New 370Z Owner :)
 

Hello all,

I've been lurking around these forums for about 2 months now. Finally purchased my 2016 MT 370Z 2 weeks ago, and got approved on this site ;).

Still a new manual driver(drove a buddy's accord coupe for a few weeks before getting the Z) and although I'm getting better at driving this beast, I'm still struggling to drive it smoothly.

I did some research and installed the clutch spring 2 days ago (to be honest, I didn't get the WOW factor everyone was saying, maybe because I never REALLY got use to the OEM spring to feel the difference...is it possible to have installed it wrong? lol, I took it to a mechanic though...).

So I've been reading up on how to properly drive this thing and I have a question for you all.

2 days after I got this car, I decided to try planting the heel of my clutch foot on the floor, and just pressing the clutch half way in when changing gears. This helped me A LOT for N to 1st gear(I don't take a good 30 seconds at a stop sign anymore), as well as 1st to 2nd gear. I felt I had more control this way, and a lot faster getting to the engagement point.
Is doing this bad for the car/clutch? I'm beginning to notice that going from 1st gear to 2nd gear, I SOMETIMES have to push the stick harder for it to get into 2nd gear..it doesn't feel 'smooth'

However, I've been driving with my entire foot today and find that the 1st and 2nd gear is still kinda hard and notchy to get into even with the clutch fully depressed...(When the car is off, every gear is SO smooth lol)

Thanks for your time all, I know it's kinda a long first post xD

Congrats and Welcome! :hello:

Congrats and welcome! :tiphat:

Post some pics!

Congrats and welcome. I don't get what's the issue with the stock clutch, it seems to work just fine for me. Yes it's a bit grabby and the catch point is "short" but isn't that expected? A lot of cars I've driven are like that...

Thanks guys! Will definitely take and post some pics tomorrow after giving her a good wash ;)

Sent from my SM-A800F using Tapatalk

Welcome to the family!
Although this clutch is not the easiest one to learn on, also not that difficult.
You may consider your first mod as the RJM clutch pedal assembly replacement.
It's very cost effective, somewhat easy to install, can be returned back to stock if you need to, and is supported very well by the manufacturer.

It has been done by dozens of members on here, including myself, with very good reviews. Here are a couple of quick links, but there are more if you search for it.

http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...al-system.html
http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...noob-tips.html
370Z & G37 AFP Clutch Pedal Assemblies - *RJM Performance.com

I don't think it's bad aside from burning your clutch potentially a little bit. Nothing terrible, but you may have a slightly shorter lifespan on the clutch. I've always found that 1st to 2nd is the roughest transition. When I purchased a used 09 I thought it was even grinding a bit. Then when I got the '15 new I realized it did the exact same thing. It's really just a bit of vibration, doesn't feel quite like butter on all the other gears. Just a matter of the synchros matching up to the teeth of the gear but what you are feeling is normal. These trannys are pretty fantastic, you have to do quite a bit to hurt it. Enjoy the new Z!!!