the doc

I have those exact same problems now - mileage = 1400. I also notice a burning/hot smell when accelerating hard. Could this be an exhaust leak? There is a whine in 6th in the highway, and the tranny or something is very noisy while idling in neutral.

I need to get mine checked out soon

mpol99

Vin # 5xxx

Trans replaced hassle free @ Continental Nissan in Countryside, IL @ approx 5K miles due to 2nd gear grind. The grind appeared at approximately 1K miles, the first time I ever redlined the car it grinded.

I'm at 9,500 miles & from the look of some of you posting, I may have to prepare myself for a second transmission swap??? Hopefully not. The new transmission is silky smooth and grind free so far.

koolzero

iTrader: (14)

I've got just under 14,000 miles and yesterday evening for the first time I got a 3rd gear grind after my car had been sitting for 6 hours. It did it again this morning. Anyone think it's a sign of a failing tranny?

koolzero

iTrader: (14)

I hoped that since I had over 12,000 miles that I was in the clear but I'm not sure. I'm really hesitant to take my car in to have those monkey's at nissan look at it. I might just wait until it fails or it grinds constantly, I hate to have to replace the factory transmission Also since so many people are having 2nd and 3rd transmissions installed it makes me even more leary. Obviously the problem hasn't been fixed and this more robust transmission has problems too.

jehjr68

That's how mine started .... only when cold. It's all downhill from there.

I was worried about having the tranny swapped but my local dealership did a fantastic job. I can't tell it was ever touched .. feels like the day I bought it !!

koolzero

iTrader: (14)

So do you think I should wait until it gets really bad or go ahead and do it?

koolzero

iTrader: (14)

jehjr68, how many miles were on your tranny until it went south?

jehjr68

4500 or so when it started, 5100 when it was replaced.

koolzero

iTrader: (14)

I didn't get a grind this morning. Trying to decide if I'll still take it in.

It may not be grinding cause it's not as cold as it was a few days ago.

jehjr68

Mine started out every now and then also. You will know when it is time to take it in. I took mine in when it was nearly impossible to get it into 3rd gear other than a real granny or rev matched shift.

How do you like the NISMO exhaust ?

koolzero

iTrader: (14)

I got 2 grinds this morning, and it wasn't that cold here either (i was thinking it was related to the weather).

I LOVE the Nismo exhaust!! It sounds louder and a little throatier than stock! I'd defintely recommend this exhaust. I'm sure it's not the best exhaust for the price but I'm really happy with it!

DIGItonium

iTrader: (1)

7k miles so far received Oct. 2002... yes, I've grinded before in every gear. It sucks when trying to down shift while making a right turn and I get this loud metallic shreak from not being able to get in gear properly. That was my worst experience ever.

I took my car out to the track last summer (around 3500+ miles). After a hard launch in 1st, I got locked out of 2nd gear. The clutch was down to the floor and I tried to get into 2nd three times before giving up. I ended up hitting the limiter from doing the clutch/gas combination while not being able to get in gear. Once the revs dropped, I finally got into 2nd. It was bad. I nearly got beat by a Civic. However, I managed to pick up speed again and beat it. 16.6s for me and 18s for him. :-(

Okay so I have 7k mi in this car now, and I just started noticing how much smoother the tranny is now. The car hardly jerks in 2nd gear and it's easier to get in 2nd now. However, when driving hard I now get locked out of 3rd.

I go into neutral and simply push the lever up. I tried this many times after punching hard in 2nd. Once the revs dropped arond 2krpm then I could get into 3rd. It was quite strange.

I even showed this to my dad while getting on ramp to the high way. I punched hard in 2nd and tried to get into 3rd. I'm stuck again. Once I manage to get into 3rd, the revs were already too low and the car violently jerked with chirping of the tires once I let off the clutch pedal.

So the remedy? If I drive normal and shift around 3k, then the tranny works fine... despite difficulty sliding into gear smoothly once in awhile. The downturn? If I do this at track, I'll be averaging 16s again. It's embarassing.

So yea, my friends don't think I can shift well at all. Sometimes I wonder if it's in my head about getting locked out of gear. It's very rare that I mishift either.

So what do I do, and how should I talk to my dealer?

pulpz2

I'm wondering if the tranny requires a significant break in period. I've experienced the same problem with missing the shift (maybe getting locked out) into 2nd gear on a hard acceleration I haven't had the problem into 3rd yet. 3700 mi.

This car drives very differently than any other stick shift I've driven. Mostly hondas, (including S2K) rangers, etc. However, I've never driven another rwd /6spd sportscar that had this much torque at low rpms.

I've read other posts where people claim that its important not to be sloppy when shifting the Z, perhaps this is true.

I also remember during the break in period I had a problem with occational rough starts. This problem is gone now. Maybe the tranny needs its time also.

rodH

iTrader: (2)

well, dealer just called, NNA approved a new tranny, so it is going in next week sometime

4300 miles, built 12/02

sig2288

Tranny replaced @ 6k miles. Atlantic Nissan long island

Rob Nance

Mine is going in tomorrow morning for them to replace the tranny for my December 02 build 6mt touring. I have 11,500 miles on it now. Problems have been identical to everyone else. First it was cold grinds in 3rd, then 2nd and 3rd, now only rev matching 2nd and 3rd works to get no grind, and I can't even get in 5th now, and 6th is hard to get into.

Horizon1

How sad...tranny getting replaced as soon as they get it in stock. I purchased in july '03 with a car that was manufactured in may '03...thought i had gotten a revised tranny..i guess not! 4k on the OD.

does anyone know if they'll put in nismo flywheel and aftermarket clutch WITHOUT extra charge...and would this void warranty? I figured if i get all nismo stuff, it should still be covered..no?

eidegamisou

Buffalo NY

Mine had the third gear grind, Replaced tranny after 3000 miles. I have 13000 seems good so far, but we will see

speedphreek350

I first off would like to say thankyou for starting this post.. I got my tranny replaced @ 22,000k miles and now I lost 2nd gear again and getting my second tomorrow...
03 Siverstone 350Z tranny X2 @ Elway Nissan South in Denver CO

BlueBlur

Well my 1st Tranny is on order at about 19k miles.
at Hall Nissan Newport News Va.
VIN: xx8133

Totoally sux!!