Few Questions about 6MN
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Bloomsburg Pa
Few Questions about 6MN
Hello all. I am the proud owner of a 2004 Lemans Blue/Shale Commemorative Edition. I bought the car on Friday and haven't stopped driving it yet! Of course this car is incredible. The last vette that I bought new was a 95. There is no discernable comparison in my opinion. The C5 is such an improvement.
I ordered my CLB yesterday so that I don't have any problems and the dealer gets the car back tomorrow for a rattling exhaust, but other than that it's a great car. Here is the question. Are the 6MN transmissions very notchy feeling and somewhat stiff going into gears? I'm just used to manual transmissions that are very smooth and just slide from gear to gear. On Saturday, I put the car into first, with the clutch fully depressed, and boy did I get a nasty grind. It hasn't happened since, but I have noticed twice that I thought that I had it all of the way in first and quickly found that I didn't. I've never experienced this before, but I've also never driven a 6MN Corvette. Thanks in advance for your answers. Have a great day.
I ordered my CLB yesterday so that I don't have any problems and the dealer gets the car back tomorrow for a rattling exhaust, but other than that it's a great car. Here is the question. Are the 6MN transmissions very notchy feeling and somewhat stiff going into gears? I'm just used to manual transmissions that are very smooth and just slide from gear to gear. On Saturday, I put the car into first, with the clutch fully depressed, and boy did I get a nasty grind. It hasn't happened since, but I have noticed twice that I thought that I had it all of the way in first and quickly found that I didn't. I've never experienced this before, but I've also never driven a 6MN Corvette. Thanks in advance for your answers. Have a great day.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles CA
You have to really push it forward to get it in gear in first. That's because of the long linkage and other design features. You'll get used to it - although I've been driving 6sp C5's since November of 1997 and STILL every once in while get that lovely grind when I miss fully engaging first gear 
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Mars
Mine doesn't grind but with 4000 miles on the clock, this is one gearbox that will never earn the comparison with a knife sliding through butter. I'm already thinking of changing the shifter to make the changes shorter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
I would definately recommend an aftermarket shifter. I have been happy with the Hurst.
I also had some notchiness/grinding problems, thought my syncros were going out again. After getting a new clutch installed, the problems have gone away.
I also had some notchiness/grinding problems, thought my syncros were going out again. After getting a new clutch installed, the problems have gone away.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Bloomsburg Pa
A shifter sounds like it can take care of the issue. I was just reading another thread that referenced this issue and it seems that other than bad synchros a synthetic fluid helped out quite a bit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
Congrats on the new CE MN6 I have a new CE as well. I have not ever had a grinding sound and I believe mine also is smooth and easy shift compared to any manual transmission I have ever experienced (however, this is the first manual Vette I ever drove).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I think the shifter is very notchly and 2nd to 3rd is horrible. Nothing like my 1964 Vert M-22 rock crusher shifter. I attribute much of it to do with the rear mounted transmission (shift linkage is longer).
It helps to go into second gear before first, when stopped.
You do get used to it, and synthetic fluid helps (especially cold weather shifting). Speed shifts (especially from 2nd to 3rd) are always troubleson for me.
It helps to go into second gear before first, when stopped.
You do get used to it, and synthetic fluid helps (especially cold weather shifting). Speed shifts (especially from 2nd to 3rd) are always troubleson for me.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jul 28, 2004 at 10:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Mine was stiff when I got it. It will loosen up over time. I also installed a Hurst which I love. One word of caution if you do decide on a Hurst, be sure to use lock-tite on all the stop screws. They will backout over time if you don't. I thought I could cinch them tight enough...I was wrong. But the Hurst is great!!
Congrats on your new addition!!
Congrats on your new addition!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Mine is sometimes hard to get into 1st when the car is sitting still. It's pretty normal from what I've seen. There's another thread on this page about the subject.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Wavegoodbye
Here is the question. Are the 6MN transmissions very notchy feeling and somewhat stiff going into gears?
BTW, welcome to the Forum
...and congrats on the new ride!
