OK so I finally think I learned how to shift and release the clutch properly to get a smooth shift. ( I also had them adjust the clevis pin which made a lot of difference)

Now I need to start learning how to get off the line fast. How do I do it? Maybe a little chirp even would be nice.

When I start off the line, I have been going rather slow releasing the clutch slowly. What do I need to do to shift faster, especially off the line?

-J

 

at a certain RPM clutch work becomes very insignificant. like 2500 is a good starting point. rev it, might be best to hold it there so you know you have it. then release the clutch quickly, but smoothly, smoothness is far more important than speed. the car should take off, at the same time the clutch grabs, foot to the floor on the gas. you can then work up the RPM you start at untill you lose traction, 3000 is probably about it on stock tires depending on how smooth you are.

HOWEVER, Id reccomend you hold off on this for a little while untill you are much more confident in your driving... this is hardly good for your engine, and you can screw things up if you dont do it right. dont run before you learn to walk.

 

Stick to smooth control until break-in of the engine, 1200 miles. By that time, you should have the hang of it. Just stomp and pop!

 

1200 miles is how much you're car needs for it to break in?.. Ive currently got 1350 on my 350Z and im still rarely reving over 3000 =P. (Only did it a few times to sastify the urge). But how much milage should i get before being able to normally shift 3500 - 4000 ? Well not normally as in every single time... but without doing any damage to the engine =)

 

Wow that is low shifting points. I have 500 miles now and sometimes shift from 3rd and 4th at 3900. But mostly shift around 2000-3200.

From a stop I have only been reving to 2000 max unless going up a hill.

 

So when I'm ready it's pretty much pop it and gas it with a fast smooth release

 

O M G

You are doing serious long-term harm to your engine! You need to start revving that baby more! This is a modern sports car engine that lives to be taken to redline regularly.

Now, you have been way too easy on it so far so don't immediately go out there & redline her, but you need to start running that thing up some! Either that or hand in the keys and go buy yourself an SUV!

I'm not kidding! Well, maybe only a little.

I only shift my car at 3500 when the engine is cold. As soon as it warms up I shift in the 5000 range, at least to 6000 every time I drive it.

DRIVE THAT CAR!!!!!

 

6000 may not be needed, but 4000 would be nice, 5000 is fine. 3000 might be a little low for accelerating.

but as he said, dont just floor it now, tho 1200miles is the breakin, if youve been driving so low all this time, you should spend about a hundred miles edging it up higher and higher. dont just start shifting in the red every time suddenly, break in isnt a on/off thing that occurs at 1200miles.

 

Oh, haha.. i just figured its bad to rev up the engine so much when the car is still new I hope its not too late to start remeding a little bit. I guess it would be nice if i start revving a bit higher... but should this be a constant thing like every time i start accelerating or here and there thing?

 

when ever the mood catches you. theres a nice big gray area between granma and torture for the engine. hit it somewhere in the middle. dont accelerate to 6600 everytime unless you feel like it. I personally cant hit 6600 outside of 1st gear unless Im on the freeway, any road around here is 45 at best and 2nd gear goes up to 60, so you can only wind it out so far...

 

i admire your restraint and maturity i tend to double all posted speed limits.

 

So how long should i keep this 3500-4000 rev'ing - shifting? I decided to hit 1450 miles before start doing 4000 to work my way up... so how long should i keep this up? Is there a certain period before i should go back to regular 3000 rpm shifting?

 

I have under 7K on my touring and shift between 3 & 4K. I have my light set at 4K. Every now and then she sees the 5-6K range. Where do you all shift?

 

It's in the owner's manual.

 

Normal driving I shift at around 3K. When I'm driving a little harder, 3.5K to 4K. Of course, I run it to about 6K several times per week. :-)

 

Here's my suggestion: Go out one day soon, get your car all nice & warmed up driving your normal way as you take it to a place where you can go up and down through the gears without others getting in your way. A nice twisty country road might be just the thing. If you haven't changed your oil recently it might not be a bad idea to do so first, but if you have changed within the last 2000 miles just make sure it's topped off.

On your drive, as you work your way up through the gears, allow the shift point to creep up. Shift at 4500, then 4700, then 5000, work it up to 6000 once or twice. You'll like it! It really sings! Take it home, let the engine (and your blood cool off overnight.

Sometime soon after, the next day or whatever, do it again. This time work your way up to allowing yourself to find the rev limiter (where is it, around 6600?) You'll know it when you find it, it's like you're bouncing off a wall. Don't worry, you won't hurt your car. This is an engine safety feature. It is set higher in Japan, I understand, 7000 or 7200.

After this, shift however you feel like it, but remind yourself not to granny it too much. You need to at least blow the carbon out every once in a while, this car was made to be driven. Once the temp guage reaches normal I recommend 5000 as an average shift point.

I know of a lot of people who would tell you that even this is more careful than you really need to be, but this will be a nice safe, careful procedure and you will be glad you did it. Have fun, and report back!

 

5000 as an average shift point Wow... you guys must drive this thing like crazy.. not to mention one hell of a gas guzzler... Ill probably do 4000 average after i try that =)

(When you say average.. that does mean hitting 5000 in almost every gear, every time you drive?)

 

Yes. I get around 18-20 MPG.

 

Yep. Sounds like me.

 

Before break-in my rev light was set at 3800, so I was just shy of 4k all the time. After that, it's been a wandering needle. I don't shift below 4k, right now it's set at 5k and always going over that. Like somebody mentioned, the exhaust note is intoxicating. This past Saturday I was at a home party almost an hour away fro where I live, so on mi way back at 2 a.m. I had the road all to myself. I decided to let her redline at all shifts, and the reward was 148 mph, top speed so far after 4 1/2 months and 7k miles, all the time asking for more (till I saw some cars up front!)