I think I figured out my shuddering clutch issue: clutch hydraulic fluid is super dark (full of water). I think what's happening is the clutch release isn't where I actually think it is, this I'm giving too much gas and too much clutch resulting in "banging"
Lol modern technology: power is out and here I am posting on g+. Funny story: was on the phone with RGE to report a broken tree branch over the power lines, had just been transferred when everything went flicker-flicker-pop. Hope my poor stereo is ok lol