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Shifting Gears

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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 12:46 PM
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Default Shifting Gears

Does anyone have issues going from 2nd to 3rd when running? All of my cars have been stick shift and they have been real smooth shifting gears. But driving the c6 it seems like it takes a little more muscle and precision to get some good shifts especially from 2nd to 3rd. Has anyone experienced this or is it just me and having to properly learn the new clutch and shifter?
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 01:23 PM
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Precisely why so many here have gone to the MGW shifter. Changes the game on that 2-3 shift in a big way.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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the shifter box may have slid or the bushings have worn out, do have you problems with any other gear ?
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 02:40 PM
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No I have no other problems with any other gears. Its just when I shift even on a normal drive its not smooth like my other cars or my acura tl. 2nd to 3 while running her is the shift i am having trouble getting down. And i have been driving stick for about 10 years.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Frankie2blue
Precisely why so many here have gone to the MGW shifter. Changes the game on that 2-3 shift in a big way.
Where can i find this type of shifter?
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 03:43 PM
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Are you depressing the clutch pedal all the way down? For some reason, these stupid trannies require that for 'crunch-free' shifting. If you're not having any issues with any other gear changes, I doubt a new shifter would fix that. But if you have an older Vette ('09+ have better shifters, for what I've read), it might be a nice upgrade anyway. So if you plan to keep the car regardless, I'd try that first. If it doesn't solve your problem, then it's going to be a synchro issue, most likely. Good luck.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ELP_JC
Are you depressing the clutch pedal all the way down? For some reason, these stupid trannies require that for 'crunch-free' shifting. If you're not having any issues with any other gear changes, I doubt a new shifter would fix that. But if you have an older Vette ('09+ have better shifters, for what I've read), it might be a nice upgrade anyway. So if you plan to keep the car regardless, I'd try that first. If it doesn't solve your problem, then it's going to be a synchro issue, most likely. Good luck.
I means its possible I wasn't pressing the clutch all the way down because I did have my work shoes on. I'll have to test that theory with my normal nikes on.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 04:45 PM
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Make sure you aren't gripping the shifter (don't touch is with your thumb.) To get 2-3, just use your palm.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 09:18 PM
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Mgw:d
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Houston_C6
Where can i find this type of shifter?
MGW website. You won't be sorry.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Houston_C6
Does anyone have issues going from 2nd to 3rd when running? All of my cars have been stick shift and they have been real smooth shifting gears. But driving the c6 it seems like it takes a little more muscle and precision to get some good shifts especially from 2nd to 3rd. Has anyone experienced this or is it just me and having to properly learn the new clutch and shifter?
No muscle or precision needed if you move the shifter correctly. Place heel of hand on shifter ball and shove forward quickly but not hard with very small pressure to the right. The transmissions centering spring will make the shifter snap right into third. Use 3 fingers on the right side of the shifter ball to go from 1st to 2nd, heel of hand to go from 2nd to 3rd, 3 fingers on top of the shifter ball to go from 3rd to 4th, heel of hand with moderate pressure to overcome the centering spring to go from 4th to 5th and 3 fingers on the drivers side of the ball to shift from 5th to 6th. If you have your arm placed correctly you should be able to do that with mostly wrist motion and very little movement of your arm.

If you are ham fisted then you will probably need to buy an aftermarket shifter that will increase centering pressure and requires more force to shift.

Bill
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 01:22 PM
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Default I have traveled the path you are on....

Going from the c5 to the c6 I had trouble with 3rd as well, I had muscle memory from the c5 which caused me to go too wide on the c6.

I posted up asking the same advice you seek, and Ranger gave me a link to his shifter drills:

http://rangeracceleration.com/Improved_Shifting.html

Between the drills and proper clutch fluid maintenance, I have had nearly flawless shifting for years now using the stock shifter. 74000+ miles and 494 drag strip runs to date if memory serves.

http://rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

It's free to try these things.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe_G
Going from the c5 to the c6 I had trouble with 3rd as well, I had muscle memory from the c5 which caused me to go too wide on the c6.

I posted up asking the same advice you seek, and Ranger gave me a link to his shifter drills:

http://rangeracceleration.com/Improved_Shifting.html

Between the drills and proper clutch fluid maintenance, I have had nearly flawless shifting for years now using the stock shifter. 74000+ miles and 494 drag strip runs to date if memory serves.

http://rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

It's free to try these things.
Sweet this helps a ton. I will check the clutch fluid later today. I am betting its pretty dirty. When I first got the car a little over a month ago I had a few runs in it. Now the car sits mostly in the garage. I think there might be some build up.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 08:41 PM
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Okay so I checked the clutch oil. And its dark like motor oil. I will not be driving the car and am going to change the clutch oil this Saturday along with the oil. Since it will be getting worked on I am going to check all other fluids.
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Old Jun 21, 2013 | 10:53 PM
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I went through the ranger method last night and today. I basically had to repeat the process about 25 times before the fluid came back clear. At first it was dark brown and then started to clear up. When it started to clear up there was clutch debris as in the video. Ran the method about 5 to 10 more times and finally came back clear. I took the car for a test run and its a brand new car. It didn't shift this smooth even when i got it. I will definitely keep an eye on this fluid from now on. Thanks for the help all!
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Old Jun 21, 2013 | 10:58 PM
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Good deal!
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