Ok, I opened up my C6 Z51 for the first time yesterday with a couple of heavy accepration tests (already have 9500 miles on her and just now opening her up? somebody slap me!). I heard a strange squawk or squealch or squeelealtch sound from the front of the car when shifting from 2nd to 3rd and I was wondering if anyone had any idea what it was (please do let it be crank pulley...)

Here is the event: Traction Control & Active Handling is ON. From stop position, I start out slowly to about 10 MPH then punch it (but still did not floor it). At around 6000 rpm, I quick shift to 2nd - smooth as silk and I was VERY impressed with how quickly she wants to continue accelerating once in 2nd - it seems that she just can't wait to keep accelerating. The hard, fast shift to 2nd was actually very satisfying. Then from 2nd to 3rd was again smooth and accurate, but there came a sound from the front that sounded like a quick bark from front wheel drive - of course this is impossible. I think it may be a belt slipping. After shifting to 3rd and hearing the bark, I let off.

Then I did this all over again EXACTLY the same way. Again 1 to 2 was great and 2 to 3 made a quick squealch sound.

What do ya'll think it is? Belt? Maybe real wheel that somehow sounded like it was coming from front? And why no "bark" sound from 1 to 2, which should be more stressful on the car (I assume).

Suggestions please! Thanks...

 

It's probably the belt. I've seen another post here about that. This is somewhat normal. A lot of my other old performance cars used to do that.

And now a question for all C6 owners... is belt squeal upon shifting a common problem with the C6? Do many of you experience it? Are there any C6 specific solutions?

With my old cars, I made sure to run the highest quality ribbed belts, I roughed up the pulley surfaces slightly and just kept the belt tension a little tighter than I normally would.... but this was with the old style single thin belts (not the modern serpentine type).

I did once see a product designed to help reduce belt squeal... it was something that you sprayed on the belt to make it more "sticky". But I never actually used it, I figured such a method might not last long and might reduce belt life.

I assume the C6 has a spring tensioner on the belt... yes? Maybe a tighter spring tensioner could be swapped in? Or if the exact squealing belt driven accessory could be located, maybe a slightly larger pulley could be swapped onto it (if possible)?

 

Might be the crank pulley issue getting ready to surface.
What are the last 5 digits of the VIN?

 

My 94 Z28 does that if you hit it hard..... I also test drove a 04 Mustang Mach 1 that did it every shift, so I would think it is somewhat common.