Need some help with shifting.

vividracing · 02-28-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

ive driven manual transmissions for 15 years and i still look like a noob in my nismo. its a tough car to drive smooth. :\

Yeah, the Z is kinda a PITA. E46 BMW is the same way...

Gauge · 02-28-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbhakta

I'm glad I could help out. I still would recommend getting the Helper Spring as it helps a lot. If you are unsure about how it would feel, many members removed the OEM spring all together to get a feel for what it would be like without the spring in there. If its something you like, then the spring is very inexpensive to order and installs in less than 20 mins.

I already ordered one.

Winters · 02-28-2012, 07:42 PM

Not just the clutch, but the gas pedal is touchy as can be! While getting used to the Mo, I avoided wearing heavy shoes.

Also, I have found that I have a better feel for the clutch using the ball of my foot, almost on my toes gives me the best control. And the 1st to 2nd shift is smoother for me if I shift more quickly.

forza370z · 02-28-2012, 10:01 PM

After driving NISMO for monthes, I've switched to using my left feet to kick somebody's a** coz it's getting stronger.:P

Rusty · 02-28-2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winters

Not just the clutch, but the gas pedal is touchy as can be! While getting used to the Mo, I avoided wearing heavy shoes.

Also, I have found that I have a better feel for the clutch using the ball of my foot, almost on my toes gives me the best control. And the 1st to 2nd shift is smoother for me if I shift more quickly.

Shoes have alot to do with the feel of it. The lighter the shoe. The more feel you have. The 1st to 2nd gear shift. Sometimes I think the gear ratios are a tad too far apart. If they was closer. You wouldn't drop too many rpms. You wouldn't have as big of a problem.

ZMan8 · 02-29-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Shoes have alot to do with the feel of it. The lighter the shoe. The more feel you have. The 1st to 2nd gear shift. Somethings I think the gear ratios are a tad too far apart. If they was closer. You wouldn't drop too many rpms. You wouldn't have as big of a problem.

thin soles on the shoes!

Ridgerunner · 02-29-2012, 01:01 AM

Treat first gear clutch let out different then going into second, third and fourth. Don't let clutch out all in one motion. From the start, give it a little gas, partially let out the clutch about half way or so, once the car starts moving, then let clutch out the rest of the way as you give it some more gas. If you time the final clutch let out while giving it additional gas just right, you will have a smoother take off.

I have had five standards in a row, with the last three a Rx-7, Mr2 Turbo and a Mustang GT, and the 370Z is by far the hardest to start off smoothly in. So if you just learned on the Z, it ain't all you that is the problem.

BlackZeda · 02-29-2012, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

Treat first gear clutch let out different then going into second, third and fourth. Don't let clutch out all in one motion. From the start, give it a little gas, partially let out the clutch about half way or so, once the car starts moving, then let clutch out the rest of the way as you give it some more gas. If you time the final clutch let out while giving it additional gas just right, you will have a smoother take off.

I have had five standards in a row, with the last three a Rx-7, Mr2 Turbo and a Mustang GT, and the 370Z is by far the hardest to start off smoothly in. So if you just learned on the Z, it ain't all you that is the problem.

Based on your experience with other MTs, is there a benefit to the difficulty of getting the Z started? Or is this just a compromise the engineers had to make for some other reason?

Hopefully that question makes sense...

bigsix · 02-29-2012, 06:59 AM

I stalled the Nismo multiple times on the first test-drive. On the other hand, no stalls in a roadster.

Gauge · 02-29-2012, 08:06 AM

Heh it's nice to see others having the same problems >< Thank's for the support guys.

cv129 · 03-01-2012, 12:12 AM

Z is the first manual car for both my wife and I. Still has stock helper springs in. We struggled for the first couple drives, until I realized to practice getting the car moving w/o using gas.

The Z is powerful enough where it this can be easily done. That method allowed us to really learn the area where the clutch slips, since my only focus is on my left foot. Once I told my wife that, she didnt' stall the car at all during the 2nd lesson (repeated stop-1st-2nd-stop in an empty lot).

You can do it man, no worries.

Gauge · 03-01-2012, 09:04 AM

It's getting better. A lot better. The foot planting that the one poster recommended helped me a ton. Now that I'm getting used to the catch point with the foot plant I can not plant it and get off just fine. It was just really hard to get used to with that tough spring. My new one should arrive soon I would imagine.

Another question though, does it hurt the transmission if I use lower gears to slow down for a stop light? I never bothered doing this in other cars but it's kinda fun in this car is why I ask.

roplusbee · 03-01-2012, 12:48 PM

Agreed. Good to know that you got it together. The NISMO has been a "different" beast in terms of clutch engagement. If you leave the SRM on, it seems to be a lot more forgiving. But then again, what fun is that?

02-28-2012, 07:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
Winters Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 16 Drives: 2011 Black Nismo Rep Power: 14	Not just the clutch, but the gas pedal is touchy as can be! While getting used to the Mo, I avoided wearing heavy shoes. Also, I have found that I have a better feel for the clutch using the ball of my foot, almost on my toes gives me the best control. And the 1st to 2nd shift is smoother for me if I shift more quickly. __________________ 2011 Magnetic Black NISMO: Kenwood DDX418, Polk Audio, Dynamat, Z1 25 row oil cooler, 4.08 differential, Stillen G3's

03-01-2012, 12:12 AM	#26 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,235 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163995	Z is the first manual car for both my wife and I. Still has stock helper springs in. We struggled for the first couple drives, until I realized to practice getting the car moving w/o using gas. The Z is powerful enough where it this can be easily done. That method allowed us to really learn the area where the clutch slips, since my only focus is on my left foot. Once I told my wife that, she didnt' stall the car at all during the 2nd lesson (repeated stop-1st-2nd-stop in an empty lot). You can do it man, no worries. Last edited by cv129; 03-01-2012 at 12:36 AM.

03-01-2012, 12:48 PM	#28 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 23	Agreed. Good to know that you got it together. The NISMO has been a "different" beast in terms of clutch engagement. If you leave the SRM on, it seems to be a lot more forgiving. But then again, what fun is that? __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

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02-28-2012, 10:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
forza370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 403 Forbidden Posts: 2,512 Drives: 2009 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 19	After driving NISMO for monthes, I've switched to using my left feet to kick somebody's a** coz it's getting stronger.:P

02-29-2012, 01:01 AM	#22 (permalink)
Ridgerunner Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 79 Drives: 09 370Z Black 6M SP Rep Power: 15	Treat first gear clutch let out different then going into second, third and fourth. Don't let clutch out all in one motion. From the start, give it a little gas, partially let out the clutch about half way or so, once the car starts moving, then let clutch out the rest of the way as you give it some more gas. If you time the final clutch let out while giving it additional gas just right, you will have a smoother take off. I have had five standards in a row, with the last three a Rx-7, Mr2 Turbo and a Mustang GT, and the 370Z is by far the hardest to start off smoothly in. So if you just learned on the Z, it ain't all you that is the problem.

02-29-2012, 06:59 AM	#24 (permalink)
bigsix A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,227 Drives: Honda City/Mazda 2 Rep Power: 19	I stalled the Nismo multiple times on the first test-drive. On the other hand, no stalls in a roadster.

02-29-2012, 08:06 AM	#25 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 15	Heh it's nice to see others having the same problems >< Thank's for the support guys.

03-01-2012, 09:04 AM	#27 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 15	It's getting better. A lot better. The foot planting that the one poster recommended helped me a ton. Now that I'm getting used to the catch point with the foot plant I can not plant it and get off just fine. It was just really hard to get used to with that tough spring. My new one should arrive soon I would imagine. Another question though, does it hurt the transmission if I use lower gears to slow down for a stop light? I never bothered doing this in other cars but it's kinda fun in this car is why I ask.