New Z owner

JLarson · 05-31-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingTdot

Idk if it's cause I don't know how to find certain topics on this forum, probably is, but I was wondering If you could give me some tips on the clutch foot work of the 370?

I've had the car for probably 2 days now, but have only driven around 2 hours total.

It is my first manual car and I've had some practice in other cars, but I'm having a hard time getting a smooth transition in 1st gear and 1st to 2nd without at least a little jerk. I noticed if i hold the clutch around the biting point for a little longer and release, its smoother, but i feel or hear the clutch spinning when i hold it at that point, is that ok? Or am i doing something wrong?

Our manual transmission is notoriously difficult. When shifting 1st into second, the best method I found for smooth transitions was to "slip" the clutch, but I'm hard pressed to think of how to describe that in text format.

Push pedal in, change gear, release pedal gradually (swift motion but not so much that the car jerks) and as it bites, apply light acceleration to prevent an abrupt drop in rpms and rough engagement/jerking.

OR, as previously mentioned, buy the RJM which is fully adjustable and way more forgiving. I'd highly recommend that as your first mod. I just installed the v3.1 pedal in my car a few weeks ago and deeply regret that I did not do it sooner!

KingTdot · 06-03-2018, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLarson

Our manual transmission is notoriously difficult. When shifting 1st into second, the best method I found for smooth transitions was to "slip" the clutch, but I'm hard pressed to think of how to describe that in text format.

Push pedal in, change gear, release pedal gradually (swift motion but not so much that the car jerks) and as it bites, apply light acceleration to prevent an abrupt drop in rpms and rough engagement/jerking.

OR, as previously mentioned, buy the RJM which is fully adjustable and way more forgiving. I'd highly recommend that as your first mod. I just installed the v3.1 pedal in my car a few weeks ago and deeply regret that I did not do it sooner!

I was kind of fiddling with the clutch release the past few days and I was doing nearly exactly as you are describing it. Also notice if i put gas a little too early it jerks as well, but I assume it's because im still an amateur at manual driving.. only been a week and a half.

Thanks for the tips n advice guys.

mults · 06-04-2018, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingTdot

I was kind of fiddling with the clutch release the past few days and I was doing nearly exactly as you are describing it. Also notice if i put gas a little too early it jerks as well, but I assume it's because im still an amateur at manual driving.. only been a week and a half.

Thanks for the tips n advice guys.

Welcome and congrats on your new ride...

About the clutch...I've been driving manual cars for more years than I can to divulge here, but let me tell you that this was by far, the most difficult car to drive smoothly

. Even after 7 years, it is still a challenge. What I have finally realized (for me) is to keep the seat a little farther away from the pedals. What I found is that if I do not depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, it eliminates the the amount of travel in the pedal and makes the clutch engagement that much smoother.

You also have to be very patient because the engine RPM's do not drop very fast, so I almost count one-thousand-one before shifting. Even with the Rev-Match feature, it takes a while to learn to be smooth. I have purchased the RJM pedal kit, but have been a little lazy in doing the installation. Just be patient and you can become a "Z SHIFT MASTER" in no time...

KingTdot · 06-04-2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mults

Welcome and congrats on your new ride...

About the clutch...I've been driving manual cars for more years than I can to divulge here, but let me tell you that this was by far, the most difficult car to drive smoothly

. Even after 7 years, it is still a challenge. What I have finally realized (for me) is to keep the seat a little farther away from the pedals. What I found is that if I do not depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, it eliminates the the amount of travel in the pedal and makes the clutch engagement that much smoother.

You also have to be very patient because the engine RPM's do not drop very fast, so I almost count one-thousand-one before shifting. Even with the Rev-Match feature, it takes a while to learn to be smooth. I have purchased the RJM pedal kit, but have been a little lazy in doing the installation. Just be patient and you can become a "Z SHIFT MASTER" in no time...

I noticed this as well, but it makes driving conservative and smooth very slow.. at least for me. Will update on future progression or regression

.

KingTdot · 06-28-2018, 03:23 PM

I've gotten a lot smoother at driving the z after a month now,
1st-2nd is still a challenge but 9/10 its smooth now.

Im adding in a bit of downshift rev matching now but it's
not too rewarding with the stock exhaust😂.

Also have the occasional stall in parking lots when i forget to shift into neutral.

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06-28-2018, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
KingTdot Base Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Ontario Posts: 27 Drives: 2016 370z Black 6MT Rep Power: 7	I've gotten a lot smoother at driving the z after a month now, 1st-2nd is still a challenge but 9/10 its smooth now. Im adding in a bit of downshift rev matching now but it's not too rewarding with the stock exhaust😂. Also have the occasional stall in parking lots when i forget to shift into neutral.