Z51 Owners - 1st to 3rd?
02-02-2017, 10:50 PM
#1
Z51 Owners - 1st to 3rd?
Hey guys,
So as most of you know, with the Z51 package you get shorter gearing than the standard vette. Now the short gearing makes the shift from 2nd to 3rd feel a little clunky and the car's eco shift thing makes you shift from 1st to 4th (which is awful in its own way).
In slow to moderate acceleration, I've been playing around with shifting from 1st to 3rd and I've really been enjoying it. Like the 3 little bears, to me it feels just right.
Anybody else try this?
So as most of you know, with the Z51 package you get shorter gearing than the standard vette. Now the short gearing makes the shift from 2nd to 3rd feel a little clunky and the car's eco shift thing makes you shift from 1st to 4th (which is awful in its own way).
In slow to moderate acceleration, I've been playing around with shifting from 1st to 3rd and I've really been enjoying it. Like the 3 little bears, to me it feels just right.
Anybody else try this?
02-03-2017, 01:02 AM
#4
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
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Hey guys,
So as most of you know, with the Z51 package you get shorter gearing than the standard vette. Now the short gearing makes the shift from 2nd to 3rd feel a little clunky and the car's eco shift thing makes you shift from 1st to 4th (which is awful in its own way).
In slow to moderate acceleration, I've been playing around with shifting from 1st to 3rd and I've really been enjoying it. Like the 3 little bears, to me it feels just right.
Anybody else try this?
So as most of you know, with the Z51 package you get shorter gearing than the standard vette. Now the short gearing makes the shift from 2nd to 3rd feel a little clunky and the car's eco shift thing makes you shift from 1st to 4th (which is awful in its own way).
In slow to moderate acceleration, I've been playing around with shifting from 1st to 3rd and I've really been enjoying it. Like the 3 little bears, to me it feels just right.
Anybody else try this?
The forced 1st to 4th is easy to fix with a ~$25 CAGS eliminator. It just pugs into the trans electrical connector and makes the car "think" it activated the solenoid!
Doesn't activate as often as my C6 but why have that annoyance any time (especially in bumper to bumper traffic) when $25 solves the issue. This is a PDF of my install-it's simple: http://netwelding.com/Skip_shift_Eliminator.pdf
Last edited by JerryU; 02-03-2017 at 01:09 AM.
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pdiddy972 (02-04-2017)
02-03-2017, 01:16 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
I never go from 1 to 3, fwiw (though I will probably give it a try now). Regarding skip shift, it used to bug me, but I have just learned to avoid it by shifting from first at higher speeds/rpms. (And if I do get bitten by the skip shift, I just go into neutral, then 2nd gear.) So I'm happy going through the gears the usual way.
02-03-2017, 08:45 AM
#8
When I had my Z51 I used 1st to 3rd when the outside temps were cold and trans hadn't warmed up yet to avoid that notchy feel. After that I really like 2nd. 
Last edited by JC 2004; 02-03-2017 at 08:48 AM.
02-03-2017, 09:06 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Yeah I once in a while get the 4th to 7th, which isn't as bad as the occasional 4th to 3rd when I was going for 5th.
I installed the CAGS so I'm allowed to shift how ever I please
Last edited by cheapthrills; 02-03-2017 at 09:07 AM.
02-03-2017, 09:40 AM
#12
Drifting
I hardly ever use 2nd--mostly 1st to 3rd, especially when the engine's cold. After it warms up, I'll run it into the 2000+ rpms and go 1-4, but I like the 1-3 better because it offers more torque at the slower speeds when I'm driving "light-footed".
02-03-2017, 09:50 AM
#13
when I had the Z51 I would roll out in 2nd then 3-4-5-6 and never used 7
02-03-2017, 10:52 AM
#14
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,503
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Funny, been at this 3+ years and we're all different!
I usually use 1st, 2nd and 3rd- then may shift to 5th when in our rural area or in town. On our flat section of I95 I usually accelerate thru 4th on the on ramp then directly to 7th. I never use 6th!
On the exit ramp downshift directly to 1:1 4th and skip the other 2 overdrives. In fact the shifter springs are designed to make that an easy shift when not driving in anger! Just pull back on the shift lever and you're in 4th! Rev Match makes a perfectly smooth transition at those low rpm's.
To each their own.
I usually use 1st, 2nd and 3rd- then may shift to 5th when in our rural area or in town. On our flat section of I95 I usually accelerate thru 4th on the on ramp then directly to 7th. I never use 6th!
On the exit ramp downshift directly to 1:1 4th and skip the other 2 overdrives. In fact the shifter springs are designed to make that an easy shift when not driving in anger! Just pull back on the shift lever and you're in 4th! Rev Match makes a perfectly smooth transition at those low rpm's.
To each their own.
Last edited by JerryU; 02-03-2017 at 11:04 AM.
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sdurg24 (02-04-2017)
02-03-2017, 11:35 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
I go through all the gears so I can hear the engine rev up.
02-03-2017, 11:47 AM
#17
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
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Gosh, if you are hear the engine rev in every gear your hitting some pretty high speeds!
Must admit when coming back to my home there is a ~3/4 mile seldom traveled straight road past two farm fields-no houses. If I I don't get near or hit redline in 3rd, feel I haven't been driving the Vette!
Hmm in 4th that's 150 mph -bit much for me! Even a Z06 can't reach redline in 5th!
Must admit when coming back to my home there is a ~3/4 mile seldom traveled straight road past two farm fields-no houses. If I I don't get near or hit redline in 3rd, feel I haven't been driving the Vette!
Hmm in 4th that's 150 mph -bit much for me! Even a Z06 can't reach redline in 5th!
02-03-2017, 01:44 PM
#18
Melting Slicks
I occasionally use 1st to 3rd when the trans is cold as the 1st to 2nd shift is a bit hard until the trans fluid warms.
The forced 1st to 4th is easy to fix with a ~$25 CAGS eliminator. It just pugs into the trans electrical connector and makes the car "think" it activated the solenoid!
Doesn't activate as often as my C6 but why have that annoyance any time (especially in bumper to bumper traffic) when $25 solves the issue. This is a PDF of my install-it's simple: http://netwelding.com/Skip_shift_Eliminator.pdf
The forced 1st to 4th is easy to fix with a ~$25 CAGS eliminator. It just pugs into the trans electrical connector and makes the car "think" it activated the solenoid!
Doesn't activate as often as my C6 but why have that annoyance any time (especially in bumper to bumper traffic) when $25 solves the issue. This is a PDF of my install-it's simple: http://netwelding.com/Skip_shift_Eliminator.pdf
02-03-2017, 01:49 PM
#19
Hey guys,
So as most of you know, with the Z51 package you get shorter gearing than the standard vette. Now the short gearing makes the shift from 2nd to 3rd feel a little clunky and the car's eco shift thing makes you shift from 1st to 4th (which is awful in its own way).
In slow to moderate acceleration, I've been playing around with shifting from 1st to 3rd and I've really been enjoying it. Like the 3 little bears, to me it feels just right.
Anybody else try this?
So as most of you know, with the Z51 package you get shorter gearing than the standard vette. Now the short gearing makes the shift from 2nd to 3rd feel a little clunky and the car's eco shift thing makes you shift from 1st to 4th (which is awful in its own way).
In slow to moderate acceleration, I've been playing around with shifting from 1st to 3rd and I've really been enjoying it. Like the 3 little bears, to me it feels just right.
Anybody else try this?
The following users liked this post:
sdurg24 (02-04-2017)
02-03-2017, 03:20 PM
#20
Team Owner
Never.