Need tips how to shift smoothly

Redglare · 05-09-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Reported for spam!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobra

Funny as it may sound but I need tips how to drive my 6 speed Z.
I cannot seem to get the hang of it from 1st to 2nd gear. It's always a little jerky when I release the clutch because it grabs so fast compare to my last car.
At what RPM is the best point to shift between 1st and 2nd. It seems to be
smoother when I don't rev the engine too high between shifts and keep the speed low. The higher gears are ok but it's between 1st and 2nd gears that cause me problems. I don't want my wife to snap her neck on her first ride with me, it will be embarassing. I've had the car for a full week of commuting now, stalled maybe twice but I'm better now. It's not my first 6 speed but this one is different.
I try not to push the clutch too far down and not rev too high,is it the best way,what's your technique, thanks

350 and now the 370 has one of the most brutal 1-2 shifts lol, I was in your situation - for me it was as simple as changing tranny fluid to redline.

as far as helper spring, i think stock is just fine, just get used to it.

honestly the oem nissan fluid is complete crap, just my 2 cents, -long time Z owner here, the 370 manual gearbox feels identical to my old 08 350 gearbox.

JARblue · 05-09-2014, 07:12 PM

This car will tell you how it wants you to shift. Listen to her and pay attention to your speed and RPMs. While the RJM pedal is a fantastic upgrade, it will not correct your incorrect clutch action. What it will do is make clutch modulation significantly easier.

If you're just cruising along you should drive it like a normal clutch. Accelerate to 3500 RPMS (or whatever you want). Clutch in. Shift to 2nd and allow RPMs to drop to about 2000 (or whatever is appropriate for your speed) before you let the clutch out. It will take dedicated practice - driving around hoping you get it right without paying attention to the vehicle isn't doing yourself or your Z any good. The car can be perfectly smooth when shifting properly.

If you're driving spiritedly and shifting at higher RPMs, the Z likes quick shifts. Accelerate to 5K+ RPMs. Clutch in. Shift. Clutch out. As quick as your feet and the car will let you

Note that this is much harder on your clutch than the above method.

DavidZ370 · 05-09-2014, 10:18 PM

whats Manuel?

H2O_Doc · 05-09-2014, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

whats Manuel?

The guy that does my lawn.

kenchan · 05-12-2014, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

whats Manuel?

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O_Doc

The guy that does my lawn.

cobra · 08-06-2014, 10:04 PM

Manuel is french for Manual, ah! Ah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

jpkirk · 05-13-2014, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

whats Manuel?

A book that comes with the car. You know, RTFM!

YzGyz · 05-10-2014, 09:33 AM

To get a smoother shift like you do from 4 to 5; simply just shift later in the rpm. Try reving 1st gear to around 4 k then go to 2 just liked ua usually do. Report back how it went.

KMO-II · 05-12-2014, 03:31 PM

S-MODE rev match is awesome!!! thats all i ever drive it on anymore...

YzGyz · 05-12-2014, 03:47 PM

I never used that. I think I tried it for like 5 turns then turned it off. I have a tendency to check if I'm out of gear by wiggling the stick left and right. It would blip thinking I was downshifting. I don't like that. Anyhoo, I think that thing only turns on when you go form 2 to 1, not 1 to 2 which is OP's problem.

JARblue · 05-12-2014, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YzGyz

I have a tendency to check if I'm out of gear by wiggling the stick left and right.

This used to bother me, too. When my wife used to DD the Z, I never used SRM when I drove it. But as my DD, I leave SRM on most of the time. I generally turn it off when I go cruise around the hill country. I have trained myself not to wiggle the stick any more. It's not needed, especially since the instrument panel tells me what gear I'm in

YzGyz · 05-12-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

This used to bother me, too. When my wife used to DD the Z, I never used SRM when I drove it. But as my DD, I leave SRM on most of the time. I generally turn it off when I go cruise around the hill country. I have trained myself not to wiggle the stick any more. It's not needed, especially since the instrument panel tells me what gear I'm in

I also think there is no need to rev the engine and make noise for all to see/hear. Then again, I'm stock exhaust. IDK, I think I do it because I like to row. Either that or it makes me feel fast.

kenchan · 05-12-2014, 04:03 PM

i never look at the cluster for which gear im in...

JARblue · 05-12-2014, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i never look at the cluster for which gear im in...

I do occasionally. Very infrequently I find myself pulling up to a stop light in third gear and don't switch over to first immediately. Usually when I want to change the song on my phone or do something quick like that while I'm stopped at the light. A quick glance tells me that I need to switch gears.

BrandynzZed · 08-06-2014, 10:29 PM

Haha, I'm pretty sure he means every time you drive the z

05-09-2014, 07:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	This car will tell you how it wants you to shift. Listen to her and pay attention to your speed and RPMs. While the RJM pedal is a fantastic upgrade, it will not correct your incorrect clutch action. What it will do is make clutch modulation significantly easier. If you're just cruising along you should drive it like a normal clutch. Accelerate to 3500 RPMS (or whatever you want). Clutch in. Shift to 2nd and allow RPMs to drop to about 2000 (or whatever is appropriate for your speed) before you let the clutch out. It will take dedicated practice - driving around hoping you get it right without paying attention to the vehicle isn't doing yourself or your Z any good. The car can be perfectly smooth when shifting properly. If you're driving spiritedly and shifting at higher RPMs, the Z likes quick shifts. Accelerate to 5K+ RPMs. Clutch in. Shift. Clutch out. As quick as your feet and the car will let you Note that this is much harder on your clutch than the above method. SterlingDrive likes this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

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05-09-2014, 10:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
DavidZ370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: [= Posts: 1,065 Drives: 17' CWP STI Rep Power: 23	whats Manuel?

05-10-2014, 09:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
YzGyz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 1,449 Drives: 2010 Nismo Rep Power: 63	To get a smoother shift like you do from 4 to 5; simply just shift later in the rpm. Try reving 1st gear to around 4 k then go to 2 just liked ua usually do. Report back how it went.

05-12-2014, 03:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
KMO-II Base Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: new mexico Posts: 190 Drives: 370Z NISMO - 2014 Rep Power: 5015	S-MODE rev match is awesome!!! thats all i ever drive it on anymore...

05-12-2014, 03:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
YzGyz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 1,449 Drives: 2010 Nismo Rep Power: 63	I never used that. I think I tried it for like 5 turns then turned it off. I have a tendency to check if I'm out of gear by wiggling the stick left and right. It would blip thinking I was downshifting. I don't like that. Anyhoo, I think that thing only turns on when you go form 2 to 1, not 1 to 2 which is OP's problem.

05-12-2014, 04:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i never look at the cluster for which gear im in...

08-06-2014, 10:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
BrandynzZed Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: OC Posts: 7 Drives: '10 370z 6mt Rep Power: 11	Haha, I'm pretty sure he means every time you drive the z