So I've been driving stick for about about 1.5 weeks now with my 03 Track, and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. However, my shifting is still spotty from 1st to 2nd: I shift at around 3000 rpm, but my car either jerks backward or forward because I'm giving it too much gas or not enough.

The thing is, it's not a smooth shift because the shifter is so stiff. Have any of you guys noticed this? I'm not sure if it's a problem, or maybe I'm still new at this. I think the problem is I'm not coordinating the shifting well enough with my feet.....

Also for some reason, I'm smoother when I shift at a lower rpm, so I'm also wondering when do you guys usually shift from 1st to 2nd?

 

when you say 'stiff' to uou mean its physically hard to pusg the stick into 2nd gear? Are you depressing the clutch enough?

 

Yup, I depress the clutch the entire way.

I'm not sure that is physically hard....I don't have to force it or anything, but it certainly not as smooth as I would like.

 

sounds like the clutch isn't fully disengaging. My 07 has a slight notchy feel when going into 2nd, unlike the other gears, but I wouldn't say its at all hard. hmmm

 

Practice will make it right.

A bad habit for first to second shift is pulling the shifter towards you instead of straight back.

 

all Z's have kind of a stiff tranny, but its not that bad, you should be fine, all you need is to practice more.

 

The shifter "stiffness" shouldn't have any effect on the car's jerkiness.

Jerky = bad clutch operation

Otherwise, the Z's shifter feel is very mechanical-like. And it's built that way.

 

When people started complaining about the first versions of the Z transmission, Nissan changed to a Triple-Cone Synchronizer on 2nd gear and a double-Cone Synchronizer on 1st, 3rd and 4th. This reduces the operating force on the shift fork, which people when trying the shift the orginal transmissions weren't smooth on their shift and shoving into gear. And if you shove a transmission into gear you either brake the shift forks or release the detent ***** (and metal roaming around a transmission are not good) Are you sure your 03 has an updated transmission?
Funny thing is, the RX-8 MT looks exactly like the old Z transmissions. Yet, they have done nothing to fix the problem like Nissan did. Yet, since the rotary has no Torque, the 8's don't have any problems until you try to race them, plus they have so many other problems with the car that people loose there engine first anyway on the 8.

 

Based on WHAT? WTF are you smoking

 

Transmission fluid can also play a big factor in your transmission "feel", switch to Redline MT-90 first and see how it feels. If it still feels notchy, switch to MTL.

 

Is there a way I can find out if I have an updated transmission? Thanks.

 

a bad habit that I have developed sometimes is starting to apply pressure to the shifter before the clutch. even if by just a few miliseconds. this can deceive you into thinkin the shifter is stiffer than it is

 

welcome to rwd. Fwd uses linkages and what not so its a lot easier than rwd. I've notice all rwd i've driven takes a bit of effort and thinking to have smooth engagement.

 

I've noticed that too on the 2nd gear is harder to get into than any other gears on the Z. Like the OP, this is my first manual car as well, but I've had short practices in other cars before. The clutch is a lot stiffer than other cars, but I think it's a good thing, helps you control it better. Compared to my sister's G35's clutch, the clutch on the G35 feels like paper, compared to the Z, I think I've developed quite a bit more calf muscle/strength since I've owned the Z. Good workout on the calf, too bad the right calf still needs the gym.

So the advice on the 2nd gear would be try and pull it straight back, and try not to pull "it towards yourself" or pull it towards the left too much?

 

How jerky your shifts are depends on when you lift your foot off the clutch. Lift too soon and the car lunges forward a bit, wait too long and it sends you lunging forward because the car slows down a bit. It's all about knowing what RPMs the car wants to be at. Once you get a better feel for it you'll know exactly when to lift off the clutch.

As far as shifting early in the RPM range. The sooner you shift the less you need to let the RMPs drop for the next gear. If you're a little off in your timing, it doesn't jerk as much as a shift in the higher RPM range.

I notice the shifter gets caught up a little going into second and sixth, sometimes more than others. I learned to compensate for it and can usually make it decently smooth.

Hope this helps. Keep practicing, you'll get it.