I questioned the gear box in my Z but after about 4000 miles she got broken in and now she shift like butter after warm up... She like it when you beat the "sweet spot" Cant be too soft.

Reading the thread, I'm more convinced that there's nothing wrong with the way these Z's shift.

:tup:

The problem, the reason, and the solution all in one post.:tup:

Why do you think that it was the car learning how you shift instead of you learning how the car likes to be shifted?

I can easily make the clutch judder (which makes the whole car shake) with improper clutch engagement. I can also make the flywheel chatter pretty loud with improper action. All OEM, mind you.

With proper clutch engagement I can start the car smoothly anywhere from zero to 2500 RPMs. I can engage the clutch properly at higher RPMs as well, but I wouldn't call it a smooth start - more like a launch :driving:

Btw, I had owned just one MT before the Z (99' Explorer Sport). It was a completely different experience, but it didn't take me more than a few weeks (not even DD) to figure out what the Z wants from me.

:tup:

[QUOTE shiftsE=MacCool;2771663]Why do you think that it was the car learning how you shift instead of you learning how the car likes to be shifted?[/QUOTE]

That's not what I said. My car was brand new and a brand new clutch has to be broken in and during this time they can let off bad smells and be extra sensitive. So a few hundred miles after "break in" all shifts are normal without smells, clunk/click noises, etc. And I control her the way I want :tup:

I saw my own experience differently. The car didn't "break in", I just learned how to shift it smoothly.

That was three years ago. My brand new 2014 Touring Sport 6MT with brand new clutch and brand new smells....I can shift that smooth as buttah from day 1. I suppose they might be building them better, but I was thinking that it's more likely that I can run the 6MT better after 3 years of practice. Is why I bring up the observation...

Well, I would think if you are getting bad smells from your clutch it means its burning, which means you aren't shifting properly and you are damaging it. I've owned manuals all my life and I'm 63 and the only time I got a burning smell is when I abused the clutch. I've owned many new cars including the Z and never smelled the clutch.

:iagree: There isn't.

But there are always those that blame the car. Funny how this thread has changed from supporters of a so called lousey tranny/shifting to those that possess the skills to smoothly engage a clutch on any car/truck, any year, any make or model, anytime, drunk or sober.

I used to be able to drive a 1968 F-100 with three-on-the-tree on 72 hours of no sleep and while tripping on mushrooms, in the snow, with my screaming ex-wife as a passenger, while balancing a tall-boy Schlitz between my knees and I did not stall it. :icon17:

See, that's what I'm talking about! Real men mastering the manual transmission! Three-on-the-tree. Brings back memories. Taught my ex-wife how to drive standard on one of those. An early '70's F150.

1. change to redline fluid.
2. change the clutch
3. dump the OEM flywheel

I have had quite a few manual cars and the Z was the hardest in stock form to drive, I looked like a noob from a stop, sometimes the car would hop and rock, I looked like an idiot. Once I dumped the stupid heavy azz flywheel, that all went away. While this is no s2k trans, and second gear syncro is terrible, its livable, it hold power, that's the most important part IMO.

I understand.. I've driven a couple manuals prior to getting my Z. And the overall experience driving it, is just different. I also shift like buttah :driving:

:wtf2: