Cat11pillar Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 Hi guys, Got a 07 350z 313 with GT Pack, but was wandering how smoothly can you change gear? I am not expecting a 100% smooth change all the time, but in traffic I dont want to jearking around when changing from 1st to 2nd. Do you normally change after 3000rpm in 1st? I notice that if I am in 2nd and doing less than 1500rpm then a slight touch on the accelerator and im likely the car will jerk about? Clutch does have quite a high biting point (is that normal?) but never had such an issue with driving a performance car smoothly in traffic! Gear changes are fine when I express myself though Quote
as2bsc Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 I've got an early model on a 54 plate with its original clutch and its the smoothest car I've had in traffic, I do a lot of city driving and it's perfect! Somebody who knows a bit more about transmission may be able to help Quote
Allan Zada Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 is the clutch up when its jerking? sounds more like throttle related than clutch if thats the case. Quote
WINKJ Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 Got an 08 313 and exactly nthe same for me mate. You do get used to it over time but the trick is just to give it a little more revs when you put it into 1st. Moving into second I never have an issue unless I am booting it then it does throw you a bit... Don't think it's anything to worry about you will get used to it and start to enjoy it Quote
Charlie Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 I have had mine for 2 weeks now and had the same issues. Just a little more revs in 1st and it is fine. Quote
dasoupdude Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 I've driven manual cars ranging from a z06 to a civic, I'd have to say the 350z has got to be one of the roughest cars transitioning 1st to 2nd in.. Quote
redmini2 Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 Exactly the same for me, done around 100 miles in my 'new to me' zed and am finding it challenging to be smooth from first to second at slow speed. I'm glad it's not just me, I suppose i'll just have to pop out and practice some more...what a shame Quote
brillomaster Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 seems alright to me? 1st to 2nd is always an awkward gear change, can't say its any harder than in any other car Quote
Drayvn Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 For me its changing starting off in 1st that's a pain, getting into 2nd is not as bad, but still pretty crappy when you don't get the clutch and revs just right. All other gears are fine. I do find pulling away in 1st at about 1500rpm seems to be the best, and if not, it takes ages for the car to get moving at anything less as the clutch takes a long time to engage and settle. Quote
JetSet Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 It's quite difficult to get the 1st to 2nd gear change right...especially on the pre facelift models but once the car gets warm then the crunch is not that noticeable. Pete Quote
B3n5253 Posted August 16, 2012 Posted August 16, 2012 I really disliked my clutch biting point and hated being in traffic. The clutch pedal naturally is higher than the rest. I adjusted it to be inline with the other pedals using the guide and it has made a massive difference. Totally different driving experience now. Quote
KyleR Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 No such issues on my '04, it does buck a bit if I let the throttle off a little too quickly though in lower gears and above 2k rpm. Quote
Bockaaarck Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 I find the change from 1st to 2nd can be a little 'clunky' when cold. However once the box if warmed up it seems to be fine and not significantly worse than any other car I've driven. I suppose I've just got used to it after a while and drive accordingly. Quote
Ebized Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 +1 ^^ what Bock says. Until the car is warmed up or in slow moving traffic a gentle two-stage 1st to 2nd shift through neutral works fine and is kinder to the synchros. Once fully warm the box comes into its own and fast changes work fine. As I was told by someone involved in the original development of the ZED for the UK the box is 'agricultural' compared to say something like a Porsche, but it has great overall strength and you rarely hear of a box going bang even with big number FI conversions. With the 370 the synchro-rev has really overcome all the gear change issues in the 350 and is no doubt going to help the lonevity of the synchros, even on the up changes it blips the throttle if the revs have died, say in slow moving traffic Quote
370Ad Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 Coming from a Gen 7 Celica the gearbox is a dream But yes it does have some niggles when cold, makes you feel more involved though. Quote
Darren-B Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 The zeds have a double cone synchronizer on 1st & 2nd which is probably why it`s a little trickier driving smoothly in these gears, also if your dmf is tired it won`t help matters. My dmf has been shot for about 20k but I can still drive the car smoothly Quote
Cat11pillar Posted August 17, 2012 Author Posted August 17, 2012 Fair comment guys! I think I will try and lower the biting point as I think that will help! Dont think I get any crunching or anything when changing gears its probably more accelerator related.. Its just if I over rev it then car feels like it wants to shoot off... If I under rev it then get the jerk and look like a plonker... Time will help im sure...glad its not just me though! Quote
DannyBoy Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 As far as I know, you can't really adjust the biting point on the 350z. I think you can move the pedal position slightly but that's it. If you're having real trouble you could try this kit: http://www.rjmperformance.com/350z--g35-kits.html It has rave reviews in the US and allows you to adjust everything about the clutch engagement. I know it says LHD only but apparently they do make RHD on request. DB Quote
Darren-B Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 Fair comment guys! I think I will try and lower the biting point as I think that will help! Dont think I get any crunching or anything when changing gears its probably more accelerator related.. Its just if I over rev it then car feels like it wants to shoot off... If I under rev it then get the jerk and look like a plonker... Time will help im sure...glad its not just me though! Learn how to drive Quote
Yupp Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 My 2003 JDM is lovely and smooth at low revs, my clutch biting point is very low though (actually pretty scarily low). I find it harder to keep it smooth on higher biting clutches in different cars, not sure why. I suppose you would call my shift from first to second slow when travelling in traffic, it's hard to explain in text but I think you just need to take the shift slower, just don't ride the clutch. It plays on my mind being getting hit with the stigma of that young jerk in a nice looking car and hahhaa look at him bunny hopping down the road and in any car, it's very embarrassing, worse then a stall. Quote
brillomaster Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 im sure you'll get used to it... just takes a bit of time. when i first had the car i was overrevving it to pull away and riding the clutch when changing gears, just not used to the high bite (and it seemed quite a quick bite as well) but now i can quite happily go from standstill to moving without the revs rising about 1k and no lurching... just takes time! Quote
un1eash Posted August 17, 2012 Posted August 17, 2012 My 56 plate was like this, especially when cold. It takes some time but you get used to it, giving it a few more revs in 1st and 2nd seemed to help me. Quote
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