Hello everyone!

I’ve spent numerous hours probing the forum for information on my ZF6 transmission. My search, as has happened before, ended up exceedingly side-tracked as I kept discovering more and more fascinating posts utterly unrelated to my initial search. This forum is really something to be proud of! It’s humbling and marvelous the amount of talent and resources available from so many good people who have really nothing more in common than Corvette ownership. But it’s enough to get folks to pull together and support each other. I’m just thoroughly stunned…. Again!

I haven't been able to find any forum threads on this issue specifically.

Anyway, my question relates to my 6-speed manual transmission. My car is a 1990 convertible; virtually stock. I’m in the process of [a large quantity of] upgrades and a complete interior/exterior makeover. I tend to be too picky about the smallest details, which slows the process. But I’m enjoying it. When I drive my car I get to thinking that the transmission shifts abnormally. I know, from reading posts in this forum, that the German-built transmission I have is a little noisy. It’s good to know because that has annoyed me too. But contrasted to other cars I’ve driven, it just seems like shifting between gears feels too vague! There isn’t that “snikety-snick” sensation… Ever. It just sort of mushes from one gear to the next and the shifter itself feels like it isn’t connected to anything solid; like the other end goes into a foam rubber cup or something. That said, it locks up fine and doesn't slip.

The car has about 90k miles on it. It was never driven hard or raced. I didn’t buy it new, but I’m the second owner after an older gentleman who loved the car. Maybe the shift feel is normal. I don’t know as I really don’t have a lot of experience with other C4’s.

…So, I ask anyone who may possibly respond with some good feedback; is this the way it should be? Is there a way to upgrade the feel so it “snaps” much better from gear to gear? If there are some effective modifications, what are they and what parts/brands should I be looking for?

I’m at a point where this would be an opportune time to do work in that area. I’d like to get it done before I move any further with the body or interior work.

Any guidance, direction, personal email, and photos or links would be so, so appreciated!!

Thank you!

 

hurst shifter will cure that. Made a world of differnce with my 92

 

Can you explain what change you noticed a bit more? Also, do you know which shifter you used or maybe there's just one??? I'll have to check it out. There might only be one that Hurst makes. What did it take to install it? One last thing, does your car still look stock inside with the stock ****, etc. or were you after a different look?

Thanks for responding.

 

My son in law did it and it wasnt a simple install. I believe he said he had to unbolt the tranny to get room. Some get it done without unbolting it though. theres only one hurst shifter for them. You can usualy find them on ebay. the stock **** will work but i went with a white cue ball hurst ****. Much more precise feeling gates. You will loose reverse lock out but unless your an idiot you arent going to be power shifting into 6th and catching reverse instead. Took him about 3 hours start to finish to do it. Best improvement ive made to the car so far.

 

Okay. Hmm. 3 hours. So, in my case I can multiply that times, like, 20.

That's really good to hear. So, it isn't anything internal necessarily, just the gates and the shifter? Its hard to believe that alone could make such a difference. I've just never dealt with it before so I have no reference to draw from. It makes sense though. It just seems like the Corvette would have come stock with a better setup. Or maybe it did and its just worn.

I'm really glad to get that info. It sets me in the right direction and if it fixes the odd feel, it would be totally worth it. I bet it even made your car more fun to drive!

The reverse lockout thing is something I WANT to get rid of. It's okay but really just a nuisance.

Alright! Well thanks for the clarification. I hope I can help you out someday.

 

That my friend is GM, as in "Grandma Mentality", as in lets "refine", "civilize", "wuss out" (your choice) these cars, so that anybodies grandmother can drive one.

I have a 96 LT4 and compared to my 61 fuelie everything felt sooo very slooow;

Changes that mitigated that were a much stiffer rear spring from VBP, a "sport" ratio rack and pinion (13:1 versus stock 16:1), and, most important, a shortened shifter from ZF Doc which included a rebuild of all the little associated shifter linkage, something not available with the (stand alone) Hurst shifter.

Yeah those three things, plus a LT4 "Hot Cam" and a lightened flywheel with a Spec Stage 3 plus clutch, livened things up a LOT. It drives like a vette now.

 

Hurst kit only replaces the shifter rod itself. I looked at it when it came and wondered how it could make a diffence but it sure did.