rboineau

If I had just driven one C5 manual I would assume I had gotten a car with a defective transmission. But I have driven several, and they all shift like trying to stir a barrel of nails with a broom handle. Hard, balky, notchy, too-thin separation of gates, you name a negative quality for gearshifting and the C5 has it. Yeah, yeah, I hear you smarty-pants saying "get an automatic" or "if you can't drive it, sonny, park it". Well, I've been driving for over 45 years and have driven dozens of manuals. The only car that compares for poor shifting is a Pantera, and you can even get one of those shifting better than a C5.
Why in the world could GM not get a better shift out of these cars? I could understand the first year or two C5s having sub-par shifting but you would think that by about 2000 they could have improved it. Sometimes I think I should put a crowbar in my car and use it to lever from gear to gear. Maybe the lug wrench would work. I swapped fluids, which helped a tad, did--and then undid--the detent shim(only made the shift sloppy, 'tho one washer rather than two wasn't too bad). I hear the 2008-2009 C6 manuals have a pretty good shift--has anyone reading this experienced them and can comment? Regards, Ralph Boineau in central South Carolina.

davesbedroom

I can understand what you are saying.

Your problems can be fixed by getting a C6 Z06 shifter assembly. After I did that, I have been enjoying my C5 100 times more.

I have driven my father in laws 08 C6 Z06 and that trans shifts much better, even though we have the same shifter assembly now.

I also noticed a big difference when I switched to Amsoil ATF for the trans and their gear oil for the diff. The best upgrade is going to be the C6 Z06 shifter assembly. Plus it gets rid of that cheap ugly cavalier shift ****.

Trpblk04

My aftermarket shifter fixed everything.

dougbfresh

You obviously never drove a C3 with a 4 speed.

craig04c5

Same here. Love my C6 Z06 shifter. Smooth and percise.

C5Vette168

for me, it's definitely a battle going into 2nd most of the time. Everyone that has driven my car has mentioned the shifting.

Quickshift_C5

I don't understand how anyone can stand that sloppy, soft and mushy, sorry excuse for a sportscar shifting assembly. My 95 v6 Mustang and 96 Cavalier z24 had firmer, more direct feeling ****ters than my FRC had and now my current z06. Dissapointing doesn't cover it.

An aftermarket shifter and shift **** were my very first mods on my last C5, and will be done ASAP on my new z06.

Roostertail

Hmmm....I never found it to be anything like your description.

And that's on my wifes '03 AE or my '04 Coupe that I recently sold.

Nick

srs244

or a 32 ford duece coupe with a 39 ford 3 speed floorshift transmission. both my 69 vette 4 speed vert and my 32 ford "hotrod" (back in 1961) were way worse than my stock C5 (04) 6 speed, lol!!

techvette

Ever driven one with a Hurst shifter? Even worse!

dangerz

You want some cheese with that wine?

time4prime2shine

Everyone here will tell you MGW shifter....and I am leaning that way myself but MAY go with a Kirban shifter.....anyone have exp with that one???

intoc6s

Yep, 09 C6 Z06 Shifter fixed mine! I bought one that was shortened about an inch or 2 and with threads for a C5 handle. Shifts easily now!

capevettes

I am on my second C5 6 speed and I don't find them that bad. A little notchy when cold.

My C6 6 speed was far worse. Shifting from second to third under hard accelleration it would go to---NOTHING

CCA Corvette Parts

Peace
Chip

dougbfresh

????

Bill Dearborn

Maybe the cars you drove had aftermarket shifters in them. They tend to narrow the gates, make things notchy, make it hard to shift from one gate to another in the interest of improved feel.

With my 97 or now my 03Z I have never had a problem with the stock shifter. The thing to remember is it takes a feather touch to move the shifter. If you are ham fisted and grab the shifter with your hand and try to force the movement you will be frustrated. Use your fingers and the heel of your hand to shift. You will find it easy to do and you will be able to shift accurately from 2nd to 3rd by letting the shifter control the sideways movement.

After listening to a lot of comments about the C5 shifter over the years I tried an aftermarket shifter on my Z. I left it on for two seasons and hated it the whole time. It made it hard to shift from the 3-4 gate to the 1-2 gate and the 5-6 gate. If all I wanted to do was shift from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th gear it would have been fine. When I rode with another Z driver around Watkins Glen and watched him just toss his stock shifter into 5th at speed I knew I had to get rid of that aftermarket piece of crap. I did and have enjoyed the stock shifter since then.

Bill

AU N EGL

THAT wont Fix the problem

My T56 is tight, smooth and quick to shift.

Some thing is wrong in your trans. time to get it looked at

road dog

It may not be the smoothest shifting but once you get the hang of it
you can get it on> I have no complaints its a feeling you have to develope I can slam them with the best

LT1SPUD

the only problem i've had is it's a little tricky getting it to drop into reverse...i've got to hold pressure on the shifter while easing the clutch out and then i can feel it fall into reverse gear....