Does anybody else think the 370 manual tranny sucks!

speedfreek · 01-18-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batwing

So you shift your car at 7500 rpm redline every time you shift?

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Cmike2780 · 01-18-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batwing

So you shift your car at 7500 rpm redline every time you shift?

Hellz yeah!!

.....but only if I don't feel like shifting in 20 feet

This transmission isn't perfect. It's noisy, clunky........sounds like a cement mixer with rocks or possibly a midget with a hammer. It's far from refined, but it's really not as bad as you make it seem. I think what throws a lot of people off is that they're use to listening to the engine speeds when shifting. The problem with that is the VQ37 is sounds like a can of bees at high rpm's. It's really harsh to say the least once you get past 4,000 rpm's. Coming from an RX-8 that hit 9k rpm's without the drama... the Z took some getting use to. I guess my point is, there are plenty of things to complain about... but complaining about having to shift gear in a car with manual transmission seems kind of silly.

Chuck33079 · 01-18-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

I think what throws a lot of people off is that they're use to listening to the engine speeds when shifting. The problem with that is the VQ37 is sounds like a can of bees at high rpm's. It's really harsh to say the least once you get past 4,000 rpm's.

I think you're on to something here. If you shift by ear, you might be short shifting it.

SS_Firehawk · 01-18-2013, 12:25 PM

Sounds like a can of bee's with the wrong exhaust maybe. Feels like a can of bees... The shift knob will vibrate like mad

djrelic · 01-19-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

Heck I can travel 2,000 feet at 5 mph. The purpose of 1st gear, has and always will be just to get the car moving. My car as well as all 370's, NEED to shift at a max 7,500 rpm's...which means 40 mph, irrelevant of distance travelled.

I didnt mean it so literal to the distance traveled. I can creep in 1st at like 5mph for miles if I'd like. I was presenting it in more a stop light on main road senario, where you would be traveling from 0 - 40mph in a hopefully good amount of time.

It was just pointing how very short lived 1st gear is in our cars, and like I said I will barely use it unless Im at an incline or at a total dead stop.

But as my cousin put it when he drove my car..
Me: Ya, the first gear is very short you have to immediatley throw it into 2nd and give it a bit of gas during engagement.
Cousin: cause it's not refined luxury coupe. it's a sportscar. it just wants to go, no compromise. it's not made for going slow around starbucks.

Nak4mura · 01-30-2013, 03:22 AM

I know what he is saying. I have had mine for 6 months and of course with any car there is a learning curve but I find that my initial 1st to 2nd is terrible I have tried many different techniques but to keep up with the automatic mini vans next to me from a dead stop at a traffic light I have to go pretty hard in first, engine noise drawing attention from everyone around and shift into 2nd pretty quickly. I don't think it should be that intense to just keep up with "Slow" cars. 2nd gear and beyond the car is Incredible and rockets just that initial start or short distance that can suck. I have noticed it is easier and smoother for me when not in sport mode if shifting is done well.

Maybe a few of us did just get unlucky and our tranny's are not as good as those of you who say that yours great. I am thinking I will go test drive one at a dealership and see if I notice a difference. For a long time I wondered if it was just me but I have read too many similar experiences.

I also picked up a nismo shift knob and surprisingly it makes a world of difference over the oem knob getting into gears smoothly.

I Love my Z and this wouldn't keep me from buying one again

Joe@ZSpeed · 01-30-2013, 11:04 AM

Changing the stock Dual mass flywheel and clutch with a single mass flywheel and sprung clutch makes the car MUCH easier to drive and take off smoothly from stop, Really, It makes a HUGE difference. It gets rid of all the lunging/bouncing you experience from a get go making us look like rookie drivers.

NYBladeZ · 02-01-2013, 01:27 PM

I totally agree with OP, the Z34 transmission leaves a lot to be desired add in the fact that the CSC can be an issue especially with modifications and it makes it all that much harder to love.

The AT isn't without issue, if you're looking for more power the AT won't hold up and will require pricey upgrade mods.

In my experience, I'll be honest I hated it. I hated the clunky feeling, I hated how vague it felt and compared to the rest of the Z's surprisingly quality build I feel like they just cut their effort on the gear box. I changed out the MT tranny fluid and it was much better but still not ideal.

All in all, the MT transmission made the decision to sell my Z much easier. I routinely drive my buddies' STi, s2k and 1M. Every time I used to get back in my Z it was such a downer

.

NorCAL370Zed · 02-01-2013, 02:28 PM

I have a new 2012 370Z MT and have to say my transmission is the same and agree with the original poster. Its not bad at all on freeways or country roads in 3rd gear + but 1st and 2nd, city driving takes a lot of skill to drive it smoothly. It takes practice to drive, especially while cold and I have to admit its pretty annoying at times when I just want to cruise around without concentrating on shifting. I have found that shifting at higher RPM like 3-4 is best and you really have to have a solid foot on the clutch and let it out very deliberately. All n all its a very raw and unrefined car, but maybe thats a good thing and you just have to get used to it to master it.

djrelic · 02-02-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed

Changing the stock Dual mass flywheel and clutch with a single mass flywheel and sprung clutch makes the car MUCH easier to drive and take off smoothly from stop, Really, It makes a HUGE difference. It gets rid of all the lunging/bouncing you experience from a get go making us look like rookie drivers.

Got my juicey tax refund. You should see an order coming from me soon for that steel single mass flywheel, HD-CSC, and clutch kit.

I just gotta make sure some bills are covered and then im buyin them plums.

How is the R/D going on the new Clutch Mastercyclinder for our cars?

Take care

Joe@ZSpeed · 02-04-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djrelic

Got my juicey tax refund. You should see an order coming from me soon for that steel single mass flywheel, HD-CSC, and clutch kit.

I just gotta make sure some bills are covered and then im buyin them plums.

How is the R/D going on the new Clutch Mastercyclinder for our cars?

Take care

Awesome!

We are working on it, It will take time though, We test our stuff pretty well before releasing it

dnwarwas · 02-05-2013, 08:40 PM

I have a 2012 Nismo, have 8500 miles on it, and I doubt I drive my car as "hard" as others, but I pretty much gas it every time I take off (changing gears every 3000-3500 rpm); however, tonight I heard the strangest noise (for the first time). The light changed red, put it in neutral, stopped, and heard an almost grinding/clunking noise. Pushed in the clutch it went away. Back in neutral same sound again. The light turned green so I took off, pulled into a parking lot, but now it "seems" as though the noise quit.

Any other experiences out there?

fuct · 02-06-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnwarwas

I have a 2012 Nismo, have 8500 miles on it, and I doubt I drive my car as "hard" as others, but I pretty much gas it every time I take off (changing gears every 3000-3500 rpm); however, tonight I heard the strangest noise (for the first time). The light changed red, put it in neutral, stopped, and heard an almost grinding/clunking noise. Pushed in the clutch it went away. Back in neutral same sound again. The light turned green so I took off, pulled into a parking lot, but now it "seems" as though the noise quit.

Any other experiences out there?

when you heard the noise was the car at in incline or decline? mine chatters when im up hill and in neutral.

SS_Firehawk · 02-06-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnwarwas

I have a 2012 Nismo, have 8500 miles on it, and I doubt I drive my car as "hard" as others, but I pretty much gas it every time I take off (changing gears every 3000-3500 rpm); however, tonight I heard the strangest noise (for the first time). The light changed red, put it in neutral, stopped, and heard an almost grinding/clunking noise. Pushed in the clutch it went away. Back in neutral same sound again. The light turned green so I took off, pulled into a parking lot, but now it "seems" as though the noise quit.

Any other experiences out there?

Flywheel chatter. Every Z has it. The lighter the flywheel, the louder it is.

dnwarwas · 02-06-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

when you heard the noise was the car at in incline or decline? mine chatters when im up hill and in neutral.

I was level. :/

01-18-2013, 12:25 PM	#34 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7334	Sounds like a can of bee's with the wrong exhaust maybe. Feels like a can of bees... The shift knob will vibrate like mad __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction

01-30-2013, 11:04 AM	#37 (permalink)
Joe@ZSpeed The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,304 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 342999	Changing the stock Dual mass flywheel and clutch with a single mass flywheel and sprung clutch makes the car MUCH easier to drive and take off smoothly from stop, Really, It makes a HUGE difference. It gets rid of all the lunging/bouncing you experience from a get go making us look like rookie drivers. MJB likes this. __________________ Phone *937-506-7224* E-Mail Sales@Zspeed.com www.ZSPEED.com

02-01-2013, 01:27 PM	#38 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	I totally agree with OP, the Z34 transmission leaves a lot to be desired add in the fact that the CSC can be an issue especially with modifications and it makes it all that much harder to love. The AT isn't without issue, if you're looking for more power the AT won't hold up and will require pricey upgrade mods. In my experience, I'll be honest I hated it. I hated the clunky feeling, I hated how vague it felt and compared to the rest of the Z's surprisingly quality build I feel like they just cut their effort on the gear box. I changed out the MT tranny fluid and it was much better but still not ideal. All in all, the MT transmission made the decision to sell my Z much easier. I routinely drive my buddies' STi, s2k and 1M. Every time I used to get back in my Z it was such a downer . __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

02-05-2013, 08:40 PM	#42 (permalink)
dnwarwas Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 57 Drives: 2012 370z Nismo Rep Power: 12	I have a 2012 Nismo, have 8500 miles on it, and I doubt I drive my car as "hard" as others, but I pretty much gas it every time I take off (changing gears every 3000-3500 rpm); however, tonight I heard the strangest noise (for the first time). The light changed red, put it in neutral, stopped, and heard an almost grinding/clunking noise. Pushed in the clutch it went away. Back in neutral same sound again. The light turned green so I took off, pulled into a parking lot, but now it "seems" as though the noise quit. Any other experiences out there? __________________ FACEBOOK\|2012 Nissan 370z Nismo \| Carbon 35% Tint\|Pioneer AVIC-X940BT - Hertz HSK 165 - JL Audio HD 900/5 Amp - JL Audio Custom Subs\|Escort's Passport 9500ci \|#638 FI TDX Cat Back Exhaust w/ 18" Res & CF Mufflers\|FI 300 Cell High Flow Cats\|Stillen G3 Intake

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01-30-2013, 03:22 AM	#36 (permalink)
Nak4mura Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Puyallup WA Posts: 48 Drives: 2009 Nismo370z Rep Power: 12	I know what he is saying. I have had mine for 6 months and of course with any car there is a learning curve but I find that my initial 1st to 2nd is terrible I have tried many different techniques but to keep up with the automatic mini vans next to me from a dead stop at a traffic light I have to go pretty hard in first, engine noise drawing attention from everyone around and shift into 2nd pretty quickly. I don't think it should be that intense to just keep up with "Slow" cars. 2nd gear and beyond the car is Incredible and rockets just that initial start or short distance that can suck. I have noticed it is easier and smoother for me when not in sport mode if shifting is done well. Maybe a few of us did just get unlucky and our tranny's are not as good as those of you who say that yours great. I am thinking I will go test drive one at a dealership and see if I notice a difference. For a long time I wondered if it was just me but I have read too many similar experiences. I also picked up a nismo shift knob and surprisingly it makes a world of difference over the oem knob getting into gears smoothly. I Love my Z and this wouldn't keep me from buying one again

02-01-2013, 02:28 PM	#39 (permalink)
NorCAL370Zed Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Jose CA Posts: 4 Drives: 2012 370z Sport Rep Power: 12	I have a new 2012 370Z MT and have to say my transmission is the same and agree with the original poster. Its not bad at all on freeways or country roads in 3rd gear + but 1st and 2nd, city driving takes a lot of skill to drive it smoothly. It takes practice to drive, especially while cold and I have to admit its pretty annoying at times when I just want to cruise around without concentrating on shifting. I have found that shifting at higher RPM like 3-4 is best and you really have to have a solid foot on the clutch and let it out very deliberately. All n all its a very raw and unrefined car, but maybe thats a good thing and you just have to get used to it to master it.