This is one of my favorite transmissions in any car in the world. The shift action has the slick, mechanical feel of a bolt-action rifle. Trustworthy and precise, it reminds me of those terrific old Muncie transmissions you find in the 1960s Corvette Stingray.
Every transmission feels different...
The transmission is the most complex example of mechanical engineering in a car. It's no wonder that racing drivers of past eras like Dan Gurney always have said that the thing that really set apart a Ferrari from other racing cars of his day was the durability of the transmission, its ability to stand up to both the torque loads of the engine and the brutality of an uncaring driver.
Of course, there are plenty of people who want more isolation from vibration and a lot less mechanical effort than you'll find in the G35S's transmission. The Getrag-built manual gearbox of the BMW 3 Series is what they talk about, and they're always blathering about quick shifts. After having put up with far too many tired Getrags with worn synchros and notchy gear engagement, it doesn't make any sense to me. Trying to make time by using the transmission just leads to expensive visits to your mechanic.
The G35S's Aichi Kikai-built manual transmission never confuses me about gate selection or gear engagement, and its totally mechanical feel is always a pleasure. If you understand that a shift lever is more than a funny arcade-style wand sticking out of the console, then you'll really appreciate the Infiniti G35S's transmission.
Michael Jordan, Inside Line Executive Editor @ 21,230 miles
mbonus says:
07:00 AM, 04/ 7/08
Michael,
Aren't you a little late for the April fools joke. ;)
I happen to agree with you; I have no issue with my G35S' 6MT. It took a little getting used to, but what manual doesn't? I have yet to get the slave replacement, so that is on the horizon.
Thanks for bucking the sentiment of every other editior in your long-term fleet. :D
mrryte says:
07:11 AM, 04/ 7/08
Michael,
Have you always felt this way about the G35S 6M or have you had a change of heart (like the rest of the staff) after the slave cylinder replacement?
http://66.160.188.111/roadtests/1937
joefrompa says:
07:27 AM, 04/ 7/08
Great to hear Michael. Guys, I don't think Michael drove this car (or at least blogged about it) prior to the slave cylinder replacement.
Now if only the trunk opening was of an acceptable size and the rear seats folded down, this would be a potential family sedan for me :)
On the shifter note: My wife and I are going to change the shifter in her brand new '08 Subaru Legacy GT. It's tall with long throws. It's not rubbery like a VW Passat shifter, but it's not mechanical like a Honda shifter...which segues me into...
She loves my 06 Civic SI shifter. She likes how short it is, how you can just flick your wrist into the next gear, and how precise it is. So she wants that...but..
I'm going to install a short shifter in her car. This will lower the height of the shifter about 1-2 inches and reduce the throws by 40-50%. But that will increase the force and won't change the "looseness" of it. I'd like to install some stiff shifter bushings as well, which will cure the looseness but may make it feel quite heavy.
You can definitely modify just about any shifter, but it's very hard to arrive at a specific feel unless your shifter starts similarly.
Bushings, short shifters, and heavier (or lighter) knobs can only do so much :)
Joe
felonious says:
08:25 AM, 04/ 7/08
Hey Joe, check out Kartboy for your short shifter and bushings. I highly recommend you do the bushings! They're so inexpensive and make such a big difference in precision and feel.
jriz says:
08:46 AM, 04/ 7/08
.
joefrompa says:
09:01 AM, 04/ 7/08
Felonious - But do the bushings make it harder to move the shifter around?
My 110 pound wife may not like that (though she is buff).
I've heard wonderful things about Kartboy and I don't think I really need the adjustability of the Cobb unit (I'm sure once you set it, you don't feel like tearing off the whole unit to adjust it a small amount).
Joe
SubyTrojan says:
10:05 AM, 04/ 7/08
Joe, I have the OEM STI 5-speed MT short shifter in my WRX. I love it! It's notchy, but throws are short and quick. The Kartboy ss is another one I've heard good things about. I'm not familiar with the Cobb one.
Rex (CarSpace: trackwrex) has a 2005 LGT Sedan. Perhaps you should try to get his input, too.
jkavanagh says:
10:10 AM, 04/ 7/08
A new slave cylinder can in fact improve shift action.
I guess it's time I gave our longterm G35 another shot now that the slave cylinder's been replaced.
Based on Michael's ringing endorsement here, it is no longer like trying to maneuver a zizzing broomstick through a barrel of superballs.
jwfisher says:
12:15 PM, 04/ 7/08
Didn't the 2008 get an updated manual transmission courtesy of the 2008 G37 coupe? I thought I saw that in the original press releases...
Reason I ask is because this same transmission has a very checkered past in the 350Z.
-Jeff
www.DrivingEnthusiast.net