why does 3rd always miss?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
why does 3rd always miss?
Quick question guys. Ive noticed that when Im hitting full throttle in 2nd gear in my 05 M6, It seems to not want to go into 3rd gear. Let me explain
Earlier, I was doing some spirited sprints. When I was gunning in 2nd and grabbed 3rd, the gear goes in but the car revs freely like as if it were in neutral. IT IS NOT in neutral because when I try to pull the shifter down, it wont go to neutral, but it isnt in gear either
Is this a problem I have or is it some jibberish vette saftey thing GM installed? thanks
Earlier, I was doing some spirited sprints. When I was gunning in 2nd and grabbed 3rd, the gear goes in but the car revs freely like as if it were in neutral. IT IS NOT in neutral because when I try to pull the shifter down, it wont go to neutral, but it isnt in gear either
Is this a problem I have or is it some jibberish vette saftey thing GM installed? thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Sounds like your synchros might be going.
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% blame the driver (us) because everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% blame the driver (us) because everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
Last edited by 5knives; Oct 22, 2011 at 03:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Sounds like your synchros might be going.
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% the driver (us) beacuase everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% the driver (us) beacuase everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 820
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From: Houston TX
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
But if you wouldve owned mustangs, you would know how primitive and old school they are... no safety crap, all power
that maybe a good thing or bad... depending on the driver.
The first thing I noticed was the "put in reverse" for my 05 M6. I was like WTF?!?!?
Second was the 1-4 skip shift.... I was like OMFG!!!
That was in within minutes of the first test drive LOL. Im paranoid when it comes to things like that
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,025
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From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% blame the driver (us) beacuase everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 820
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From: Houston TX
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
This is a big problem with these cars, I am currently going through it with my ZR1, I hate it. To those who know, does the MGW shifter help this problem specifically? 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
if youre not here to help
But if you wouldve owned mustangs, you would know how primitive and old school they are... no safety crap, all power
that maybe a good thing or bad... depending on the driver.
The first thing I noticed was the "put in reverse" for my 05 M6. I was like WTF?!?!?
Second was the 1-4 skip shift.... I was like OMFG!!!
That was in within minutes of the first test drive LOL. Im paranoid when it comes to things like that
But if you wouldve owned mustangs, you would know how primitive and old school they are... no safety crap, all power
that maybe a good thing or bad... depending on the driver.
The first thing I noticed was the "put in reverse" for my 05 M6. I was like WTF?!?!?
Second was the 1-4 skip shift.... I was like OMFG!!!
That was in within minutes of the first test drive LOL. Im paranoid when it comes to things like that
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
The best way to shift into third is to let the centering springs do their job, then just slide the lever forward. Actually a fairly fast process and you want accidentally miss a gear. My car is the best shifting manual I ever owned.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Then you have never driven it at wide open throttle trying to hit third, these cars have a history of this, do a search it is a very COMMON issue.
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 214
From: Central Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '13, '17-'18, '25
Swapped out the stock shifter after 6 months in my 09 and the MGW is much more accurate, especially going into 3'rd. It will be a little more stiff, but it is much more accurate.
And I have had little to no rattle with my MGW. I run their race **** and I only get rattle, (more noise then vibration) at WOT.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
Sounds like your synchros might be going.
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% blame the driver (us) beacuase everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
On a related note. 3rd usually grinds/misses because of the angle we try to engage it. I can't 100% blame the driver (us) beacuase everyone does it so there must be something awkward to the gate angle design. The best way to hit 3rd is to open palm it. Don't grab it like a baseball and push it in. That tends to make you push the shifter slightly to the right, just enough to get hung up. An open palm creates a more neutral straight upwards shift, which is exactly where you want it to go. Try that, see if it helps. If not, like I said, your synchros might be going. How many miles?
I've owned several C6 coupes and two C6 Z06's and have never missed a shift using this method. Even when speedshifting @7k rpm.
I believe Jamie Furman,and am positive that Ranger,are using the stock shifter. I'd wager if you took a poll of the fast lists,every driver on there(using a manual) uses the palm method.
Last edited by redzone; Oct 22, 2011 at 09:11 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 608
From: Ridge, ny
USN
5.4 I find this offensive.
if youre not here to help
But if you wouldve owned mustangs, you would know how primitive and old school they are... no safety crap, all power
that maybe a good thing or bad... depending on the driver.
The first thing I noticed was the "put in reverse" for my 05 M6. I was like WTF?!?!?
Second was the 1-4 skip shift.... I was like OMFG!!!
That was in within minutes of the first test drive LOL. Im paranoid when it comes to things like that
But if you wouldve owned mustangs, you would know how primitive and old school they are... no safety crap, all power
that maybe a good thing or bad... depending on the driver.
The first thing I noticed was the "put in reverse" for my 05 M6. I was like WTF?!?!?
Second was the 1-4 skip shift.... I was like OMFG!!!
That was in within minutes of the first test drive LOL. Im paranoid when it comes to things like that
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Ruidoso NM
why does 3rd always miss?
Thank you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
The open palm method is the way to go. I had a chance to drive with Johnny O'Connell a few years back and he told me the surest way to miss the 2-3 shift is to try to fist the shifter. Use the meaty part of your palm and just let the springs do the work. Oh -- and yes, the MGW shifter helps, but will still get caught up if you try to fist it at WOT.