Nissan 370Z Forum - What are your 7AT experiences?...

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash (Post 20457)

If the shifts from a sequential shifting manumatic (like my word-ology there?) transmission was as fast as Ferrari's F1 transmissions, paddle shifting would be the 100% best way to go. Ferrari's transmissions shift gears in just a hair over 10ms. These, however, are not clutch-pack style autos with a manual valve body. They're basically standards with a triple-disc actuator-controlled clutch. The shifting is performed by servos and the clutch is controlled by a computer. Paddle shifting is the only human interaction. Although those transmissions are the most efficient and strongest transmissions, they're unfortunately $20,000+!

So in that aspect, I agree. However, some stuff can be done to an automatic to make it work similar to these transmissions, although shifting will NEVER be as fast as these monster racing transmissions.

Upgrading the springs, planets (and planet carrier) and upgrading the clutch packs would be a good start to strengthening your transmission. Once you've done that, you can increase the line pressure on the valve body. (This would actually be quite healthy for the transmission's clutch packs) and that would increase the speed and firmness of the shift. There are kits you can buy for around $30-40 that are basically solenoids that will increase and decrease line pressure on a switch (allowing you to go from stock shifting speed/firmness to faster/firmer shifts). Although I don't recommend doing that until you strengthen the transmission.

If you REALLY want to go crazy, you can rebuild the transmission with a bigger sun gear, more planes, and TIGHT springs. Doing so would allow you to handle LOTS more power. Although, it won't be necessary to do that until you break the 500BHP mark.

Yep!
The older 350Z AT would start to skip gears at about 400 to 420 RWHP while the manual was good up to almost 500. The new 7 speed is also in the FX50 that has 390hp stock so obviously it can handle much more than the 350's could.

Hello folks.

My '04 350Z Touring Coupe was a AT.

My '07 350Z Grand Touring Coupe was a MT

My '08 350Z Grand Touring Roadster was an AT.

and I just (this past Wednesday) took delivery of my '09 370Z Touring Coupe 7AT with the sport package.

I would agree with those who believe a manual transmission is a few ticks faster overall than an automatic and is probably the choice for the most performance minded.

However, I'm very pleased, so far with this 7AT and the paddle shifters...I suspect the paddle shifters will take some getting used to (I've already found out that it's easy to grab something else than that shifters if you aren't careful :) ) but I'm pleased with my choice.

I autocrossed my '04 and "07 and frankly, I like the AT better for autocrossing...I'm eager to see how this 7AT and the paddle shifters do on the course....I'll let everyone know!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash (Post 20610)

Wow...you must really love the Fair Lady Z

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash (Post 20610)

Just as the 7AT G37 is quicker than the MT G37, I think the 7AT Z will be quicker than the MT.

Just curious, why do you like the AT for AutoX??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame (Post 20461)

^ Good post Crash..

Thanks. :) I'm really passionate about cars. If I had the money, I'd build the Anderson A+CVT transmission and call it a day.

Haha. This might be a stupid statement, but I noticed the paddle shifters are separate from the steering wheel. I was testing out the paddle shifters + synchrorev match during a turn and yeah. Definitely different from my IS350, where the paddle shifters are attached to the steering wheel, so they rotate while turning.

:iamwithstupid:

Yep. I saw that too. Although, that's not different from many exotics. The Lambos have their paddle shifters on the column as well. I can't recall 100%, but I'm pretty sure Ferrari's are also on the column.

I just have to say, after going through the new new owners section I am shocked at how many people have chosen the 7AT. I can understand a few here and there but it seems like a large majority of the new owners here have gone with the automatic.

Staggering really.

Honestly, a while ago, people went with manuals because of their MPG. I'm SURE that since the 7AT gets the same economy as the 6MT, there's going to be a much bigger influx of AT drivers...

One of the things I didn't like about earlier ATs was that they didn't shift at the right time, or they didn't shift fast enough. If you let off the gas before the shift, the trans built up so much line pressure that the low RPM shift hurt the transmission, and eventually killed the clutch packs. That was a BIG reason that Auto Trannies died fast and manuals STILL ruled the road. But what I've noticed is that since the G35, Nissan seemed to figure out how to get around that by delaying shifting for a few seconds when you let off the gas.

The auto is a superior transmission now. But I just can't go with an Auto. It's manual or nothing for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMGWTFBBQ (Post 21144)

At first I didn't like that they were on the column, but the paddles are very tall so it is easy to find them from different hand/wheel positions. Having them on the column means that they are always in the same place no matter what you are doing so in that sense it is a good choice. I like the BMW paddles a bit better. Actually, I like the Mazda (RX8) paddles the best though I'm guessing few would agree with me. Ultimately you will get used to whatever configuration you have very quickly and it won't really matter. I haven't yet encountered a set of paddles that I thought were actually bad.

(I'm talking paddles here, not transmissions.)

I wasn't seriously considering the 7AT since the 370z is a "real" sports car (my G is a "sports sedan" which is very different in my mind), but after following this thread and considering how good the 5AT is, I am starting to come around to the 7AT. The 10-15% of the time I really wish I had a MT really doesn't compare to the 85-90% of the time I am just driving casually. The ATs I have driven in the E90 BMWs and 2nd generation G35s are night-and-day better than what I had experienced just 5 years ago.