Fast start/acceleration in MT

Vaughanabe13 · 04-13-2012, 12:25 PM

Manual experts out there: What is the best way to do a fast start in the 370?

Please walk me through the process from a dead stop to 4th gear or so. Do you rev high and dump the clutch or is that bad like I've read? What rpm do you shift to 2nd? I know these are pretty basic questions but as you guys might know from my other posts, this is my first real MT and I'm still learning the ins and outs every day.

From my experience it seems like 2nd has the most power for acceleration but I've noticed that sometimes I will be going slow (10-15) and then when I try to floor it in second (i.e. getting to highway speed on a ramp) I don't get much power at all. Other times I will get a really nice "push you into the seat" stomach floating acceleration but I'm not sure what I was doing to get that feeling, exactly. Basically, I'm just trying to understand more about the car and the power bands, etc. I don't track my car, but I need to be able to hold my own from time to time (I'm not implying street racing - I don't do that). Suggestions?

bigdog1250 · 04-13-2012, 12:36 PM

In order to achieve a fast launch you need two things: 1) to be in the power band, meaning you do need some revs ~3200 should do the trick 2) traction, you don't want to give so much power the wheels break loose.

Our cars make good high-end power, meaning that in the top of the rev range (5500rpm+) the car achieves its top HP figures while Torque peaks out a bit earlier and flattens out (find a dyno sheet on here and you'll see what i mean). So you don't really want to shift until you have hit the rev limiter since the power doesn't really drop off until about then.

The reason the car feels pokey in 2nd around 10-15mph is because you are around 1500rpm, and the engine is making a lot less HP/Torque in that range.

You should get up to the rev limiter in all gears if you are really trying to be quick.

Hope this helps

ZMan8 · 04-13-2012, 12:37 PM

from my experience rev to about 3500-4000 rpm when engaging first. More rpm will get you more wheel spin, less will probably be not enough. I like to shift at 7000 into second....higher seems harder. after that shift around 7300 rpm in each gear. I would practice being smooth with the shifts to avoid excessive wheel spin.

kenchan · 04-13-2012, 12:52 PM

it's hard to say how i start cause my eyes aren't on the tach... but from the exhaust note i think she is around 3500-4000rpm as zman mentioned and with a quick smooth engagement i take off. if you hold rpm and dump the clutch it will net you nothing but tire spin, loud noise, teens cheering you on, honda's you weren't aware of crashing behind you into a tree, and youtube vid of you that you didnt take...

onzedge · 04-13-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

it's hard to say how i start cause my eyes aren't on the tach... but from the exhaust note i think she is around 3500-4000rpm as zman mentioned and with a quick smooth engagement i take off. if you hold rpm and dump the clutch it will net you nothing but tire spin, loud noise, teens cheering you on, honda's you weren't aware of crashing behind you into a tree, and youtube vid of you that you didnt take...

HA!

TerribleONE · 04-13-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

it's hard to say how i start cause my eyes aren't on the tach... but from the exhaust note i think she is around 3500-4000rpm as zman mentioned and with a quick smooth engagement i take off. if you hold rpm and dump the clutch it will net you nothing but tire spin, loud noise, teens cheering you on, honda's you weren't aware of crashing behind you into a tree, and youtube vid of you that you didnt take...

ZMan8 · 04-13-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

it's hard to say how i start cause my eyes aren't on the tach... but from the exhaust note i think she is around 3500-4000rpm as zman mentioned and with a quick smooth engagement i take off. if you hold rpm and dump the clutch it will net you nothing but tire spin, loud noise, teens cheering you on, honda's you weren't aware of crashing behind you into a tree, and youtube vid of you that you didnt take...

Vaughanabe13 · 04-13-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMan8

from my experience rev to about 3500-4000 rpm when engaging first. More rpm will get you more wheel spin, less will probably be not enough. I like to shift at 7000 into second....higher seems harder. after that shift around 7300 rpm in each gear. I would practice being smooth with the shifts to avoid excessive wheel spin.

Excellent. Can you elaborate what you mean by "I would practice being smooth with the shifts to avoid excessive wheel spin"? I suppose I'm not very good at detecting wheel spin.

Also, what does the gas pedal do exactly when you are starting in first? Do I want to rev to 3500(ish) and hold it there for a second while I engage the clutch, and then floor it after clutch is engaged? Or is it more of a smooth motion the whole way with the throttle?

Vaughanabe13 · 04-13-2012, 01:26 PM

Thanks guys, this is great info. I need to go practice.

onzedge · 04-13-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

Excellent. Can you elaborate what you mean by "I would practice being smooth with the shifts to avoid excessive wheel spin"? I suppose I'm not very good at detecting wheel spin.

You will hear the wheelspin -- screeching.

ZMan8 · 04-13-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

You will hear the wheelspin -- screeching.

engaging first you will be in one spot/moving slowly with your tire just spinning the whole time if you just "dump the clutch while revving high". 1-2, and maybe 2-3 shifts you will hear the "chrip", try to minimize the chirping and the jolt when shifting.

Mike Z · 04-13-2012, 02:08 PM

I found 3200 RPM to be a good spot to shift from first but its also important to consider how you release the clutch. If you just dump it, you will get tire spin. You need to release it with ease and at the same time give it the right amount of throttle, meaning don't just floor it from the start.

brucelidat · 04-13-2012, 02:10 PM

How much of this applies to an auto? I assume it's better to let the auto do the shifting for me since people say the auto has a lightly faster 0-60 time so the thing to nail would be the launch and traction. Any tips for us auto guys?

brucelidat · 04-13-2012, 02:25 PM

nm, reading the thread on it now.

TheGreatOne · 04-13-2012, 03:03 PM

Good thread,

I don't feel I've quite learned my Z's sweet spots yet, I think I do shift sometimes at too low of an RPM and thats why power isn't always consistent

and lol Kenchan

04-13-2012, 12:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vaughanabe13 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 387 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 13	Fast start/acceleration in MT Manual experts out there: What is the best way to do a fast start in the 370? Please walk me through the process from a dead stop to 4th gear or so. Do you rev high and dump the clutch or is that bad like I've read? What rpm do you shift to 2nd? I know these are pretty basic questions but as you guys might know from my other posts, this is my first real MT and I'm still learning the ins and outs every day. From my experience it seems like 2nd has the most power for acceleration but I've noticed that sometimes I will be going slow (10-15) and then when I try to floor it in second (i.e. getting to highway speed on a ramp) I don't get much power at all. Other times I will get a really nice "push you into the seat" stomach floating acceleration but I'm not sure what I was doing to get that feeling, exactly. Basically, I'm just trying to understand more about the car and the power bands, etc. I don't track my car, but I need to be able to hold my own from time to time (I'm not implying street racing - I don't do that). Suggestions? __________________ 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black. Last edited by Vaughanabe13; 04-13-2012 at 12:30 PM.

04-13-2012, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 17	In order to achieve a fast launch you need two things: 1) to be in the power band, meaning you do need some revs ~3200 should do the trick 2) traction, you don't want to give so much power the wheels break loose. Our cars make good high-end power, meaning that in the top of the rev range (5500rpm+) the car achieves its top HP figures while Torque peaks out a bit earlier and flattens out (find a dyno sheet on here and you'll see what i mean). So you don't really want to shift until you have hit the rev limiter since the power doesn't really drop off until about then. The reason the car feels pokey in 2nd around 10-15mph is because you are around 1500rpm, and the engine is making a lot less HP/Torque in that range. You should get up to the rev limiter in all gears if you are really trying to be quick. Hope this helps __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

04-13-2012, 12:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZMan8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,844 Drives: 10 370z 40th M6 Rep Power: 658	from my experience rev to about 3500-4000 rpm when engaging first. More rpm will get you more wheel spin, less will probably be not enough. I like to shift at 7000 into second....higher seems harder. after that shift around 7300 rpm in each gear. I would practice being smooth with the shifts to avoid excessive wheel spin. __________________ 2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT \| Fast Intentions \| Swift Springs \| SPC \| Z1Motorsports \| JWM \| Redline Oils \| 35% Window Tint 2015 Mazda6 \| 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

04-13-2012, 01:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Vaughanabe13 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 387 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 13	Thanks guys, this is great info. I need to go practice. __________________ 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

04-13-2012, 02:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mike Z Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 76 Drives: 11' 370 Z Rep Power: 13	I found 3200 RPM to be a good spot to shift from first but its also important to consider how you release the clutch. If you just dump it, you will get tire spin. You need to release it with ease and at the same time give it the right amount of throttle, meaning don't just floor it from the start. __________________ Fast Intentions 18" SS // Stillen Gen 3's // Evo-r Fang

04-13-2012, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	it's hard to say how i start cause my eyes aren't on the tach... but from the exhaust note i think she is around 3500-4000rpm as zman mentioned and with a quick smooth engagement i take off. if you hold rpm and dump the clutch it will net you nothing but tire spin, loud noise, teens cheering you on, honda's you weren't aware of crashing behind you into a tree, and youtube vid of you that you didnt take...

04-13-2012, 02:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	How much of this applies to an auto? I assume it's better to let the auto do the shifting for me since people say the auto has a lightly faster 0-60 time so the thing to nail would be the launch and traction. Any tips for us auto guys? __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

04-13-2012, 02:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	nm, reading the thread on it now. __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

04-13-2012, 03:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
TheGreatOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Age: 46 Posts: 1,980 Drives: E60 BMW M5 Rep Power: 21	Good thread, I don't feel I've quite learned my Z's sweet spots yet, I think I do shift sometimes at too low of an RPM and thats why power isn't always consistent and lol Kenchan __________________ 2017 SUBARU STI 2008 E60 M5 - SOLD 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z - SOLD (and missing her)

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