Hi all!!

Im new to the site & a soon to be new owner of an 02 Z06, to be delivered on 9 Sept. Anyway, I have been hearing conflicting stories about this so called "feature" on the 6 speed manual tranny that forces you to shift from 1st to 4th. How, when & why does this "feature" work? I also found on this little gadget, skip shift eliminator. Any advice/recommendations appreciated. Thanks to all for your help.

P.S. Sorry if im

 

Found this out this past friday when I picked up my z06.

 

Ahhhh, yes.. the CAGS (Computer-Aided Gear Shift). This is a feature by GM to help improve gas mileage -- it is NOT a drag racing helper, which is what I thought it was for when I first got in my Z. We all gotta start somewhere..

The CAGS engages when certain conditions are right; namely engine temperature and RPMs. When you're in 1st and the engine hits about 2500RPM (or lower, someone correct me if I'm wrong), a solenoid mounted on the side of the transmission actuates and locks out 2nd and 3rd gears, which you actually feel in the shifter arm. A light on the dashboard also illuminates to tell the driver that the "1st to 4th Shift" has engaged, so you can sit there trying to jam the shifter into 2nd whilst spewing profanities. You finally shove it into 4th and the engine bogs down and knocks like it's running bad gas.

Anyway, I personally highly encourage anyone with a manual Corvette equipped with the CAGS to disable it. It's what I like to call a 20/20 job -- 20 bucks and 20 minutes, and that's if you order the most expensive CAGS eliminator you can find (which I did). I got mine from corvettegarage.com. The light on the dashboard still lights up, but you can ignore it.

Enjoy your new Z!! Go ahead and order the CAGS (and any other funtoys) now so you'll have 'em in hand for when you get the Vette. Also make sure you have some jacking pucks.

 

Thanks guys for the quick response. Does it come with instructions & should I attempt the install on my own ? Im not the most mechanically gifted person in the world! :

 

If you drive the car like it was meant to be driven you will never hit the skip shift. Ive hit mine probably 5 times in 25K.

 

I got this one, and it came with well-detailed instructions. I'm mechanically inclined but have little actual experience working on cars, but I pulled it off..

I have to politely disagree with this statement. I hit the CAGS 5 times on the way home from the dealership. There's "how it is meant to be driven", and then there's "how you want to drive it".

 

[QUOTE=CleteZ16]I got this one, and it came with well-detailed instructions. I'm mechanically inclined but have little actual experience working on cars, but I pulled it off..


Thanks Clete!!

I just ordered the CAGS elim. & it should be at my door step sometime Friday, as will I. I've been deployed since May & what a nice gift to come home to, 1 day before the real prize arrives. I got to hand it to my wife though. She found the car & sealed the deal. As stated earlier, its an 02 yellow Z, 18K miles, got it for 31K. 1 owner, a 60+ year old doctor. I think I got a helluva deal. Thanks again to all who responded!

 

just remember the tranny is right in front of the diff and not directly behind the engine

 

It also helps GM and YOU avoid the dreaded "Gas Guzzler" tax.

 

Ahh, GM and YOU! Yes, most of the ones here who complain about the easy to defeat CAGS fail to mention that it saves them what is it, $1500 or $2000 in the Guzzler Tax, that the Viper, and all other cars of the Corvettes performance capability pay.

 

I think it ranges from $1100-$3000 depending (err on MOST cars I've seen)

And it 's what anywhere from $.20 to $20 to bypass the whole issue entirely?

$.20 for a 2.2 reisitor, or $20 for a made item off ebay or jegs/summit. Hell I'd bet your local performance shop has em for $39.95.

 

Thanks again to all of for your responses & insight. Well, according to my Donut of Misery, im down to 68 hours & ill be getting on a plane heading home. WOOOO HOOOOO

See ya around the forum & maybe on the road someday :

 

I think you can tune it out w/ LS1 Edit too. If you are planning on doing other tuning just wait and dissable it there. Saves you the CAGS eliminator.

 

HPTuners, and probably any other hand held programmer, can also handle the CAGS removal.

 

Since you're new to the Vette, get the $20. thing and put it on, ensuring you have the rear safely jacked up and on jack stands.
(oh, that's another discussion ... how to jack the Vette ... )
On the driver's side of the tranny is a fill plug, to which is attached your temp sensor ... LEAVE THAT ALONE
Rear of that is the connector that you are going to disconnect, shunt with the $1.oo device that cost you $20.oo and plug the disconnected piece. They should give you a zip tie ... if not, have one handy to tie the wiring away from the tranny ... else it will lay against it, and when tranny gets hot, it will melt (ask me how I know )

 

...use an ADEL rubber insulated clamp (#10 or #12) instead of the included plastic zip tie. It'll protect the CAGS eliminator better from transmission heat.

 

You're welcome, and by all means take into consideration what Steve and PacWest mentioned about the computer reprogrammers being able to disable the CAGS. I didn't know about that.. learn somethin' new every time I come to this site!

It does sound like you got an excellent deal. Those "owned once by an old fart" cars can be hard to come by.. I'm pretty sure the previous owner of my Z thrashed 'er a bit, but that eases my conscience when I'm thrashing her around a little myself.

Enjoy your new baby when you get back! What a great coming-home present for one of our own in uniform.. and welcome to the wonderful world that is Corvette Nirvana..

 

I just went to a local tuner (Synergy Motorsports in Fremont, CA) and had it done for $20. I think they used HPTuner to do this, and the 1-4 skip shift light does not even come on anymore.

 

I NEVER hit it. No reason for the bypass if you ask me.

 

It is a nice thing to have was a cheap part and is cheap to install. If 40 dollars isn't a big deal then you might as well do it.