I'm pretty sure overdrive is not a subjective gear chosen by the driver, its an objective physical trait determined by the gear ratios. i.e. 6th gear IS an overdrive, 5th is not, regardless of whether or not you would like it to be.

but then again, i'm new to caring about gears, so correct me if i'm wrong.

Also, someone mentioned something about skipping gears being bad for the synchros, could someone elaborate? (I've been trying to figure out if there is a reason why I wouldn't want to rev match and skip gears)

 

My understanding is in sync with yours. Overdrive is a gear ratio less than 1:1 with the engine. I however don't know if the final drive comes into equation.

Regarding the synchros and skipping gears in a downshift, the added stress on synchros follows logic if you don't double clutch. However, I feel that the synchros are tough enough for everyday use, including skipping gears and that the added stress is probably not worth worrying about unless you push the car (race) constantly. For elaboration, please read and understand the "manual transmission" entry in HowStuffWorks.com.

 

haha, i love that ****. that site really helped me learn how to drive a stick, and their "clutch" diagram taught me so much, it was so clutch! (oh boy) but yeah, i still dont have the best understand of how skipping gears would affect stress on the clutch when you are rev matching?

 

I'm planning to get the AEM/Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake. I've heard claims from 5 HP to 20 HP. It also depends at what speed and RPM ( the higher, the better ) your are at to see HP increases.

For jumping off the line, it would seem a pulley ( Agency Pulley is getting good reviews around here ) and/or flywheel ( for manual only ) would be the best choice. They don't "give" you HP, but "free up HP" and speed up how fast your engine can rev up. But in the final analysis, if your 0-60 time goes down than you can see it as an HP increase.

As for the 350Z, it ain't the fastest car in the world either and that is the main thing its got going for it when comparing it to the RX-8 ( many feel the ONLY thing its got going). Overall, the RX-8 is a better car. The few things the 350z can come back on, is 0-60 speed. But when you start modifying the RX-8, than they will start beating 350z at the 0-60 game.

But, its true that Nissan came out with a test supercharger 350Z with something like 350 HP. If Nissan has any sense, they will put that bad boy into production next year or two.

I agree that Mazda is lying down on the job when it comes to the RX-8. A turbo or supercharger 300 HP plus Mazdaspeed RX-8 should have already came out. Its damn sad, what Mazda is doing. Luckily, 3rd party mechs. have a steady supply of Turbo and Supercharger kits for the RX-8 coming out that are giving higher HP gains. I would be more than happy with a 300 HP or better supercharger RX-8.

Mazda should damn sure realize that faster RX-8s ( in addition to its looks, interior, brakes, balance, cornering, etc...) would be good for more sales.

 

The Z is a very nice car but I have read 3 comparison articles in major trade journals and each one selected the RX over the Z. There is a reason for this and that is it just a better car over all.

 

There's no stress on the clutch. We're talking about stress on the synchros.

 

all i know is the 8 will out corner the well known heavy 350Z
because i tried

 

Right. Most auto critics favor the RX-8 over the 350Z.
I'm quite certain this is repost, but it is in context.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I1h8LrVO0Q

 

The 350 Z is a Universl car. Nothing is special about it.

It share the same platform aa a Nissan Altima and Nissan SUV.

It's not a true sports car like the RX 8 which was designed from the ground with performance in mind.

Same as the GTO it's old GM platform they got rid of years ago. Only The Aussies kept it alive down under as a Monaco.

Put a big engine in anything and most people think it's a sports car bah humbug.

RX 8 wins hands down as a daily driver and kicks but on most cars on a high performance course or even in Auto X. It's braking is in the top ten in the world.

Shall I go on?

 

Shares the same engine not platform. (Front wheel drive) Including the Quest van.

Agree on eveythine else!!

 

But the 8 has way worse gas milage dude! Lets discuss that fact for the next 3 pages.


no dont. Anyway, the Z is borning too. Sports cars arnt supposed to be borning.

 

Nope, same underpinnings, modified for different products. Nissan did a bang up job on the manufacturing side of the house to reduce costs across the board on all their models. They have a universal platform (a good one too!) that they can build most anything on, including both fwd and rwd applications.

 

tru dat.

 

I might be wrong but I thought I read "Same platform" not "Universal platform, they can biuld almost anything on it."

Same= 350Z & G35 coupe platfom. Am I wrong? another example would be the Firebird & Camero.

 

This coming from the guy who wants to put Ferrari centercaps on his 8. Have you driven a Z yet?

 

I was wrong. There are two major platforms used for cars as follows:

FF-L platform

* 2002-2006 Nissan Altima
* 2003- Nissan Murano
* 2003- Nissan Teana
* 2004- Nissan Maxima
* 2004- Nissan Quest

Nissan FM platform

* Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G35 V35-series
* Nissan Fuga/Infiniti M Y50-series
* Nissan 350Z Z33-series
* Nissan Stagea M35-series
* Infiniti FX SUV

 

heyyyyyyyyyyy!

 

The FX and the Murano aren't the same?

 

Ya I have driven the Z, and like i said in the forums asking for ferrari wheels or centercaps, I want the logo, not the words F E R R A R I. Since I am part of a ford dealership, I have driven most of their cars too, including thr 160k Ford GT.

When you always see your car around the corner, behind you, parked next to you, it gets very borning after awhile. Body mods only do soo much. As for driveability, the Z is also boring. It has the same feel as many other small piston engine cars. And I think What Im going to do reguarding the Ferrari horse, is have my painting fabricated (my avatar of Death riding a horse into battle) into a CF hood. Not the background, just the dark horse on the darker CF hood. Going to look good.

 

I dissagree i think st. johns is a wonderful place to visit. Good driving roads too!

 

Apparantly not. That was a suprise to me as well. The Murano is fwd based and the FX is rwd based.

The main point of course is the 350Z shares a platform with a SUV.

 

Which is a problem because....?

Last time I checked, it can run through a road course with the best of them.

 

yew

 

no backseat = no fun...

 

The thing that kept me from buying the Z was the shitty ride quality.

In Michigan, that's a huge factor, because our roads SUCK.

I'm not a lean teenager anymore. I need a cushier ride for my fat, 30-something ***.