One thing I hate about my Z

Hot Rod 370 Z

Love the car overall but, the nanny or granny 1st gear can get on ones nerves. Years ago I drove a dump truck for a construction company. Never used 1st gear unless I had a full load and needed the extra torque to get moving.
1st gear on the Z reminds me of that experience so I ask the following three questions please.
1) Anyone have this problem or is it exclusive to 2019 Z gear ratios ?
2) Anyone out there start out in 2nd gear ?
3) Does anyone find it difficult to get a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd gear ?
I have gotten used to the 1-2 shift but it does take some finesse ...

Spooler

The only thing I hate is the wife can't ride in my lap going down the interstate.

UNKNOWN_370

The Z historically has a trickier launch. Once you master it. You will be rewarded.

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KarlKFI

I'm no expert, but on my 2018 nismo it feels like you need to be above like 5k rpm and accelerating to smoothly transition from 1st to 2nd, at which point the engine is screaming. It's a pretty terrible ratio for stop and go traffic, but probably better on the track for quick launches.

The manual is deliberately close-ratio: ~3.8:1 1st and ~2.3:1 2nd.

The automatic ratios, otoh, are significantly different: ~4.9:1 1st and ~3.1:1 2nd.

Ventruck

1 to 2 is what it is. Same with the clutch motion. Better transmission fluid and some break-in makes both better, but it will never be like other cars. It can be a bit frustrating. Even if you're not racing anyone you kinda go out of your way to do a slow shift in order to be smooth, and it probably instills some self-doubt about how well you can drive. But really, it's the car. I've had mechanics stall my Z.

I've avoided forcing the gear into first unless it's a dead-stop, so second gets used a lot on slow rolls. Shorter final made it an easier go-to.

IMO you just grow to like it.The notchy, borderline clunky feel of the shift action makes many other street car transmissions feel a bit numb in comparison — not worse, but like something is arbitrarily missing.

nis350

it is the on and off nature of the clutch. It is difficult to modulate the engagement. I too get a bit nervous when stuck on the steep incline with car behind me.

BettyZ

Getting a RJM clutch pedal helped smooth things out a bit. Also had my tuner bump my idle up ab 50 rpm.

Now my biggest issue is shifting neutral to 1st. I think a lot of that is geometry though - I have very long legs and it's a very small car.

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StormWhite

I have never considered the 370Z as a very small car but then I only have a 32" inside leg.

Hot Rod 370 Z

Wow, all of your posts mirror what I feel. I guess I have to work on my shifts and live with the 1st gear screaming starts. As I mentioned it just seems like the car wants a slow shift 1st to 2nd but with a bit of gas / clutch modulation you can get smooth shifts. Thank you all, I am learning a lot on this forum !!!

Zyonara91

Here's my take.

1 - 2 gear on start up: Shift at 2 -2,200 rpm, clutch, shift, hold the clutch in for a second or two extra and release.

Once my girl warms up to me pushing her buttons (engine temp goes up) 1 - 2 gear is carried out at 2,500 - 3,000 rpm and the clutch is not held down as for long. The car transmission is different from say a Civics or Audi, why? "CUZ RACE CAR"

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JARblue

Practice, practice, practice. A perfectly smooth 1-2 shift will require a slight pause while the clutch is in and some minor clutch slipping at lower RPMs. Use SRM, if you have it, to learn how the car wants to shift and pay close attention to speed and RPMs in each gear. Then turn SRM off and practice.

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sp911

sounds and feels like most standard sports cars.

nandosman

I have discovered after a few years that you can have a 1-2 smooth transition if your rpm is above 3k. If it's bellow 3k, and you want to transition without the engine screaming, release the clutch very VERY slowly, that's how I do it.

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TobinH

i find a bit of throttle while you're releasing the clutch helps on the 1-2. all manual transmissions really, but especially this one.

i tell people when i let them drive my car, 'you kinda have to keep your foot in the gas'.

i think if the strange lag in the throttle was lessened, it would be easier to shift smoothly.

MZ DAIZY

I hated it too. You get used to it. You can always rev it to 5,000 - 6000 RPM’s and just dump the clutch. You won’t be in first long enough to bother you.