How many solutions are there for making the clutch lighter and more effortless?
2 Answers
There are two solutions for making the clutch lighter and more effortless: improving the mechanical control mechanism and increasing the power arm or adding a booster. The following is a detailed introduction about the clutch: Introduction: The clutch is located in the flywheel housing between the engine and the gearbox. The driving part and the driven part of the clutch rely on the friction between the contact surfaces, or use liquid as the transmission medium, or use magnetic transmission to transmit torque, allowing them to temporarily separate and gradually engage, while also permitting mutual rotation during the transmission process. Magnetic particle clutch: Magnetic particles are placed between the driving part and the driven part. When not electrified, the magnetic particles are in a loose state; when electrified, the magnetic particles combine, causing the driving part and the driven part to rotate simultaneously. The advantage is that the torque can be adjusted by regulating the current, allowing for a larger slip difference. The disadvantage is that the temperature rises significantly with a larger slip difference, and the relative price is higher.
I've been modifying clutches for over a decade, and there are several common approaches. The hydraulic lightweight kit is the most mainstream—replacing the original pump piston with a smaller diameter one can reduce pedal effort by over 30%, like swapping a stiff spring for a soft rubber band. I often work on lightweight clutch fork solutions, mainly altering the lever pivot position to save effort using the extended lever principle, with forged aluminum alloy materials for lightness and durability. Specially designed effort-saving master cylinders are now popular, featuring built-in assist spring mechanisms that provide rebound force to help when pressing down. For older cars, a cable guide pulley set can be retrofitted, adding a small pulley to make the cable movement smoother, though the operation stroke becomes slightly longer. The latest is the electro-hydraulic control module, which automatically calculates clutch force when the throttle is pressed, but this requires matching with the vehicle's ECU.
