SocalChvy

Hey guys,

So my Z06 is my 1st manual trans. My last Vette was an A4.

What do you guys do to make shifting into 1st from a dead stop smooth? Is is me or is this clutch a bit tricky?

I've driven about 120 miles on the car since I bought it. 60 of those are freeway miles. As of right now, I'd say I've stalled her about 3 times out of 100 or so attempts. 80 of those attempts are rough starts. Not crazy rough just a little shaky. I've no issues going into the other gears...and those shifts are smooth.

Just tucking my pride and asking the experts.

(P.S I've learned to get the car moving with no gas at all.)

SocalChvy

Here she is. Blk on blk. She appears to be lowered on the factory bolts but I'm not 100% certain.

encasedmetal

sounds like you just need to practice in a parking lot with standing starts. every car with a manual trans is a little bit different- with a c6z you can't just pop the clutch and hope for the best, it'll bog. You have to slip it a bit for a smooth start by getting to the clutch engagement point and apply some gas, and slowly let the clutch out from there.

Travlee

practice practice practice, hell i have been driving manuals for 26 years and still on occasion i botch a first gear take off

cseaman

lol, the guy who wanted to argue with the whole forum about valve guides needs advice "from the experts" about getting a 505 hp car moving in 1st. oh, the irony.

SocalChvy

Argue? I left that thread alone after I saw how many feelings were hurt. Apparently yours still are. Dragging that into this thread.

So messy.

Travlee

oh, about the valve guides... might want to read this thread that just popped up.... his extended warranty is denying him

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-me-help.html

SocalChvy

I saw that thread. Mods will cost you. No matter how small. I'm staying 100% stock.

Travlee

only thing he did was cutouts.....

not knocking your for your decision, after all it is your car and money.

DanMan35

The first manual transmission car I drove was about 8 years ago and I drove it around for about 5 years. I sold it and bought a new car (automatic) and haven't driven a manual transmission car in 3 years until I got my Corvette last month. The first two times I drove the car, 1st gear was rough. I never stalled it but every car's clutch engagement point is different and the first two times I took the Z06 out first would jerk forward as I let out the clutch from a stop. But after those two times I got used to where the clutch engages and now 1st is smooth. Just takes practice and time I suppose.

Tech

Apparently you have to be Mario Andretti and own an LS7 to have an opinion on the LS7 valve guide issue.

As others have said... the C6 Z06 is like any other manual transmission car. Once you master one manual transmission, you can basically drive them all. Practice makes perfect. Don't get in a rush releasing the clutch and you'll be fine. If you smell burnt clutch, you're taking too long to release it.

SocalChvy

Is it okay to rely soley on the clutch to park and use reverse?

(Im talking specifically about movement of the vehicle, not actual parking which requires handbrake)

Durien512

you need to practice.... sounds like you are letting the clutch out too fast... the more you drive it the better you will get at it....

Tech

I doubt it'll hurt much but it's much smoother if you work both pedals.

LMB-Z

I never use my handbrake. Starting and stopping with a manual transmission can be tricky, especially if stopped on an incline, and the car behind you is 3 feet away. Practice, practice, practice. And when you get good at it, practice some more. If possible, go drive another vehicle with less hp. Using all three pedals takes some patience and skill.

Too-Fast

It's a subtle process that will improve with time. I am sure you have already figured out it has much to do with how you "feather" the clutch and apply the throttle. Once the muscle memory is set you will stop thinking about it and it will be very natural. All of a sudden you just won't give it a thought anymore. I would keep the nannies on for a while though, just to keep you from going sideways on a hard launch.

Must_Have_Z

If your car is stock it should be very easy to get rolling without stalling. 3 times? Hmmm... The first Corvette I ever owned was a heavily modified C5 Z06, heavy clutch, big cam, etc. and I only stalled it once on the first test drive (first stop sign). The LS7 and Z06 clutch is very docile and forgiving. You only need about 1200 RPM's to roll out smoothly and without any bucking or issues. Unless you're dumping the clutch, it sounds like you're just not that great with a manual and need practice.

MTPZ06

What color is your clutch fluid? If its black...start reading up.

rprice

These cars have what I call long gears. In other words it's a long way from top end in 1st to top end in 2nd. It's a long way from a stop to the top end of 1st. I feather the throttle and let the clutch out rather quickly. As others have said "practice".

On a side note; "there sure are a lot of folks on here with cobbs up their A$$'s anymore.