Driving position with manual tranny

[ZoomFive]

Hey, guys.

How far back to you guys sit when just doing street driving?

When you fully extend your clutch leg, do you:

#1 - have your seat closer so that you can press the clutch to the floor

or

#2 - have your seat further back so that you can press the clutch just past the point of disengagement

My shifts seem to be faster and smoother with #2, but it takes some more thinking and I feel more detached from what is happening. However #1 is pretty brainless, but more jerky.

Just curious what everyone else with a stick is doing.

- Zoomfive

 

[The Short Bus]

Clutch to the floor

 

[ZoomFive]

Clutch to the floor

Thanks... who else?

 

[aMaff]

Floor. You always want the clutch either fully engaged or disengaged, not somewhere in the middle.

 

[winty87]

Clutch to the floor, I'd rather not risk slowly burning out a clutch cuz I'm not fully engaging it sometimes.

 

[Tasty]

On the floor. I have the seat pretty close. I like it.

 

[ZoomFive]

1st of all, I appreciate all the responses.

Looks like everyone is doing it the way that I have been.... seat a little close and clutch to the floor.

However, I feel that my shifts with the P5 are so jerky compared to when I am driving and BMW, VW, Opel, Mini, or etc. I figured because it might be that the point of engagement is somewhat high. Going to the floor and releasing each time takes time going from gear to gear.

Is there something that I might be doing wrong or something else that I might try?

Seated further back like I did today seemed smoother, but a little risky on missing the engagement point.

- ZoomFive

 

[aMaff]

No, shifts are jerky cuz our motor mounts are made of jello instead of rubber.



EDIT: Damn, that sounded bright lol. Up late ftw!

 

[mazdaddy]

Clutch to floor. i have adjusted the clutch pedal for a shorter throw ( damn those knees of mine...)

 

[susamafone]

clutch to the floor for me too

 

[5PADZAM]

Clutch to the floor, seat all the way back. But I'm 6'2".

 

[Mr.Ames]

I'm 5'11 but I sit with the seat more than halfway forward, nice and close but then I recline the back a little so its not straight up. Damn my bad posture

 

[winty87]

1st of all, I appreciate all the responses.
Is there something that I might be doing wrong or something else that I might try?


- ZoomFive

Try revving it up to 3000 or 3500 RPM. I used to shift at 2500 and that was a bit jerky but at 3k-3500 RPM the shifts have been a lot smoother because It is easier to match RPM's.

 

[awsmp5]

to the floor, how do you adjust the pedal?

 

[clicknext]

I sit really close, so close that when I press the clutch to the floor, my leg is still at at least a 30 degree angle. I find that it's the only way I can really control the clutch properly.

 

[winty87]

how do you adjust the pedal?

Word, I wanna know that.

 

[Purrfectangel]

Nothing like a hydraulic clutch ftw...hyrdraulic clutch=jerky.

To aleviate the problem shift at low or high rpms. I find dragging the clutch sometimes works (don't like doing that to often) or let the clutch out half way really quick then let it the rest of the way out a bit slower seems to help.

I only put the clutch to the floor to start and when starting off from an intersection unless I'm on a hill. I find it shifts better as well when I only push it in a little bit and it's very useful for picking up speed quick and smoothly like for onramps etc.

I sit low in my seat, it's just more comfortable that way.

My legs are extended with a comfortable bend in them so that my foot is NOT at a 90 degree angle, about 70 degrees. My knees touch the deck part of my console but they clear the steering wheel so it's all good. As for the back of my seat, it's about 110 to 120 degrees, or practically in the back seat has some people like to put it... I'm 5'9" 6'1" in my heels so I find this the most comfortable. People say it's not good posture but our spines are naturally curved even when we stand up straight, and I find sitting upright to be quite annoying and hard on the back.

 

[XxaltezzaxX]

All the way to the floor, I've got long legs so it's the only way I shift.

 

[fonzinator]

Clutch Stop

This clutch stop is made for a BMW, but maybe something similar is made for the P5?

From the link...
"Too much play in your clutch arm? Sick of pushing the clutch in too far? Well, we have the fix for you. The ECIS Clutch Stop will make your shifting a quick experience. Shortening up the travel in the clutch arm makes for quicker, more precise shifts.

With the enlarged surface area of the ECIS Clutch Stop, this is no longer an issue! Even with the sloppiest of clutch arms, the larger diameter will not let the clutch arm past."

 

[ZoomFive]

Clutch to the floor, seat all the way back. But I'm 6'2".

Seems like you have very little choice.