How does your OEM clutch feel?

AlphaSnacks · 11-28-2010, 04:06 PM

Hey all, I'm new to owning a manual transmission, but have driven a number of different MT cars with little trouble. The 370Z is giving me some trouble, but I'm very slowly getting the hang of it. My biggest complaint seems to be that it engages way too high and there is a distinct lack of feedback to let you know it's engaging (the revs barely drop, for example).

Is this the norm for you guys, as well? Do you find that the clutch takes a lot of time getting used to? I got used to my buddy's 350Z clutch much, much quicker than I am with my own car.

IDZRVIT · 11-28-2010, 04:10 PM

Yeah, it will take a week or so to get the hang of it.

Cell · 11-28-2010, 04:19 PM

Took me less than 30 minutes to get used to it. It was a bit more sensitive and high compared to my old RSX but it wasn't hard at all.

ProfessorDave · 11-28-2010, 06:04 PM

After getting an aftermarket exhaust, I came to the conclusion that it is not the clutch (well there are problems with the throw out bearing and the CSC, but that's not the point). It is the restrictive intake/exhuast of the stock Z. I thought I had become a manual moron when I first got the Z. And I've been driving manual since I was 14, including performance clutches, vehicles without synchros, foreign, domestic, etc.

The lack of feedback is part clutch, but is also the stock in/out design combined with the drive by wire feature.

Just my 4 cents (my opinions count for more. At least that's what I tell my kids!)

MakoFury · 11-28-2010, 06:34 PM

I'm also struggling driving mine, and I'm completely new to driving a stick...it's very frustrating and it's prevented me from really driving the car much..I'm sure i'll get the hang of it but at this point I wish I got the auto.

chops · 11-28-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoFury

I'm also struggling driving mine, and I'm completely new to driving a stick...it's very frustrating and it's prevented me from really driving the car much..I'm sure i'll get the hang of it but at this point I wish I got the auto.

keep at it. i felt the same way the first week of ownership. after a week, or two..i cant get enough of it. the first week it literally sat in the garage, and i would only take it out at night so i wouldnt embarrass myself stalling in public. best advice is to just hang in there and dont give up and dont be afraid to give it some gas when you're learning the clutch-gas pedal movement

kenchan · 11-28-2010, 06:49 PM

Yah, the throttle is less sensitive to immediate inputs vs my other MT cars so it does require some getting use to. As far as the clutch mine begins engagement pretty close to the floor.

pulpz · 11-28-2010, 07:22 PM

My 370Z actually has a more exact engagement feel that the 2003 350Z i had. I really like it. I like it much better than my 6mt Acura TSX. But I prefer the more bullish feel of the Z anyhow.

Maybe stay on throttle a tad bit more during shifts to smooth things out. You guys with the Sport model, are you using the Synchro Rev Match (SRM)? This should really help smooth out shifts as it works with shifting up as well as down.

At the end of the day though you have to be comfortable with the car you drive. Everything I have read about the 7speed auto is positive so it should still be fun way to go if you decide to move away form manual.

PapoZalsa · 11-28-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pulpz

My 370Z actually has a more exact engagement feel that the 2003 350Z i had. I really like it. I like it much better than my 6mt Acura TSX. But I prefer the more bullish feel of the Z anyhow.

Maybe stay on throttle a tad bit more during shifts to smooth things out. You guys with the Sport model, are you using the Synchro Rev Match (SRM)? This should really help smooth out shifts as it works with shifting up as well as down.

At the end of the day though you have to be comfortable with the car you drive. Everything I have read about the 7speed auto is positive so it should still be fun way to go if you decide to move away form manual.

I really didn't find that much difference to my 2006 350Z.

Dreezy562 · 11-28-2010, 08:33 PM

i shift fine except into 2nd i kinda buck a little.. i dont know what it is.

EazyD · 11-29-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreezy562

i shift fine except into 2nd i kinda buck a little.. i dont know what it is.

I'm new to manual trans also - just picked my 370Z up over the weekend. For 1st and 2nd gear, I noticed you need to really let the clutch out smoothly and just be gentle with her for those gears. Let's call it foreplay.

The rest of them aren't so sensitive to letting the clutch out a little faster.

My problem is with hill starts. Heart pounds, person behind me is so close to my bumper, lots of things to think about with clutch/brake/gas that I even screw up the handbrake method.

I'm confident it will become second nature eventually, but it really stresses me out for now. I use SRM because I (a) don't want to grind gears, and (b) I like the perfect downshifts as I get used to the clutch.

Cmike2780 · 11-29-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EazyD

I'm new to manual trans also - just picked my 370Z up over the weekend. For 1st and 2nd gear, I noticed you need to really let the clutch out smoothly and just be gentle with her for those gears. Let's call it foreplay.

The rest of them aren't so sensitive to letting the clutch out a little faster.

My problem is with hill starts. Heart pounds, person behind me is so close to my bumper, lots of things to think about with clutch/brake/gas that I even screw up the handbrake method.

I'm confident it will become second nature eventually, but it really stresses me out for now. I use SRM because I (a) don't want to grind gears, and (b) I like the perfect downshifts as I get used to the clutch.

Compared to other manual cars I've driven (not many, but mostly crappy econoboxes) the engage point on the Z is a little high and engages quickly in relation to pedal travel. One of the reasons many stall it the first time out. When I drive, my heel is off the floor slightly and I'm pretty much using my whole leg to depress the clutch.

To reduce the "bucking," it helps to shift at a higher rpm from 1st to 2nd.... still engaging the clutch smoothly. Almost like powershifting until you get to 3rd gear.

Hill starts trouble everyone at first. You're still at a point where you might not be confident with where your feet are in relation to the pedals. From personal experience, coming from an AT, your muscle memory still needs to learn the different pedal position. Give it a few weeks (or even months) and you should be able to move your feet to the correct spot without thinking about it. Also, you should practice getting a feel for the "roll back" so it doesn't surprise you when the situtuation arises. I still use the handbrake method every once in a while when d-bags stop a foot behind me while waiting at a light, which happens way too often.

I know SRM makes it easier, but you should learn to drive without it. I don't see why you would grind the gears with it "off". Your shifts will be rough if you don't do it properly, but it shouldn't grind. Grinding happens when you shift without engaging the clutch (something that can still happen with SRM).

Jeffblue · 11-29-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

Compared to other manual cars I've driven (not many, but mostly crappy econoboxes) the engage point on the Z is a little high and engages quickly in relation to pedal travel. One of the reasons many stall it the first time out. When I drive, my heel is off the floor slightly and I'm pretty much using my whole leg to depress the clutch.

To reduce the "bucking," it helps to shift at a higher rpm from 1st to 2nd.... still engaging the clutch smoothly. Almost like powershifting until you get to 3rd gear.

Hill starts trouble everyone at first. You're still at a point where you might not be confident with where your feet are in relation to the pedals. From personal experience, coming from an AT, your muscle memory still needs to learn the different pedal position. Give it a few weeks (or even months) and you should be able to move your feet to the correct spot without thinking about it. Also, you should practice getting a feel for the "roll back" so it doesn't surprise you when the situtuation arises. I still use the handbrake method every once in a while when d-bags stop a foot behind me while waiting at a light, which happens way too often.

I know SRM makes it easier, but you should learn to drive without it. I don't see why you would grind the gears with it "off". Your shifts will be rough if you don't do it properly, but it shouldn't grind. Grinding happens when you shift without engaging the clutch (something that can still happen with SRM).

SRM is great for the break in period, thats for sure!

Dreezy562 · 11-28-2010, 10:22 PM

i dont like how the SRM holds the revs. it should drop them lower when you up shift. mine hangs almost revs up 200 rpm and then begins to drop. thats why i buck in going into 2nd and 3rd unless i wait until the revs drop.... i wish you could keep the downshift blips but take out the upshift rev holding. does nothing but screw me up. anyone else know what im talkin about

samb03 · 11-28-2010, 10:33 PM

When I first got I took my girlfriend for a ride in it. She said "you shift this like your motorcycle" because the firm shifts atleast in the lower gears. I have trouble with smooth shifts especially from 1-2 if I use the clutch. I drive a semi quite a bit so I am used to floating gears. Smooths as butter then.

11-28-2010, 04:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
AlphaSnacks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 1,618 Drives: '13 XKR-S, '10 370Z Rep Power: 19	How does your OEM clutch feel? Hey all, I'm new to owning a manual transmission, but have driven a number of different MT cars with little trouble. The 370Z is giving me some trouble, but I'm very slowly getting the hang of it. My biggest complaint seems to be that it engages way too high and there is a distinct lack of feedback to let you know it's engaging (the revs barely drop, for example). Is this the norm for you guys, as well? Do you find that the clutch takes a lot of time getting used to? I got used to my buddy's 350Z clutch much, much quicker than I am with my own car.

11-28-2010, 04:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 27	Yeah, it will take a week or so to get the hang of it. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

11-28-2010, 06:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	After getting an aftermarket exhaust, I came to the conclusion that it is not the clutch (well there are problems with the throw out bearing and the CSC, but that's not the point). It is the restrictive intake/exhuast of the stock Z. I thought I had become a manual moron when I first got the Z. And I've been driving manual since I was 14, including performance clutches, vehicles without synchros, foreign, domestic, etc. The lack of feedback is part clutch, but is also the stock in/out design combined with the drive by wire feature. Just my 4 cents (my opinions count for more. At least that's what I tell my kids!) __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

11-28-2010, 07:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
pulpz Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 281 Drives: 09 PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	My 370Z actually has a more exact engagement feel that the 2003 350Z i had. I really like it. I like it much better than my 6mt Acura TSX. But I prefer the more bullish feel of the Z anyhow. Maybe stay on throttle a tad bit more during shifts to smooth things out. You guys with the Sport model, are you using the Synchro Rev Match (SRM)? This should really help smooth out shifts as it works with shifting up as well as down. At the end of the day though you have to be comfortable with the car you drive. Everything I have read about the 7speed auto is positive so it should still be fun way to go if you decide to move away form manual. __________________ 2016 Cayman GTS 6MT / 2017 Q60 Sport / 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD / 2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Sold) / 2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold) / 2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do you feel about racing as I do?	SPOHN	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	20	06-13-2010 08:56 PM
I feel so honored	theDreamer	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	18	04-01-2010 03:35 PM
Man I feel bad for this guy in the vid.	whoady4shoady	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	57	01-20-2010 08:02 AM
Can you feel it???	Moonlitebiker	Nissan 370Z Pricing / Ordering Discussions	8	10-31-2009 03:33 PM

11-28-2010, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cell A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,449 Drives: A Garbage Truck Rep Power: 22	Took me less than 30 minutes to get used to it. It was a bit more sensitive and high compared to my old RSX but it wasn't hard at all.

11-28-2010, 06:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
MakoFury Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 35 Drives: 2011-370Z-GunM-6MT Rep Power: 16	I'm also struggling driving mine, and I'm completely new to driving a stick...it's very frustrating and it's prevented me from really driving the car much..I'm sure i'll get the hang of it but at this point I wish I got the auto.

11-28-2010, 06:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Yah, the throttle is less sensitive to immediate inputs vs my other MT cars so it does require some getting use to. As far as the clutch mine begins engagement pretty close to the floor.

11-28-2010, 08:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dreezy562 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long beach, ca Posts: 419 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 15	i shift fine except into 2nd i kinda buck a little.. i dont know what it is.

11-28-2010, 10:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Dreezy562 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long beach, ca Posts: 419 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 15	i dont like how the SRM holds the revs. it should drop them lower when you up shift. mine hangs almost revs up 200 rpm and then begins to drop. thats why i buck in going into 2nd and 3rd unless i wait until the revs drop.... i wish you could keep the downshift blips but take out the upshift rev holding. does nothing but screw me up. anyone else know what im talkin about

11-28-2010, 10:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
samb03 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: western Oklahoma Posts: 164 Drives: Black Cherry Sport Rep Power: 15	When I first got I took my girlfriend for a ride in it. She said "you shift this like your motorcycle" because the firm shifts atleast in the lower gears. I have trouble with smooth shifts especially from 1-2 if I use the clutch. I drive a semi quite a bit so I am used to floating gears. Smooths as butter then.