C6 MN6 Quality
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: fort mill sc
C6 MN6 Quality
My new C6 Z51 MN6 will be here in 3 weeks. Should I expect problems with the manual transmission? Is it a quality unit or are there known problems with the synchros, gears etc?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 9
From: Jacksonville FL
There is a minor problem with the 1st gear synchro's. There are a million posts on here about it for better detail than I can give, but what it equates to is the first gear gearing is not refined enough (or something along that line) which causes you to not be able to put it into first sometimes. Basically if you can't get it into first gear either shift into second then back into first, or put it in neutral, let out the clutch completely, put the clutch back in and put it in first. I hope this helps. Also it doesn't happen that often so its not that big of a deal (albeit annoying).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by rmd8136
Why is 3rd easy to miss?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,231
Likes: 924
From: Carlsbad Ca
There are only "known problems" if you beat the hell out of your new car's transmission. I'm sure you can manage to break it if you really apply yourself. There is always the old standby of sending a 30.06 round into the case also if "ramming & jamming" don't break it good enough for you. You will have a decent tranny. It's up to you how you treat it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 10
From: Dallas TX
I haven't experienced the first gear problem others are noting, but the clutch pressure is so light, I have trouble getting into second smoothly (without jerking the car). After 4k miles, it's getting better, though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
My `06 MN6 is just fine. Never have trouble getting into 1st, and I've never missed 3rd. Sometimes getting into 1st from a dead stop isn't as smooth as butter, takes a little bit of gentle persuasion... only occasionally... but never refuses to go in. I've never had to "double-clutch" or shift into 2nd in order to get into 1st. Every manual car I have ever driven has been a little reluctant to go into 1st occasionally. If you are used to driving manual tranny cars in general, you should not have a problem with the MN6. Mine feels nice and tight, generally smooth, not noisy... probably the finest I've ever driven. I drive it regularly and there's nothing about it that annoys me in any way. No complaints! ...Oh.... except for the occasional "clutch rattle" noise which occurs only in the sub-1,000 rpm area sometimes (usually between 800 - 900 rpm)... very minor issue... supposedly just the clutch disc oscillating within its dampener spring range, an issue that has supposedly been around since the C5 days... but not a problem. Considered normal. Once you recognize the noise and know that it's not detrimental, it will not bother you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
I haven't any problems getting it to shift into 1st under any conditions. I have never missed a shift into third, either shifting easy or driving the car aggressively. I like the throw and I like the clutch also. I don't understand while there is so much whining about the shifter and the clutch. In my opinion the shifter, clutch and tranny are all fine units.
SC CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
The only thing I would recommend is....practice driving it with every pair of shoes you will wear. Depending on the shoes I wear (work shoes, weekend shoes, work out shoes, flip flops), depends on how it drives. I also hate the automatic 1st to 4th at low acceleration and rpm's. I've never had a problem with 1st. However, I have had 3rd gear issues...almost put my hand through the windshield.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
My opinion on the MN6 after owning a 2003 M3.
1. The shifting when cold is very stiff, first to 2nd you have to take it easy on the very first shift of the drive. Once it warms up, it isn't still a little stiff but you can go in an out pretty easily.
2. It almost feels like when the clutch is depressed there is still some resistance to shift into gear. The syncronizers don't seem to work very smooth, like a BMW transmission.
3. I have a brand new transmission in my car after the 1st gear syncronizer was trashed with only 600 miles on it, the technician who tore it apart said it looked like it had 100,000 miles on it. They called it a "birth defect" which is their term for a transmission that was manufactured out of spec. They said that it isn't uncommon with the manual transmission.
I am not complaining, just thought I would give my 2 cents.
1. The shifting when cold is very stiff, first to 2nd you have to take it easy on the very first shift of the drive. Once it warms up, it isn't still a little stiff but you can go in an out pretty easily.
2. It almost feels like when the clutch is depressed there is still some resistance to shift into gear. The syncronizers don't seem to work very smooth, like a BMW transmission.
3. I have a brand new transmission in my car after the 1st gear syncronizer was trashed with only 600 miles on it, the technician who tore it apart said it looked like it had 100,000 miles on it. They called it a "birth defect" which is their term for a transmission that was manufactured out of spec. They said that it isn't uncommon with the manual transmission.
I am not complaining, just thought I would give my 2 cents.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Originally Posted by DrivnXcitment
There is a minor problem with the 1st gear synchro's. There are a million posts on here about it for better detail than I can give, but what it equates to is the first gear gearing is not refined enough (or something along that line) which causes you to not be able to put it into first sometimes. Basically if you can't get it into first gear either shift into second then back into first, or put it in neutral, let out the clutch completely, put the clutch back in and put it in first. I hope this helps. Also it doesn't happen that often so its not that big of a deal (albeit annoying).
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 0
I'd just recommend this. Remove the clutch spring on the back of the clutch for a "natural feel." Purchase yourself some Royal Purple Synchromax and the tranny will shift much smoother. Both of these do indeed make C6 shifting more enjoyable. Maybe an aftermarket shifter and **** aswell!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Based on the overall quality and attention to detail of the C6, it really is a stunning auto in vitually every aspect, if I were Dave Hill, there would be a change coming with the tranny, there are defintely some issues with the tranny that need to be addressed for such an awesome vehicle.