gr814u2c

This nonsense about not using the clutch needs to stop.

You ALWAYS need to use the clutch when shifting gears. Synchronizers are designed to change the speed of ONLY the clutch disk. They can only do that if you depress the clutch. If you don't use the clutch, the entire engine rotating assembly is still attached to the transmission through the clutch. Shifting without depressing the clutch is asking the synchronizers to change the speed of the entire engine rotating assembly which is MUCH GREATER (like orders of magnitudes greater) than just the clutch disk.

You will wear out your synchronizers MUCH sooner if you dont use the clutch.

Rev matching can't change the engine RPM before you physically move the shifter into the gear. You would be using the synchros to "rev match" for you.

speedlink

Go ahead. Get the 7 speed and don't use the clutch! Let us know how that works out for you.

Shaka

There's always the knucklehead that pulls up behind you at the stop light on a nasty hill and is sitting 6 inches off your rear bumper. Enough said.

with modern synchros, you don't need rev matching to shift without using a clutch.

Way back a few decades ago before synchromesh gears were invented people had to double clutch in order to match revs to the gear you were shifting into. Rev matching with the computers aid is basically doing the same thing people did back in the day when double clutching was a common and necessary process.

If you do it right there won't be any damage to the syncro gear. This is pure guess work on my part but if the computer matches revs as well as I believe it will anyone with minimal skill should be able to get in a new Vette and sift thru the gears without using the clutch.

You ALWAYS need to use the clutch when shifting gears. Synchronizers are designed to change the speed of ONLY the clutch disk.

And these people vote.

2019 ZR1

I was told by a manager of my Chevy dealer that the next C7 Z06 will come in a automatic. That would be the sh*t... I have a 2013 Z06 and love it until I get in town stop light to stop light....

2 Ag R8Cs

If you do it right there will be no damage and it will be a non-issue. In my case the rev matching may very well play a big part in my decision. I intend on driving the car using the clutch but I am plagued with back and knee problems. As a matter of fact I spent the past 2 or 3 weeks suffering from back and knee pain but I am back to normal. If the rev matcher functions the way I expect it to work it will allow me to order the car the way I truly want it. IMO having any C-7 or any Corvette be it automatic, Vert or whatever is better than not having a Vette. My point is being able to order a standard trans is something I really want but would be difficult to drive when my knees are causing me discomfort. Being able to order the car the way I want it because I can drive it without using the clutch when my knees are acting up is going to play a big part in the decision I make when I order a 2015.

That is the reason why I started this thread in the first place, there may be many other people like myself that want a standard transmission but they have occasional flare ups which will occasionally make it uncomfortable to depress the clutch. I brought up the topic because some people that thought they couldn't drive a standard shift but want one may not have been aware that they may be able to order the car the way the wanted it.There always has been the option of using good old fashioned skill to listen to the engine and shift without the clutch but the computer rev matching may allow people that don't feel confident in their ability to be able to drive without using the clutch. I am sure there are people like myself that occasionally have knee problems but really want their Vette with stick shift.

I am sorry to repeat myself but I especially want they stick shift because I moved to an area where I won't be stuck in traffic on the LIE and drive 5 or 10 feet then stop a few minutes then move again and repeat the process. Driving a stick is an enjoyable experience but not so much when you daly drive consists of being stuck in traffic.

rcallen484

What if a GM engineer came on here and said that they WOULD NOT recommend using the MANUAL transmission car they way you are suggesting. Would that put an end to this?

sajonf

If you have knee issues and are worried about working a clutch why the hell would you even consider it? Geez buy an auto.

2 Ag R8Cs

It is sad to read statements like that because there are many people that are able to shift gears without using the clutch.

It is not hard to do but driving the car a few hundred miles before trying it would be a good idea. The driver needs to know what the engine sounds like at a given road speed and engine speed (RPM & MPH)

I find it odd that you are arguing that something is not possible when myself and others have done it.

By the way at the track people power shift by keeping the pedal floored and jamming it into gear.

I would not recommend it because people had blown up transmissions power shifting, and even if you don't blow up the trans you can sauce premature wear to the trans.

I don't want to get personal but maybe the reason you don't "get it" could be our difference in age.

I am guessing that you grew up in a different era and when you mention double clutching to someone that was born around the same time as me, people born a couple decades later start looking for another clutch pedal when you talk about double clutching.

Who knows maybe if I live long enough I may get into a disagreement with someone that will insist that it isn't possible to play music from by putting a needle into the groves that have been cut into a black vinyl disk and spinning it.

2 Ag R8Cs

Because I love driving standard transmissions. Why should I order an automatic if I love and enjoy driving a standard transmission. You can ask the same question to someone the does not have knee problems. A lot can happen in the next 14 to 16 months. I have been getting cortisone injections in my knees which has helped and I have been considering another knee operation (maybe a knee replacement). Normally I only have problems with my knees one or two days a month or maybe every two or three months, but this past summer I spend a couple months in NY clearing out and selling a house I had. walking up and down stairs and carrying stuff put a lot of stress on my knees and required me to walk with a cane when I got back.

My 1962 Corvette is a 4 speed and I still enjoy driving it. I regret not ordering my 1996 CE with the LT-4 engine but back then I was living on Long Island and had to deal with LIE stop and go traffic.(the LT-4 was not available with a automatic) . So after almost 20 years I still own the 96 and still wish I could have ordered it with the 6 speed. Now that I am living in an area where the roads were almost designed for driving a 7 speed I would be crazy not to get on this time out.


EDIT

I just thought of s better answer about why someone would want a stick shift, some of us are passionate about shifting for ourselves. Someone asked a person on a Harley why they rode a Harley. The rider responded, "if I have to explain you will never understand". If I have to explain why I like driving a standard you won't understand. when I drive with stick shift I feel like I am almost part of the car it is a feeling of bonding with the car you don't get with an automatic, but maybe a paddle shifter gives you a similar feeling.

2 Ag R8Cs

I would be willing that there are a few things that engineers or just about any car company will tell you not to do various things that most people do just it is a matter of CYA. One thing that comes to mind is the installation of performance chips. A lot of people have installed chips in their cars to enhance performance. I am sure that it would be impossible to find a GM engineer that would not caution against installing a chip but I doubt people will listen to GM engineer's disapproval and be dissuaded for re-programing their chip or installing a new chip

I haven't visited this forum in a few years but came back because of the C-7 but many years ago on the forum I recall reading stories that may or may not be true about Warranties being voided because GM sent spies to the track and checked VIN numbers

2 Ag R8Cs

And that is precisely why I am so excited about this next Vette, for the first time in my life I am living in an area that is free from traffic jams and stop and go traffic.

When I still lived in Long Island I would drive about 30 to 40 miles up north where the roads were free from traffic jams.

sajonf

You don't need to sell me on why someone would want the manual over the auto... I wouldn't own a sports car that wasn't a manual tranny. But if I had bad knees and was worried about working the clutch I would reconsider and buy an auto.

To be honest I don't really care what you do - if you want to get a manual and shift it without a clutch so be it. Just don't be surprised when you get denied a warranty claim a year or two in. And make sure to disclose to the subsequent buyer that you have been shifting without a clutch for the car's life - that will definitely help your resale value

Michael A

I really hope they don't do that. I would hate to see the Z06 turn into some sort of cruiser.

Michael

ByByBMW

Sigh. where is that Capt. Picard face slap pic when I need it.

sajonf

explanation please

SpryGeezer

Shifting gears in our '49 Chevy with vacuum-assist stick on the column could be accomplished with or without the use of the clutch pedal. I just rammed it in. I was about 12 - 13 years old at the time and without a clue, or driver license, so I rarely used the clutch.
I sincerely apologize to all those who might lose sleep tonight over my lack of shifting skills; Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

rcallen484

As long as your bad knees don't arise until after you start on your journey and you never have to get going again after coming to a complete stop during said journey you are good to go. Is that what you are saying?

At what speed do you need to go in 1st gear to keep a C7 from "bucking"? And if you do have to come to a complete stop then after you slip it out of gear but how do you get going again after coming to that complete stop?

I did drive a manual transmission car with no clutch because of a throwout bearing failure but had it push started with me and my date in the car and I rammed it into second to start it and then took as remote as possible route home late at night to avoid traffic and traffic control devices and when got home slipped it out of gear and turned it off. Probably not the best way to enjoy your new C7. Instead, just get really adept at paddle shifting and pretend you are a race car driver.

This thread seems totally bizarre to me

rcallen484

ttt

ByByBMW

It is a somewhat bizarre thread. But let me add some more info to the discussion. You questioned how to get the car going after a complete stop. In my post to another comment I mentioned that I had been able to do it. I literally cut the engine, wrangled the shifter into the first gear then started the car while it was in first gear and yes it wasn't pretty but it worked. Now, don't know if todays cars can do that with all the interlocks that are out there. IIRC on my Z I had to fully depress the clutch pedal but I'm pretty sure that depressing the clutch pedal also caused a switch to be made, or broken, don't know which, but that would allow the starter to work. So, assuming that you can depress the clutch pedal to make the switch do its thing, I would think it would be possible to hit the start button and initiate a start sequence. Never tried it on the Z but I did shift it once or twice without using the clutch just to see if it could be done, and no problem.

rcallen484

Read my message regarding MY EXPERIENCE doing it at 18 yrs of age. Not recommended at all in other than absolute necessity! Agreed?