New Owner - 6-Speed Skip-Shift Help

[JP9852]

I am a new corvette owner. I am curious to know more about the "skip shift" feature. I have a six speed mil yellow 2003. I drive it about once a week. During my driving the "skip feature" activates about 3 times. I am wondering if I'm damaging the engine or drive train in any way by going from 1st to 4th. Sometimes what I do is double clutch it. When I get locked out from 2nd and 3rd I go into 4th then slide it back into 1st. Any comments or info you can provide would be greatly appreciatted.

 

[Rob]

Hi,

I split your post from the thread in the C6 forum and started a new thread for you here in the 1997-2004 Tech Forum.

 

[Tuna]

You are not damaging the motor or the trans by letting the CAGS (Computer Aided Gear Selection) do it's job. It activates at low throttle position and low RPM - it also has a temperature limit (does not work when cold). Double clutching is not necessary but if it makes you feel good do it.
You can buy and install a CAGS bypass connector for under twenty bucks. Or you can let the motor rev a little farther in first before you shift.

With CAGS activated, the only choices are 1st or 4th but once 4th is selected, it releases the CAGS control and you can then select any gear.

My wife and I rarely encounter the CAGS feature as we tend to let the motor rev up more before shifting anyway - love that sweet sound.

Hope this helps.

 

[steve1173]

I am a new corvette owner. I am curious to know more about the "skip shift" feature. I have a six speed mil yellow 2003. I drive it about once a week. During my driving the "skip feature" activates about 3 times. I am wondering if I'm damaging the engine or drive train in any way by going from 1st to 4th. Sometimes what I do is double clutch it. When I get locked out from 2nd and 3rd I go into 4th then slide it back into 1st. Any comments or info you can provide would be greatly appreciatted.

From what I have been told they say it does not hurt but I had an 01 C5 Coupe & at 5280 miles the transmission was self destructing & was repalced by the dealer when they found brass & metal in the transmission oil. Also had a 01 Camaro Z28 & at 11000 miles the lifters had to be replaced. On both cars I continually used the skip shift. When using the 1-4 you will n otice a rattling sound as you are changing gears at 800 rpm or so. I can't believe this caused no damage. I now have a 04 Z06 & try not to use the 1-4, only happens when I am not thinking an automatically shift gears.

 

[CHARLES]

Drive it like its a corvette and 1st to 4th will not be an issue.

 

[rsimoes]

You can install a CAGS bypass. . . I ca't stand bogging the engine at such low RPM's, also I bought a stick, because I choose the gear I want, not the car, that would be an automatic. . . If I choose to skip gears, I'll do it on my own. . but I appreciate GM doing it and saving me the gas guzzler tax. . .

The cags bypass resistor and cap simply caps the solenoid in the trans and the resistor plugs into the wire harness tricking the computer into thinking it is still plugged in. The light in the dash still comes on (1to4) but you're free to go to second. You can get it at www.ecklers.com

 

[01TriBlack]

I've got a question, if you don't mind, about the skip shift feature. When the lighted indicator comes on saying, Skip Shift 1-4 (I can't remember exactly what it says, is it telling you to shift right into 4th gear? Or is the car going to force you automatically to go into 4th, even if you're attempting to shift into 2nd. So is the moral of the story to keep the RPM's increased?

I just talked to someone with the CAGS bypass and he said he was removing it because of the codes that were being thrown as a result of it.

 

[Dave1998]

I also am thinking about buying the cags but would like to hear from those who have it installed it it sends codes or messages to the DIC. Dave

 

[singledad_9]

If the CAGS eliminator is installed correctly, no codes are sent. The light will still pop up occasionally. Just make sure that you install both parts of the Cags eliminator on the transmission correctly. There should be no problem.

Congrads on your new vette, JP. Don't forget to wave

 

[GKrenn]

What is the installation procedure for the CAGS eliminator? Where does it install? Thanks,

 

[singledad_9]

The Cags eliminator that I received was a one piece unit. Once I separated the two ends of the unit, I unplugged the cags connection on the driver's side of the car, using jack stands. Plugged in the female plug into the cags eliminator and the male plug into the female side of the eliminator. I then tie wrapped the wire to a place where it wouldn't get into trouble or flap into the breeze.

For me it was an half an hour and one beer job.