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Notchy Manual Shifts

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Old Jun 12, 2022 | 08:09 PM
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Default Notchy Manual Shifts

Hey y'all, I have been driving/racing manuals since my 88 IROC. This C5 gearbox is very notchy. I find it sometimes hard to hit my 2nd gear in particular. I have grinded, but quickly depress the clutch to disengage. This happens even on downshifts into 2nd.

It has a B&M shifter. My SSCamaro (RIP) never gave me any shifting difficulties, and neither did my 88, 93, 98 and 2010.

The aggressive clutch (stage 3) is very stiff and could it be I am letting out too quickly before I am fully in gear? In other words, go I need to be better about making sure the clutch is mashed fully down between shifts? The enagage point is very low to the floor, so I am thinking this could be it...I need to keep the clutch fully buried while shifting. Otherwise, I want it to shift like stock. Could this also be the B&M? I have never hunted for gears before, but I am doing it now. And I am not a newb with sticks. It's all I have ever driven. I can usually bang 2nd gear, it is my favorite gear. But I am not comfortable at this point.

Thank you.

Last edited by zztopo; Jun 12, 2022 at 08:14 PM.
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Old Jun 12, 2022 | 08:47 PM
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I think I'm going to go back to the GM OEM shifter. I hate gear hunting.
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 11:24 AM
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Look up "anti-venom mod for c5" and also realign the shifter box.

Do those things before doing anything else.
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 11:56 AM
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What fluid are you running? How old is it?
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 03:11 PM
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1) You may need an adjustable MC depending on the clutch and to fine tune the pickup points in the pedal and what bore size the clutch may need.
2) Stock C5/C6 shifter SUUUCKS. Junk it.
3) Bleed/flush the fluid. Don't waste your time with ANY bleeding method other than an ACTUAL remote bleeder. Don't have one? Get one installed.
4) Align shifter if it hasn't been done

Missing shifts rarely is related to the shifter itself. Also, comparing shifting in a Camaro to a Vette is apples and oranges. C5 shifter is a remote mount linkage with more variables involved.
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Old Jun 14, 2022 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 1stC5vette
Look up "anti-venom mod for c5" and also realign the shifter box.

Do those things before doing anything else.
Thanks will do!
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Old Jun 14, 2022 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by VetteMed
What fluid are you running? How old is it?
Not sure of either; the previous owner didn't say. I tried to get a hold of him, but he doesn't respond. I'm taking it to the garage next Wednesday already, I may as well change it then for piece of mind.

Thank you!
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Old Jun 14, 2022 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by smitty2919
1) You may need an adjustable MC depending on the clutch and to fine tune the pickup points in the pedal and what bore size the clutch may need.
2) Stock C5/C6 shifter SUUUCKS. Junk it.
3) Bleed/flush the fluid. Don't waste your time with ANY bleeding method other than an ACTUAL remote bleeder. Don't have one? Get one installed.
4) Align shifter if it hasn't been done

Missing shifts rarely is related to the shifter itself. Also, comparing shifting in a Camaro to a Vette is apples and oranges. C5 shifter is a remote mount linkage with more variables involved.
Ahhhhh, makes sense. Since I posted this thread I have taken the C5 out for several runs for practice. I learned that I cannot do lazy shifts like I did in my SS Camaro. So I decided to keep the B&M short shifter.

This set up requires me to bang it all the way down into 2nd from 1st. More muscle and assertiveness was needed. After several runs, it did not grind at all.

I think I finally got this.

Great info brother.
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Old Jun 14, 2022 | 07:34 PM
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Absolutely, start will all fresh fluids in a car that's new to you, it might just fix some of the shifting issue.
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Old Jun 16, 2022 | 02:08 AM
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The only time I miss a shift is when I had my fingers wrapped around the shifter trying to guide it. Shift with the palm of your hand. Let the shifter springs do their job.
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