2nd- 3rd Shifting Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
2nd- 3rd Shifting Problem
I got my 04 ZO6 about 2 months ago and have been drving it consistently. About a week ago I raced a Mustang and beat him with not that much effort, and I shifted pretty normally. Im no the greatest shifter but Im decent; pasable. Anyways Ive tried doing pulls to try and get faster at shifting , 40 rolls, from 2nd gear and when I try to shift into 3rd it seems to not want to go into gear at high RPMs. It has a short shifter and its very notchy but it still shouldnt be that hard to shift to 3rd. I have to basically force it into gear, but it takes alot of time to do it. I have seen other posts about this subject but nothing clear as to wath might be happening. Other than that the other gears are way smoother. Also it only does it every so often, sometimes i can get it right and be content with the shift but other times it just doesnt wanna go.
Mods doen to car:
Headers
Intake
Short Shifter
X Pipe
Exhaust
Any help would be great,
Thanks
Mods doen to car:
Headers
Intake
Short Shifter
X Pipe
Exhaust
Any help would be great,
Thanks
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check the shifter alignment first, if that checks out I'd lean towards the clutch... not saying it's shot, the factory one is just a piece of junk when you try to race the car and shift fast at high rpm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
I agree it could be shifter alignment or clutch. It could also be your technique. Many people will grip the shifter firmly and even tighter when in a high stress situation.
You shouldn't be gripping the shifter at all. You should cup it. The center palm of your hand should not make contact with the shifter and be held directly over the top of it. When going into 1st, 3rd, & 5th, use the base of your hand to push the lever forward Use fingers only for pulling into 2nd, 4th, & 6th. You can tilt your wrist a little to help guide the shifter in the direction of the shift. Going 2nd to 3rd should be a straight push. The centering spring will do the work to find the gate.
You shouldn't be gripping the shifter at all. You should cup it. The center palm of your hand should not make contact with the shifter and be held directly over the top of it. When going into 1st, 3rd, & 5th, use the base of your hand to push the lever forward Use fingers only for pulling into 2nd, 4th, & 6th. You can tilt your wrist a little to help guide the shifter in the direction of the shift. Going 2nd to 3rd should be a straight push. The centering spring will do the work to find the gate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
For clarity when I say cup the shifter, your hand should be opened enough that your fingers don't touch the shifter when pushing with the base of your hand and vice versa. You shouldn't be in contact with the front and rear of the shifter at the same time.
Lastly, the ******* is not a place to rest your hand. Make your shift and move your hand elsewhere. If competitively driving, your hand should go back to the steering wheel.
Lastly, the ******* is not a place to rest your hand. Make your shift and move your hand elsewhere. If competitively driving, your hand should go back to the steering wheel.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
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it shouldn't as long as you apply the parking brake first and let it engage and then press down the clutch, put it in 3rd or whatever gear for that matter, then shut the car off with the clutch pedal still down... if you turn it off in gear and let the car move even the slightest before applying the parking brake it will make the shifter very hard to get out of that gear when you start the car again
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,114
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From: Apple Valley CA
I seen a lot of these and similar issues. Read thru my thread, I'll like it at the bottom, and see what you think, I'm happy to answer anything I can. I don't like to tell people that my lower shifter box is going to fix their issues, I think it's basically an educated guess at best to diagnose things like this without actually looking at the car. That being said alignment of the linkage and upgrading the box has been a wining combo for a lot of people, at the very least you'll be able to eliminate a lot of slop with minimal effort and money spent.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,114
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From: Apple Valley CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
[QUOTE=Ricardo Zeledon;1597233033 when I park the car im on a hill so I leave it in 3rd gear while the E Brake on, for extra security. Do you think that effects it in anyway?[/QUOTE]
Parking in 3rd gear likely isn't a contributor. Parking in 1st or reverse would be better due to gear ratios which would increase the effort to move the car.
Parking in 3rd gear likely isn't a contributor. Parking in 1st or reverse would be better due to gear ratios which would increase the effort to move the car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
I seen a lot of these and similar issues. Read thru my thread, I'll like it at the bottom, and see what you think, I'm happy to answer anything I can. I don't like to tell people that my lower shifter box is going to fix their issues, I think it's basically an educated guess at best to diagnose things like this without actually looking at the car. That being said alignment of the linkage and upgrading the box has been a wining combo for a lot of people, at the very least you'll be able to eliminate a lot of slop with minimal effort and money spent.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 258
From: Apple Valley CA
Your absolutely right, you may be just fine after you align it. Your right about everything else as well. Shoot me an email if you want the box. You can send yours in or I can just send you a completed box and you can send yours back as a core when you get them swapped. If you run into anything else you have questions about I'm happy to help with anything I can. Good luck bud.
tmodcustoms@gmail.com
tmodcustoms@gmail.com