've read about removing the pedal return spring on 5th gens. Does the 6th gen have that spring also? And does that really help to make it more linear?

Ram makes clutch pedal height adjuster that looks very promising for getting a lower engagement point. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=411141 Anyone used this on a 6gen?

Maybe a custom master cylinder to correct all at once? Heavier, linear, lower engagement?

Has anyone had any success improving the feel of this clutch?

Thanks in advance for any input!

MP3BOOSTED · 10-16-2018, 11:27 AM

i see no problem with the clutch

runs and feels just fine with me, and i daily my car.

DaveC113 · 10-16-2018, 11:38 AM

It takes a while to get used to anything new. The SS's clutch is just fine, better than most imo. It is consistent, unlike my previous car... a Subaru STi.

Many people are going to complain about something that's different from what they are used to, in this case they are all wrong and they should be asking "What's wrong with me?" instead.

After driving the car for a couple hundred miles you'll adjust and it'll be fine.

Pollock · 10-16-2018, 11:45 AM

What clutch doesn't do what you described?

Airfuel · 10-16-2018, 11:46 AM

Day 3 of driving mine. No complaints.

Engages about half way up and haven't stalled once.
Stop listening to the internet, most just like to hear themselves complain.

Also, I rarely hear people bitching about the manual...auto yes, Tremec no.
Want to here complaints? Go to Mustang forums and stories of the MT82 manual.

protovack · 10-16-2018, 11:48 AM

Its not a big deal. It actually performs how you would want it to. I dont see the problem with it.

Chocolate Apocalypse · 10-16-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pollock

What clutch doesn't do what you described?

My 4th gen with factory hydraulics and clutch. I agree with the OP for the most part, I just deal with the 6th gen clutch. It's my DD so no other choice lol

vtirocz · 10-16-2018, 12:10 PM

I daily drive my car and also did my '00 Z28 M6 for 12 years prior to that. I find the clutch feel to be excellent in the '17 SS. Maybe it's a preference thing or maybe something was wrong with the car you drove. I'd recommend testing another M6 SS to see if you still don't like it.

I consider clutch feel a strong point in the car though, so surprised by your initial impression.

JT58 · 10-16-2018, 12:13 PM

I notice that different makes of cars have different pedal spring rates and also clutch grab point engagement. When going from one to another it certainly can feel strange. I have driven some cars with exceptionally high clutch engagements. My 2016 WRX and 2016 ND Miata had lighter clutch spring rates and they engaged lower to the floor. My 2011 Gen 5 Camaro engaged higher and the pedal more firm. My current Fiesta ST grabs lower and the pedal spring rate very light. My 2018 Mustang GT is radically different from it- much stiffer spring and it engages higher. When going from one car to another after driving one for a few days it takes me a few miles to get acclimated. So it's most likely normal the engagement point, just a matter of getting used to it, as already been stated.

hotlap · 10-16-2018, 12:52 PM

For what its worth...

When I changed the clutch in my 2004 GTO, there was a shim kit available for the slave cylinder that would adjust the engagement position. I bought it from Tick Performance.

There are measurements that determine how thick of a shim is needed. My GTO's engagement point was so off that it was almost impossible to drive. Once shimmed, it was back to normal.

Could this tester 1LE be off?

FYI - I daily drove that GTO and do the same with the 18 SS that I've had 800 miles now. My SS is good as delivered.

torqueaddict · 10-16-2018, 01:14 PM

Compared to my MS3, it's a lot softer and does have a higher engagement point. It took some seat forward / back adjustment and some time behind the wheel, but very comfortable now.

My advice is to spend some time behind the wheel and then decide if you want to 'fix' it. Seat adjustments did help me.

Rushing out to cram parts in your car could possibly cause unwanted issues before you even had a chance to enjoy it.

Just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

00 Trans Ram · 10-16-2018, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead6873

It's way too soft, the engagement point is way too high

So, you want a clutch that is harder to push, and doesn't engage as quickly after you begin pushing it?

Why would you want that?

USAFS197 · 10-16-2018, 02:09 PM

It's a hydraulic clutch so, that might be contributing to what you're feeling. The rest, I don't have any constructive feedback for you. The clutch is perfectly fine in the 1LE.

VinnAY · 10-16-2018, 02:16 PM

Re: pedal return spring. My Mustang had one that I pulled out and the clutch had a better feel to it, most of us thought it felt better w/o the spring there. Steeda had a lighter weight spring for it, too. If the Camaro has and it can be removed I suggest that to you.

10-16-2018, 11:20 AM	#1
gearhead6873 Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: FL Posts: 11	SS 1LE clutch feel is awful! What can be done about it? Hi all, New member here. I've been lurking for a couple weeks gathering info about the 6gen in preparation for getting a 2018 1SS 1LE. Well, I went and test drove one yesterday. I loved everything about the car...except the clutch. The clutch feel absolutely sucks! It's way too soft, the engagement point is way too high, and it's very non-linear. Meaning tension changes dramatically mid stroke, I've read others refer to it as having a "cam" feel. I hate it enough for it to keep me from buying the car. After reading posts on here it seems that this is not limited to the 1LE but all SSs, and that I'm clearly not alone in my opinion. The question is what can be done about it? Now I know that there are many of you who like it as is, so this question is not for you. "It's perfect, just get used to it" or "It's a road race car, it's supposed to be like that" or "Just get an automatic" are not what I'm looking for. But if you feel like I do, what have you been able to do about it? I've read about removing the pedal return spring on 5th gens. Does the 6th gen have that spring also? And does that really help to make it more linear? Ram makes clutch pedal height adjuster that looks very promising for getting a lower engagement point. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=411141 Anyone used this on a 6gen? Maybe a custom master cylinder to correct all at once? Heavier, linear, lower engagement? Has anyone had any success improving the feel of this clutch? Thanks in advance for any input!

10-16-2018, 11:27 AM	#2
MP3BOOSTED Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 1LE (F1A-94 FBO H/C) Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 843	i see no problem with the clutch runs and feels just fine with me, and i daily my car. __________________ Performance Mods: F1A-94, DSX Flex Fuel Kit, MSD Spark Plug Wires, KOOK 2" off road headers, MBRP Race catback exhaust, Pray Performance Custom Boost Cam, Rocker Arm Trunion Upgrade Kit, 7.850" Hardened Chromemoly Length Pushrods and Johnson Racing 2110R Lifters, TSP CNC'd Heads, Ported MSD intake manifold, 103mm Katech Throttle body, Forged Pistons/Rods, RPM Meth kit, DSX Aux Fuel system, AEM Failsafe and banks gauge, LT4 HPFP, LT4 injectors, BMR motor mounts, Hurst Short Throw, Manley SS exhaust valves Videos of my car? Check here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNi...Qy1OL4NVGlPogw

10-16-2018, 11:46 AM	#5
Airfuel Drives: '19 2SS M6. Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: CT Posts: 340	Day 3 of driving mine. No complaints. Engages about half way up and haven't stalled once. Stop listening to the internet, most just like to hear themselves complain. Also, I rarely hear people bitching about the manual...auto yes, Tremec no. Want to here complaints? Go to Mustang forums and stories of the MT82 manual. __________________ 2019 2SS, Shadow gray, 6mt, NPP, Magneride, Bose.

10-16-2018, 12:10 PM	#8
vtirocz Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Indy Posts: 2,460	I daily drive my car and also did my '00 Z28 M6 for 12 years prior to that. I find the clutch feel to be excellent in the '17 SS. Maybe it's a preference thing or maybe something was wrong with the car you drove. I'd recommend testing another M6 SS to see if you still don't like it. I consider clutch feel a strong point in the car though, so surprised by your initial impression. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1SS, M6, Hurst shifter, Hyper Blue, NPP, Gray Split Spoke Wheels Best 1/4 Mile: 12.24 @ 115.9 mph

10-16-2018, 12:13 PM	#9
JT58 Drives: Former 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 760	I notice that different makes of cars have different pedal spring rates and also clutch grab point engagement. When going from one to another it certainly can feel strange. I have driven some cars with exceptionally high clutch engagements. My 2016 WRX and 2016 ND Miata had lighter clutch spring rates and they engaged lower to the floor. My 2011 Gen 5 Camaro engaged higher and the pedal more firm. My current Fiesta ST grabs lower and the pedal spring rate very light. My 2018 Mustang GT is radically different from it- much stiffer spring and it engages higher. When going from one car to another after driving one for a few days it takes me a few miles to get acclimated. So it's most likely normal the engagement point, just a matter of getting used to it, as already been stated. __________________ 2006 C6 Corvette Manual, 2019 Silverado, 1997 Jeep Wrangler

10-16-2018, 11:38 AM	#3
DaveC113 Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Front Range, CO Posts: 1,859	It takes a while to get used to anything new. The SS's clutch is just fine, better than most imo. It is consistent, unlike my previous car... a Subaru STi. Many people are going to complain about something that's different from what they are used to, in this case they are all wrong and they should be asking "What's wrong with me?" instead. After driving the car for a couple hundred miles you'll adjust and it'll be fine.

10-16-2018, 11:45 AM	#4
Pollock LT4 M6 Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 1,249	What clutch doesn't do what you described?

10-16-2018, 11:48 AM	#6
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	Its not a big deal. It actually performs how you would want it to. I dont see the problem with it.

10-16-2018, 12:52 PM	#10
hotlap Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Franklin WI Posts: 6,632	For what its worth... When I changed the clutch in my 2004 GTO, there was a shim kit available for the slave cylinder that would adjust the engagement position. I bought it from Tick Performance. There are measurements that determine how thick of a shim is needed. My GTO's engagement point was so off that it was almost impossible to drive. Once shimmed, it was back to normal. Could this tester 1LE be off? FYI - I daily drove that GTO and do the same with the 18 SS that I've had 800 miles now. My SS is good as delivered. __________________ "the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.” Ronald Reagan -

10-16-2018, 01:14 PM	#11
torqueaddict Drives: Tesla M3 LR-AWD [Former 1SS owner] Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Miami Posts: 950	Compared to my MS3, it's a lot softer and does have a higher engagement point. It took some seat forward / back adjustment and some time behind the wheel, but very comfortable now. My advice is to spend some time behind the wheel and then decide if you want to 'fix' it. Seat adjustments did help me. Rushing out to cram parts in your car could possibly cause unwanted issues before you even had a chance to enjoy it. Just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

10-16-2018, 02:09 PM	#13
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	It's a hydraulic clutch so, that might be contributing to what you're feeling. The rest, I don't have any constructive feedback for you. The clutch is perfectly fine in the 1LE. __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

10-16-2018, 02:16 PM	#14
VinnAY Account Suspended Drives: 18 1SS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 939	Re: pedal return spring. My Mustang had one that I pulled out and the clutch had a better feel to it, most of us thought it felt better w/o the spring there. Steeda had a lighter weight spring for it, too. If the Camaro has and it can be removed I suggest that to you.

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