New Nismo owner/member - Los Angeles - I have ?'s
 

Hi everyone! :hello:

New member & Z owner.
(2016/white/tech/6MT)

Purchased the car CPO with 8,000 miles. For the last couple of weeks I've been enjoying/getting use to the drive of the car and spending the rest of the time trying to find any kinks the car might have. This site has been very helpful answering many of my questions, hence the reason why it's taken so long to even post a question/s.

That being said there are some items that have me a bit concerned. I have read through some of the threads related to my listed concerns but was still hoping for some current feed back :)

1. SHIFTER: I have a buzzing sound that is coming from the shifter area. I'm pretty certain it's the shift knob as the sound muffles went I press firmly on the knob. The buzz comes on after 5k. Ive attempted to remove the knob by hand which is obviously impossible but it has reduced the sound a bit. Hopefully the sound will disappear once I change the shift knob, but is there anything else relative to this sound that I should be worried about?

2. TEMPERATURE: I live in Los Angeles. I commute and deal with traffic. The car runs 95% of the time at 220, even at 6am with 65 degree weather. I guess the reason why it bothers me is by the time I get home the car feels very sluggish. I understand the car has an engine protection system once the car meets certain temperatures. This is annoying. I do enjoy spirited driving and a canyon run or two during the week. Will an oil cooler help?

3. CLUTCH: I do get clutch chatter at times. Generally after being in traffic for a while. I'll hear/ feel it taking off from a stop. Maybe it's me still getting use to the clutch. I also get a rattling/knocking sound that goes away when I depress the clutch. Throw out bearing? I also felt the clutch slip from 1st to 2nd today. Should I take it to the dealer?

Being used I don't know how the previous owner drove the car so I just want to get all the kinks out before I start to modify it in any way.

Outside of that the car has been pretty awesome.

Thanks for your time

All normal. NVH is quite an issue with the Z. Many of us live with it. And yes, an oil cooler will be good for the Z.

Welcome and congrats!

First suggestion would be to get an oil cooler for the oil temps. Fast Intentions has a kit with everything you need for your year model. It will require moving the factory heat exchanger. I would suggest going ahead and changing out the clutch fluid to Motul RBF600. This will help with CSC issues because the factory fill is only Dot 3 fluid. The gear noise you hear is the tranny at idle without the clutch depressed. It is normal due to the input shaft design. My old 2012 Nismo had the shifter rattle which drove me crazy. My new 2013 does not, thank god. Hope this get's you on the way to being more comfortable with the car.

if you are having problems keeping the shifter noise down , its very posible that the previous owner had a "short shifter" installed, and it was removed priot to sale, the one you have now is probly not aligned properly, you need to go to the DIY section here on this site and look up short shifter intall to see how its done, so thay u can redo tge work and aling it.

rattle noise and shatter is normal.....ur rear diff bushings are probly leaking or leaked out, increasing shatter in traffic.

for LA u must instal an oil cooler, with sprinting it will hit 260F and thats when the oil breaks apart and dosent do its job.

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Thank you everyone for the great feedback.

@spooler: thanks for the recommendation on the fast intentions oil cooler. That looks my best bet. I'll also try the Motul clutch fluid.

@doommonkey777: I didn't even consider that as an option. As tight as the stock knob is on I'm thinking/hoping that isn't the case but perhaps it still needs to be realigned.

2 is not an issue. you need oil temperature above 212 degrees every time you drive. the car is not very fast and not make alot of torque its not the temperture

3 is not an issue. the clutch makes noise

1 might be an issue. dont put your hand on the knob when you drive

Congrats & welcome.

CPO w/ only 8K...nice!

I thought 2012+ came with oil cooler, if not, you'll want one if you do any spirited driving or plan to do track days.

Definitely change clutch fluid to GTR fluid or Motul RBF600 as mentioned.

Z's have a funky clutch feel/pedal. I just upgraded to the RJM v3 pedal and LOVE IT!
you'll find many others that agree.

Be careful removing the OEM knob...if you ever plan on using it again or selling it.
Some folks have thrashed it during removal...there are vids/pics here showing how to do it right.