I really need to test drive an auto as I haven't driven one yet. What are peoples thoughts on the driving experience of auto vs manual? I have two things to consider 1. Living in Sydney (although I wont be doing a lot of driving) 2. Is the auto as exciting to drive as the manual or will I be diminishing the whole reason for buying the Z??
HI WhiteNight, I own a manual gearbox and like it as the type of driving I do here is not taxing and not too much gearchanging. I've also driven an auto version of the Zed and I must comment it was quite good - very responsive, smooth change and still had that 'sporty' feel to it. Just has that "auto" sound when you have an aftermarket sports exhaust, this is what I do not like. I wouldn't hesitate to own an auto in the city. Cheers.
I didn't realize that the auto would sound any different?! I would ideally like my car to be quiet. Which begs another question, does a quiet exhaust system mean less power??
of course they sound different, there is no rev drop between 'gear changes' in an auto. They can still sound mean, the actual exhaust note is no different, just the gear changes. How quiet are we talking here? NA z32's are already just below the legal DB limit with the STOCK exhaust
Oh right I see what you mean. If the stock NA system is just below the the legal limit I'd like to know what percentage of TT's driving around are legal. I'm not looking for a dead quiet system, just something that has a nice low rumble and doesn't get all loud when you give it a boot full. You know the sound that you hear when some 18yo has bought his first Commodore and removed the baffles from the exhaust and think he can beat everyone at the lights. There is a classy loud, and a just plain noisey loud.
TT's are actually quieter than NA's stock for stock. The turbos muffle the exhaust somewhat My NA has a twin 3" exhaust (from previous owners)...don't do that...it is verry loud. Most 2.5inch twin systems are relatively quiet though, just depends on the mufflers. Need not quench the power but it will if you want it to be as quiet as a mouse
My clutch is very heavy. Obviously an aftermarket exedy or similar as it 'bites' quite aggressively. Perhaps the booster has been disconnected? Its a modied TT How do I go about checking if its all still connected?
My first Z had a single exhaust system......dont do that either! It was loud and even louder in the car. It just seemed to reverberate right through the cabin. When I first drove my second Z, it was like heaven.......beautiful low note, just a quiet muffled rumble behind the car, and inside (although you could still hear it) you didnt need to have the stereo turn right up tho hear it properly. Actually I think it was the first time I could hear the turbos spooling up as the revs built up, aahh that lovely whining turbine sound.:zlove:
Doesn't have to be heavy 2 things make up clutch TQ ratings, Pressure plate clamp load Disk material How the pressure plate is modified and also the style of the pressure plate also has to do with pedal effort. Stock clutch material like organic usually have about a .25 friction coefficient, Kevlar .36 Ceramic about .38 Feramic .75 Feramic is used in the Southbend DXD stage 3,4 and 5 kits here in the states. Holds 2 times the TQ as an Organic material at the same clamp load. For instance the stage 3 "OFE" is rated into the 500TQ range and has a pedal effort like stock.