Manual Transmission

MCKempt · 10-05-2010, 12:39 PM

Can anyone point out some differences from the manual of a 370z and the manual of a plain commuter car?

I just bought a 09 base w/Sport manual 370z, drove clutch around twice and can move the car without stalling, but I'm terrible at getting the timing down for the clutch/gas motion. It either stalls some of the time or gets really nasty with me when it finally catches gear.

Looking for tips from someone who drives manuals and this car regularly. A few friends here that know manual that are teaching me rigorously until I get it down but I want some insider tips for my car!!!!

Thanks!

vipor · 10-05-2010, 12:46 PM

It's tricky and loud, but you'll figure it out, just takes time. Some people say just put it at 2K rpm and slowly let out of the clutch. I typically do it much lower than that, like 1200rpm. From what you're saying it just sounds like you need to get some left leg practice. Try sitting on a completely flat spot and only letting out on the clutch, no gas. You should be able to start rolling forward without any throttle at all. This will help you learn where the grabbing point of the clutch is. Practice practice practice.

Nico 6 · 10-05-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

Try sitting on a completely flat spot and only letting out on the clutch, no gas. You should be able to start rolling forward without any throttle at all. This will help you learn where the grabbing point of the clutch is. Practice practice practice.

I just taught my wife using this method. She picked it rather fast. Practice as much as you can. Empty parking lots are your friend. It will only take a week or two to develop the muscle memory.

MCKempt · 10-05-2010, 02:47 PM

Yea, my friends and I have the next week planned for who gets to drive my car then teach me in return. They seem to enjoy it since they know manuals a lot more and it being a sports just draws them in, lol.

My friend said the clutch is short so I'm working on identifying the friction point while applying gas, but I do tend to wait and not do them simuntaniously at all.

I'm having terrible left and right foot work, lol!
I've been spazzing it by doing the motion and sorta praying that it catchs, which so far has been helpful in the At-Least-I-Moved sort of way, but my gears are grinding and I know it. Can't wait to learn this car. :C

Jeffblue · 10-05-2010, 02:50 PM

i think as far as clutch engagement goes, it seems to grab right in the middle of fully depressed and fullly released pedal.

mick · 10-05-2010, 03:19 PM

both the clutch and gearshift are quite short compared to my other car. if you can drive a manual, this car isn't much different (to drive) than the other cars with manual trans.

MCKempt · 10-05-2010, 03:37 PM

Had a friend who was able to pick it up in a few tries. She offered to let me learn on her car since the throttle responce to the Z is outragous for a starter, I think I'll take her up on it so I dont grind the gears too bad in mine.

Regardless, I'll try that clutch practicing since I haven't done that much to see if I can identify the friction point, hopefully impress my friend whos helping me this evening.

ProfessorDave · 10-05-2010, 04:40 PM

I've been driving manual trans for over 30 years, and the Z is one of the more challenging clutches IMO. My conclusion: the Z does not like to be launched slowly. It is much easier to get it moving in a "spirited" way.

cgl23 · 10-05-2010, 08:07 PM

Glad it's not just me. it's been a week and i'm still getting the hang of the clutch on mine. My first two cars were manual then I had 1 car in between that wasn't. I was beginning to think that I lost my skills but then I came to my senses ... it has to be the car's fault

..

I agree with the comments here - it's not easy to launch smoothly in 1st and 2nd. the funny thing is that when the car is cold the shifts are generally smoother than when it's warm and I'm not doing anything differently. I figure that in a month i will have the hang of this clutch.

FastJew · 10-05-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I've been driving manual trans for over 30 years, and the Z is one of the more challenging clutches IMO. My conclusion: the Z does not like to be launched slowly. It is much easier to get it moving in a "spirited" way.

Have to agree, the less low end torque a car has also makes getting started at low rpm more difficult. To get a smooth start this car usually needs 2000rpm or more (for me anyway)

10-05-2010, 12:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
MCKempt Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 6 Drives: 09 370Z M6 w/Sport Rep Power: 15	Manual Transmission Can anyone point out some differences from the manual of a 370z and the manual of a plain commuter car? I just bought a 09 base w/Sport manual 370z, drove clutch around twice and can move the car without stalling, but I'm terrible at getting the timing down for the clutch/gas motion. It either stalls some of the time or gets really nasty with me when it finally catches gear. Looking for tips from someone who drives manuals and this car regularly. A few friends here that know manual that are teaching me rigorously until I get it down but I want some insider tips for my car!!!! Thanks!

10-05-2010, 12:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	It's tricky and loud, but you'll figure it out, just takes time. Some people say just put it at 2K rpm and slowly let out of the clutch. I typically do it much lower than that, like 1200rpm. From what you're saying it just sounds like you need to get some left leg practice. Try sitting on a completely flat spot and only letting out on the clutch, no gas. You should be able to start rolling forward without any throttle at all. This will help you learn where the grabbing point of the clutch is. Practice practice practice. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

10-05-2010, 04:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	I've been driving manual trans for over 30 years, and the Z is one of the more challenging clutches IMO. My conclusion: the Z does not like to be launched slowly. It is much easier to get it moving in a "spirited" way. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

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10-05-2010, 02:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
MCKempt Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 6 Drives: 09 370Z M6 w/Sport Rep Power: 15	Yea, my friends and I have the next week planned for who gets to drive my car then teach me in return. They seem to enjoy it since they know manuals a lot more and it being a sports just draws them in, lol. My friend said the clutch is short so I'm working on identifying the friction point while applying gas, but I do tend to wait and not do them simuntaniously at all. I'm having terrible left and right foot work, lol! I've been spazzing it by doing the motion and sorta praying that it catchs, which so far has been helpful in the At-Least-I-Moved sort of way, but my gears are grinding and I know it. Can't wait to learn this car. :C

10-05-2010, 02:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 37	i think as far as clutch engagement goes, it seems to grab right in the middle of fully depressed and fullly released pedal.

10-05-2010, 03:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
mick Track Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: California Posts: 903 Drives: Used to drive a 370z Rep Power: 16	both the clutch and gearshift are quite short compared to my other car. if you can drive a manual, this car isn't much different (to drive) than the other cars with manual trans.

10-05-2010, 03:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
MCKempt Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 6 Drives: 09 370Z M6 w/Sport Rep Power: 15	Had a friend who was able to pick it up in a few tries. She offered to let me learn on her car since the throttle responce to the Z is outragous for a starter, I think I'll take her up on it so I dont grind the gears too bad in mine. Regardless, I'll try that clutch practicing since I haven't done that much to see if I can identify the friction point, hopefully impress my friend whos helping me this evening.

10-05-2010, 08:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
cgl23 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 16 Drives: 40th Ann 370z Rep Power: 15	Glad it's not just me. it's been a week and i'm still getting the hang of the clutch on mine. My first two cars were manual then I had 1 car in between that wasn't. I was beginning to think that I lost my skills but then I came to my senses ... it has to be the car's fault .. I agree with the comments here - it's not easy to launch smoothly in 1st and 2nd. the funny thing is that when the car is cold the shifts are generally smoother than when it's warm and I'm not doing anything differently. I figure that in a month i will have the hang of this clutch.