370z New Clutch Burning Help

[boombastictiger]

I picked up a 370z a couple of days ago and it had a new clutch fitted as part of the sale, I straight away had to drive it 340 miles down to my house followed by another 250 miles yesterday of motorway driving all consisting 95% motorway driving.

What I noticed is that in 1st gear when engaging there is a bit of a burn smell that follows. I have not done any fast pull offs (yet) and maybe only floored it when in gear on the motorway but nothing worth talking about. I notice the burning more when I pull up into my drive for example which is at a slope.

So i need help as I do not want to burn out a new clutch! I have heard that there is a break in period, so would 500 miles of motorway driving count?

I would just like to add that I am trying to be as delicate as possible with the clutch, I am trying to have it engaged as quick as possible without dumping it outright and causing a massive jerk in the car. This is not my first manual car, have owned a 330ci, celica and supra in the past and have driven 100+ cars over 10 years but this is the first time I have come across something like this.

I hope this makes sense help advice/help appreciated.

Sabs

[boombastictiger]

andyiley said:

500 miles is not the issue here, you could drive 1,000 miles (theoretically) with just a handfull of gearchanges, the face will bed in during gear changes not miles.

Having said that, I have changed many clutches over the years & never heard of a bedding in period for a clutch!

My first question would be burning what smell? Oil, friction material etc. Different things smell different when burning.

I certainly would not expect a burning friction material smell with a new clutch fitted correctly.

Thanks Andy,

The burning smell is most certainly the clutch, it is not extreme but I usually smell it when only in 1st gear and pulling off or in slow moving traffic. This would usually mean I assume that I have a heavy left foot and am not disengaging in time but even from stationary if I get to bite point to pull the car forward slightly it smells a bit...

Not sure if this gives more clarity.

I am wondering if it maybe is not not being used to the clutch. This is the first car of this power that I own and have driven long miles in as a manual (supra was an N/a).

Is this common do you know in higher powered cars that are manual?

[boombastictiger]

I did some research on a 370 site and apparently its that the biting point is mega high on 370's which is why i am probably burning it as i am not used to driving cars with such a high bite.

I guess more
driving around will get me more used to the biting point but at the moment shifting like a snail!