I'm usually slightly above the 1k range I believe. But I dont really look at the tach. But, if your starting on flat ground, or a slight incline, your should keep it in first. Also, I don't really find the clutch to all that rough when engaging first. Going into second is another story.

From years of experience driving older gearboxes that don't syncro into first well or easily, I've gotten into the habit of pulling it into second then pushing forward into first. Tends to slow the gear spinning and allows for easier engagement. Try it and see if it doesn't help..

great idea. Also, when going into 1st, get your RPMs to about 1.5k, slowly let the clutch out while keeping the throttle constant, should have zero bog and it'll slip into gear smoothly. The trick is keeping the RPMs constant without allowing them to dip below 1.5

When at the dealership I test drove three Zs that when you raised the RPM in first while moving, then jumped on the clutch, there would be this strange "clang clang clang" noise coming from the bell housing / transmission area of the car. Has anyone experienced this? Gear slap maybe? Or clutch??

It was very disconcerting.

dont push the clutch all the way in, i just memorized and can feel where it catches at and push it in just beyond that. then you dont have to worry about guessing how far from the floor it is cause your foot is already there. you can use your shifter to help learn this by slowly pressing down on the pedal till it slides into 1st. makes it easier for me.

You are catching on to something here.The full swing of the pedal is not needed.Only have to push in far enough to disengage the clutch.The pedal has more throw then needed.Try it and you will see what I' am talking about.
Once you understand and get used to it there is no problem at all.
I agree the throwout bearing sure leaves alot to be desired.Very noisy brand new??We can only hope it doesn't get any louder as time goes on.
On any other american auto a throwout bearing that makes that much noise in neutral with the pedal fully released needs replacing.Thats usually after about 60 to 70 thousand miles!This is a new Nissan design so time will tell.

I have the same experience with my Red touring+sport 6MT Nav (no mods yet). I also have a '79 280ZX (original owner), so I can compare the two directly. The 370Z clutch is really tricky in comparison. While it does seem to be getting smoother as I drive it (~3000 miles), I don't know whether it is due to the clutch or the driver "breaking in."

Driver breaking in for sure.

Thanks for the tips guys. If the clutch doesn't engage until about 50-75% out then why do they make it so it has so much travel in it? I think I might be better at it now if I don't press right to the floor. It's just that everything I read said press clutch fully to the floor before changing gears, so that's why I started learning that way. So I will practice a lot going from idle into 1st gear and hopefully get used to the engagement point without thinking about it. Hope I don't grind any gears :shakes head:

I thought things were getting smoother (~3k miles) until recently (~5k miles) clutch action has been a bit erratic. The 1-2 shift is definitely getting more rough, and I've scratched getting in 2nd a few times. It's starting to get clunky and require a bit more shift effort. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the cooler weather setting in.

This experience is nothing new to since I had a 350Z prior, and the transmission got more clunky over time. Plus, there was more play with the clutch engagement. I'm starting to see the same with my 370Z.

You may want to search for how to adjust the engagement point of the clutch, it is fairly simple, and you can lower the engagement point closer to the floor by maybe 1-2 inchs. After I did my, I found it much easier to shift smoother.

never thought the clutch was touchy, but the throttle is a tad
sensitive in 1st gear at take off from zero mph. ill get use to it though.

wish i had a 79 280Z. :(

GAH! :icon14:

I too had the same "Driver Break-In" issues with my clutch and clunky shifting. And like many 370Z owners, i've been driving manual transmissions for many years (25years in my case). I had convinced myself that either i had lost my touch or there was something wrong with the car. Just to test my theories, I turned off the Synchro-Shift to eliminate any input from the computer. Well, after I drove it for about a week with it turned off, i'm shifting this smooth as warm butter. I think the Synchro-Shift revs the engine even on upshifts. This greatly affects the ability to shift it smoothly. Try it...it'll make a believer.