chambomg Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 just a quick question, is it possible to put a hydraulic clutch on to my 1999 supersport 1600cc k series, as the clutch seems very heavy, is this normal with caterhams. sorry for sounding dumb as i am new to these paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 The hydraulic clutch on my VX since I dry-sumped it is heavier than the previous cable clutch. You'll soon get used to it. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 It'll save you the gym membership... Kind of TADTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich N Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Paul, when I bought that car I commented as to the clutch weight - I've been out and compared with my new one and I would say yours probably 10% heavier.. They're all fairly heavy compared to more advanced stuff, but I wonder is the cable badly routed/kinked/wearing? Perhaps someone can suggest things to check.. I remember the pedal will squeak after a couple of months use - throughout it's life it's done this, and previous owners have just lube'd up 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S47zz Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I swopped my Hydraulic clutch to Cable operation, now it's nice and light. If your Cable clutch is heavy then I'd suggest you check the routing of the cable, and the condition of the cable itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Biddle Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 A heavy hydraulic clutch can be cured by fitting a smaller bore master cylinder. This changes the "gear ratio" between master cylinder and slave cylinder. I have quite a hefty clutch in my car but with a 14MM bore master cylinder the pedal is light as a feather with the added advantage that engagement is very progressive, and the car easy to drive in traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chambomg Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 hi mike have you any photos of the slave cylinder set up please,what model is yours and what engine and gearbox do you run many thanks paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Biddle Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Hi Paul, sorry I don't have any pics of the slave cylinder set up, but its a fairly standard concentric slave cylinder set up. (fits over the gearbox input shaft, mounts on the front of the gearbox and acts directly on the clutch) If you have a cable clutch now and its a problem, suggest you first check the cable system out as suggested in posts to make sure it's functioning OK then if your still not happy with it then consider a hydraulic clutch. You could probably fit an external slave cylinder to opertae the existing clutch arm, or go with a concentric system, but thats a much bigger and more costly approach, engine and box out etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I agree with Mike The standard Caterham 70 cylinder or 0.7" with Caterham external slave was too harsh for me with my twin plate and I fitted the 0.625". Still curently I do not have a standard clutch as the pressure plates a lot heavier. The 0.625" gives more travel and a lot lighter but I would have thought the 0.7" with a standard Formula ford clutch would have been about the same. 'Can you hear me running' ......... OH YES and its music to my ears 😬 😬 😬 1988 200 bhp, 146 ft lbs, 1700cc Cosworth BD? engineered by Roger King, on Weber's with Brooklands and Clamshell wings, Freestyle Motorsport suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Biddle Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 If you do go down the hydraulic route I have a 15 MM bore master cylinder you can have to try if you wish. It's done about 6,000 Miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorAtle Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Just to confuse matters I had to switch from a Girling .7" to a .75". Standard external slave, standard K clutch. I guess it all depends on how much travel you like on the pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Biddle Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Yes Tor, a bigger dia slave cylinder will produce the same effect as a smaler master cylinder. Might be cheaper as well. Only really an option for external slaves though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 My clutch pedal has been modified to have three cable attaching points - just 1cm lower on the pedal makes a massive difference to pedal weight. I did this because the twin plate clutch I use was very heavy. I did get used to it but it less than user friendly. ----- VDU 7X Pics More VDU 7X Pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorAtle Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Mike, I agree what you say but the Girling I changed was the master cyl. When I went from cable to hydraulic the pedal got lighter which meant excessive travel to fully disengage clutch. A related question - at the back end of the external slave there is a screw and if you ehem should happen to unscrew this and tilt the cylinder some oil will drain. What's the oil doing back there? Lubricating the piston...? Should I refill straight away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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