best launch

Nissan 350z / Nissan 370z general community discussion forum
badboy00
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:57 am
Car: '05 350z

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hello im a newbie to the nico world...love my Z...just recently really learned how to drive stick...now how do i get the best possible launch off the line. you have to take the vdc off right otherwise as soon as the tires spin a little it cuts power out. thanks forgive the newbie question..but im a newbie to a 6 speed

also when downshifting you can slowly let the clutch out or match the revs right?? whats the lowest gear i can drop down to lets say doing 50mph on the park way and want a little boost??

how do you churp the gears?? by shifting at the redline quickly

thanks again
Modified by badboy00 at 12:12 PM 1/11/2007


joe603
Posts: 8200
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:45 am
Car: 2014 Durango R/T
Location: Atlanta

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Yes, turn off the VDC, and launch by reving to 4k, and feather the clutch to minimize wheelspin, shift at redline.

Going 50mph, I wouldn't go lower than 3rd...if you shift into 2nd, you'll be shifting again too soon.

Don't worry about how fast you let the clutch out when downshifting-it's only for smoothness. Matching the revs is how you can shift without the clutch.

You can damage the gears by grinding them with improper shifting. Not a big deal every once and a while. If you hear a grinding noise when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, take it to a dealer.

badboy00
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:57 am
Car: '05 350z

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ohh good stuff so when im down shifting i only have to let out the clutch doesnt matter how fast??this is how the clutch is used to slow down the car also right?? i was told its not worth it to shift with out the clutch any way b/c you dont gain anything and potentially could damage somethingthanks for the reply

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C-Kwik
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Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2002 9:28 pm
Car: 2013 Chevy Volt, 1991 Honda CRX DX

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It takes some practice to get it right. Each car is different as are drivers, so the best way is to experiment. Drag race strips are ideal as it will show you what's working best on your time slip. Try not to spin the tires. The VQ has enough torque that you don't need to spin the tires to get into a high torque range (Like a S2000).

You can get down to 2nd gear at 50 mph, but it will be pretty short as you have to shift to third just passed 60 mph. 3rd should give you plenty of passing power at that speed.

For downshifting, I highly recommend that you learn to re-match when you downshift. A clutch wasn't designed top work like a brake. Creating excessive hotspots on a clutch can cause your clutch to start losing grip prematurely.

Actually, it's not easy to damage gears. First the Z's 6 speed is quite beefy. Whie I don't recommend being abusive to it, it can withstand a considerable amount of abuse. Any grinding noise you hear like when you mis a shift is not the gears themselves that are grinding. Manual transmissions use dogs to engage the shafts to the gears. These dogs are quite strong and you'ld really have to try to break these for them to actually break. The grinding you hear may remove a small amount of material at the leading edges, but there is a relatively large engagement area and quite a few of them so don't be concerened with an occassional grind.

For chirping, I don't recommend it. While I'm confident the Z can handle it, it does nothing for you. But if you must, as you shift, keep the gas pedal floored and shift. When you release the clutch, release it very quickly.

badboy00
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:57 am
Car: '05 350z

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thanks so much everything is very usefull and helpfull, only thing i dont understand is when you were talking about downshifting and re=matching...what does this mean...thanks again

joe603
Posts: 8200
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:45 am
Car: 2014 Durango R/T
Location: Atlanta

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...also, use the brakes to slow down, they are a wear item designed for stopping. Using the transmission as a brake puts unnecessary strain on the unit.

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MrAlien
Posts: 40
Joined: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:11 am

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a good down shift requires a heal-toe technique.this is a combenation of braking and rev matching.rev matching requies you to bring the engine RPM up to speed before engauging the clutch. if you just drop it down a gear and let out the clutch, (with out match reving it) that could be very bad for your drive train.


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