I have been driving the 350z for about a month now, and I am still getting used to executing perfect shifts. When I don't execute a perfect shift and drop the clutch too fast, the car jerks and I hear this rattle/chatter. It sort of sounds like a slinky, going down some stairs. A very light clicking the slowly gets quieter then stops. This leads me to believe that something is loose and is moving back and forth and is set in motion by jerking the car. Does anybody hear have any idea of what could be causing it? Anything I should be checking in particular?

 

Could be your bad shifting. The Z makes noises :/

 

Could be new clutch time! The z's trans is always gonna be noisy, but if you are dumping to early or too late and the car lunges or jerks, as you put it, could be a couple different things......

How long have you had the z??? And did the previous owner (or you) replace the clutch only and not the flywheel??? It could be a warped disc or not mating up to a stock flywheel with a performance clutch.

Clunks and clangs can be normal for these cars......