1st gear won't engage until at a dead stop
 

Sometimes when i'm rolling in traffic i have to put it to a complete stop in order to get into 1st gear. I usually can't even if i'm rolling at like 3 or 4 MPH. Usually have to rev-match and put it in 2nd.

IIRC this wasn't an issue when i first got the Z

Sounds like a failing clutch hydraulic system. Is your car an '07>?

no sir DE 2003

OK, 2 more guesses. Early cars had issues with weak synchro rings, and you probably shouldn't be doing a lot of downshifting into 1st. Always a good idea to rev-match, though. The synchro's are probably the main issue, but you might try changing the oil, or at least checking the level. Most prefer the OEM fluid in early cars, some like the Redline MT-85.

In addition to Dean's hypothesis on the synchronizers, I'd ask, how old is your clutch? Some engagement problems are just due to a worn clutch or one that isn't disengaging as it should be.

Thanks for responses guys. new clutch went in about a year ago.

Does the Z have 1st gear lockout?

Typically you should never downshift to 1st. 1st should only be used if you are completely stopped, if you are moving at all, then 2nd will be fine.

Agreed. Should never go into 1st. Mine is an 07 and i tried it twice to check the synchros. Old s2k had bad ones so it wouldnt and i was curious on my Z. It was notchy at first but went in. Changed to mt85 redline and it wad smooth as butter going into 1st revmatched low speed. So yea its good but id reccomend not doing it.

Ok so.... i was in traffic today and realized nearly every time i hit 9mph i put in 1st gear. This thread made me contentious about 1st and noticed I do it much more than I ever thought. 2nd is too high as someone else mentioned.

I downshift into 1st every day after pulling into my driveway. It's paved, maybe 300 feet long, but a bit bumpy, and 2nd gear is just too high unless the engine is at 500rpm's. I just give the throttle a little blip during a double-clutch and it goes right in. Been doing this since '08, 65K miles and Redline MT85.

It sounds like you are describing something normal. It will always be difficult to engage first gear unless going very slow or employing a double clutch and/or rev match.

If youve just been clutching in and jamming it in first all the time you are definitely putting strain on the synchros, which is why it may be getting worse. You should always double clutch at the very least when engaging first gear at anything but a creep (and /or rev match if you have the skills), it will save you wear on those synchros by doing their job for them.

Or it could be a failing master/slave cylinder, which on an 03 DE is very likely if the system has never been serviced.

The 2003 350z’s transmission supports shifting into 1st gear while the car is moving forward. You need to be at a low speed (4 mph might be a little too fast), but it does do this. I just tried this on my car (at about 3 mph), and it works as expected. --Spike