About a year ago I bought a 99 with 63K miles, a manual transmission, MGW shifter and it has been tracked ~ 5 to 7K miles. Engine is mostly stock pulling ~350 to rear wheel

It has always been stiff shifting gears while running since I got the car a year ago
It shifts quite smoothly when not running except for reverse but as mentioned feels quite stiff when running
During a track event after an 1.5 hour cool down it suddenly wouldn't go into reverse
It does work and will go into all forward gears but requires much more effort to shift gears than when the engine is not running, particularly on downshifts
With car running the shifter will move all the way to the right and get into the reverse shift gate but will not move forward into reverse
With the car jacked up and running in first gear and the clutch on the floor, the back tire spins slowly
I made sure the T20 bolt from the MGW shifter to the shift rod was tight
I did not install the MGW shifter it was on the car when I bought it, so I can't be sure that it's adjusted properly and I don't have the alignment plate that comes with the install, it appears that the shifter is upright when in neutral

I replaced the clutch MC last week (I did not use the expensive Tick since I wasn't sure that was the problem ( turns out that was not the problem)
I used the suction method to change out the clutch fluid, pulled out lots of black gunk
I use Motul 660 high temp BF
I have wrapped the clutch lines by the headers

One of my buddies suggested it could be some sort of plastic forks in the transmission.
Another buddy suggested it could be the slave cylinder

Help would be appreciated.
Also if anyone knows a good mechanic in the metro Atlanta area that is experienced with C5's please let me know. I have already tried BuyAVette and they don't want to work on it.

Thanks

 

When I lost reverse, I read online, probably here, that it was probably a plastic pad on the shift fork.

There was no place in my small town that was willing or capable of going into the transmission, so I had to get a rebuilt.

 

When in the reverse shift gate, can you move the shifter forward toward the reverse gear at all? I have the MGW short shifter installed, and it is harder to shift due to the short shifter has less leverage than the stock unit. I also have intermittent issues getting it all the way into reverse, but it's just the last little bit. The shifter linkage in the tunnel has a coupler collar on it. loosen that and let both ends of the shaft at the coupler center itself, then tighten the coupler again. This adjustment needs to be made every now and then to get everything to align properly and shift better. The short shifter causes more resistance and therefore the adjustment is more critical. Might be worth a try. Search here on CF, I'm sure you will find the procedure.

 

Try simply realigning it. This has happened to me. The torx bolts weren't tight enough taking the shift assembly out of alignment.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...o&opi=89978449

 

Bill, thanks for the feedback. I tried adjusting once but not sure how to do it. What is "CF" that you suggest searching on.

The shifter would move over like its going into reverse but wouldn't move forward. Since I posted this I found a way to get it into reverse. Strangely, put into 4th gear, turn the motor off, then back on and it would allow me to go into reverse some of the time.

My mechanic says the problem is the clutch is not fully releasing.

 

Bobbo, Thanks those MGW videos were good. I did what they showed and it didn't work. I didn't have the alignment tool but I think I got it aligned.

 

CF....Corvette Forum. LOL! the coupler is accessed from the cab, under the counsel. Some interior disassembly required! LOL!
Interesting work around you came up with.

 

Have you thought about doing the anti venom mod? May or may not help with the shifting and if not, it's ok to leave the gasket in place.

As for service in Marietta, about the best is Rick Hendrick Chevrolet or Jim Ellis which are probably a bit far. I have used them both and Rick Hendrick in Duluth worked on my C7

 

Yellow2007,

Thanks I'll give that a try