I wonder why this is, is it a Nissan thing? My father's '95 beat up as fack Tacoma has a smoother tranny than the 350. I helped my cousin drive his G20 to school cross country from VA to UT and his 5th gear died on the way there. It's just odd that such a major manufacturer would make such a crappy tranny. I could imagine the engineer saying "Yea I like the shifting feel of a box of rocks." This is the first Z I've driven, were former Z's(300zx) better or worse?

 

I have a 2006 Grand Touring 6MT and it seems to shift fine for me. I've heard the 350Z transmission described as being "notchy" and I can understand why someone might describe it that way. However, even being "notchy" it shifts quick, smooth, and doesn't grind, so it's okay by me.

 

I owned a '78 280Z and an '85 300ZX, both of which had what I considered flawless MTs that never gave a hint of a problem. I think the MT is currently used in such a small percentage of vehicles produced by Nissan that they cannot afford to put their best engineering resources on them. The A-Team works on the CVT and automatics.

My experience with the CVT is limited to a few test drives, but they seemed pretty good. My own 5AT is excellent, and the 7ATs in the 370Zs I've driven are even better.

 

Supposedly our tranny is picky when it comes to oil.
It's a never ending quest trying to find the perfect match.

 

I love the Z but my friend's Civic SI tranny puts our tranny to shame. Maybe I'm granny shiftin' and not double clutchin' like I should.

 

Nissan makes crummy transmissions. This is common knowledge. Those who buy a Nissan are aware of the risk, and have little reason to complain.

 

Only crummy manual trannys, automatics never had any problems, but I could be wrong.

 

you can't compare a truck to a sports car tranny. one will obviously put through more stress than the other.

their syncro p roblem is horrible though.

 

2nd gear synchros have sucked in both of my cd009s. The first also had 5th and 6th synchros go as well.

 

The only problem I have is downshifting in second gear.. I have to wait a little before it lets me in.. I can put a little force and it goes in but it's as if there's a limiter on second.

 

I was pondering this just today. I have a relatively new CD009 replacement, and about half the time I can feel a clatter when I shift, especially in 1-4. It does not grind, but it feels almost like the clutch needs to be further out. Is there an adjustment to disengage the clutch earlier? I find it eternally frustrating, it is by far the crappiest feeling MT I have ever driven. And for the record, the Civic SI tranny is absolute glass. I was amazed at how smooth it is, no notching/clatter at all.


If my CD009 dies, I intend to find a built tranny and replace it myself with something smooth. Are there any aftermarket trannies for the 350z?

 

might be the car, might be the driver, might even be the day it was made. But i have no tranny issues with my Z, and i beat the FACK out of her. 03 performance ftw!-----and my **** is OG!


PS....i change my trans fluid every 15-20K

 

My trans has been notchy and difficult (especially in cold weather) for 3 years now. Doesn't seem to have ever gotten worse. I'm just used to it by now I suppose.

 

I wonder why there's such a diffference in the quality of 5at and the 6mt. I want to sell my 5at and get a 6mt but my tranny is flawless and the 6mt problems get me nervous haha

 

Civic K series lol.Those trannys have problems of their own too I was in the car when my friend grenaded is second gear...Best hang over morning eva

 

everyone will have different experience based on how they drive, and how they maintain the component. Even then, it is a mechanical part and subject to failure under the most ideal conditions

An FG chassis Civic Si shifts nicer than a 350Z? I've had both cars, I couldn't disagree more. Not sure if you got your car new or used, that can make a difference.

My Z is an 04, purchased new, and despite there being internet posts about how the early cars were problematic, mine's always been flawless. Haven't done anything special with it, and I drive it the way a sports car should be driven. I just stay on top of fluid changes. Hot or cold, it's always worked well

 

mines notchy and gets stuck going from 3rd to 6th sometime i bought it used but it only had 10k on it, a bit notchy sometiems going into 2nd aswell, thinking of taking it to the dealer

 

Rumor is... you can mount the RB26 6-speed trans up to the VQ with a bell housing swap.

 

I'm not into Tranny's.....

 

The Z32 300ZX (90-96' in the US) had lousy syncros as well. The transmission offered after 96' was quite a bit better though.