2 questions from a new guy
 

Hi everyone, I am new here and have a few questions the Z initiated. I am currently driving an Audi S5 (2008) 6MT. I love the car, but as always, after 3 years I am itching for a change. Living in Pittsburgh where we not only have snow, but hills, I have always gone awd but would love to get a rwd vehicle. Given the price of even a fully loaded 370, I am seriously considering the 370 and buying a 4x4 for the bad weather months. Anyway, I have a couple of questions. Although I will almost assuredly buy the MT6 does anyone have performance data comparing the MT to the AT7? Second, can the passenger side airbags be turned off for undersized/weight passengers (or maybe they are off automatically if a low weight passenger is in the seat (sometimes I need to take one of my 3 kids somewhere while my wife has the other two)?

Thanks for the info!

7AT will generally be a touch faster but the 6MT is a fun, albeit noisy transmission. Though there are varying opinions, I absolutely love synchro rev matching.

The airbags are automatic.

Someone else will have to weigh-in on the performance data, but the passenger seat has an 'occupant detection system' that senses the weight and shape of the object in the seat and will turn the a/bag off if it detects a child or child seat. There's a light on the dash to tell you when it is inactivated.

Thanks so much for the immediate help. you helped me out a lot!

I would love to test this theory. Especially being that autos are known for more drivetrain loss and a little more weight. I've seen this issue discussed here many times. I just fail to see it.

The only reason the auto is a bit faster on the 1/4 mile is the shifts. No matter how fast you shift the manual, you can't shift faster than just tapping the paddle shifters on the auto. I had both the 6MT and still have the 7AT 370, on the track the AT was faster but the MT was way more fun.

I somewhat could see this. But my other points still stand. But I'd have to see this for myself. It's hard to see that even with the touch paddles that they shift that quickly. Even though it my be a quick touch. The actual shift it's self is where I'm not seeing it. It's not like it's a tranny on the GTR with dual clutch that helps asset each other.

Your welcome to see my 7AT in action if you come out for the Z1 meet on the 19th. I can assure you the auto is faster.

Not with those mods.:bowrofl:

The 7AT has been tested only about 0.1 second quicker in the 0-60 and around 0.1-0.3 seconds quicker in the 1/4 mile on average. A very skilled 6MT driver may be able to match or best the 7AT times. However, I think the fastest 1/4 mile time on record is from a 6MT.

I think an average driver in a 7AT would probably post a quicker time than an average 6MT time. I've also heard the times for the 7AT are more consistent.

I did not find it particularly noisy. In fact, I didn't hear it.

I think that's because you know how to drive MT and some of the folks just grind because they think the car has two brake pedals.

Pro drives with the MT can surely match/beat the AT, but like you said average to slightly above average AT can't be beat. It's just like PS3 tap and your in the next gear it's right there no delay. Go test drive one on the lot, bring your women and tell the salesman she's thinking of getting a Z also. That way it can be just y'all and no sales guy :driving:

I've never heard any MT make the grind noise? Press clutch in til your in the next gear then let it up.

Maybe he meant gear-whine? My T56 made a LITTLE gear whine, and the T/O bearing rattled a tad. All normal for a T56, but the transmission in the 370Z was pretty darn quiet. I didn't notice anything.

There's a ton of whine because of the backlash specs in the diff. It's on every 370z...

Hmmm, didn't notice it. I think people whine too much about normal things.

BTW, what are the backlash specs?

I had one F-body with 13 thou and it didn't make a peep, and one with about 7 thou, and it did. Both chalked out to show a great wear pattern.

Rear ends are finicky creatures, which is why I NEVER plan on doing gears in any car I buy unless I buy a pre-set up chunk or something.

There are plenty of AUTO vs. MT gearbox threads. Please search for them. We don't like discussing AUTO vs MT transmission here on the forum.

YES, the airbags automatically deactivates.

Good luck with your purchase.