New owner. 2nd gear issues.

RZ14

Hey guys,
I just got my Z last week and I am having trouble with 2nd gear shifting. Ive found the engagement point on the clutch finally but second usually feels "sticky" and I can feel the gears binding before the stick will seat into second. After driving with Nissans mechanic; he said I wasnt getting the rpms high enough. I usually shift around 2k-2.5k on daily driving. What do you guys generally shift at? Tips?

Also, do any of you guys notice the shifter "floating" when its seated in gear. I notice like an 1/8" to a 1/4" movement on the stick when I accelerate and release the gas.

Thanks.

ProfessorDave

Congrats on your Z!

I agree with the service guy. Shifting from 1st to 2nd at 3k rpms or higher helps make the transition smoother.

Yes, there is movement in the shifter. I'm guessing that's normal, especially on acceleration/deceleration.

__________________

Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

kenchan

hello, professordave!


yah, as professordave mentioned, you have to rev up to 8K rpm each time to get a smooth shift.

isayimandrew

Yeah the movement on the shifter is pretty normal. It was like that on the 350Z too.

Drex

lots of people have similar trouble with the 1-2 shift when first getting the car. check out this thread:

Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!

__________________
2011 Nissan 370z | 6MT | Magnetic Black | Sport Package

kenchan

does the 350Z have the same gearbox as the G35C? if so, the 370Z's gearbox is hell smoother. even more smootherest once you get a twm type-r biggie knob.

i have the regular type-r twm on my G, with raised height by about 1" from stock. shifts smooth.

speedfreek

All this time I have been doing it wrong...

__________________

RZ14

@Drex: thanks for the link. Very informative.

Haboob

I just removed the helper spring and it fixed a lot of the "issues" I was having - didn't have to order anything.

Still, there's some herky-jerky stuff going on if you shift sub-3,000rpm. Above 4,000rpm it's quite a bit smoother.

RZ14

8k daily shifts. Lol.

cheshirecat

The transmission is very similar to the CD009 tranny from the 350z. Not sure how that correlates to the G35.

The gearbox on the 370 is pretty "mechanical" feeling, but it's bulletproof in regard to holding power.

Of course, the clutch system leaves a little to be desired.

GSS138

As a guy who has owned a 370 for about a month myself, I had alot of problems with 2nd gear as well. I bring 1st to about 3.5-4k now. Problem solved. Our car does not like low RPM in any gear, but especially 2nd. Rev that sucker up.

DIGItonium

Is it brand new? The gearbox will be notchy for awhile, and but should improve after a few weeks of driving. I shift under 3k RPM as well, and it's nice. One thing to consider is switching out the gearbox fluids with Redline.

__________________

RZ14

DIGItonium: Its a 2010 with just under 22k miles.

SurfDog

I hated my OEM clutch so I put in a JWT clutch/flywheel.(Sooooooo much better) Now my clutch feels like a clutch should, but I still need to get her up to 4k RPM for the shift to feel good and smooth. Its my DD but i still get on her... Apparently the Z likes it a bit rough.

__________________
09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix