CAGS Eliminator
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
CAGS Eliminator
Installed it this morning. As most of you know, it makes a big difference in traffic. 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Estero Florida
Ordered mine today. Dealer taking delivery of my drop-shipped coupe to install for me. This thing has to be invaluable during the break-in period, where you are forced to keep the engine at low rpms!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
EXACTLY what is it that happens when one decides NOT to heed the advice of the 1-4 shift light?
I mean, in any other car, you can pull away leisurely and shift anywhere this side of redline. What is being damaged if you disregard the light and continue up the RPM gauge until you want, even when the light comes on?
I was led to believe the light signified that the computers have determined you are driving at a leisurely pace and might therefore appreciate the fuel savings by changing to a higher gear, BUT THAT IT'S STILL MY CHOICE.
I mean, in any other car, you can pull away leisurely and shift anywhere this side of redline. What is being damaged if you disregard the light and continue up the RPM gauge until you want, even when the light comes on?
I was led to believe the light signified that the computers have determined you are driving at a leisurely pace and might therefore appreciate the fuel savings by changing to a higher gear, BUT THAT IT'S STILL MY CHOICE.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: NW Suburb Of Chicago
Cruise-In Photographer
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St. Jude Donor '06 thru '26
Not voluntary
If it works like it did in my C5s before I put in the eliminator, you don't have a choice. When the light is on, the gate to 2nd gear is closed, so when you pull back out of 1st the stick goes into 4th. No choice.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
1-4
it prevents shifting into 2nd when light comes on.there's something that takes place to block out 2nd.if you insist on shifting into 2nd w/light on,you could damage stuff.that is the least technical explanation you will ever hear!If it were to get anymore tech.than that,i'd get lost! 
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thanks guys...thanks for not flaming me for asking a question I'm sure gets asked all the time. You guys are part of the reason why it's so easy to become addicted to these forums.
So...if I understand correctly, if I want to put it into second with the light on, I won't be able to - and if I do, it'll be by force that would therefore cause damage. But if I want to continue accelerating when the light comes on, I'm not hurting anything.
So...if I understand correctly, if I want to put it into second with the light on, I won't be able to - and if I do, it'll be by force that would therefore cause damage. But if I want to continue accelerating when the light comes on, I'm not hurting anything.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
1-4
if you accelerate fast enough the light won't come on anyway!it's a low rpm thing.otherwise,you need to go to fourth when the light comes on."feel"the shifter...it'll go there almost by itself when the light comes on and you move it.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Midland GA
I have only driven a C5 once on test drive, and the CAGS was not a problem. Light comes on and goes off even when shifting leisurely.
I wouldn't waste my time doing the mod. (Although I've never been in traffic, which is probably when it would happen.)
In the original CAGS you really had to be flooring it to not get the light and the corresponding bogging of the engine in the "next" gear.
Rich
I wouldn't waste my time doing the mod. (Although I've never been in traffic, which is probably when it would happen.)
In the original CAGS you really had to be flooring it to not get the light and the corresponding bogging of the engine in the "next" gear.
Rich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by vic_red
...So...if I understand correctly, if I want to put it into second with the light on, I won't be able to - ...
I plan to install a CAGs eliminator anyway because I do often drive gently, and I do NOT like the car interfering with my shifting... that's why I bought a manual in the first place.
I'm glad GM was able to use this CAGs trick to keep the car from having a gas-guzzler tax. Did anyone really think that the average Vette owner was going to keep the CAGs installed though??? Realistically, does CAGs actually improve fuel economy for the average Vette owner???
But more power to GM for saving us some dough on the guzzler tax! 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 2
From: Medford NY
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
The 1 - 4 light only comes on when you're going between 15 and 19 mph at less than 21% throttle.
I was going to install the CAGS eliminator but found that the 1 - 4 shift window was so small that it wasn't necessary to make the mod. After 10 months of driving my C6, CAGS has not been a problem, even in stop-and-go traffic.
I was going to install the CAGS eliminator but found that the 1 - 4 shift window was so small that it wasn't necessary to make the mod. After 10 months of driving my C6, CAGS has not been a problem, even in stop-and-go traffic.
Somba master
Joined: Mar 2005
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Cruise-In 7, 9 & 12 Veteran
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Cags
Firstly, cags is a PITA in traffic. Yes, you could shift out of 4th back into 2nd, but that takes time and another motion. The reason this can be dangerous is as follows: You're pulling out of a parking lot or away from a light, taking it easy. Suddenly, some clown comes charging out of a side street or around a couner ( or running the light). You need a quick burst of acceleration to get out of the way. But you're in 4th!
Bammo! you've just been hit and possibly killed because of the cags.
Before you hotheads start to flame, this very scenario has happened to me more than once. Second would have gotten you out of the way.
I really wonder if nobody has taken GM to court on this. Anyone out there been in this situation?
GM
Bammo! you've just been hit and possibly killed because of the cags.
Before you hotheads start to flame, this very scenario has happened to me more than once. Second would have gotten you out of the way.
I really wonder if nobody has taken GM to court on this. Anyone out there been in this situation?
GM
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
CAGS Eliminator
The Computer Aided Gear Shift (CAGS) is GMs approach to meeting the EPA fuel mileage standards. With CAGS employed, engine revs are held very low as the test vehicles go thru the Federal fuel mileage "course", thus raising the fuel mileage rating. The problem, as pointed out in a number of the posts, is that the EPA course is nothing like real world & being forced to shift from first to fourth when second is more appropriate (or safer) is a big PITA! The CAGS Eliminator, which is available from several of the Forum sponsor vendors, is an inexpensive, simple to install & proven (i.e. reliable) solution. It's a 30 minute DIY project.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,122
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From: NW Suburb Of Chicago
Cruise-In Photographer
CI 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '26
Originally Posted by vic_red
So...if I understand correctly, if I want to put it into second with the light on, I won't be able to - and if I do, it'll be by force that would therefore cause damage. But if I want to continue accelerating when the light comes on, I'm not hurting anything.
a) You shift into another gear.
b) You add enough additional throttle while in 1st.
c) The revs climb high enough while in 1st.
If you try to force it into 2nd with the light on, bad things happen.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Just J: It has been a while!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 902
Likes: 21
From: Pensacola FL
C6 FAQ Master
With Z51, you can start out pretty easily in 2nd...
Just like a Ferrari's First gear, the "second" gear is up and over...
But the CAGS is a PITA, and, I believe, a liability to Chevrolet. I don't know how many times I've turned left from a light and want to get away from traffic, but too late, second is blocked out... crap... play some clutch/shifter hijinks and avoid the accident.
I tried the "resistor" mod, but it failed after about a month...
Time to get the "real deal"
Just like a Ferrari's First gear, the "second" gear is up and over...
But the CAGS is a PITA, and, I believe, a liability to Chevrolet. I don't know how many times I've turned left from a light and want to get away from traffic, but too late, second is blocked out... crap... play some clutch/shifter hijinks and avoid the accident.
I tried the "resistor" mod, but it failed after about a month...
Time to get the "real deal"