6 speed zo6 shifting
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Joined: May 2022
Posts: 97
Likes: 4
6 speed zo6 shifting
Hey all, i have a 03 zo6 I've had for a couple years and it is my 1st standard I've ever owned and prior to this only drove a standard maybe 1 time.
Considering I have nothing to compare with this stems my questions.
Compared to other cars how much different is the c5 in terms of achieving SMOOTH shifts at slower speeds. I feel like I've tried everything and every once in a while I can get a smooth 1-2 and 2-3. For this it seems like the clutch has an extremely small sweet spot and you have to tip in the gas ever so gently to get it smooth.
I find if I rev out 1st higher than needed and is too loud for casual driving it is much easier to get a smooth shift, same goes for 2-3. is this normal? Or am I doing something wrong.
Another concern i have is with spirited high rpm shifting from 1-2 2-3 as i almost always get a big sniff of the clutch. Do you really need to punch the clutch hard and basically dump it? I mean if you were drag racing I could see it, but if you're just having fun on the street what do you people do?
Considering I have nothing to compare with this stems my questions.
Compared to other cars how much different is the c5 in terms of achieving SMOOTH shifts at slower speeds. I feel like I've tried everything and every once in a while I can get a smooth 1-2 and 2-3. For this it seems like the clutch has an extremely small sweet spot and you have to tip in the gas ever so gently to get it smooth.
I find if I rev out 1st higher than needed and is too loud for casual driving it is much easier to get a smooth shift, same goes for 2-3. is this normal? Or am I doing something wrong.
Another concern i have is with spirited high rpm shifting from 1-2 2-3 as i almost always get a big sniff of the clutch. Do you really need to punch the clutch hard and basically dump it? I mean if you were drag racing I could see it, but if you're just having fun on the street what do you people do?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 1,171
Tough car for a manual trans neophyte to learn in and get proficient in.
It is not a car to be babied.
Anytime you get a clutch burning smell, you are slipping it too much or the clutch is on the way out.
As far as how you drive it, nearly impossible to get a feel for your driving prowess without actually riding with you and getting first hand experience.
It is not a car to be babied.
Anytime you get a clutch burning smell, you are slipping it too much or the clutch is on the way out.
As far as how you drive it, nearly impossible to get a feel for your driving prowess without actually riding with you and getting first hand experience.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 7,325
From: CT
The factory clutch and the ever popular LS7 / Luk replacement clutches are truck clutches in my opinion. VERY wide engagement point and high end of low pedal pressure. The everyman's clutch. The AARP clutch. They are painfully easy to shift easily whether idling or at full wot. You may wish to connect with a local Corvette Club near you and ask if you can compare your clutch function vs someone with a known factory clutch. You may find that yours is perhaps an aftermarket upgrade.
How many miles on the car? Did the prior seller(s) mention a replacement?
While true these are not some 4cyl Honda or VW paperweight, they are very easy cars to learn on because of the engine torque. You can basically let the clutch out with minor slip and the car will drive itself.
Most aftermarket clutches are upgrades. Many owners opt some dual disc clutched which provide more clamping force and can hold more engine power while also giving you a lighter feeling pedal, provided the slave is fresh and the master is good and/or upgraded to an adjustable unit. You adapt to them in a day and then wonder how you ever liked the old one.
How many miles on the car? Did the prior seller(s) mention a replacement?
While true these are not some 4cyl Honda or VW paperweight, they are very easy cars to learn on because of the engine torque. You can basically let the clutch out with minor slip and the car will drive itself.
Most aftermarket clutches are upgrades. Many owners opt some dual disc clutched which provide more clamping force and can hold more engine power while also giving you a lighter feeling pedal, provided the slave is fresh and the master is good and/or upgraded to an adjustable unit. You adapt to them in a day and then wonder how you ever liked the old one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
If you're trying to shift at 1200 rpm it's going to be a bit jerky. I find that if you wind it out a bit the rpms have dropped back to the 'correct' amount when you let the clutch out for the next gear.
I've driven a lot of standards over the years. Everything from motorcycles to semi trucks with a 5&4. The C5 took a little practice. Was more difficult to be smooth than most other cars and pickups I've driven.
I've driven a lot of standards over the years. Everything from motorcycles to semi trucks with a 5&4. The C5 took a little practice. Was more difficult to be smooth than most other cars and pickups I've driven.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 7,325
From: CT
Gets real smooth with a lightweight Fidanza flywheel and a McLeod RST with new slave and tick adjustable master. Different style slip to get moving, but when driving you can literally toss between 6 different gear changes up and down in as many seconds and not feel it so long as you keep maybe five or ten percent on the throttle. Like butter. Some folks complain that it's not like stock... But I ask if they'd complain about driving a ferrari
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Just like OP, I was having issues with shifting smoothly, it was a hit or a miss. I have had the car for a few months now and I tend to shift early(under 2k).
I started to consciously pay attention to when the shift was smooth. And I came to the same conclusion that if I let the car rev a bit, not much even just 2.5k - 3k rpms, the shifting was smoother.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
I don't even change my gasoline that often.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
3K RPM is your sweet spot. I don't drive my Z16 as much as I'd like but when I finally get behind the wheel it takes me several shifts to remember - run her up to 3K RPM and THEN shift. She really likes it like that
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 411
Likes: 88
From: Hutto, Texas
Im curious as to what clutch is in the car. Have any mods been done elsewhere on the car? If the previous owner installed an aftermarket clutch, it may be a more difficult setup to drive smoothly.
Also, if you're smelling clutch on your shifts, as mentione above it is likely slipping, but from what, are you on the pedal taking too long to release, or are you hot on the throttle and inducing slip from torque (which would be a sign of needing a replacement soon), or a combination of both?
Also, if you're smelling clutch on your shifts, as mentione above it is likely slipping, but from what, are you on the pedal taking too long to release, or are you hot on the throttle and inducing slip from torque (which would be a sign of needing a replacement soon), or a combination of both?