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The first time i drove a standard trans was 4 weeks ago the day i bought my 03 Z...it was an uneventful 20 miles home, stalled it once and the MGW shifter presented a steep learning curve...but i made it.
Since then its been more or less trial by fire but ive become pretty good at it, a key was when MGW told me how to properly use their shifter..that was the end of the 2-5 shifts.
One thing i keep coming back to is..it doesnt like to go into 1st without a slight crunch, if im in neutral and try to go right into 1st. If im in say 3rd..clutch in and stop, go to neutral and into 1st its like butter. If i touch 2nd or any other gear..then into 1st, no issues. Also it doesnt like to go into 1st unless im under 10mph. Like if im going up a driveway off the main road and im in 2nd...doing like 1000rpms, i can clutch in and push it clean into 1st no problem. If im in 2nd doing 15 and clutch in and go for 1st its not having it.
Ls7 clutch, its all properly adjusted and the clutch feel is fantastic. Is what im dealing with somewhat normal at 84k miles? I figure the 1st gear syncro has worn out
I’ve done a few of these now and I hate to say you have either 1st gear and/or syncro assembly wear issues. The outer hub also called the slider is definitely worn, have to see the 1st gear dogteeth to know if that gear is needed too. Plus the rest of the box. Literally 1st gear is the last thing pressed off the main shaft, with the 1/2 syncro assembly being the 2nd from last thing. You’re looking at a full rebuild. And no dinking with the shifter trying to align it is only wasting time. Most think that will help but if these guys knew how the internal detents worked they’d see there’s zero adjustment from the shifter that makes a difference internally.
Just finished my C5z at 69k and it was thoroughly fucked (by me since 42k miles back in 2007)
I changed 2nd gear, All syncro (metal) assemblies including the triple carbon rings/blockers from 1st-6th including reverse, all new bearings, snaprings, seals, new 1/2 (aluminum) and the obligatory 3/4 steel fork. Shimmed it to spec and it’s been flawless. Paid $1700 in parts including $311 for a Tremec 2nd gear. -Your 1st gear is priced similar. If you pull yours apart and the gear is fine and you change nothing else but the 1/2 syncro assembly it’s $130ish plus seals. The downside is the labor to remove the box and whether you plan to keep the car. I have a feeling the seller that sold you that car knew it needed help NOW and he’s a piece of **** that didn’t care he wasn’t giving the whole story.
Mine during teardown. The rear case off (5/6/R) and gears are off the shaft, main case just pulled off showing 1-4.
The reason you can put it in another gear and then go to 1st easily is because that other gear being engaged has slowed the gearset to zero speed so then going straight into 1st means the shaft hasn’t been spin up to full speed yet before you make it home to 1st (your problem gear with worn syncro)
Same thing when you say it’s better at slower speed, that’s because the engine speed is that much slower which translates to the transmission mainshaft too until you hit the clutch and give 1st gear a try with its synchros with worn engagement teeth.
Just helped a buddy with his ‘03z gearbox (70k miles) and he did the opposite. He didn’t do his TT and the front bearing started squealing within 20 miles.
I only charged him a 6-pack for the TT labor. He got a deal.
Z06 and manual trans
