Shifting from 1st to 2nd
 

Hey guys this is pretty dumb but it’s been annoying me for a while. I’ve been DD my 370 for about 5 years and for the life of me still can’t quite nail the 1st to 2nd. During normal take offs I’m fine but when I want to test my 0-60 against a Ford Focus I’m either waiting for what feels like 2 seconds for the Rpms to drop from redline so I can rev match the shift or I’m just instant dumping the clutch. What do y’all normally doing when quickly taking off? I like to be gentle to the clutch so I prefer to rev match but is dumping it basically the only way to get around the rev hang?

I think this is like an issue for most everyone, especially with a stock clutch/flywheel. That + the synchros are far from the best. Maybe the one thing that has improved with time for me, is getting used to that small engagement window. If you know where your foot should stop, the lift afterwards won't be so much of a "dump".

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...-smoothly.html


http://www.the370z.com/nismo-370z/50...-shifting.html

Gentlemen,

If you want a predictable clutch engagement on the 370z, you'll have to upgrade the clutch pedal assembly.

If you have driven many manual transmission cars, the first time you got inside a 370Z you discovered that the clutch takeup/engagement window is a nightmare to do smoothly with any predictability, without a LOT of practice. Nissan missed the boat on the clutch setup of the 370z.

I've owned a 1970 240Z, a 1984 300zx, and a 1990 300z, all manuals, and they were all a thousand times better to get off the line and shift properly through the first three gears than the 370z.

One of the best fixes is to swap out the entire clutch pedal assembly with the RJMPerformance clutch pedal assembly that changes the entire clutch experience and transforms the 370z entirely. The car is so much more enjoyable to drive with this setup. Google RJMPerformance to check it out.

I installed it in my car myself in about 2 hours, and I would never go back to the original clutch pedal assembly.

Gene

Try the RJM pedal and see if that helps. You won't get a lot of help around here. Well unless your posting something they have then it's ok.

You don't need to install a RJM pedal. I don't have any issues at all.

Helper spring replacement is all I needed.

I changed the spring in mine. And it has a different feel to it. :tup:

Yes, much better.

Outside of the it's a really bad idea to 'test my 0-60 against a Ford Focus' (I think that's called 'street racing' and discussion of said topic is forbidden here.) I've never had a problem with a 1st to 2nd gear shift.

Just continue dumping the clutch, you'll solve your problems forthwith... :gtfo2:

Practice, Practice, Practice.

If you haven't figured it out in 5 years, then you either won't ever get it or you haven't been trying hard enough. Just pay attention to the feedback from the car. Your clutch engagement will be different at different speeds on the 1-2 shift - practice the shift at varying speeds.

I read his comment as "You just need to practice more". Sounds like pretty good advice to me.

It's called "physics". Read the posts on the spring swap. Not a perfect solution for everyone, but it works for many.

Whoaaaa physics...can you elaborate? Sounds pretty... Intelligent and above my IQ... But also you don't have to direct your post to me.... The OP is looking for resolution:nutswinger:

This is the tech section and as such "KEEP IT ON TOPIC"

If I need to come back for cleanup, permanent vacation slips will be given.

Let me know IF we have any takers.. :stirthepot:

THIS MEANS YOU the Real JayZ

I must have stalled out the Z about 50 times the first few week I got it. I've driven manuals for the last 22 years from poorly maintained pickups to cheap "sports" cars all with difficult clutches in their own ways. The combination of a bit of cockiness, from said experience, and the light and high engagement point lead to a lot of initial difficultly getting the car to perform how I expected. I got better but would still mess up if not paying enough attention because clutch engagement was more about memory rather then feel.

TLDR
To improve feel I did 3 things.
Lighter helper spring did a little good but not very noticeable.
CSC elimination kit helped with the engagement point a bit.
Heavier clutch spring when I upgraded the clutch helped the most.

Personally, I love the RJM clutch pedal. While Spooler is right, it's not necessary, it allows you to modify the pedal feel to something you enjoy. Look for version 3.1+, easier to install and modify.

Prior to that, I had also tried the lighter helper spring, and it is helpful.

Great post!! I hope my RJM newest version plus South end clutch/flywheel combo that's waiting in the box for me. Just has a very bland feel for a sports car

mtec?

I guess I am just use to driving cars with difficult lightweight clutches. Nothing more fun than a heavy, light weight, and chattery/grabby clutch to keep you on your toes. Much needed for a turbo car or they just don't last long before they start slipping.

Absolutely, and the Z is totally driveable with the stock clutch, but if I'm comparing it, there have been other clutches I enjoyed a lot more. I like being able to tweak the height and engagement window of the clutch pedal. For me, the RJM was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.

I driven everything from a 3 on the tree to 18 speeds with a split. I had to be able to jump in and adapt to it. The Z is one of the lightest clutch pedals that I ever felt. First time in it. I pushed the clutch pedal and thought is this thing is even working. :icon14: I installed the helper spring and it does improve the feel of the pedal. It's still a light pedal tho.

Drive a Vacuum assited 300zxtt. They were light as a feather. Pump the pedal when the car was off an deplete the booster, you then got the real weight of the clutch. LOL
One of my favorite things about a real 300zxtt.

Maybe they have fixed it in the newer models. I never had any trouble adjusting to the clutch. The very first engagement was a little different, but after that it was just fine.

Hah, yeah, so true. Recently, another forum member, Bmstitt, let me drive his stock clutch, my first time doing so since August of 2018. After driving my stage 3 + CMAK, I kept slamming his pedal into the floor. Incredibly light.

I had no trouble using the stock pedal. I just made it better with the spring.

The "jumpiness" is created by a few things.

The Dual Mass flywheel being sprung as well as the clutch causes more drivetrain lash (jumpy #1)
The Stock clutch is a self adjuster which causes a very quick roll over of the diaphragm spring in the clutch (jumpy #2)
The pedal has a assist spring which eases pressure with foot on floor, This is aggravated even more by #1 and #2

If you replace #1 and #2 with a ZSpeed clutch/flywheel package this all goes away :)

A lot of people blame this on the "Rev Hang" but in reality it really has nothing to due with how the stock clutch drives and also is not because of the heavy flywheel (this is ECM controlled) Old cars used to have "dashpots" on the carb which would slowly bring down the throttle.
The rev hang actually allows quicker shifts to the next gear as the RPMs are matched better.

Hey Joe, I actually ended up just purchasing a stage 2 quiet clutch and aluminum flywheel from you after asking you for some suggestions. It feels way better so far and I can actually feel the clutch engagement with the CMAK. Once the break in period is over I'll see how the faster shifting is but so far just normal driving it shifts ten times smoother. Starting from a stop has also been greatly improved. All in all I love it and the trans rattle is in my opinion way better than stock, at lower RPMS there is some but at idle with the quiet clutch I can't even hear it where with stock it sounded like someone was making a nuts and bolts smoothie. I will definitely be sending all my buddies your way.

Also jeez this thread got derailed, the original issue was when i was in sport mode and shifting from first to second the car would be in second and I would have to wait for what felt like forever for the RPMs to drop in order to release the clutch. Upgrading to a CMAK and an aluminum flywheel has solved my issues the car is way more fun to drive.