Newbie, First post.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
Thanks all for the welcome.
Here's a project I just did this summer, it was some fun insanity, however now that I'll finally have the car I've always wanted this project will have to go. It will be taken to pieces and sold off, if you think you could use anything let me know.
Dial ups beware!
http://chiphead6.homestead.com/files/Ram50/Ram_50.htm
My other toys...
http://chiphead6.homestead.com/files/Toys/toy2.JPG
http://chiphead6.homestead.com/files/Toys/toy5.JPG
Here's a project I just did this summer, it was some fun insanity, however now that I'll finally have the car I've always wanted this project will have to go. It will be taken to pieces and sold off, if you think you could use anything let me know.
Dial ups beware!
http://chiphead6.homestead.com/files/Ram50/Ram_50.htm
My other toys...
http://chiphead6.homestead.com/files/Toys/toy2.JPG
http://chiphead6.homestead.com/files/Toys/toy5.JPG
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
I posted this on the GS Forum some time ago. Rather than retyping, here it is....
Here's the deal with CAGS and why someone would want it (or at least be glad that GM came up with it as a solution)...
Auto manufacturers must meet corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations set forth by the federal government. If they don't meet the standards it costs them money. In addition, cars that fail to meet applicable fuel economy standards are saddled with a gas guzzler tax (ask a Viper owner about this). This can also hurt sales which further hurts corporate profits. With this in mind, GM (at least in the late '80s & through the '90s) decreed they would not have cars labeled as gas guzzlers.
GM found that the Vette (and really it was targeted towards the LT5 in what would have been the '89 ZR1 had it been released in 1989) only needed "help" in the off idle / part throttle / low rpm range. They determined that, in effect, short-shifting into 4th would suffice. Of course to pass the federal regulations, the feds weren't about to trust owners to short-shift. Therefore the onus was on the manufacturer to mechanize it. Given the corporate mandate and federal requirement, GM could have done one of or a combination of several things....
- Reduce engine power via various mechanical or software means
- Taller rear gears (hurts acceleration but keeps rpms low)
- Alter transmission ratios
What they ended up doing was implement the system we know as Computer Aided Gear Selection or CAGS. A system that is pure genius in its execution simplicity and is easily disabled either by unplugging it or reprogramming the PCM.
THAT my friends, is why CAGS is an excellent solution.
Here's the deal with CAGS and why someone would want it (or at least be glad that GM came up with it as a solution)...
Auto manufacturers must meet corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations set forth by the federal government. If they don't meet the standards it costs them money. In addition, cars that fail to meet applicable fuel economy standards are saddled with a gas guzzler tax (ask a Viper owner about this). This can also hurt sales which further hurts corporate profits. With this in mind, GM (at least in the late '80s & through the '90s) decreed they would not have cars labeled as gas guzzlers.
GM found that the Vette (and really it was targeted towards the LT5 in what would have been the '89 ZR1 had it been released in 1989) only needed "help" in the off idle / part throttle / low rpm range. They determined that, in effect, short-shifting into 4th would suffice. Of course to pass the federal regulations, the feds weren't about to trust owners to short-shift. Therefore the onus was on the manufacturer to mechanize it. Given the corporate mandate and federal requirement, GM could have done one of or a combination of several things....
- Reduce engine power via various mechanical or software means
- Taller rear gears (hurts acceleration but keeps rpms low)
- Alter transmission ratios
What they ended up doing was implement the system we know as Computer Aided Gear Selection or CAGS. A system that is pure genius in its execution simplicity and is easily disabled either by unplugging it or reprogramming the PCM.
THAT my friends, is why CAGS is an excellent solution.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
The skip shift can be eliminated several ways. On the drivers side of the tranny you will see a plug in connector. I simply just unplugged mine and eliminated it all together. You can also buy a plug it that retains the stock look if you'd like, but I think it is a waste of money.
The CAGS eliminator (the "plug" mentioned above) for your year Corvette does more than make the underside of your car look nice.
It also supposedly keeps debris out of the connectors AND has a built-in resistor that prevents an error code from appearing when the car is first started after disconnecting the connector. This eliminator is only $20 and is worth it if you want to do the job right. You can get one at Mid America Motorworks or Eckler's.
Welcome aboard, this is the best group of Corvette enthusiasts in the world.
Larry
(owned by the evil twin of your Vette...)
Last edited by rocco16; Dec 8, 2004 at 09:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
CAGS only operates in 1st gear when the car is warmed up and the throttle is less than a preset percentage (35% maybe?), so if you take-off like a granny you'll have to shift to 4th, and why not? You're obviously not trying accelerate anyway...
So, give it hell and row through the gears, or don't and get better gas mileage. Either way you got a great car for a price that should get you beat up.
Drive it like you stole it...
So, give it hell and row through the gears, or don't and get better gas mileage. Either way you got a great car for a price that should get you beat up.
Drive it like you stole it...
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
You want to buy a vette and you don't know what a skip shift is??? You flamer!!! 
Just playing.... I had to do it with the opening of your thread. First off welcome!!! 
The skip shift can be eliminated several ways. On the drivers side of the tranny you will see a plug in connector. I simply just unplugged mine and eliminated it all together. You can also buy a plug it that retains the stock look if you'd like, but I think it is a waste of money. What the skip shift does is lock out 2nd and 3rd so that under light excelleration it forces the driver to shift from 1st to 4th. It is supposed to save in fuel economy... I personally don't buy it, but I'm not a GM engineer.
Good luck wiht teh car... it is a sweet looking ride. You will love the thing!!!
Just playing.... I had to do it with the opening of your thread. First off welcome!!! The skip shift can be eliminated several ways. On the drivers side of the tranny you will see a plug in connector. I simply just unplugged mine and eliminated it all together. You can also buy a plug it that retains the stock look if you'd like, but I think it is a waste of money. What the skip shift does is lock out 2nd and 3rd so that under light excelleration it forces the driver to shift from 1st to 4th. It is supposed to save in fuel economy... I personally don't buy it, but I'm not a GM engineer.
Good luck wiht teh car... it is a sweet looking ride. You will love the thing!!!
But like said above dont worry about whinding out 1st and second and churpin 3rd. U will be able to do that easily. Shift Skip only kicks in on light accerleration like goin from a stop slowly.
Have fun with the car though. And what a great deal.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Welcome, Great looking car and, why do I never get deals like that? 
I paid ,well lets just say more then that for my 94 with 100K +. Again welcome and it looks like you will have no problems doing your own work
I paid ,well lets just say more then that for my 94 with 100K +. Again welcome and it looks like you will have no problems doing your own work