shifting the c5

[sothpaw]

Did any of you old C4 owners have to adjust to shifting the C5?

I went shopping for a C5 this last weekend, figuring I'd fall in love with the shifter. I'd never driven one, but had sat in one more than once and worked the pattern.

On the test drive(s), I had trouble shifting fast from 1 to 2 as you'd due drag racing. No trouble
with 2-3 or 3-4. With 1-2, I'd put it in gear and let up on the clutch and the shifter POPPED OUT OF GEAR. I've never ever had a C4 do that.

Down shift to 2nd from 40-50 was fun as heck.

Andy

 

[Aquaman]

I had a 92 Six speed and was fairly happy with the shifter, switched to a 99 MN6 and found I had major issues with the 2-3 during agressive shifting. I switched to a B&M Ripper shifter and I LOVE it. best $180 I ever spent. took about 30 mins to install and boy what a change. Mine does pop out of gear in 1st sometimes when rolling away from a light but not very often. I still need to remove the CAGS. Been 40,000 and every day I say I'm gonna do that. still havn't

I wish you luck on your C5 you wont regret it!

 

[DkBG]

Mine never pops out of gear and shifts from 1st to second no problem , but I can't shift fast from 2nd to 3rd at all . I've been wondering how hard it is to change shifters . Cliff

 

[vettenuts]

Shifter is very easy to install, but be prepared for more noise in the car. I installed a Hurst and later removed it due to excessive transmission tunnel noise. My wife hated the sounds.

 

[C5NGAGE]

MN6 Shifting

Like Aquaman I had the same trouble with 1-2 feeling notchy and missing 3-4 occassionally getting hung up in the 3-5 gate. Also popping out of first happened day one and continues to this day with 80,000.
Numerous discussions explain why, the best methods for me included a B&M Ripper, I am a mid west farm boy so I like to feel the shifting, not like a stick shoved into a bucket of sand.
I added a tall Momo Phantom knob in carbon fiber and Have yet to miss a shift.
I also spoke with several builders/racers and found they had gone to Synthic ATF fluid with 2 ounces of Positrack lube, I tried it and it offers a good comprimise for me. Too slick and the synchros don't do their job, too stiff and you feel every tooth engage.
Try to find a C5 with aftermarket shifter and drive it to see what you like, some newer than mine offer adjustible springs and shift lever location.

 

[sothpaw]

Thanks guys, glad to see it's not just me.
I'll keep my eye peeled for modded C5's.

 

[DkBG]

What causes this additional noise . Is it rattley ? You use the same boots , don't you ? Cliff

 

[vettenuts]

Yes, same boot but it doesn't seal against the shifter. Also, some of the noise attenuation properties that the stock shifter has are not present in the aftermarket models.

 

[Aquaman]

Yes, same boot but it doesn't seal against the shifter. Also, some of the noise attenuation properties that the stock shifter has are not present in the aftermarket models.

My B&M is not taht bad as far as noise is concerned, the rattle from the shift knob is a bit annoying but an aftermarket shifter will solve that. The original cover doesnt fit but if you turn in inside out it fits ok at least on the B&M.

 

[B/STOCK]

For agressive shifts between 2nd and 3rd just push the shifter straight up. The spring action will guide it into third. Never had a 2 to 3 problem using this method. Give it a try.

 

[mellowyellow]

A reference was made to "popping out of first". I think it happened to me last week, after owning my first Corvette for only 3 weeks - a 2001 6 spd coupe. It was accompanied by a loud bang from the rear end (I had to look to see if someone had run into me! - they had not). Is this common? I'm pretty sure the shifter was positioned into 1st correctly.

 

[B/STOCK]

A reference was made to "popping out of first". I think it happened to me last week, after owning my first Corvette for only 3 weeks - a 2001 6 spd coupe. It was accompanied by a loud bang from the rear end (I had to look to see if someone had run into me! - they had not). Is this common? I'm pretty sure the shifter was positioned into 1st correctly.

My 00 used to jump out of first. Now I take care to push it firmly into first and the problem is gone.

 

[vetu4ya]

My 99 does it too (with an awful clunk) if I don't use a bit of force to push it up to 1st all the way. On mine, if I shift into 1st slowly, I can actually feel a slight "intermediate" detent. I need to push past that point.

 

[B/STOCK]

Same here vetu4ya.

 

[EHS]

For agressive shifts between 2nd and 3rd just push the shifter straight up. The spring action will guide it into third. Never had a 2 to 3 problem using this method. Give it a try.

By "straight up" I suggest a little towards the right -- roughly push it to the "Auto" button on the A/C panel. Also, don't "hold" the shifter or guide it, just push it from behind in the direction of the "Auto" button -- if you try to guide it straight, you may wind up back in first, which when shifting "agressively" from second you don't want.