Clutch smell on hard launches?

[djprov431]

At first I thought it was an oil leak, then I thought tire smoke, but finally realized I'm getting a quite nasty smell of what I imagine is the clutch during certain hard 1st gear launches -- especially with a slower pedal release --- more gas w/ slower release is more notable. I should clarify, I'm not driving this car any different than any of my prior manual cars - I'm not holding at the friction point or doing silly things, just driving it (hard-ish) - I wouldn't expect the observation I have and I'm wondering if anyone else has noted it. Thanks!

 

[Nova]

I think every car/clutch is different and would require some judicious adjustments to launch technique. If you are doing hard launches, my thinking is that you should be letting the clutch fully lock up pretty quickly, generating some slip from higher initial engine RPM and then transitioning quickly to wheel spin. I don't think you want the clutch to be the thing that's slipping significantly during a hard launch.

 

[jjslat]

After hearing about the $10k + cost to replace the clutch I've stayed away from trying hard launches. I do find that well executed hard shifts (not launches) and aggressive heel-toe shifts can be done with zero clutch smell.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

I would be careful on hard launches from standstill in an Emira. My axle snapped, and I've seen reports of a couple others. My dealer has as well.

However, I have noticed much more clutch smell recently when down shifting. The shifting hasn't been as sharp as it once was. I wonder if there's a fix for that besides being more careful.

 

[djprov431]

Interesting for sure -- appreciate the comments. I'm not wasting time letting the clutch out, but I am trying to minimze slip to some degree. I also wouldn't categorize my launches as HARD, more so, hard-ish -- dumping the clutch IMO is abusive to the drive train and perhaps that's where some have had axle issues? I do rev match religeously, but haven't noted any smell from that, the only time I've had the smell was from agressive 1st gear take offs and only recently (5200 miles on the car, 2 oil % filter changes) I haven't checked clutch fluid lately - but that seems like a logical thing to do today!

 

[djprov431]

I would be careful on hard launches from standstill in an Emira. My axle snapped, and I've seen reports of a couple others. My dealer has as well.

However, I have noticed much more clutch smell recently when down shifting. The shifting hasn't been as sharp as it once was. I wonder if there's a fix for that besides being more careful.

I have a GRP short shift kit, I also feel the same about shifting becoming more crusty as time progressed vs. get smoother.

 

[seriously]

I don't think you should have any clutch smell unless you are slipping the clutch. I've never done a hard launch, but slipping the clutch under high RPM should lead to some clutch smell. I think that's normal. I am no expert, but I would slip briefly then quickly dump the clutch instead of slipping to control wheelspin. That just sounds so painful on the clutch...

I don't think you should have any smell from upshifting or downshifting. unless you are not rev matching well or slipping the clutch too long during shifts.