Mystery "Possibley" Solved - Major 0-60 Time Variations
 

Maybe someone else has covered this I'm too lazy to search for more than 10 minutes. I am convinced that the reason for such large variations in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for magazines, car shows, and racers/drivers is the adaptive shift control on the 370Z, particularly the 7-speed automatic transmission. This might even be the reason for some of the "grinding" noises folks hear when stopping and the 7AT downshifts from 3-2-1.

Per WorldCarFans.com:
"The Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) is supposed to quicken the time between shifts to about 0.5 seconds, which may sound fine but it's something you most likely need to test on the road to see how well it really works."

My understanding is that the ASC monitors your driving habits for several minutes and starts adapting based on the drivers inputs. Is it possible that some of the tests are run with a few Sunday driver warm ups and not after flogging the car for 15 minutes or so? I notice a huge difference in the "kick" between shifts if I've been pushing my 370Z 7AT hard for a few minutes vs. driving like an old lady most of my 20 minute commute from work.

I'm just saying.... maybe this should be accounted for in the tests.
Anyone know of any tests isolating and measuring the ASC? Is this even something that can be tested? :confused:

Most magazines test the 6 speed manual. I think there was one publication that tested the 7 speed automatic. And if they test the automatic they use the manual mode, which means it can be shifted just like a manual. The asc only matters in full auto mode.

Please site your source for this information. I'm trying to get information based on real data. Is this directly from Nissan or did you hear it from an expert on this topic? :tiphat:

read the specs on the Z's that are tested. I can only think of one case where it was a 7AT and they recorded a 13.1 1/4 mile due the faster shifts. I think a 6MT can be launched better though. Break launching a car can only do so much where as a professional drag racer can launch the hell out of a manual. A while back there was a post about the 2010 Z06 having launch control. Well the professional driver chevy used to demonstrate recorded a FASTER 0-60 time than the launch control did. The problem with the variations is simple, Car and Driver are RETARDS and they test brand new cars that are not broken in. Everyone else has different drivers, different road conditions, different weather conditions, and everything that I can't think of that will affect the performance of a car. I would say mainly its a human error though.

edit: Alot of people always say "this car does 0-60 in XX seconds so it will beat this car." Yeah if you can achieve that time great, but I would say about 5% of the people who say that actually can. Maybe there is 1 or 2 people on this site but its a rare thing to come across someone on the street (not a track) who can squeeze every last bit of performance out the car they are driving. So I wouldn't worry about it just know the Z's competion and from there you can compare.

In manual mode the transmission shifts in .5 seconds. In full auto mode the asc learns how you drive and will hold gears longer for more spirited drive or shift earlier for more mellow drive. This is my understanding.

I appreciate your understanding as that is mine too but I realized my understanding is based on someone elses understanding which was probably based on another person's understanding etc etc. Any Nissan mechanics know the true ins and outs of how the ASC influences any of this if at all?

The answers have already been provided.

seriously - dont get on a board - ask a question and tell people to eff off unless they are a nissan tech... why not just call your nissan dealer and be happy lol...

I don't particularly trust my Nissan dealership and was hoping that someone on this site could answer this question quickly. I guess I'll look elsewhere but am not too motivated as my 370Z w/ 7AT is quick as hell in a straight line. I know from experience that it is faster than a bright yellow late model C5 Corvette... Sheesh, it sure is tough to contribute to this community! :wtf2:

There are a lot of variables, do the testers adjust tire pressure? When I bought my 97 Supra turbo 6-speed I was able to get 13.4's on the OEM tires which beat out the 13.5's that were published. However, what helped is the fact that I lowered the tire pressure so I had a larger foot print. Same goes for the 6-speed, if you slip the clutch out (this works on any rear drive car) you will load the rear susprension and the car will launch better. The 7-AT is more consistent and will also benefit from loading the rear suspension a little as well...I've had my car in cool weather spin 1st through 3rd as I'm sure everyone else's car has done this as well yet, loading up the suspension makes a world of difference which are reflected in times.

Each review I've seen the tires sit and spin which tells me that is precious time being given up. I'm sure they follow a basic procedure however, with a little practice the magazine times can easily be beaten.

Honestly OP, you kind of come off as a bit of an a**. If you don't like someone's response just politely ask for more information. It will get you a lot more help. Otherwise you can just accept the fact that no one here actually designed the transmission on the Z and leave.

:iagree: strongly with CHRIS410

Why thank you! :tup:

+1 :tiphat:

Um, call another dealer?

To ansewer your question you need to research what the ECU does. I wouldn't expect a nissan dealer to know...but you might ask some of the tuners on this board. I don't know much about the the auto to tell you. Id expect the others to be correct in thier "understandings".....but if you want solid information then you need to do your own solid research...go find out exactly what the ECU tells the tranny to do...then you will be happy.

Sigh... for a bunch of enthusiasts this question seems to be too tough for you to answer directly and is why it isn't answered anywhere on this site, after digging through all the bashing and pissing contests that is. Part of doing "my own research" is asking on the forums. Good luck and have a nice day. :gtfo2: (THE370Z.COM FTMFL!)

You come off as sort of a tool. When you start your first post with "I'm too lazy to search for more than 10 minutes" you are also not encouraging people to help you out with your question, just sayin'.

Also afaik there are no Nissan techs on this form so the best answer you are going to get is mostly hearsay. That's probably the best you are going to do on the subject unless you can find an article or official document somewhere.

also humidity and air temps, elevation will affect how your car performs... and tire pressure setting, and your weight, and if the window as open or not, etc.

just enjoy the car. dont be a magazine spec racer.

And like I said before you come off as even more of an a**. That is the worst way to get help. You apparently don't like it here and I'm sure most would like it if you left anyway. Bye.

I have seen exactly 2 different magazine articles that have timed 370Z with the 7AT. All the other figures you vaguely quote as being "such large variations" are from the manual car as stated above. The 7AT has achieved the fastest 0-60 and 1/4 mile time I've seen (i'm interested because that is the only one my wife will want). Here is the article.
2009 Nissan 370Z Automatic - Short Take Road Test - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver The same magazine has tested several manuals as well so I assume they have a decent baseline and familiarity with the car. Also as stated above, using the manual shift mode shifts the car as fast as possible so the "adaptive" part is moot. Almost all automatic transmission equiped cars do adaptive learning anyway, so this isn't something the car review industry is unaware of. My 06 350Z certainly does it as well.

An a**, a tool, and a magazine racer. Keep them coming boys and girls. Predictable... :rofl2:

Isn't your initial argument based in large part on the magazines you now disparage? Let me quote you. You said "I am convinced that the reason for such large variations in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for magazines, car shows, and racers/drivers is the adaptive shift control on the 370Z". Now unless you are actually sitting around at mythical 370Z races or watching 0-60 runs at car shows, I have to assume your info comes mainly from press releases/magazines. Please correct me if I'm wrong. :)

I think you should possiblEy trade your 370Z in for an education and a prostitute because you def need to release some frustration

If you're so annoyed by The370Z.com, just say the magic word and I'll take your access away. This way you don't have to browse through our childish forum anymore:rolleyes:

AK