Nissan 370Z Forum
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Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)
-   Nissan 370Z General Discussions (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/)
-   -   Need tips how to shift smoothly (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/89819-need-tips-how-shift-smoothly.html)

cobra 08-06-2014 10:03 PM
Describe what's a real man ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by IDZRVIT (Post 2812822)
Real men don't have any problems with the manual.;)

cobra 08-06-2014 10:04 PM
Manuel is french for Manual, ah! Ah!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 2815815)
:bowrofl:

cobra 08-06-2014 10:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 2812302)
change clutch spring. wear same shoes. practice
Same shoes, You mean on both feet !
That's hilarious the comments people put up but I appreciate them no matter what !

BrandynzZed 08-06-2014 10:29 PM
Haha, I'm pretty sure he means every time you drive the z

Christothep 08-06-2014 10:44 PM
I had the hardest time switching from my 5 speed accord to my Z. I agree, 1st and 2nd is weird. Especially 1st. Saw a few comments where shifting around 3500-4000 rpm's make a big difference. When I first got my Z, I used to give my passengers whiplash. lol

GraphiteZ 08-07-2014 12:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dudev (Post 2812578)
I experienced the same thing when I got my Z last year. The problem for me was that the near simultaneous let-off-gas-cluch motion that I used would always be rough with the Z. Since then I've learned that if I let my foot off the gas a bit earlier than I was used to before clutching the jerkiness goes away. The torque and heavier flywheel make this technique necessary.
I found releasing the gas paddle earlier helps too.

b15 08-07-2014 12:27 PM
The lighter spring helped me engage better 1st better. For me, the stock spring always seemed to 'kick back' at the engagement point (which is higher than I like), and it caused me to be jerky.

With the 1-2 shift, I have to force myself to wait for the revs to come down a bit before engaging when cruising around town. When I was new to the MT Z, numerous people told me to shift relative to the amount of acceleration. IE.) Shift slower when driving normally, then shift faster when beating on it. The Z does not like rushed shifts if you're driving like a granny.

JARblue 08-11-2014 05:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by b15 (Post 2922850)
For me, the stock spring always seemed to 'kick back' at the engagement point (which is higher than I like), and it caused me to be jerky.
And tell me why don't you have an RJM pedal assembly again? :icon17:

The 'kick back' is in the stock pedal assembly. There is a pivot point in the pedal travel even with the spring completely removed. I have an OEM one sitting on my garage floor and could demonstrate this. The RJM pedal is completely smooth and linear. Plus you can adjust the engagement ;)

Quote:
Originally Posted by katjmmx (Post 2927380)
So far it seems like you really have to find that smooth clutch engage point and give it gas at exactly that point every single time. Otherwise the jerkiness will be there if I'm even a millisecond late with the gas. A nice smooth 1st to 2nd shift in my babygirl always feels like a huge accomplishment.
It doesn't help that the throttle response is very muted at low rpms in low gear in the stock tune. I found my aftermarket tune helped me with more consistent throttle control when modulating the clutch.

b15 08-11-2014 09:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2927387)
And tell me why don't you have an RJM pedal assembly again? :icon17:

The 'kick back' is in the stock pedal assembly. There is a pivot point in the pedal travel even with the spring completely removed. I have an OEM one sitting on my garage floor and could demonstrate this. The RJM pedal is completely smooth and linear. Plus you can adjust the engagement ;)
Honestly I thought the OEM assembly felt fine without a spring, I just didn't like the 'slop' so I installed the lighter spring. I think Nissan shouldve had the light spring from the factory. I also adjusted the stock clutch travel via a DIY i saw on the 350 forum. I've read a lot of rave reviews on the RJM, but it's not at the top of my list for mods right now since I'm content with the clutch with these two mods

tnav 08-11-2014 09:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cobra (Post 2811864)
:driving: Funny as it may sound but I need tips how to drive my 6 speed Z.
I cannot seem to get the hang of it from 1st to 2nd gear. It's always a little jerky when I release the clutch because it grabs so fast compare to my last car.
At what RPM is the best point to shift between 1st and 2nd. It seems to be
smoother when I don't rev the engine too high between shifts and keep the speed low. The higher gears are ok but it's between 1st and 2nd gears that cause me problems. I don't want my wife to snap her neck on her first ride with me, it will be embarassing. I've had the car for a full week of commuting now, stalled maybe twice but I'm better now. It's not my first 6 speed but this one is different.
I try not to push the clutch too far down and not rev too high,is it the best way,what's your technique, thanks
Only use the first 50% of the clutch pedal, not all the way, life becomes so much better after

Davey 08-12-2014 06:41 AM
Shifting gears is hard... That's why everybody buys automatics. :stirthepot:

Practice, practice, practice. The Z is definitely not one of the easier cars to shift smoothly from 1-2 a lower speeds, but it's not that hard.

When driving slowly, shift out of 1st at 2,000 RPM.

When driving fast, shift at redline... Smooth as butter.

When driving moderately quickly, shift at 4,000 - 5,000 RPM.

When driving as fast as the slow-poke in front of you... Have a jerky shift. :ugh2:

At least, that's when it always happens to me.

JARblue 08-12-2014 07:56 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by b15 (Post 2927650)
Honestly I thought the OEM assembly felt fine without a spring, I just didn't like the 'slop' so I installed the lighter spring. I think Nissan shouldve had the light spring from the factory. I also adjusted the stock clutch travel via a DIY i saw on the 350 forum. I've read a lot of rave reviews on the RJM, but it's not at the top of my list for mods right now since I'm content with the clutch with these two mods
I ran OEM for 2.5 years. I just adjusted and had no issues. After removing the spring, I meant to purchase the lighter spring. But I'm a procrastinator who lucked out because 4 months later my wife purchased the RJM clutch pedal assembly for me for my birthday. I have seen the light now. The OEM pedal is complete garbage. Had I known the truth about the RJM pedal at the time of purchase, it would have been the first mod on the car.

In trying to "help" people operate the clutch, Nissan has just impeded those who do know how to operate a clutch from getting the most out of the vehicle.

Aescen 08-12-2014 08:09 AM
I've slowly been adjusting to the Z clutch. I think I found the sweet spot from 1st-2nd at around 2.5k RPM. Just release the clutch nice and slow and hold for a second where it catches before you let off. I'm probably going to replace it sometime down the road, but with enough driving you'll get used to it.

b15 08-12-2014 08:21 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2927920)
I ran OEM for 2.5 years. I just adjusted and had no issues. After removing the spring, I meant to purchase the lighter spring. But I'm a procrastinator who lucked out because 4 months later my wife purchased the RJM clutch pedal assembly for me for my birthday. I have seen the light now. The OEM pedal is complete garbage. Had I known the truth about the RJM pedal at the time of purchase, it would have been the first mod on the car.

In trying to "help" people operate the clutch, Nissan has just impeded those who do know how to operate a clutch from getting the most out of the vehicle.
:iagree:

Also I wish my wife bought my car parts. She flat out told me she'll never do that :mad:

JARblue 08-12-2014 08:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by b15 (Post 2927949)
:iagree:

Also I wish my wife bought my car parts. She flat out told me she'll never do that :mad:
This was the first time ever. It was a long struggle, but I finally won. Don't give up :icon17: :tup:

kenchan 08-12-2014 10:07 AM
while the clutch spring does help a lot, i still think it's the throttle lag that gets new drivers confused. even seasoned MT drivers will need some getting used to at first in a Z to accelerate smoothly 100% of the time.

JARblue 08-12-2014 10:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 2928114)
while the clutch spring does help a lot, i still think it's the throttle lag that gets new drivers confused. even seasoned MT drivers will need some getting used to at first in a Z to accelerate smoothly 100% of the time.
Very true. My research indicates that at low RPM and low gear, the throttle can be muted by as much as 50% of available throttle in addition to laggy response on the stock tune.

kenchan 08-12-2014 10:21 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2928128)
Very true. My research indicates that at low RPM and low gear, the throttle can be muted by as much as 50% of available throttle in addition to laggy response on the stock tune.
yah, and the eco-mode the ecu seems to want to go into after a lazy cruise is also a problem for me too.
like i'd be cruising down a nice path and im ready to punch it at the next intersection.. the ecu is :yawn: zzzz...
then like a second later it wakes up. :eek: oh you want wat, moar power? :eekdance:

kenchan 08-12-2014 10:22 AM
it's even worse in my honda fit. :shakes head: thing always wants to go into eco mode...

cooltoy 08-12-2014 10:26 AM
Doesn't the fit only have one mode? Eco.

MicntaeG35 08-12-2014 10:33 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aescen (Post 2927935)
I've slowly been adjusting to the Z clutch. I think I found the sweet spot from 1st-2nd at around 2.5k RPM. Just release the clutch nice and slow and hold for a second where it catches before you let off. I'm probably going to replace it sometime down the road, but with enough driving you'll get used to it.
After I read this post I started to expirement a little bit. I usually shift out of 1-3 around 3k-3500 and if you let the rpms drop to 2500 or right under that, it will shift smooth. Try it! Rev to 3500, shift, let rpm drop to 2400 and see if that doesn't help. It took some time for me to actually find the sweet spot without having to watch the cluster. But every body drives different so you just got to find what works best for you!

kenchan 08-12-2014 10:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooltoy (Post 2928146)
Doesn't the fit only have one mode? Eco.
yah, that might be so...

kenchan 08-12-2014 10:36 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MicntaeG35 (Post 2928156)
After I read this post I started to expirement a little bit. I usually shift out of 1-3 around 3k-3500 and if you let the rpms drop to 2500 or right under that, it will shift smooth. Try it! Rev to 3500, shift, let rpm drop to 2400 and see if that doesn't help. It took some time for me to actually find the sweet spot without having to watch the cluster. But every body drives different so you just got to find what works best for you!
yah, you just need to find the sweet spot for your driving style. each acceleration varies in rpm for 1-2, 2-3, etc starting from how you engage the clutch at standstill.

TimBob 08-12-2014 02:11 PM
Glad to hear I am not the only one having trouble getting a smooth 1-2 shift. I know I am out of practice with a stick (haven't driven a stick more than a handful of times since 1998) but I just seem to miss that "butter" point on the 1-2 shift about 95% of the time. Admittedly I've only had the car for 3 weeks, but still...

Aescen 08-12-2014 02:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MicntaeG35 (Post 2928156)
After I read this post I started to expirement a little bit. I usually shift out of 1-3 around 3k-3500 and if you let the rpms drop to 2500 or right under that, it will shift smooth. Try it! Rev to 3500, shift, let rpm drop to 2400 and see if that doesn't help. It took some time for me to actually find the sweet spot without having to watch the cluster. But every body drives different so you just got to find what works best for you!
glad i could help in some way. :tup:

cooltoy 08-12-2014 02:35 PM
I am going to try all this.

b15 08-12-2014 02:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimBob (Post 2928463)
Glad to hear I am not the only one having trouble getting a smooth 1-2 shift. I know I am out of practice with a stick (haven't driven a stick more than a handful of times since 1998) but I just seem to miss that "butter" point on the 1-2 shift about 95% of the time. Admittedly I've only had the car for 3 weeks, but still...
Just be patient and don't over think it. I find I shift worse when I'm really thinking about it.

Davey 08-12-2014 04:07 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimBob (Post 2928463)
Glad to hear I am not the only one having trouble getting a smooth 1-2 shift. I know I am out of practice with a stick (haven't driven a stick more than a handful of times since 1998) but I just seem to miss that "butter" point on the 1-2 shift about 95% of the time. Admittedly I've only had the car for 3 weeks, but still...
Get stuck in traffic a few times. ;)

Cory Gillmore 12-23-2017 08:30 PM
I’ve found that letting the clutch out slowly from 1st to 2nd helps me the most. I’ve yet to get a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd while trying to drive aggressively. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I’m a novice with an MT. Not the first MT I’ve ever driven but the first I’ve ever owned or really driven for any real amount of time. Oddly enough I had a much easier time learning on my sport bike.


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