Z06 owner feedback

[Brian Deutsch]

This goes out to other Z06 owners. A few days ago I wrote a thread about my '03 not shifting as smoothly as I think it used to... so far there is no feedback. I'm trying to determine if this is the nature of the beast or if I have a legitimate gripe. Curious about any feedback at all about how you would describe how well your car shifts ( i.e. always smooth, never smooth, sometimes hard to go 2nd to 3rd etc.)

This is the 6th Vette I've owned - 1st time I've been aware of this type of problem - but still the most awesome car I've ever driven.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I have heard a few complaints about the shifter. Some people replace it with an aftermarket piece. The manual transmission is built to take a lot of torque and hard driving, and I suspect that comes at some cost. Also, the transmission is in back just in front of the differential, so the shifter and the transmission are quite a ways apart. I really don't notice any problems getting it into any gear, but 5th and 6th take a little more purposeful force. That is OK with me, as I would find it hard to go from 2nd to 5th in my car. If you have questions about the shifter, have some qualified mechanic check it out.

Enjoy your car!

 

[Heavy Duty]

Since I got rid of the pesky CAGs I like the way mine shifts. No problems yet. It has 24500 on the clock.


H.D.

 

[ErnieN85]

Well, I have 47,000 on mine and changed the fluid to redline D4ate at 27,000 and again at 45,000 each time I changed it got smoother. the first time the old stuff came out black. this time just dark red. so I'd think it was breaking in. the first time I changed out it got stiffer after a couple of days. This time it's stayed real nice. Funny thing is when the C5 first came out all the magazines said how nice it shifted! now their saying it's clunky & stiff. I guess it's a case of newer is always better (even if it's not) They know which side their bread's buttered on.

 

[Joe C]

Well, I have 47,000 on mine and changed the fluid to redline D4ate at 27,000 and again at 45,000 each time I changed it got smoother. the first time the old stuff came out black. this time just dark red. so I'd think it was breaking in. the first time I changed out it got stiffer after a couple of days. This time it's stayed real nice. Funny thing is when the C5 first came out all the magazines said how nice it shifted! now their saying it's clunky & stiff. I guess it's a case of newer is always better (even if it's not) They know which side their bread's buttered on.

i don't have any shifting problems with my 04z06, but it only has 5K miles. a friend of mine has an 02z06 and he indicated that after he changed the fluid, the tranny shifted better and smoother (FWIW)

 

[Patrick]

Brian,
I have an '03 Z06 with 26,000 miles on the clock. I have experienced no problems with shifting (other than my own occasional inability to coordinate releasing the clutch and stepping the gas into one seamless step.) The only problem I've been noticing are disproportionately worn rear tires. I wonder if chirping the tires could be the culprit there.

-Patrick

 

[2k2Z06]

Brian, I have had '01,'02 and now an '04 Z06. I've not noticed any change in the shifting at all, but it could be no more than a binding in the linkage. After all, it is quite long. I work at GM Service parts in Michigan, and I've noticed that we've begun shipping torque tubes in some quantity, although they seem to mostly be going to the Phoenix area dealer. Maybe they drive 'em harder out there, literally drive 'em like they're stolen.

 

[Brian Deutsch]

To all who replied, I really appreciate the input. I was trying to determine whether or not this is one of those "nature of the beast" type things, but it sounds like it's not... so I'll have to push to have it checked out properly.

 

[Dave123]

I run my vehicle pretty hard and have owned many corvettes. I have noticed that when I am racing (power shifting at red line) their are times when the shift from 2nd to 3rd is missed. This probably happens about 10% of the time. I have never had this happen on other sports cars that I have owned. So I have been debating if this is a shifter problem or my execution. Last, I installed a B&M ripper shifter. I like the shortened shifts. The shifts are a little stiff but much more fun. Even with the shifter I still noticed that 2nd to 3rd shifts can be missed although not as much.. So it appears the new shifter helps but does not fully eliminate the problem. The gate between 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 is narrow and perhaps this creates the problem...???

Also, I don't know if the other people replying run their cars this hard. If I shift 500 to 1000 rpm's under redline...their are NO issues.. Only shifting at full acceleration and at red line...

Is this the problem you have been having??

 

[Brian Deutsch]

Dave,
My problem is the reverse of yours. When I run hard the shifting is much smoother. When I take it easy, I find myself coaxing the shifter from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd... it's like it hits a stop just before engaging the next gear. And the strange thing is it's inconsistent. Sometimes, it shifts great at any rpm.

thanks,
Brian

 

[DRTH VTR]

At the strip, I have notice two things. When I am flogging the car hard, I will miss the 2-3 shift once in a while (maybe 4-5% of the time). Also, when I am driving VERY hard and shifting as fast as I can, the 1-2 shift has presented a problem. I depress the clutch, pull it into second, release the clutch, BUT THE PEDAL STAYS STUCK TO THE FLOOR! It has only happened twice, but it is very disconcerting. c4c5 has explained to me why that happens, and it does not occur if I slow the shift very slightly.

 

[Dave123]

DRTH VTR,

I have not had the 1 to 2 shift issue with the clutch pedal staying on the floor!

It sounds like the 2 to 3 shift issue I am experiencing driving hard and shifting at red line may be a common issue if your experiencing it as well.

I have never experienced the problem on my C4. Either with LT1/LT4 or ZR1.

Perhaps like I said it could be the combination of a narrow gate between 1/2 and 3/4 gears and the quick reving capability of the Z06??

I would be curious to know if other Z06 owners experience the same issue to rule out if we have problems with our specific vehicles or this is a normal Z06 condition.....

 

[DRTH VTR]

DRTH VTR,

I have not had the 1 to 2 shift issue with the clutch pedal staying on the floor!

It only has happened when I am driving the car as hard as I know how, with extremely fast shifting technique. Most people don't do the level of abuse that I do once in a while.