CLuNky 1st to 2nd

355890 · 03-31-2009, 09:01 PM

I know, I know.....thread already on this.

Is this getting any better over time for those that have the Manual over 3,000 miles by now ?????

ZzzZz · 03-31-2009, 09:12 PM

I think it gets better over time just because the driver gets more accustomed to driving it smoother over time.

That's been my experience @2500mi.

zZSportZz · 03-31-2009, 09:59 PM

1200 miles here and still clunky at times...I have to force myself to shift sloooooooow...which makes it much smoother.

Musashi · 03-31-2009, 10:03 PM

listen all gearboxes are different and take some getting use to. It's like being with a beautiful woman, you don't just jam stuff... Finesse....

wstar · 03-31-2009, 11:04 PM

I have the auto, but I test-drove both transmissions before I bought mine. The manual in the 370Z definitely takes some getting used to, esp 1st/2nd gear. I was driving like an idiot first-timer on my test drive. Admittedly, my manual car (10 year old trans am) has a weak clutch these days and is pretty easy, but still I feel like I'm pretty damn good at handling a stick usually. Just seems like there's a very very fine line on the clutch for engaging smoothly on the Z. I'm sure after enough miles, you'll get the hang of the sweet spot and it will become instinctive.

batman_4 · 03-31-2009, 11:16 PM

...just take time to get used to it. only had this issue for like a week, now i'm getting it down without any issues

DIGItonium · 04-01-2009, 12:27 AM

Oy you guys are getting me worried. Gear clunk and notchiness was an issue with my 350Z even after getting the transmission replaced in 2006 due to grinding. The clunk hurts my wrist and ruins the fun.

When test driving the 370Z I didn't notice the clunk, but I've not driven it enough. Gear shift felt buttery smooth, but I didn't drive it hard enough. In 2006, the transmission was smooth for the first 3 months when it started to get notchy over time.

iceman21_23 · 04-01-2009, 01:07 AM

its not notchy or clunky its just a matter of becoming accustomed to the clutch.

355890 · 04-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman21_23

its not notchy or clunky its just a matter of becoming accustomed to the clutch.

OK....I have never had any vehicle ( well, except my pick-up ) with an automatic tranny. Always a stick.

SO Yes....I will buy this comment.

Thanks....

MightyBobo · 04-02-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman21_23

its not notchy or clunky its just a matter of becoming accustomed to the clutch.

Im inclined to agree, Ive found that sometimes its smooth, and other times a little clunky - just proper use of the throttle/clutch together it seems...

tru_Asiatik · 04-01-2009, 01:47 AM

^^same thing my friend just said right now
i had it test drive my z tonite and told him about the 1st to 2nd shift
and he said its normal and even he was having problem shifting and hes been driving manual trans for years now

DIGItonium · 04-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Try pressing the clutch down faster before shifting, and release it as usual. I notice getting gear is easier and less clunky in the 350Z doing this, but my left foot gets tired from it haha.

AndreZ Cadena · 04-02-2009, 11:47 PM

I had a horrible experience today. Gears grinded while shifting from 1st to 2nd at redline, not my mistake. I never grinded gears in my ownership of my 350. Im a little worried, the car shows no signs of damage, but I havent shifted at redline since then. I will try it later tonight probably.

ChrisSlicks · 04-03-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndreZ Cadena

I had a horrible experience today. Gears grinded while shifting from 1st to 2nd at redline, not my mistake. I never grinded gears in my ownership of my 350. Im a little worried, the car shows no signs of damage, but I havent shifted at redline since then. I will try it later tonight probably.

It happened to me too. If you shift fast from 1st to 2nd at redline it may balk. If you slow it down a bit or shift a little early it goes ok. I'm hoping it is just because the tranny is new and tight and will get better with some miles on it.

Minicobra1 · 04-04-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndreZ Cadena

I had a horrible experience today. Gears grinded while shifting from 1st to 2nd at redline, not my mistake. I never grinded gears in my ownership of my 350. Im a little worried, the car shows no signs of damage, but I havent shifted at redline since then. I will try it later tonight probably.

Yes, I've done this too. At least 10 times (only 1st to 2nd, and only at close to redline)

It pisses me off every time it has happened. Now I've owned over 10 cars in the last 15 years, all manual transmission, and some with more power then the 370z, this was never a big issue. Occasionally I would miss a shift, but I never had to focus like I do with the 370z 6MT. It really takes the fun out of driving the 370z. Don't get me wrong, I still love the car for many other reasons, but there really needs to be some kind of solution for this.

One thing I'd like to ad, is that I installed the Nismo alloy shift knob, I can only think that this has made the problem worse. I know others have had the issue even with the stock knob, but the Nismo is shorter and lighter, which doesn't help to get it into gear. (it sure looks good though)
Im going to change this out as soon as I find one that I like, just a little taller and something with a steel or heavy insert that will help ease it into gear. I'm sure this isn't the cure all, but it can't hurt. There probably needs to be some type of linkage or shift kit upgrade inside the tranny to really solve the problem.

03-31-2009, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
355890 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 416 Drives: GP Z Base+Sport (6m) Rep Power: 543	CLuNky 1st to 2nd I know, I know.....thread already on this. Is this getting any better over time for those that have the Manual over 3,000 miles by now ?????

03-31-2009, 11:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	I have the auto, but I test-drove both transmissions before I bought mine. The manual in the 370Z definitely takes some getting used to, esp 1st/2nd gear. I was driving like an idiot first-timer on my test drive. Admittedly, my manual car (10 year old trans am) has a weak clutch these days and is pretty easy, but still I feel like I'm pretty damn good at handling a stick usually. Just seems like there's a very very fine line on the clutch for engaging smoothly on the Z. I'm sure after enough miles, you'll get the hang of the sweet spot and it will become instinctive. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-31-2009, 11:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
batman_4 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: McAllen Tx. Posts: 1,038 Drives: '09 PW 370Z Rep Power: 369	...just take time to get used to it. only had this issue for like a week, now i'm getting it down without any issues __________________ '09 6spd. Touring: Eibach / SPC / Motordyne / Berk / Z1 / Oneighty / Mines / SSR / Stillen / CFE

04-01-2009, 12:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 44	Oy you guys are getting me worried. Gear clunk and notchiness was an issue with my 350Z even after getting the transmission replaced in 2006 due to grinding. The clunk hurts my wrist and ruins the fun. When test driving the 370Z I didn't notice the clunk, but I've not driven it enough. Gear shift felt buttery smooth, but I didn't drive it hard enough. In 2006, the transmission was smooth for the first 3 months when it started to get notchy over time. __________________

04-02-2009, 05:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 44	Try pressing the clutch down faster before shifting, and release it as usual. I notice getting gear is easier and less clunky in the 350Z doing this, but my left foot gets tired from it haha. __________________

03-31-2009, 09:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
ZzzZz Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 125 Drives: PG370, MT Rep Power: 18	I think it gets better over time just because the driver gets more accustomed to driving it smoother over time. That's been my experience @2500mi.

03-31-2009, 09:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
zZSportZz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,095 Drives: 370z Blk on Blk 6MT Rep Power: 20	1200 miles here and still clunky at times...I have to force myself to shift sloooooooow...which makes it much smoother.

03-31-2009, 10:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Musashi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357 Drives: 09 370Z 6speed Rep Power: 608	listen all gearboxes are different and take some getting use to. It's like being with a beautiful woman, you don't just jam stuff... Finesse....

04-01-2009, 01:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
iceman21_23 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: league city, tx Posts: 757 Drives: 09' Solid Red 370z Rep Power: 19	its not notchy or clunky its just a matter of becoming accustomed to the clutch.

04-01-2009, 01:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
tru_Asiatik Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: so cal Posts: 793 Drives: 2009 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 272	^^same thing my friend just said right now i had it test drive my z tonite and told him about the 1st to 2nd shift and he said its normal and even he was having problem shifting and hes been driving manual trans for years now

04-02-2009, 11:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
AndreZ Cadena Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 73 Drives: 09Nissan370blkMtSp/p Rep Power: 0	I had a horrible experience today. Gears grinded while shifting from 1st to 2nd at redline, not my mistake. I never grinded gears in my ownership of my 350. Im a little worried, the car shows no signs of damage, but I havent shifted at redline since then. I will try it later tonight probably.