I purchased a 2006 about 4 months ago, I guess you could call it my 3rd car, gets driven very little. I was surprised at first how difficult this car is to drive, referring to the 6spd manual. I replaced the master/slave for the clutch and installed the RJM clutch pedal which was a big improvement. The other weird thing about this car is how it holds its Rev momentarily between shifts, i.e. When I get off the gas. I haven't driven any other 350z so I started to wonder if this is normal. So, that's my question, is this normal? My assumption is that it's some sort of Rev matching but thought I would ask. Thanks for the feedback.

 

The 350Z has no rev matching technology. Depending on your shifting technique, flywheel momentum will hold revs for just a moment on upshifts and downshifts. How long have you been driving manual transmissions?

 

 

That's pretty normal for a VQ35DE with a stock flywheel.

 

Yup^

100% normal. The only way to fix that is with a light weight flywheel. If you absolutely can't stand it. These fly wheels are 28-30lbs stock IIRC. That's a lot o mass to stop spinning. I'm sure it also has something to do with the stock set up on the throttle response as well.

If you notice if you gun it from idle it also has a slight delay before it gets to speed. Again that's a lot of weight to get spinning.

 

Yes flywheel weight is around 30lbs. My Z does the same thing which makes shifting a little annoying durring spirited driving since the rpms like to hang for a moment. Switching to a JWT clutch kit with lightened flywheel will greatly help. Theres multiple videos on YouTube that show comparison between stock flywheel and different brand lightweight flywheels. Use these to determine your appropriate weight youd like to go with. Take note that light flywheels can make take off and shifting a pain if you go too light for your driving application, for instance you dont want a 13lb flywheel for daily use.

 

Ok, great, my next question was will a light flywheel change this but you beat me to it. I had a few pounds shaved from the factory fly wheel on my 280 and it make for a much more linear experience without making standing starts too difficult. This 350 I have has the original clutch in it with 130k miles so it's on top of the list...Thanks and Merry Christmas

 

Wow over due for a clutch change. I have stock clutch and 117k miles and its utter crap and the previous owner claimed he never really got on it too much, he was an older guy and only owner, he seemed believable but i guess you can never know. Anyway my point is my clutch isnt in the greatest shape with 15k miles less. Im looking into clutches myselr and will probably change it once it warms up a bit

 

One point to interject here is the VQ engines all like rotational mass to build top end power. Back when I had a Tilton twin disc clutch and lightweight flywheel (21 lbs total!), my VQ35DE revved easily and proved easier to heel-and -toe rev match. BUT once engaged, it took longer to reach the same output on a long straight. Back-to-back sessions with that lightweight flywheel and clutch showed no significant improvement in lap times, but UpRev was in the infancy of their development, so I suspect multiple dyno passes and a full retune might help that today.

The point is, don't expect a lightweight flywheel will automatically increase horsepower or torque.

 

Dont track my car, or care about speed. Just looking for quality of life improvements. If i was interested in either of those two i wouldnt have gotten a z.
Nice tips tho

 

Quality of life is exactly what I'm getting at. The OEM clutch is easier to engage and drive, cheaper to purchase and install. If the dual mass flywheel doesn't have too much wear or heat spots, I've found there's plenty of reason to stick with replacing worn driveline parts with a new Nissan clutch disc, pressure plate and throwout bearing.