Z06 transmission linkage

[sturgeon90293]

I just purchased a 2002 Z06 last week. Other than it jumping from first to fourth gear, I also don't care generally for the shifting into any gear. To me it does not seem sufficieitly smooth. Other than that the car is great.

Is there any other trans linkage that I can have installed that could be better?

Thanks
Bill

 

[Rob]

Bill, the skipping from 1-4 is called CAGS or Computer Aided Gear Selection. It's an annoyance that has been with Corvette owners ever since the ZF 6-speed transmission was introduced on the 1989 Corvette.

It does however, serve a legitimate purpose and that is to help improve fuel economy. There is a CAGS plug seal kit that you can purchase from aftermarket Corvette supply companies such as MidAmerica or Ecklers.

I do not have first hand experience at how the CAGS is wired in relation to the C5, but on he C4 generation, there are two pig tail wires that run along side the driver's side of the transmission case with a male and female end. You could unplug the ends and then use the plug seal kit to seal both ends to prevent dirt and moisture from entering. By disabling the connection, you disable the CAGS and can shift normally. Whether or not that is the same on the C5, I cannot say. It would be best for another member to help you out there.

Also, on the C4 generation of Corvette, you could purchase an aftermarket EPROM which you could get programmed to disable the CAGS automatically without having to unplug any wires. Companies such as Doug Rippie Motorsports and Lingenfelter Performance Engineering specialized in that. Again, whether or not something like that exists for the C5, I cannot say, but it's one more avenue you may want to keep in mind.

As for the "shifting into any gear", can you be more specific and provide more detail into the problem?

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
As for the shifting part of the post, and it not being as smooth as you would like.
The carbon friction surfaces that the syncronizers use take a while to correctly bed in, and spin smoothly.
However, once broken in correctly, last an extremely long time.
If you have more than 7k on the car, and you are having this issue, I would suggest having your local dealership take a look.
allthebest, c4c5

 

[MsSchroder]

Hi Bill,
Welcome to the CAC..
What kind of car did you drive before the z06, and was it a manual? I had an acura before. When I test drove the z06, I was struck by how much heavier and stiffer the Z06 transmission was than the acura. It does get easier to shift with time, but probably not to the point of a "normal" car. . But that is to be expected...

Tammy
p.s. don't forget to wave

 

[rwd]

The stock feel is not overly light, precise or crisp, but some of that is due to the design and sturdier parts required. It might be worth checking to make sure the clutch fluid level is correct and that the clutch is disengaging fully between shifts.

AFAIK, there aren't any different linkages, just different shifters. Several companies make them. Typically, they have shorter levers and, consequently, shorter throws, but, for the same reason, they also require more effort. Complaints of new noises and vibrations are frequently associated with them.

Depending upon what you've driven in the past and how many Z's or C5's you have driven, driving some other cars might be revealing. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Z06 JOE]

BILL, THE MORE YOU GET USED TO DRIVING THE BEAT THE LESS YOU WILL SEE SKIP1-4. ITS ALL A MATTER OF FEEL FOR THE CAR. KEEP THE REVS UP LITTLE ITS A RACE CAR...

 

[Rob]

BILL, THE MORE YOU GET USED TO DRIVING THE BEAT THE LESS YOU WILL SEE SKIP1-4. ITS ALL A MATTER OF FEEL FOR THE CAR. KEEP THE REVS UP LITTLE ITS A RACE CAR...

Joe,

Please unlock the CAPS lock key on your keyboard when you type. Typing in all caps indicates shouting. Thanks!

 

[Z06 JOE]

Thanks for heads up Rob..