7A Transmission...dare I commit heresy?

ImportConvert · 12-08-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

I don't really know what it feels like to drive a 6MT in traffic, but I can see why it would be really annoying/tiring.

It's transparent, really, unless you have a six puck or something. Those are totally unnecessary imo though. 800whp in a civic didn't necessitate my friend having one, and his car drove very nice low speeds and in traffic. I'm staying stock though, so no issue. Traffic and a stock never irked me.

ImportConvert · 12-08-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Uh... it really does shift as fast or faster than 95% of people can possibly clutch in clutch out... recorded with Osiris software. Also faster in average 1/4 mile and 0-60 times, which corroborate with that. Maybe you test drove one that isn't in good repair?

It's also influenced by trans fluid temp and throttle position, so if the fluid was cold and you didn't give it much pedal, it might feel a bit more granny shift-ish.

Also best to have VDC off.

And throttle response on both AT and MT needs to be tweaked.

Anyway, like I said, you can turn the shift speed and firmness waaaay up with Osiris.

I'd try a different one or see if someone around you has a tuned one to play with before you decide... That said, if you prefer a MT, go for it!

I drove a new 2012. It was cold out, but I could tell that wasn't the issue. At part throttle, it just takes time even in manual. I felt very disconnected. I'm going from a high ten/low eleven second car to this, so a tenth or two in the 1/4 is the least of my worries. I just want the most fun, and after driving the a7, I personally, for me, feel that m6 is the way to go for me. I'm not taking a swipe at the a7 other than to say yes it was a tad indecisive, its just not my thing, but I wanted to give it a go rather than regret it later.

ImportConvert · 12-08-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecinoid

Here's the thing you guys are missing... see bold:

The 370Z’s 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode with a target time of 0.5 seconds between shifts. Drivers can use the standard paddle shifters or the shift lever. With optimized torque converter lock-up logic, the 7-speed automatic feels very direct, like a manual transmission. The 7-speed’s wide gear ratios offer improved fuel efficiency (versus a 5-speed automatic), while the Adaptive Shift Control is designed to adjust to the driver’s driving style.

You have to drive the car in the mode you want it to perform in for a while. Then, it shifts like you wouldn't believe. I'm sold on the S7 tranny. Even double downshifts come easily if you know what speed you can do them at. No over reving here. Remember it's a little different for a six speed because it shifts very fast through the gears at bottom end to get you going. If you tromp on it and hold it to 7K then shift it shoot you out of the slot like no other. I am truly impressed and I have driven only stick shifts in my sports cars to this point. Back in 2004 I tried the auto in a Z and G and it was way sluggish. This is a completely different beast. Give it time to adapt to your driving style, then let me know what you think. It takes about 20-30mins to adapt as far as I can tell. That is driving through tight twisties.... Then it is a completely different car. 10 mins back in auto mode the car drives like your mom's car.

I'm loving the S7 more and more each day. I always win the stop light battle to the freeway on ramp... By the time I hit the on ramp they are just a spec in my mirror and I have to start looking for the officer because I'm going way too fast.

I have to be careful or this car is going to get me a lot of tickets. It's just too fun to rev to 7K so that I can feel that hard shift into second. At that point, I'm over 60mph and in trouble already...

Enjoy the ride !!! AJ on his seventh Z car now.

I did not take the adaptive nature into account at all.

Also read about temp above your post, sounds like it won't matter one bit to me. I won't overheating it.

I'm kindof torn, but the reason is all the bad I hear about the manuals vs. The disconnect I have always felt with automatics. I'm still in the manual camp, but if they find the car I want except in auto, ill be stressing.

Skeeterbop · 12-08-2011, 04:27 PM

Here is another reason to get a manual

: Not only are manual transmissions awesome, they're a theft deterrent

Guard Dad · 12-08-2011, 05:12 PM

Took a two hour mountain drive with my 7AT yesterday:

I was smoother and more accurate with the steering-two hands on the wheel.
I was able to concentrate on the next corner better.
No missed shifts.
Effortless up and down shifts in mid corner.
Down shifts don't upset the car in mid corner.
I was a faster and probably safer driver due to fewer distractions.

Other bonuses:

Easier in traffic.
Better gas mileage.
Quicker.
More gears to choose from.
Quicker down shifts than a manual if traffic surprises you and you need power right now- stomp on it and go.
Better trade-in.
The shifts are faster than you think.

Negatives:

It's direct but not as direct as a manual.
The manual involves you more.
Manual is more "raw".
A manual is cheaper to buy.

I've always preferred manuals but an occasional issue with my left leg made me give the 7AT a look. From time to time I wish I had a manual but I keep finding more ways to exploit the advantages of the 7AT so I'm happy with my choice.

Get what YOU want.

ImportConvert · 12-08-2011, 06:33 PM

Wait...other poster said it locks shifts out in corners... Which is it? See page one, first reply. I'm on my cell or I would link and quote.

Dark Sarcasm · 12-08-2011, 07:05 PM

mines shifts in corners, braking, whenever i ask it to.

wstar · 12-08-2011, 08:16 PM

Yeah he's referring to this quote from WWJD:

Quote:

The tranny is no good for racing. It wouldn't shift when the car is corning, or braking. The only way you can down shifting is when you doing northing with the car. SUCKS!!! Hopefully someone come out with some tranny software tuning.

I donno, I guess we could talk to WWJD and try to get more info about what issues he was having, but I assure you the 7AT is meant to shift under all reasonable conditions, including while braking, cornering, and/or accelerating very hard. I'll link my track video clips again, where you can clearly see my 7AT doing all of the above in various places (well, I try to avoid shifting while actively turning a tight corner so you won't see much of that, but it does in fact do so just fine): TDE MSR-Houston Nov 6 2011 - YouTube

UNKNOWN_370 · 12-09-2011, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I did not take the adaptive nature into account at all.

Also read about temp above your post, sounds like it won't matter one bit to me. I won't overheating it.

I'm kindof torn, but the reason is all the bad I hear about the manuals vs. The disconnect I have always felt with automatics. I'm still in the manual camp, but if they find the car I want except in auto, ill be stressing.

Import, Mecanoid could not have put it any better. The at takes time to really understand its capability. Early in the thread red posted wwjd's review. I personally can downshift while decelerating or accelerating. And I'm not sure about what he meant about NOT being able to shift in turns but I don't shift until I am in a position to launch out of a turn. The 7at is incredible. From my standpoint, you lose out on 3 things.
1. The ability to burnout
2. Exhaust note is less aggressive than the manual/very mild torque converter drone. But nothing close to how bad other autos have it.
3. If you are really used to the clutch, you will feel like you need something to step on with your left leg at first. I have driven every shifting auto out there in the Z's price range and above. Nothing feels like it except the DCT's out there.

I'm not telling you to buy the auto. And I'm not going to say the auto is better than a manual. But I will say this. It will be a long time till another car brand will be able to duplicate this level of performance from a slushbox. When people are in my car and I'm shifting. They think its a manual transmission. Power delivery from the auto is that direct. I will take the pepsi challenge on power delivery with the 7at. Its just that impressive.

Obviously there will be advantages to a manual on a few levels.
Turbos bigger than stage 2. Drifting is easier. The art of heal and toe when SRM is off. But the 7 at provides so much diversity in its programming. I thing it makes it easy to transition from manual to auto.

UNKNOWN_370 · 12-09-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Yeah he's referring to this quote from WWJD:

I donno, I guess we could talk to WWJD and try to get more info about what issues he was having, but I assure you the 7AT is meant to shift under all reasonable conditions, including while braking, cornering, and/or accelerating very hard. I'll link my track video clips again, where you can clearly see my 7AT doing all of the above in various places (well, I try to avoid shifting while actively turning a tight corner so you won't see much of that, but it does in fact do so just fine): TDE MSR-Houston Nov 6 2011 - YouTube

Jordo! · 12-09-2011, 05:52 AM

He may be referring to the fact that it will automatically downshift if the revs drop below 1.5 K.

I find that mildly annoying too, but you can downshift before it happens and if you don't, we'll then you are in the right gear for when you plan to accelerate out of the corner, so it all works out.

It's a minor issue -- basically you can't really be in the "wrong" gear as revs drop. Otherwise the 7AT is pretty much perfect.

Anybody know whether the GT-R does that too?

wstar · 12-09-2011, 07:13 AM

Don't know the status of the GT-R or other PDK/DSG-type transmissions on the automatic downshifts. However, on our 7AT it's really more of a help than a hinderance. If you're actively managing your downshifts you'll be hitting that button way before the TCM does it for you. The TCM downshifts at a pathetically low RPM just to prevent a long-period loss of lockup (or for that matter, engine shutoff eventually) due to low RPMs. If you're not actively managing downshifts (e.g. coming down to a red light in normal everyday street traffic), just let it do its thing and it'll keep you in the right gear for a very mild and fuel-efficient takeoff when traffic starts moving again

ImportConvert · 12-09-2011, 07:20 AM

I agree. I tested if it would downshift or kill the car or buck. I liked that it does that. I imagine without the rest of the stuff ( stick and clutch) going on a lot of people would forget to ds and kill it often.

I have just not had good luck with autos, but if they find my car 100% as I want it except in auto, I might consider. I just have never seen a reliable auto, and do plan on keeping the car long term. I have owned 3 autos so far. Killed em all, or at least had them slipping on hot days. Never killed a manual.

Dark Sarcasm · 12-09-2011, 04:34 PM

one thing reason i like a manual over the auto is being able to push in the clutch and coast in nuetral. other than that i will take the 7AT. Its a perfect balance for those of us that want to be comfortable cruising and switch to manual mode to have fun also.

b1adesofcha0s · 12-09-2011, 04:41 PM

I wish they would put the GT-R's DCT into the next gen Z, that would be awesome

12-08-2011, 04:27 PM	#49 (permalink)
Skeeterbop A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Bliss, TX Age: 40 Posts: 1,440 Drives: 2011 GM 370 base SP Rep Power: 16	Here is another reason to get a manual : Not only are manual transmissions awesome, they're a theft deterrent __________________ Srenity: "Yeah no rest needed to spread the love when your 20 that's for sure...."

12-08-2011, 07:05 PM	#52 (permalink)
Dark Sarcasm Track Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Katy Texas Posts: 552 Drives: 11 CTS-V Coupe Rep Power: 16	mines shifts in corners, braking, whenever i ask it to. __________________ wax

12-09-2011, 05:52 AM	#56 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	He may be referring to the fact that it will automatically downshift if the revs drop below 1.5 K. I find that mildly annoying too, but you can downshift before it happens and if you don't, we'll then you are in the right gear for when you plan to accelerate out of the corner, so it all works out. It's a minor issue -- basically you can't really be in the "wrong" gear as revs drop. Otherwise the 7AT is pretty much perfect. Anybody know whether the GT-R does that too? __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

12-09-2011, 07:13 AM	#57 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Don't know the status of the GT-R or other PDK/DSG-type transmissions on the automatic downshifts. However, on our 7AT it's really more of a help than a hinderance. If you're actively managing your downshifts you'll be hitting that button way before the TCM does it for you. The TCM downshifts at a pathetically low RPM just to prevent a long-period loss of lockup (or for that matter, engine shutoff eventually) due to low RPMs. If you're not actively managing downshifts (e.g. coming down to a red light in normal everyday street traffic), just let it do its thing and it'll keep you in the right gear for a very mild and fuel-efficient takeoff when traffic starts moving again __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

12-09-2011, 04:34 PM	#59 (permalink)
Dark Sarcasm Track Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Katy Texas Posts: 552 Drives: 11 CTS-V Coupe Rep Power: 16	one thing reason i like a manual over the auto is being able to push in the clutch and coast in nuetral. other than that i will take the 7AT. Its a perfect balance for those of us that want to be comfortable cruising and switch to manual mode to have fun also. __________________ wax

12-08-2011, 05:12 PM	#50 (permalink)
Guard Dad Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Orange County, CA Posts: 422 Drives: 2010 370Z Silver A7 Rep Power: 15	Took a two hour mountain drive with my 7AT yesterday: I was smoother and more accurate with the steering-two hands on the wheel. I was able to concentrate on the next corner better. No missed shifts. Effortless up and down shifts in mid corner. Down shifts don't upset the car in mid corner. I was a faster and probably safer driver due to fewer distractions. Other bonuses: Easier in traffic. Better gas mileage. Quicker. More gears to choose from. Quicker down shifts than a manual if traffic surprises you and you need power right now- stomp on it and go. Better trade-in. The shifts are faster than you think. Negatives: It's direct but not as direct as a manual. The manual involves you more. Manual is more "raw". A manual is cheaper to buy. I've always preferred manuals but an occasional issue with my left leg made me give the 7AT a look. From time to time I wish I had a manual but I keep finding more ways to exploit the advantages of the 7AT so I'm happy with my choice. Get what YOU want.

12-08-2011, 06:33 PM	#51 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7627	Wait...other poster said it locks shifts out in corners... Which is it? See page one, first reply. I'm on my cell or I would link and quote.

12-09-2011, 07:20 AM	#58 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7627	I agree. I tested if it would downshift or kill the car or buck. I liked that it does that. I imagine without the rest of the stuff ( stick and clutch) going on a lot of people would forget to ds and kill it often. I have just not had good luck with autos, but if they find my car 100% as I want it except in auto, I might consider. I just have never seen a reliable auto, and do plan on keeping the car long term. I have owned 3 autos so far. Killed em all, or at least had them slipping on hot days. Never killed a manual.

12-09-2011, 04:41 PM	#60 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 141	I wish they would put the GT-R's DCT into the next gen Z, that would be awesome __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

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