Originally Posted by schellingr (Post 2911410)

I don't think there's any smoothness from 1st to 2nd. Nature of the Z tranny.

Originally Posted by schellingr (Post 2911410)

I don't think there's any smoothness from 1st to 2nd. Nature of the Z tranny.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2911547)

Wrong :shakes head:

It is possible. It just takes practice and a little patience during the shift maneuver :driving:

Originally Posted by onzedge (Post 2911554)

Swap your trans oil to Redline MT 85 as a start. It greatly improves smoothness, especially when cold.

Originally Posted by onzedge (Post 2911554)

The RJM clutch pedal upgrade is also a big help.

Originally Posted by onzedge (Post 2911554)

That said, even when stock I had no problems with shifting. I think the reason is that I know how to drive a manual transmission-equipped car. My wife drives a 6MT Juke also -- just for reference.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2911615)

I put in Redline MT-85 almost from the start and have very little experience with OEM fluid to compare. But I would listen to anything serious this man has to say :tiphat:



:iagree: Best mod available under $300. Tremendous improvement. And I had no troubles with the stock clutch either.



:iagree: and for additional reference, we originally purchased the Z for my wife as her daily driver. We got her an AT when she changed jobs and her daily commute went from 15 min of open road to 45 min of snarling traffic all the way across town. She rarely drives the Z now, but when she does it just takes a few 1-2 shifts before she's back in the groove.

I will also add that a tune will improve throttle response and is a very noticeable improvement over the stock map. Better throttle response is a big help in mechanics of operating a manual transmission IMO.

Originally Posted by onzedge (Post 2911649)

Thanks, man. You, and everyone, should also listen to the non-serious stuff too. :icon17:

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2911654)

Well I read and enjoy it for sure :tup: But I would never do many of the non-serious things you suggest :rofl2:

Originally Posted by mishuko (Post 2977159)

2.2-2.5? Redline only.
J/K

I do notice from 3ish it's a bit funky. under 3 or over 4 seems to work well for me. I used to go to 5.5 and it was hellasmooth for mebut it's not something you want to do on a colder engine.

here's the weird part... My shifts n-1, 1-2 are smooth but now my 2-3 are jerky. 3-4 , 4-5, 5-6 are smooth too. amateur hour :(

Originally Posted by victorofhavoc (Post 2978586)

haha, my gf experiences the same thing in my car when she tries to drive it...

try pushing the shifter out of 2nd immediately before you press the clutch (i promise this is very easy and safe on the engine, just don't have your foot on the gas) and then as you're depressing the clutch the last bit slide it into 3rd, add gas, then take about a half second to let off the clutch...

it's weird how every manual trans has some sort of finicky nature between each gear compared to one another...

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 2978590)

hint: there's no immediate or quick movements for driving the Z or any MT car smoothly. if you're doing any fast movements, you're doing it wrong.

hint2: wear the same shoes, use the same seating position for newbs.

hint3: listen to the car, become part of the car.

Originally Posted by Chejuan (Post 2888392)

Cruising around I shift at 3-4k. Having fun with semi-spirited I shift at 5-6k. Pushing it I shift at as close to the redline as I can get. If I am driving for economy I shift at 2k. It's all good.

During break-in I set the indicator at 4k and made sure to shift before then, but after that the engine will take whatever you throw at it.:driving:

Originally Posted by Justice97 (Post 2980999)

All this time I thought I was a spirited. No...I am semi-spirited. I guess I may never go full spirit again.

I really don't like to take her beyond "semi-spirited"

Remember this, driving a stick is about mood.
Sometimes slow and low, sometimes hard and high.

And sometimes at 3k.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2978650)

:iagree: Slower is smoother if done properly :driving:

Fast shifts are fine when you're redlining every gear at the track. Otherwise, it's just clutch in, shift, clutch out. Don't overlap those motions, and be patient. Each shift is different. 1-2 requires the most finesse and patience. But even 3-4 can clunk if you let out the clutch too soon. If you have SRM, use this and practice Kenchan hint #3.