My 6MT vs Auto driving impression. Opinions please

Shotta

Im surprised to hear such great things about the 370 AT, I maybe should have considered it before I purchased my Z. I have been completely against Auto's in sports cars but reading here I think maybe I will consider it next time around. Before I bought the Z I did test drive a Mercedes 350c with sports pkg but still felt like an old mans automatic car.

I love the Z so far but I do have to say, compared to my much older car that is heaview with a lot less horsepower, th Z feels like I am driving a Sherman tank off the line, feels like something not right for a car with over 300 HP.

FPenvy

i have the 7AT and mine feels like a missile off the line (once it hooks up lol). from a dead stop and smashing the gas will result in some spin in first and some spin in second given the road temp and tires. my tires now are gettin bald but i got brand new Michelin pilot SS ready to go for summer. my only performance mod now is my CBE exhaust and Test Pipes and i drop peoples jaws when the ride in the passenger seat. it's funny watching them panic and try to find a "OH SH!T" handle but there isn't any lol

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324whp/258wtq AAM Tuned |F.I. NonRes CF CBE/NonRes TestPipes #373|UpRev Tuner|Akuma Motorsports Intakes|Z1 34 Row Oil Cooler

UNKNOWN_370

Hahahahaaaaaa... you just descibed my wife. When I got the Z she said. "Damn, No **** Bar" lol. Now she holds on to the seat with one hand the door handle with the other... lol

wstar

The self-tuning just remembers previous best-fit data, that's all. If you factory-reset the ECU, for example, it has to go back to baseline and then figure out the best spark timing numbers to use given your fuel quality, air density, ambient/coolant temps, etc based on sensor feedback. Once it homes in on the correct values though, you can shut the car off and start it back up the next day and it will be much closer to optimal right off the bat (well, assuming you didn't ship it to another continent with different weather while it was shut off ). Reset the ECU and you're back to square one again.

But people get confused about this. They know the ECU is somewhat adaptable, and they see some effects where hard-vs-soft driving styles lead to a semi-persistent effect when you switch drivers for a few minutes, etc. They start thinking the ECU can really "learn" your driving style, as if it has some internal parameter that goes from 0-100 and measures "how aggressive this dude likes to run the car". It doesn't, AFAIK. It's just adapting to current conditions, and it will re-adapt within minutes if you change the conditions drastically.

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FPenvy

haha yes that is a familiar move when i step on the gas with people in the car. only person so far not scared is my little sister but she's fckin crazy to begin with lol i've taught her well about driving just she'll never touch the driver seat in my Z.

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324whp/258wtq AAM Tuned |F.I. NonRes CF CBE/NonRes TestPipes #373|UpRev Tuner|Akuma Motorsports Intakes|Z1 34 Row Oil Cooler

cossie1600

It just changes the shift points, not anything special. I didnt wantto say anything to ruin some bubbles.....

UNKNOWN_370

Hey, the manuals are fun. I don't think buying an auto is better or worse, just different. Its not like you're missing out in a manual. But I don't think auto owners miss out either. Its a trade off.

Autos will accelerate faster. But manuals will go fast if you shift "perfectly". There is marginally more control in some driving conditions. You don't lose out either way. But this particular auto can't be dismissed as garbage like some wish they could WITH credibilty, but they CAN'T. Anyone with enough experience behind one knows how good it is.
As far as not feeling fast? How many miles on your Z? Give it time for a good break in. As well, bolt ons may be your solution. Another thing. If you don't shift above 4600rpm, you won't feel the torque. Shift at 6500 and you will feel a punch you didn't know was there. If you have test pipes? They rob you of torque feel. That's why I won't get one. I rather HFC.

VCuomo

As wstar has said, the ASC just adjusts (adapts) the shift points based on how hard you're pushing the car. It's "adaptive" memory is just a few minutes, from what I can tell. Whether or not the car is "new" isn't a factor with respect to ASC. Self-tuning as far as engine parameters (not transmission parameters) are concerned is a different ballgame.

And, contrary to what some others have posted, I'm pretty certain that ASC is disabled when the 7AT is in manual shift mode. The assumption is that the driver is in manual control of the shift points, so the ASC does not get involved.

Shotta

I just bought the car a few weeks ago, its a 2010 with 22K KMS on it (just under 14K miles).

Its in very good shape with no accidents but did notice the last owner already installed K&N Typhoon's and a magnaflow catback, other then that no mods I can see. I should maybe look over the engine compartment again to make sure everything is good and nothing kinked due to the aftermarket intake.

You may be on the money with the shift points, most of the time I am shifting way lower than 4600 and launching at around 2K (for normal driving).

I dont like to drive like too much of an *** hat on the public roads so I am going to sign up for the next available track day so I can get a better feel for what this car is all about.

Sorry to get off topic guys...Im new here, I will learn.

ayrton88

Call me old fashioned, but I could never own an automatic. I like to be fully involved in the driving experience...even just tooling around town or even in Chicago traffic. I had a BMW with the SMG paddle shifter...boring. Traded it for the same car with a true manual. Learned a very expensive lesson. I never even considered an automatic in the Z. Sure they might be faster but can you heel and toe? And no...I don't use the rev match thingy on the Z. That said, I do like power steering and A/C. I'm not that ready to go back to my beloved British '60s sports cars.

RiCharlie

okay everyone..here is the dumbest question of the day...What is the difference ( advantage) between a full standard shift and the paddle shifters on the auto? I have the auto and when i feel like shifting myself I can do it..when I feel like taking a nap, I put it in full auto and I am good to go..So why would I want a full manual?

RiCharlie

Why do you want to practice and ancient artform?

Just kidding and having a bit of fun hope you take it that way..

Red__Zed

You mean like driving a gasoline powered car?

RiCharlie

Ya Ok i was trying to kid and maybe I was over the top... Just having fun..

VCuomo

Absolutely - I think you and I are making the same point. I linked to the patent to give some "official" proof of that (plus someone else in this thread was asking about documentation).