obzidian

I can honestly say, that without a doubt, the biggest problem I have with this car has got to how unreliable the new trans really is. Furthermore, I haven't really seen a effort to remedy the issue from the factory and/or there are NO REAL parts available that you can swap in to deal with this trans.

If it's not the constant notchy shifting when cold (seriously, the least of my worries, you should take it easy anyways), a reverse grind issue that keeps coming back to the WOT shift grind, no, not a grind, a teeth grating, ear piercing scrape that is just unbearable and unpredictable at best. One second you can throw ANY gear in quickly and get nothing but smoothness, then the next day you start to hear a slight grind in 4th or 3rd. THEN, you get the 2nd gear grind which is closely followed by the monster grind that will not allow you to select 2nd, or any gear for that matter, at any time. Furthermore, I have a service department with their uber-confident transmission "specialist" that cannot even tell when the clutch is slipping and the pedal is halfway down to the floor. Also, this is the same guy, that after "fixing the trans", left the shifter as soft as a jello and tells me that is how they all feel.

I dropped the 08 for a similar issue thinking that car was just being punky and now my 09 is treating my with similar tr6060 BS! I really take care of my cares, I am constantly replacing the clutch fluid, always make sure she is up to temp before I even look at the 4000rpm mark and I skip shift, softly, as much as possible and even double clutch in an attempt to keep the junk, paper tough synchro's from having a bad day and parking the car in the dealer for ANOTHER month or so while I'm waiting for parts.

Honestly, the cold shifting is really not a big deal but this WOT grinding and not being able to select 1st-4th, with the clutch pedal smashed to the floor, until the rpms drop below about 4rpms is driving me nuts. When I do get it in gear, especially 1st and 2nd, I can feel the a harsh vibration... a tell sign that I have recognized since the last episode that the trans is ready to go any moment. I don't abuse my cars but, just like anyone on here, I do have fun. No point in owing a sportscar if you cannot have an "sport" with it.

I'm just so fed up with it right now that I'm willing to slap in an "inferior" t56 in there and just call it a day. Have one built for to hilt and forget it.

I don't know if it's solely due to the hydraulic system and the clutch not fully disengaging, the trans parts are made out of crayons or a wonderful combination of the two, but what I do know is that one cannot even consider even looking at mods to a car, that will have no adverse affect on the longevity of the transmission and its parts with the fear that, after being in the dealer for the SAME issue, on that day, after installing an aftermarket air freshener, your warranty will be void because they felt the new smell wasn't congruent with what GM had in mind when designing the car.

Whatever...

toxin440

sorry to hear about your troubles -- I have an 08 Z06 with 20K miles, not a single problem besides cold notchy shifts. Once warmed up it's smooth and reliable in my experience.

victory2k8z

geez~

Can it be you had such bad luck to get two lemons back to back!

I own a 2008 Z and aside from the notchy cold gear symptom shes smooth as silk....

I replace fluid every 1K miles and don't move unless oil hits 100, don't drive aggressively till 140...

VetteFish

08Z with 25k miles. I would suggest taking it to a different dealer. Shouldn't be that many issues and the dealer being clueless

1.8t

My 08 Z's transmission has been great thus far. Notchy when cold, like all tranny's are to some degree, but I can really pound through the gears once she is warm. Much more smooth than the T56 in my brothers 07 Z for sure.

Silver05GTO

Loving the "inferior" t-56 in my 06 even the cold shifting isn't much of an issue. While the 08+ have a "smoother" engagement from what I've read here on the forums, there seem to be many more complaints compared to the "inferior" 06-07 Z06 trans.


**EDIT**

Just realized your in Miami! How bad can these newer trans be when "cold." Your low temps are still in the 60's 70's at night! I only get a hint of notchiness up here in MA when temps are in the 20's-30's at night (car stays in unheated garage), a couple shifts and it's totally fine.

Quick 06

My 09 shifts so smoothly that I decided not to put in an MGW shifter similar to the one I had in my 06 Z-51 Coupe. Works great after warm up and I haven't had any problem with missed shifts on road courses.

NHRA95

My TR6060 shifts fine, with no grinding or hard shifting through the gears. Like others when cold, it's not smooth going into second.
I'd take it to another dealer to have it checked out.

LFZ

I have driven the T56 and TR6060 in the Z...while the difference isn't drastic, but the TR6060 did feel smoother as stated above. Also felt alittle shorter...that may just be me.
Sorry to hear about your frustrations, I would definitely look into your clutch disengagement as you stated.

Painrace

If you are going to replace the clutch I recommend the Katech LS9X clutch from the ZR1. Very smooth and great clamping force.

If you are going to have your transmission built I recommend RPM. They are fantastic. It cost about $2,500 for the transmission and rearend.

Sorry for your issues.

Jim

beden1

I'm thinking that it may be the way you shift. My '09 is smooth as silk now, once I figured out the proper timing for my shifts. My car is now in Jupiter, FL, and I have to agree that the temps down there do not qualify for cold start driving/shifting.

I don't doubt you are having problems, but to have the same issue with back-to-back cars, you may need to try some different shifting methods.

I start the car, and while it's warning up (RPM's settling to idle), I put my clutch pedal to the floor, and shift between all gears a couple of times just to work the shifter.

I had some notchy type shifting in the beginning when I got my car, and experiemented with different shoes to see which ones helped me shift the best. My sneakers worked the best with this car, where my boat shoes worked the best with my C5. Now after 2,500 miles on the odometer, it doesn't matter what I have on my feet as I have the shifting down pat for my car.

383vett

Happy with my 08. Takes a while to wake up, but shifts smooth afterwards.

MTIRC6Z

From personal experience I can guarantee you a L-5 RPM TR6060 trans shifts WAY better than a stock T56.

Of course sending your stock (under factory warranty) Z06 trans to RPM to make it shift right is completely unfair, but if the dealer can't make you happy at least this alternative might be better than getting rid of the car...point is, it can be fixed perfectly, just a matter of how badly you want it.

Cheers, Paul.

obzidian

I have to say that in 80% of the time, when just cruising around town or going about my day, after a brief warm up, the trans feels fine. A little notchy at first as if there is something blocking the shifter right before engagement but again, take it easy for a bit and drive/shift relaxed, it really smoothed out.

My concern is with the other 20% of the time where I'm selecting gears faster (not harder, there is a difference) and at higher rpm's. Even lifting between gears the transmission feel as if it needs lower rpm's to engage cleanly with crunching.... Frustration is not enough of a word to express the way I feel at times.

Hell, I was going to get another MGW shifter for this car but I'm concerned with dealing with a repetative issue and being, ultimately, denied.

It just feels that this trans just doesn't like being shifted quickly. Or, maybe, the clutch gets to hot and just refuses to let go completely. On top of that, the constant need to swap out my fluid (about once a week). Or a combination of all of that, this drivetrain can be finicky and I think she doesn't like being driven harder than at cruise.

I DD my car an average of about or close to 20k miles a year. That is a lot compared to some guys on here that have their cars for a few years and barely rack more than 10k miles.

I know a fluid change will help with the smoothness but I feel that maybe the hardware is just as finicky as the stock clutch.

dfinke23

Mine was OK until about a month ago. I was on the track, accelerating WOT and trans would not go into 3rd on several occasions. I did have a leak where the trans cooler lines touched the header and wore through, but still had plenty of fluid in the trans. I have fixed the problem and switched to Royal Purple (what a difference!!!), but have not yet been back on the track.

It sounds like the "trans specialist" forgot to replace the centering pin in your shifter assembly.

JFCalvano

Sorry to hear of your problems.
Never had a problem with mine - never change the fluid (should I?) and I have about 26,000 on my 2006 Z06.
What? Different tranny?
Oops... never mind.

4wheels

These things do vary a bit from car to car, but I would have a good dealer check:
-shifter assembly/linkage & pins
-clutch fluid & hydraulic system (check for air bubble, bleed, etc.)

I would also try to find a local Z06 owner where you guys can ride & drive each others cars & see how they feel.

Dirty Howie

This BLOWS ......

I have over 39K in 1.5 years and mine is great

I will run thru the gears once before taking off and do the Ranger thang.

Maybe you need another dealer


DH

augydog

I've never driven a Z with the TR6060 tranny, but my T-56 has never felt notchy or did any grinding going into any gear no matter the outside temps. I'm in Tennessee, and it gets pretty cold sometimes.

The TR6060 might be a fine tranny, but there is a problem somewhere.

augydog

blackvetterzo6

T-56 for me. Not one single issue. So far.