RPS Clutch Installed Pedal effort seems rediculous

[Patricio]

I just got my car back yesterday from Bernie over at Davis Acura. I've driven many modified cars and really High HP cars (500HP+ cars on both street and track) There is no way on earth this is just a 67% increase in pedal effort, my friends 600HP 911 is 50% of this clutch. It seems like an On/Of switch and I bog off the line at every light, My foot starts to hurt after 20-30 shifts, Parallel parking seems like it will be just as impossible as reversing cautiously is right now. Right no I estimated its like A 150 lb one legged squat (I weigh 180lbs if I just stand on one leg and squat myself, I can barely tell which is heavier. I don't have weak legs by any means. I work out occasionally, played soccer in school and was a sponsored Extreme Skater from 96-00. I know I have at least stronger than average legs.

Is this normal? It there a break in period that this will soften up with some time?

 

[BobMc]

My 91 NSX has a clutch from Bernie's from the previous owner. My left leg is 2" bigger now (jk). Not sure what type of clutch it is, but it is HEAVY.

 

[Todd McKelvie]

I had the same problem! I took it back and had it adjusted?..not sure what he did...but now it is much easier. Have the installer call up Chris at SOS (did you get it from him) and see if there is something the installer can do to help reduce the pedal pressure.

I would say mine is 2x stiffer than stock. It is cmpletely usable NOW...the first go around I freakin hated it!

Don't freak...there should be a fix.

 

[Thom]

I had an Exedy single and it was horable. Too stiff, chattered, and grew my left leg. I've since replaced it with stock, mucho better. KEEP IT STOCK is the answer

 

[stevenlee]

When I first drove my RPS clutch I was surprised by the heavy pedal pressure. It was aggravated by the light flywheel (and twin turbos) that caused me to occasionally kill the engine or over-rev and spin the wheels when starting from a dead stop. I am happy to tell you that the clutch seemed to break in after a few hundred miles and get a lot smother. I got used to the clutch pedal and it became less of an issue. The pedal pressure is greater than the Tilton race clutch in my Formula 2000. I do really like the smoothness of the RPS clutch and think you will too once you get used to it and it breaks in.

 

[nsxotic911]

When I first drove my RPS clutch I was surprised by the heavy pedal pressure. It was aggravated by the light flywheel (and twin turbos) that caused me to occasionally kill the engine or over-rev and spin the wheels when starting from a dead stop. I am happy to tell you that the clutch seemed to break in after a few hundred miles and get a lot smother. I got used to the clutch pedal and it became less of an issue. The pedal pressure is greater than the Tilton race clutch in my Formula 2000. I do really like the smoothness of the RPS clutch and think you will too once you get used to it and it breaks in.

Or - you worked out your leg so much that the muscles grew
I have the RPS clutch sitting in my garage... the more I hear about how heavy it is the more I get excited about putting it in... ooh... the only thing is, I'm not looking forward to the 3 day install and 'throwing away' my perfectly usable stock clutch (even with Hi-boost, seems to be holding up well imho)

 

[NSXGMS]

I just got my car back yesterday from Bernie over at Davis Acura. I've driven many modified cars and really High HP cars (500HP+ cars on both street and track) There is no way on earth this is just a 67% increase in pedal effort, my friends 600HP 911 is 50% of this clutch. It seems like an On/Of switch and I bog off the line at every light, My foot starts to hurt after 20-30 shifts, Parallel parking seems like it will be just as impossible as reversing cautiously is right now. Right no I estimated its like A 150 lb one legged squat (I weigh 180lbs if I just stand on one leg and squat myself, I can barely tell which is heavier. I don't have weak legs by any means. I work out occasionally, played soccer in school and was a sponsored Extreme Skater from 96-00. I know I have at least stronger than average legs.

Is this normal? It there a break in period that this will soften up with some time?

I'm sorry but I can't say I feel the same way. Just so you know I have the older pre-06 RPS with the most pedal effort of them all. I'm 5'6", 145lbs. and am probably stronger than most men my size but by no means am a muscleman.

I would say that the effort is at most 175% of OEM and I got used to it very quickly. The only time my foot/leg gets tired is in congested traffic. I can easily hold the pedal at a light for up to 20-30 sec without even thinking about it. After that it does become a bit heavy but why would you hold it in longer than that anyway?

I also disagree with your description of the RPS as an on/off type clutch. The RPS has, without a doubt, the smoothest engagement of any clutch I have ever driven. I've never read of anyone not feeling that way.

Would I like the RPS pedal effort to be lighter? Yes. But I definitely wanted a clutch with greater pedal effort than OEM as I think the OEM pedal effort is a little light for a "performance car".

I think it's pretty well established that the RPS is significantly greater effort than the OEM clutch and anyone thinking of buying one who would be concerned with pedal effort in any way should drive one before even considering plunking down ~$1,800 for one.

I think the RPS is the best AM clutch for the NSX from a quality standpoint but if one isn't ok w/ the effort than it might not be the "best" clutch for them.

FWIW the effort has not gotten less w/ time.

 

[Patricio]

I'm sorry but I can't say I feel the same way. Just so you know I have the older pre-06 RPS with the most pedal effort of them all. I'm 5'6", 145lbs. and am probably stronger than most men my size but by no means am a muscleman.

I would say that the effort is at most 175% of OEM and I got used to it very quickly. The only time my foot/leg gets tired is in congested traffic. I can easily hold the pedal at a light for up to 20-30 sec without even thinking about it. After that it does become a bit heavy but why would you hold it in longer than that anyway?

I also disagree with your description of the RPS as an on/off type clutch. The RPS has, without a doubt, the smoothest engagement of any clutch I have ever driven. I've never read of anyone not feeling that way.

Would I like the RPS pedal effort to be lighter? Yes. But I definitely wanted a clutch with greater pedal effort than OEM as I think the OEM pedal effort is a little light for a "performance car".

I think it's pretty well established that the RPS is significantly greater effort than the OEM clutch and anyone thinking of buying one who would be concerned with pedal effort in any way should drive one before even considering plunking down ~$1,800 for one.

I think the RPS is the best AM clutch for the NSX from a quality standpoint but if one isn't ok w/ the effort than it might not be the "best" clutch for them.

FWIW the effort has not gotten less w/ time.

I must say I do agree... My opinion has changed over the past week. I have gotten allot more used to it. But it is heavy but the performance is amazing it does grab well and accelerates even better now. It is heavy, but like every thing else its a price to pay. I wouldn't take it out.

I could say I have a love/hate relationship with my clutch, The RPS clutch is like dating a stripper.:biggrin: Hell of allot of fun... but, suicide in 5pm traffic.