Gearbox feel in Z and other cars

themann1984 · 02-26-2011, 12:48 PM

Driving my Z is pure sex! It is hot, loud, and rough!

mick · 02-26-2011, 01:52 PM

because of the rest of the car is hard (for the nismo model at least), it wouldn't be right if the shifter was super light

optiontrader · 02-26-2011, 02:24 PM

Preference indeed. My '04 G35's shifter was notchy as well, and I found I preferred them that way. Honda's are indeed butter, but I lose and miss the effort to throw the lever.

Remember those gated shifters in the supercars that were common a ways back? I seldom see them anymore (now with DCT's emerging as the standard). Impossible to throw quickly, but I loved the "rowing" feel of them.

Brazilbro · 02-26-2011, 03:33 PM

It's no S2000 tranny but it shifts good, and easy to powershift without lockout

wdkwang · 02-26-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfweber

The Z is rough, loud, harsh because Nissan wants it that way.

Shift wise it feels heavy duty.

Let me ask this, "What did you think during/after the test drive?"

I bought the Z with the short throw shifter already installed and the car had 2800 miles on it. At first it felt like I had to give more effort than I was comfortable with to shift but now I'm very used to it and prefer it this way, especially after I drove the other cars. I've never gotten a feel for how the normal shifter is on the Z except for when I was sitting in a Z in a dealership.
The cars that I mentioned driving were all quite loose and had too much play imo. As someone said, the WRX does have a longer throw.
I'm glad most of you have said the Z's gearbox stays stiff and notchy.

I was curious to if I'd want the cylindrical Nismo shift knob and I tested a similar one on the wrx, and i realized it's a matter of how you naturally hold it. I told it on top, so the stock ball-shape fits me. The cylindrical is better for those that grab it on the side. Other than that, since it was metal it was a bit cold and I'm assuming it's burning hot in the summer.

wdkwang · 02-26-2011, 08:16 PM

I've gotten the hang of the Z already to not stall and normally drive smoothly. I was curious to drive my friends' cars cause I heard of how every car's got a different feel to it so I thought why not.
I'm gonna have to eventually get the clutch adjusted to grab lower though. Makes life a lot easier

K_J · 02-26-2011, 10:47 PM

I had a Civic Si before the Z. The shifter is, as one reviewer said, like butter. I had my 3rd gear synchros fixed and never had another issue. The Z is definitely notchy, but I have had several other manuals that were the same way. The Z's shifter feels much beefier than any other car I have owned. I drove a friends Z06 and it has a notchy feel as well. I would not worry about it, this is just how the shifter is.

tonybui · 02-26-2011, 11:32 PM

I also notice the clutch grabs VERY high, is there a way to "lower" it?

ProfessorDave · 02-27-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

I also notice the clutch grabs VERY high, is there a way to "lower" it?

I've seen a thread or two about it over in Engine/Drivetrain.

wdkwang · 02-27-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

I also notice the clutch grabs VERY high, is there a way to "lower" it?

it's in the manual in the clutch section

Red__Zed · 02-27-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

I also notice the clutch grabs VERY high, is there a way to "lower" it?

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Clutch_Adjustment

GZ3 · 02-27-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazilbro

It's no S2000 tranny but it shifts good, and easy to powershift without lockout

one of the best gear boxes i have ever rowed

butdamnbrian · 02-27-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

OP: Just shift it into gear and drive. However it feels is the way it is. All cars are different and you just need to focus on yours. Enjoy.

I respectfully disagree. As enthusiasts, we're all here because we aim for perfection. If "however it feels is the way it is" were the rule, we'd all be driving stock machines. It's entirely appropriate to try other cars' shift feels to learn more about your preference. It's the only way to gain comparative insight. Now that you have a better idea of what you want, you can work to make it happen.

In fact, I think most of us on the forum aren't happy unless we've got a project in mind. The real question to me is whether we're identifying problems because we love to fix them, or whether we're just complaining to complain.

OP, if you want a smoother shift, you can try a number of things that will make a difference to your shift feel. Try a new manual transmission fluid (redline, royal purple). Try a weighted shift knob (TWM, Blox, Tommy Kaira). Try a different short shifter (TWM is the one that's caught my eye).

Happy modding!

wdkwang · 02-28-2011, 01:50 AM

thanks brian. i couldn't have said it better. i'll most likely leave in the short shifter i have in now. i honestly don't know which one i have since it was already in there when i bought it but i'll try the redline tranny fluid.

NecioVato · 02-28-2011, 09:27 AM

@optiontrader
Would you say the gearbox on the 370z is the same or similar to the G35 bc I know the first couple of months of owning the G; I had issues with G. Granted; I got used to it then the power train warr took care of a new transmission bc synchros were done; so now it drives nice (still notchy though).

Does the 370z wind having the same issues as the G35/350z as far as the trans and the synchros and such?

02-26-2011, 02:24 PM	#18 (permalink)
optiontrader Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Smog Hell, SoCal Posts: 595 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 16	Preference indeed. My '04 G35's shifter was notchy as well, and I found I preferred them that way. Honda's are indeed butter, but I lose and miss the effort to throw the lever. Remember those gated shifters in the supercars that were common a ways back? I seldom see them anymore (now with DCT's emerging as the standard). Impossible to throw quickly, but I loved the "rowing" feel of them. __________________ 40th Anniversary Z - 3M Paint Protection Film, CA Legal Tint! (70/40)

02-26-2011, 03:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
Brazilbro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,131 Drives: Juke/240Z Rep Power: 848	It's no S2000 tranny but it shifts good, and easy to powershift without lockout __________________ Juke AWD/240Z SR20 08 Evo 10(Stage 2) SOLD Fastest Sport 6spd 370Z 11.8 @126.5SOLD

02-26-2011, 08:16 PM	#21 (permalink)
wdkwang Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 899 Drives: slidewayz Rep Power: 21	I've gotten the hang of the Z already to not stall and normally drive smoothly. I was curious to drive my friends' cars cause I heard of how every car's got a different feel to it so I thought why not. I'm gonna have to eventually get the clutch adjusted to grab lower though. Makes life a lot easier __________________ Powerhouse Amuse \| K&N Typhoon Intakes \| MotorDyne ART Pipes \| Borla Catback Exhaust \| B&M Short Shifter \| Intake Ducts \| Ichiba 25mm F/R Spacers \| Carbon Fiber Interior Vinyl Wrap \| Tints \| 10000k HIDs \| Vtak, yo!

02-28-2011, 01:50 AM	#29 (permalink)
wdkwang Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 899 Drives: slidewayz Rep Power: 21	thanks brian. i couldn't have said it better. i'll most likely leave in the short shifter i have in now. i honestly don't know which one i have since it was already in there when i bought it but i'll try the redline tranny fluid. __________________ Powerhouse Amuse \| K&N Typhoon Intakes \| MotorDyne ART Pipes \| Borla Catback Exhaust \| B&M Short Shifter \| Intake Ducts \| Ichiba 25mm F/R Spacers \| Carbon Fiber Interior Vinyl Wrap \| Tints \| 10000k HIDs \| Vtak, yo!

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02-26-2011, 12:48 PM	#16 (permalink)
themann1984 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 100 Drives: 09 370Z Yellow M6 Rep Power: 16	Driving my Z is pure sex! It is hot, loud, and rough!

02-26-2011, 01:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
mick Track Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: California Posts: 903 Drives: Used to drive a 370z Rep Power: 17	because of the rest of the car is hard (for the nismo model at least), it wouldn't be right if the shifter was super light

02-26-2011, 10:47 PM	#22 (permalink)
K_J Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Columbus, GA Posts: 30 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z RD M6 Rep Power: 15	I had a Civic Si before the Z. The shifter is, as one reviewer said, like butter. I had my 3rd gear synchros fixed and never had another issue. The Z is definitely notchy, but I have had several other manuals that were the same way. The Z's shifter feels much beefier than any other car I have owned. I drove a friends Z06 and it has a notchy feel as well. I would not worry about it, this is just how the shifter is.

02-26-2011, 11:32 PM	#23 (permalink)
tonybui A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,397 Drives: 09 Sports 6 Speed Rep Power: 427	I also notice the clutch grabs VERY high, is there a way to "lower" it?

02-28-2011, 09:27 AM	#30 (permalink)
NecioVato Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 326 Drives: 2017 Black Nismo Z Rep Power: 19787	@optiontrader Would you say the gearbox on the 370z is the same or similar to the G35 bc I know the first couple of months of owning the G; I had issues with G. Granted; I got used to it then the power train warr took care of a new transmission bc synchros were done; so now it drives nice (still notchy though). Does the 370z wind having the same issues as the G35/350z as far as the trans and the synchros and such?