New owner. 2nd gear issues.

RZ14 · 04-02-2013, 10:07 AM

Hey guys,
I just got my Z last week and I am having trouble with 2nd gear shifting. Ive found the engagement point on the clutch finally but second usually feels "sticky" and I can feel the gears binding before the stick will seat into second. After driving with Nissans mechanic; he said I wasnt getting the rpms high enough. I usually shift around 2k-2.5k on daily driving. What do you guys generally shift at? Tips?

Also, do any of you guys notice the shifter "floating" when its seated in gear. I notice like an 1/8" to a 1/4" movement on the stick when I accelerate and release the gas.

Thanks.

ProfessorDave · 04-02-2013, 10:13 AM

Congrats on your Z!

I agree with the service guy. Shifting from 1st to 2nd at 3k rpms or higher helps make the transition smoother.

Yes, there is movement in the shifter. I'm guessing that's normal, especially on acceleration/deceleration.

kenchan · 04-02-2013, 10:24 AM

hello, professordave!

yah, as professordave mentioned, you have to rev up to 8K rpm each time to get a smooth shift.

isayimandrew · 04-02-2013, 10:30 AM

Yeah the movement on the shifter is pretty normal. It was like that on the 350Z too.

Drex · 04-02-2013, 10:44 AM

lots of people have similar trouble with the 1-2 shift when first getting the car. check out this thread:

Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!

kenchan · 04-02-2013, 10:47 AM

does the 350Z have the same gearbox as the G35C? if so, the 370Z's gearbox is hell smoother. even more smootherest once you get a twm type-r biggie knob.

i have the regular type-r twm on my G, with raised height by about 1" from stock. shifts smooth.

speedfreek · 04-02-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

hello, professordave!

yah, as professordave mentioned, you have to rev up to 8K rpm each time to get a smooth shift.

All this time I have been doing it wrong...

RZ14 · 04-02-2013, 10:54 AM

@Drex: thanks for the link. Very informative.

Haboob · 04-02-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RZ14

@Drex: thanks for the link. Very informative. Not much in the way of ordering and pricing however.

I just removed the helper spring and it fixed a lot of the "issues" I was having - didn't have to order anything.

Still, there's some herky-jerky stuff going on if you shift sub-3,000rpm. Above 4,000rpm it's quite a bit smoother.

RZ14 · 04-02-2013, 11:03 AM

8k daily shifts. Lol.

cheshirecat · 04-02-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

does the 350Z have the same gearbox as the G35C? if so, the 370Z's gearbox is hell smoother. even more smootherest once you get a twm type-r biggie knob.

i have the regular type-r twm on my G, with raised height by about 1" from stock. shifts smooth.

The transmission is very similar to the CD009 tranny from the 350z. Not sure how that correlates to the G35.

The gearbox on the 370 is pretty "mechanical" feeling, but it's bulletproof in regard to holding power.

Of course, the clutch system leaves a little to be desired.

GSS138 · 04-02-2013, 11:34 AM

As a guy who has owned a 370 for about a month myself, I had alot of problems with 2nd gear as well. I bring 1st to about 3.5-4k now. Problem solved. Our car does not like low RPM in any gear, but especially 2nd. Rev that sucker up.

DIGItonium · 04-02-2013, 12:43 PM

Is it brand new? The gearbox will be notchy for awhile, and but should improve after a few weeks of driving. I shift under 3k RPM as well, and it's nice. One thing to consider is switching out the gearbox fluids with Redline.

RZ14 · 04-02-2013, 01:04 PM

DIGItonium: Its a 2010 with just under 22k miles.

SurfDog · 04-02-2013, 01:24 PM

I hated my OEM clutch so I put in a JWT clutch/flywheel.(Sooooooo much better) Now my clutch feels like a clutch should, but I still need to get her up to 4k RPM for the shift to feel good and smooth. Its my DD but i still get on her... Apparently the Z likes it a bit rough.

04-02-2013, 10:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
RZ14 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 80 Drives: '10 370z 40th Rep Power: 12	New owner. 2nd gear issues. Hey guys, I just got my Z last week and I am having trouble with 2nd gear shifting. Ive found the engagement point on the clutch finally but second usually feels "sticky" and I can feel the gears binding before the stick will seat into second. After driving with Nissans mechanic; he said I wasnt getting the rpms high enough. I usually shift around 2k-2.5k on daily driving. What do you guys generally shift at? Tips? Also, do any of you guys notice the shifter "floating" when its seated in gear. I notice like an 1/8" to a 1/4" movement on the stick when I accelerate and release the gas. Thanks.

04-02-2013, 10:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	Congrats on your Z! I agree with the service guy. Shifting from 1st to 2nd at 3k rpms or higher helps make the transition smoother. Yes, there is movement in the shifter. I'm guessing that's normal, especially on acceleration/deceleration. kenchan likes this. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

04-02-2013, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	hello, professordave! yah, as professordave mentioned, you have to rev up to 8K rpm each time to get a smooth shift. jayl, ProfessorDave and Vaughanabe13 like this.

04-02-2013, 10:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Drex Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 498 Drives: '11 370z MB 6MT SP Rep Power: 14	lots of people have similar trouble with the 1-2 shift when first getting the car. check out this thread: Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring! __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z \| 6MT \| Magnetic Black \| Sport Package

04-02-2013, 10:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
RZ14 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 80 Drives: '10 370z 40th Rep Power: 12	@Drex: thanks for the link. Very informative. Last edited by RZ14; 04-02-2013 at 11:01 AM.

04-02-2013, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
isayimandrew Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 317 Drives: 13 370Z Nismo MR M6 Rep Power: 13	Yeah the movement on the shifter is pretty normal. It was like that on the 350Z too.

04-02-2013, 10:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	does the 350Z have the same gearbox as the G35C? if so, the 370Z's gearbox is hell smoother. even more smootherest once you get a twm type-r biggie knob. i have the regular type-r twm on my G, with raised height by about 1" from stock. shifts smooth.

04-02-2013, 11:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
RZ14 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 80 Drives: '10 370z 40th Rep Power: 12	8k daily shifts. Lol. Voice59 likes this.

04-02-2013, 11:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
GSS138 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 769 Drives: '12 370Z 6M Sport Rep Power: 13	As a guy who has owned a 370 for about a month myself, I had alot of problems with 2nd gear as well. I bring 1st to about 3.5-4k now. Problem solved. Our car does not like low RPM in any gear, but especially 2nd. Rev that sucker up. SurfDog likes this.

04-02-2013, 12:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Is it brand new? The gearbox will be notchy for awhile, and but should improve after a few weeks of driving. I shift under 3k RPM as well, and it's nice. One thing to consider is switching out the gearbox fluids with Redline. __________________

04-02-2013, 01:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
RZ14 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 80 Drives: '10 370z 40th Rep Power: 12	DIGItonium: Its a 2010 with just under 22k miles.

04-02-2013, 01:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
SurfDog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado (9000 feet) Age: 56 Posts: 1,796 Drives: 09 6mt, 13 Sequoia, Rep Power: 15749	I hated my OEM clutch so I put in a JWT clutch/flywheel.(Sooooooo much better) Now my clutch feels like a clutch should, but I still need to get her up to 4k RPM for the shift to feel good and smooth. Its my DD but i still get on her... Apparently the Z likes it a bit rough. Haboob likes this. __________________ 09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

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