Why does first gear in every other car feel and seem faster than the Z?
 

Why does first gear in every other car feel and seem faster than the Z?

(THERE. Better? Jeez.)

My understanding is that 1st gear does not have a mechanical lock from the engine to the transmission where as gears 2 thru 7 do. It's probably to keep the car from smoking the tires and to minimize damage from people flooring it at every stop light! In my '09 370Z 7AT the shift from 1st to 2nd is a kick in the rear and is usually when I really feel the acceleration kick in.

I will disagree with you. First gear in Z seems pretty solid to me. However, Z transmission(350z) has always been problematic but so far I have no problem in my 09 Z (rolling into 44,000 miles). Try to find the perfect launch RPM (assuming it's manual transmission) and you WILL be able to launch it pretty hard. Keep practicing. And sorry we do not allow any street racing post in our forum hence I modified your post.

I pretty much can light up 1st gear at will so think it's ok. Are you sure you aren't activating traction control?

It depends on what you are after in the car, and what you are used to.

The 3.7 isn't terribly short for the torque levels that the Z produces. If you are used to driving a car with a notably shorter FD, the Z may feel sluggish.

should have bought a Nismo! lol

lol

Agreed:tup:

because race car :stirthepot:

Mine is not a Nismo, and definitely doesn't feel slow. Can spin the tires at will pretty much.. Rolling or not

Then just try and keep those 16 extra ponies planted! lol

Car feels fine to me in first. Maybe you're just not launching/hooking up correctly.

The 370Z isn't the most torquey car to begin with. I don't think the gear ratios are that bad. Its neitblher a V8 muscle car or an awd turbo car.

^ I agree, I had 2 gt's and man they set you in the seat compared to the Z. In the Z's defense though, it is by far the most balanced. I noticed once I bumped my tire pressures up, (very novice observation) it was much easier to break traction. I used to run 28-29 in the back and had some unfortunate outside scrub. So im runnin 31.5 and im breakin traction like a bad habbit.

It seems like the torque piles on towards the mid-range. The tuning of the Nismo yields pretty soft torque down low, but power in the high rev's.

Sluggish 1st gear? What are these other cars you speak of that are so much quicker in 1st?