C5Chad

Hey guys, I have a 2003 6-speed Vette with 134k miles on it. For now it just has blackwing intake, B&B cat-back exhaust, MGW short throw shifter and Nitto NT05 tires. Mainly my fun street car but also into drag racing made about 11-12 passes down the track so far. I have a set of ported heads waiting to put on it and saving for a set of long tube catless headers, and next would be a cam for it.

Here is my situation...I havent really felt comfortable driving the car the past few weeks because 1st and 2nd gear would grind going into them. When I first put the short throw shifter in, I knew it wasnt aligned right because it would pop out of 1st and reverse, I adjusted it and the problem stopped until about 2 or a little over 2 weeks later. It started grinding going into 1st and or 2nd gear. If I took it really slow and easy, I could get it to go into gear just fine. But that doesnt quite work for drag racing, etc.

Today I started to flush out the clutch master cylinder and replace it with new Prestone DOT4 brake fluid. Flushed an entire of large bottle through it and still is a little dirty. But 1st gear is no longer grinding, 2nd is still grinding every time unless I go into 2nd slow and easy. Downshifting into 2nd I havent noticed it grind at all.

I know I will eventually want to upgrade to a different clutch. Just not sure whether Im better off taking it to most likely a Chevy dealer, have them look at it. Im not sure if the fluids in the tranny needs changed and the clutch master cylinder needs flushed out more, or if my problem Im having sounds like its the synchros for 2nd gear. If its the synchros im guessing that will be an expensive fix from the dealer and not sure if I would just be better off biting the bullet and jumping the gun and going with a Monster or McLeod clutch.

You guys that have had any similar experience or issues with this have any input? Been going through the situation in my head constantly.

Sorry for the long post

Meta

First thing to do is change the tranny fluid in the gearbox with some good synthetic- Redline, Amsoil, etc. Do a search on the forum for lots of info on what's best.

Bill Curlee

Why would you want to go to a STEALERSHIP??

There are PLENTY C5/C6 specialty repair shops to take it to. They will be better trained to do custom / aftermarket work and better to recommend stuff that you will need..

Change out the trans ATF with fresh stuff and see where you stand.

Get that shifter checked out and properly aligned. Its simple. Make sure that the TOP four fasteners are properly tightened.


Bill

lionelhutz

Make sure the shifter to torque tube mounting bushings aren't bad at the same time you re-check the alignment.

C5Chad

I'd much rather not take it to the dealer to have them look at it to get fixed. But I'm not too sure of where to take it that I would trust with my car, not that I can really trust the dealership either. For aftermarket stuff I know of a couple places to go, but I don't see them ever doing any kind of just maintenance work.

AWSOME 04

You might consider taking your Vette to Danny Popp at McClusky Chev on Reading Road. He's one of the best Tech's in your area. Just a thought.

C5Chad

Yeah I know of him, I didn't know he worked there. I'll look into doing that I think first. Think I'm prolly just gonna upgrade the clutch in the end most likely