Driving Tips needed!!

[Sprjin]

Hey guys, i'm a new driver to a G35 and also a new manual driver, i've been driving for about a month now, i was wondering... if i were to take-off quickly from a stop what is the best RPM i should be revving at??? should i drop the clutch quickly or slowly?? i would like to do this without causing any harm to the car...

piece of Sh%@ bmw wanted to race.. but i had to decline... i didn't want to disappoint any of the other G35 drivers out there...lol

any type driving tips would be greatly appreciated...oh another question... what is the prime advantage the manual cars have over an automatic?? is it true that automatic cars are able to accelerate quicker than manual?? (just something i've heard)

thanks
Modified by Sprjin at 10:15 AM 10/24/2006

[joe603]

First, welcome to NICO! Nice ride!

Manuals for me are definitely more fun to drive than autos (I've had both), but you have to be a better driver to get them to perform close to an auto. There's no question that an auto will shift quicker and more consistent than a manual, but the trade off is unpredictability; not off the line, but during downshifts for passing.

To answer you're question about the best launch techniques for the G35, do the following. First, remember that there is a safety mechanism that will not allow the clutch to engage when the engine is revved past 5k. This means that burnouts are difficult to do...but not impossible. To get a good 0-60 foot time, keep the RPMs around 4k, and feather the clutch to avoid wheelspin. Rev to redline on each shift...high 13s/low 14s in the 1/4 mile. Have fun, and stay safe!

[10benny]

as a side question (sorry for a bit off-topic)

is it lame to upgrade an automatic? i'm not specifically lookin to race...but occasionally i like to burn it...how could you not?

im just thinkin about doin simple upgrades...but mostly cosmetic mod

[toxix]

Yea, i was kinda wondering if automatic was worth fixing up and if so what kinda things? cuz im stuck with an automatic =/.

[Sprjin]

Thanks for the tips joe, i would definately try it out~~

and for the other guys...in my opinion cosmetic upgrades are a huge plus, it makes it standout... other than the fact that it's a beautiful G35!!... regardless of it being a manual or an automatic...

and by the way.. what's a pop charger?

[dr-rjp]

Drool....

Too bad, you do not live closer...I could give you first-hand lessons.

Although automatics are overtaking manuals in the gas mileage department, in general, manuals give you higher MPG's.

Manuals also give you greater control over your engine.

On the down side, if you have to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic most of the time, then having to constantly shift can be a bummer.

I would practice letting up on the clutch simultaneously with putting on the gas -- think of your feet as the opposite ends of a see-saw. When one goes up, the other goes down.

Pewrsonally, I would not rev it up past 2K when dropping the clutch from a dead stop...unless you really like the sound and smell of burning rubber.

Like I said, if you learn to work your feet in tandem, you will never have to spin the wheels...and thereby LOSE precious time at the light.

For starters, try upshifting at 5K. That waym you have some leeway if you miss a shift.

[dr-rjp]

as a side question (sorry for a bit off-topic)

is it lame to upgrade an automatic? i'm not specifically lookin to race...but occasionally i like to burn it...how could you not?

im just thinkin about doin simple upgrades...but mostly cosmetic mod

Heck, NO, it is abso-freakin-lootly a great idea to upgrade both an automatic powered ride and the automatic itself.

First, if you don't have a Y-pipe, get one! Most bang for the buck. Figure 13-15hp gain off the bat. figure $135 to $185 for a good one.

Next, get a free-flowing intake. You might consider buying a cold air intake, like an AEM or JWT pop charger, or at least replacing your stock filter with a drop-in K&N one. You could also modify your stock intake with some of the mods that I am doing.

Next,you might consider replacing the midpipe or b-pipe with a larger diameter, mandrel-bent one...but they will run you another $150-$200.

Or, you can go the catback route which repaces everything from cat to muffler with less restrictive ones.

Next, an inexpensive way to get a few extra HP is to replace your current set of spark plugs, with a set of NGK platinum plugs one step colder than stock.

Now, about your transmission.

First, I would consider a valve body modification. Shifts will be VERY firm and quick. I don't recall what they cost these days. If you do get one, you will need a transmission oil cooler -- they are under $100.

Lastly, if you really have bread to burn, you can replace your stock torque converter with a heavy duty model -- it will eliminate that annoying hesitation typically found in stock trannies. Cost is over $450

Hey, I got an automatic, and I regularly dust off 5-speeds..


Modified by dr-rjp at 7:17 PM 10/27/2006

[10benny]

Heck, NO, it is abso-freakin-lootly a great idea to upgrade both an automatic powered ride and the automatic itself.

First, if you don't have a Y-pipe, get one! Most bang for the buck. Figure 13-15hp gain off the bat. figure $135 to $185 for a good one.

Next, get a free-flowing intake. You might consider buying a cold air intake, like an AEM or JWT pop charger, or at least replacing your stock filter with a drop-in K&N one. You could also modify your stock intake with some of the mods that I am doing.

Next,you might consider replacing the midpipe or b-pipe with a larger diameter, mandrel-bent one...but they will run you another $150-$200.

Or, you can go the catback route which repaces everything from cat to muffler with less restrictive ones.

Next, an inexpensive way to get a few extra HP is to replace your current set of spark plugs, with a set of NGK platinum plugs one step colder than stock.

Now, about your transmission.

First, I would consider a valve body modification. Shifts will be VERY firm and quick. I don't recall what they cost these days. If you do get one, you will need a transmission oil cooler -- they are under $100.

Lastly, if you really have bread to burn, you can replace your stock torque converter with a heavy duty model -- it will eliminate that annoying hesitation typically found in stock trannies. Cost is over $450

Hey, I got an automatic, and I regularly dust off 5-speeds..

thanks a lot buddy i appreciate your advice and will definitely look into what you've suggested. i dont want to do too much to it...but probably add a good 50-60hp...maybe 70 if i can get away with it

but to get those kinda extra horses i need to flash right? which i've heard is inexpensive anyway

[joe603]

Thanks for the tips joe, i would definately try it out~~

and for the other guys...in my opinion cosmetic upgrades are a huge plus, it makes it standout... other than the fact that it's a beautiful G35!!... regardless of it being a manual or an automatic...

and by the way.. what's a pop charger?

The popcharger is a product from JWT. Its just an aftermarket air cleaner setup (see pics below). Works best with the 350Z intake tube (its a strait-through version of ours). Another thing that I should mention is with an automatic...get the motordyne intake plenum spacer. Works VERY well with autos!!

http://www.motordyneengineering.com/

I havent seen a valve body upgrade kit for the G/350Z...but it may be out there. I did one on my 97 formula...make sure you have a buddy to help!!

[dr-rjp]

thanks a lot buddy i appreciate your advice and will definitely look into what you've suggested. i dont want to do too much to it...but probably add a good 50-60hp...maybe 70 if i can get away with it

but to get those kinda extra horses i need to flash right? which i've heard is inexpensive anyway

Flash? As in "exposing yourself?" OH...do you mean the ECU? I didn't know that you could get THAT much from changing it. I was thinking around 30-40WHP.

If you get your ECU reprogrammed, go with aftermarket Y-pipes, catback exhaust, true CAI (where the filter end is exposed to outside air...like in your wheel well), then you can get the numbers you want.

Probably the fastest way to see what is possible is to take a look at what others have done to their rides on CARDOMAIN.COM and try to find cars that have been tricked out from mild to wild.

Of course, you could slap on a turbo or two, or an SC for instant jollies. On CARDOMAIN, there is one with twin Greddy turbos that will pretty much eat anything else on the black top.

It all comes down to moolah, and how much you are willing to lay down on your whip.

Here is a caveat, though:

Checking out what others have done will put a serious dent in your wallet, as that speed bug gets implanted in your brain. It is kind of funny to read comments from drivers who, after throwing in everything plus the proverbial kitchen sink, lament, "Why did I sink all that jack into a car?"

Like the big man-eating plant in "Little Shop of Horrors," your ride sits there moaning "Feed me. Feed me." as you scurry over to the performance websites to see what new toys you can chunk into it.

Modding is VERY addictive, and what would help is to use the "Buddy System" whereby your buddy will remind you that you are already up to your eyeballs in debt, that you've maxed out your Discover, Visa, and the four Mastercards you have, not to mention that third mortgage.

Why is it that nobody ever asks, "How much speed do you really need?"

I guess for the same reason that nobody ever asks, "How much cheesecake are you going to eat?"

[10benny]

Flash? As in "exposing yourself?" OH...do you mean the ECU? I didn't know that you could get THAT much from changing it. I was thinking around 30-40WHP.

If you get your ECU reprogrammed, go with aftermarket Y-pipes, catback exhaust, true CAI (where the filter end is exposed to outside air...like in your wheel well), then you can get the numbers you want.

Probably the fastest way to see what is possible is to take a look at what others have done to their rides on CARDOMAIN.COM and try to find cars that have been tricked out from mild to wild.

Of course, you could slap on a turbo or two, or an SC for instant jollies. On CARDOMAIN, there is one with twin Greddy turbos that will pretty much eat anything else on the black top.

It all comes down to moolah, and how much you are willing to lay down on your whip.

Here is a caveat, though:

Checking out what others have done will put a serious dent in your wallet, as that speed bug gets implanted in your brain. It is kind of funny to read comments from drivers who, after throwing in everything plus the proverbial kitchen sink, lament, "Why did I sink all that jack into a car?"

Like the big man-eating plant in "Little Shop of Horrors," your ride sits there moaning "Feed me. Feed me." as you scurry over to the performance websites to see what new toys you can chunk into it.

Modding is VERY addictive, and what would help is to use the "Buddy System" whereby your buddy will remind you that you are already up to your eyeballs in debt, that you've maxed out your Discover, Visa, and the four Mastercards you have, not to mention that third mortgage.

Why is it that nobody ever asks, "How much speed do you really need?"

I guess for the same reason that nobody ever asks, "How much cheesecake are you going to eat?"

lol no i'm not gonna go nuts. like i said im just an automatic and didn't buy the car only to race. just enough to get a nice rush

but when i said flashing...or reprogamming the ecu...yeah i did mean i would only do that with aftermarket intake, exhaust, etc.

and i'll check out that website...but very cautiously

thanks a lot man for your advice and time i really do appreciate it