Well, my 5spd conversion, which has taken weeks to finish due to timing, schedules, and parts needing to be ordered will be done tomorrow.

I know how to drive a stick, but haven't owned one for about 10 years.

Any tips on driving a Maxima 5spd? What's the power gear? Shifting techniques, etc....

I get to learn how to drive a stick again on a 300hp-at-the-wheels car...this is going to be fun....



IanS

 

Well I don't have 300hp at the wheels but this is my way of NORMALLY driving. From 1-2, I shift at 2.5k. From 2-3, I shift at 3k. From 3-4, shift at 3k. And 4-5, shift at 2.5k. This puts me at 50mph exactly, which is perfect for the roads where I live(limit 40) Then I just cruise in 5th without accelerating.

-Paul

 

Ian, if you get it running on Sunday, just try and keep it under 4k for the first 800 miles or so till you break the clutch in. Just like with the auto, as long as you don't get on it, you really shouldn't see any boost, so it will be like driving a 180 hp car Try and stay away from the hills until you get used to the clutch, ie, stay out of seattle for a couple hours. I'd go down to Tukwilla or something like that. If you do get stuck on a steep incline, just use your e-brake to keep from rolling back, you know how people like to tailgate in downtown Just remember to take it easy, don't slip the clutch too much, keep the rpm down, and DON'T DRIVE IT HARD TILL THE CLUTCH IS BROKEN IN!

 

Haha...I thought you would see this Matt.

Actually, I recall that I was pretty awesome with hills and tailgaters back in the day...that's just a matter of confidence.

I'm thinking I'll head onto the freeway as soon as I get it running anyway to test all gears, then head south because there's less traffic heading south from there.....then drive around S. Seattle/Tukwila for a couple of hours...then take it up a notch and hit the traffic around SouthCenter, then take it up another notch and head back into Seattle's main streets where there's no hills.....then on to the end of the day...Capitol Hill.

I plan on keeping it under 3k, actually.

IanS

 

id say the power gear is 3rd...when im on the highway and i need maximum power (for whatever reason) i downshift to third. if you have a jwt ecu i think 3rd can take you over 100...

 

i rev up to 1.5 to get into first, and shift at 3 rpm every gear.

so proud of u....finally joining the club, dam u been all this time and couldnt drive the car...u rent a car or something?

 

Nope - I live 1 mile from work, and all I've been doing is working.

The bus comes every 5 minutes.

I only drive my car on the weekends anyway usually.

 

congrats ian. i just bought a 5spd and the only time i've ever driven a 5spd before that was in my friend's altima about 3 years ago when he tried to teach me. but after two or three hours, it just seemed natural to me so i'm sure you'll be fine. and definately stay away from the hills. or atleast chinatown where everybody drives like a crazy middle aged asian woman puting on her make up. (before anybody takes offense to that, i am asian and have ridden with many middle aged asian women driving and puting on make up)

 

don't ride the clutch, don't rely on the clutch too much, don't grind the gears... need to take mrb23's Driving a Stick 101? have fun, tho!

 

I'm re-learning on a 7 1/2 ton 7.9liter turbo diesel box truck
and a 9 ton flatbed.


Somehow i think the max would be more fun tho........

 

when u park on a hill...clutch in gear, ebrake, curb the wheels.. thats all u need to know..

 

For the power gear, 3rd gear has always been my favorite.

 

since you already know how to drive stick, you need to be acquanted with the way the max drives.
for findout out the clutch/friction point, i suggest you go on an uphill side road, and balance the car back and forth with only the clutch and the gas.
other than that...launch at low rpm (1000) and don't stay on the clutch longer than you have to. rev match instead of letting the clutch do the work.

i find that 2nd gear is the power gear

congrats on the conversion, and good luck with the "new" ride