shifting issues
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
shifting issues
For a $50,000 car I can't believe it shifts the way it does. An 08 MN6 and going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd it is hard as hell to shift. After about 1/2 hour it seems to shift better but it's still not great. I'm 6'4" so it's not about being able to put the clutch to the floor, as a matter of fact the clutch doesn't engage until about the last 2 inches. Is this normal. I can't stand the grinding.. I called the dealership and they said to put a few more miles on it before coming in, I have 580 on it now. You can actually feel it finding it's way into gear one notch at a time, and sometimes actually grinding the gears. $50, grand for that???? My 66 GTO was better. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 171
From: Texas
You definitely have something wrong. I've driven mine with just about 500 miles on it fairly aggressive (11 mpg last tank 
) and it shifts very smoothly (no grinding) from gate to gate without the friction that you are describing with yours. My clutch also seems to engage more towards the top as well.
) and it shifts very smoothly (no grinding) from gate to gate without the friction that you are describing with yours. My clutch also seems to engage more towards the top as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
For a $50,000 car I can't believe it shifts the way it does. An 08 MN6 and going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd it is hard as hell to shift. After about 1/2 hour it seems to shift better but it's still not great. I'm 6'4" so it's not about being able to put the clutch to the floor, as a matter of fact the clutch doesn't engage until about the last 2 inches. Is this normal. I can't stand the grinding.. I called the dealership and they said to put a few more miles on it before coming in, I have 580 on it now. You can actually feel it finding it's way into gear one notch at a time, and sometimes actually grinding the gears. $50, grand for that???? My 66 GTO was better.
If your dealer can't fix it, find a new mechanic!
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
For a $50,000 car I can't believe it shifts the way it does. An 08 MN6 and going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd it is hard as hell to shift. After about 1/2 hour it seems to shift better but it's still not great. I'm 6'4" so it's not about being able to put the clutch to the floor, as a matter of fact the clutch doesn't engage until about the last 2 inches. Is this normal. I can't stand the grinding.. I called the dealership and they said to put a few more miles on it before coming in, I have 580 on it now. You can actually feel it finding it's way into gear one notch at a time, and sometimes actually grinding the gears. $50, grand for that???? My 66 GTO was better.
my 08 is sweet as sin! But my 02 Z was horrible till I changed the fluid U need to at least change the fluid with red line or royal purple. !
That will help
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I don't have the new 'improved' 2008 gearbox but my 2005 MN6 shifts great...no problems at all. If you're experiencing any grinding I'd get the car to the dealership ASAP....that ain't right. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
It all depends on peoples definitions of what is normal.
My c5 shifted like crap and my new 08 shifts better but is still not super. You have to guide the gears pretty carefully. I had previous cars where you could really shift.
Try shifting slower and see if that solves the problem. If not, you really need to see the dealer.
My c5 shifted like crap and my new 08 shifts better but is still not super. You have to guide the gears pretty carefully. I had previous cars where you could really shift.
Try shifting slower and see if that solves the problem. If not, you really need to see the dealer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
I'm used to vette manuals and the 08 is the smoothest to operate by a wide margin. It does get even smoother after warm up. Sounds like you may have a problem.
These are very stout trannys.. It will take some effort to move the internals as they are beefy. It's not a Honda civic with a tranny the size of a 5 pound bag of sugar..
These are very stout trannys.. It will take some effort to move the internals as they are beefy. It's not a Honda civic with a tranny the size of a 5 pound bag of sugar..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
The 2008 gearbox is supposed to be even smoother shifting than the previous ones, and my 2005 MN6 shifts easily into all gears. I'll join the chorus in saying this looks like a service issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
How many miles do you have so far? I have about 350 on a 08 coupe Z51 manual. I find shifting to be pretty notchy compared to other manuals I have driven (feels like I hit a couple of kinks with each throw, but no grinding). I assumed this would loosen up over time.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Poughquag NY
My 05 isn't consistent. It's hard to find the gear and once you hesitate and leave it in nuetral it's really hard to get in. After a half hour ride this weekend I filled it up with gas and I could not get it into 1st without grinding, alittle. Other times it's great???
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 527
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett TX
Normal driving on my 06 is fine. But some times when I'm out have fun 
and I need to get from 1st to 2nd at track like speeds it has done the whole grinding thing. Its almost like it trying to activate the skip shift. This has happened maybe 3 times in the year + I've had the car. Being me I just thought it was me missing a gear, but after reading here I'm not sure now.
and I need to get from 1st to 2nd at track like speeds it has done the whole grinding thing. Its almost like it trying to activate the skip shift. This has happened maybe 3 times in the year + I've had the car. Being me I just thought it was me missing a gear, but after reading here I'm not sure now.
