My September 2013 built M7 is going into it's 4th winter. Until the trans warms up the 1st to 2nd is "stiff." My solution is to just pull harder. No syncro grinding if done quickly. As noted some skip 2nd when the trans is cold and go to 3rd. Once the trans is warm, depends on the temp and how many miles are driven, in goes into 2nd very easy as in all other gears. OP will love Rev Match-best thing since sncromesh IMO!

The Tremic 7 speed has large 1st and 2nd gears. Even with triple syncros in 2nd, one carbon faced, can't expect to change that large cluster gear set rotational speed easy when cold! Not like the trans in my lower HP cars like my old 260Z, etc!





Big Gears Have a Lot of Inertia

 

The M7 1-2 shift does continually get smoother with increasing mileage. It's a Tremec manual transmission characteristic, which I also had on both my C6s, as well as other different makes of cars w/ essentially the same box. At 9K miles, mine is now smooth even when cold.

It also helps to use the "Ranger Method" to periodically renew the clutch fluid. Literally anyone can do this and the simple instructions are in the link below.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...method-m7.html

 

Better to double-clutch 1-2 until it's warm imo.

 

All of the above are good suggestions. When the temps get below about 55 I've noticed mine is a bit stiff on the 1-2.

What I have been doing recently is immediately after starting the car and idling a few seconds, I put it in neutral, let the clutch out, then clutch in and shift to first (not forcefully), then back to neutral, let clutch out, then clutch in and shift to second, then put it in first and drive off. Kind of like a stand-still double-clutch. Seems to loosen or work the synchros a bit and I find the initial shift to second after pulling away to go much smoother and not fighting it as much - it does get better as the trans warms up.

I do this in the other Tremec cars as well. Just my observation. Nature of the beast I guess.

 

As others have already stated, my 2016 Z51 with 8,700 miles is a little stiff 1-2 until it warms up. Also, this transmission seems to shift better at higher RPMs.

 

CAGS is disabled on C7 until engine warm up is complete and the the Tachometer goes to normal redline. I believe I read this is in the operators manual but it's true in practice. Bought new 2015 Z51 with 28k miles, I am one with this machine...

For everyone with questions, I've had mine in several times for this. There's this...
PIE0356A: Engineering Information - Hard to shift or pops out of selected gear concerns that cannot be duplicated - Mar 15, 2016

I'll try to reproduce the entire text of it in separate post.

 

Here's the PIE message I mentioned.

PIE0356A: Engineering Information - Hard to Shift or Pops Out of Selected Gear Concerns That Cannot Be Duplicated - (Mar 15, 2016)
Subject:
Engineering Information – Hard to Shift or Pops Out of Selected Gear Concerns That Cannot Be Duplicated
https://gsi.ext.gm.com/images/999999995.gif
Models:
2015-2016 Chevrolet Corvette
Equipped with 7-Speed Manual Transmission (RPOs MEK, MEL or MEP)
Attention:
Proceed with this EI ONLY if the customer has commented about this concern AND the PIE number is listed in the Global Warranty Management / Investigate History link (GWM/IVH). If the customer has not commented about this condition or the EI does not show in GWM/IVH, disregard the PI and proceed with diagnostics found in published service information. THIS IS NOT A RECALL — refer to the latest version of Service Bulletin 04-00-89-053 for more details on the use of Engineering Information bulletins.
This PI has been revised to update the Instructions. Please discard PIE0356.
Condition
Important: If the customer did not bring their vehicle in for this concern, DO NOT proceed with this EI.
Some customers may comment on vehicle hard to shift or that the vehicle has popped out of gear.
Cause
GM Engineering is attempting to determine the root cause of the above condition. Engineering has a need to gather information on vehicles PRIOR to repair that may exhibit this condition. As a result, this information will be used to "root cause" the customer's concern and develop/validate a field fix.
Instructions
If you encounter a vehicle with the above concern and are not able to duplicate the condition, complete the latest version of PI1276. If PI1276 has been previously performed or does not correct the complaint, contact one of the engineers listed below.
Contact Information
Engineer Name
Phone Number
Tariq Hashim
248-321-0505
Joe Urso
248-563-9806
Please include the following information if leaving a message:
· Technician name
· Dealer name and phone number
· Complete VIN and repair order (R.O) number
On the repair order, document the date and time the call was placed (even if the engineer was not reached).
If engineering is unable to return the call within one hour, proceed with diagnosis and repair based on information found in SI.

 

My 2016 Z51 M7 goes back to the dealer tomorrow and the above is what I have been looking for, many thanks.
I only have 825 miles on it and it sucks shifting from 1st to 2nd. I have heard of many fixes such as changing to Redline fluid and installing the MGW short shifter.

 

good luck, chief. Be careful with your z51 tires in the cold under 40 degrees. You might try leaving it there for several hours before they test drive it to be sure. The problem is they can't seem to duplicate it in mine and the more I drive it the worse it gets. Now it's doing it even after it's warmed up. Like my dealer says at least we are on record with the problem but that's just not good enough. I've suffered 28,000 miles with this and it's just not fun to drive like that.
I want to put on MGW but am afraid it might be a warranty problem if the trans dies go kaput.

Please keep in touch with this thread or pm me. I'd like to keep up with your experiences on this. I think there are other options but am not quite ready to declare war.

 

I solved the issue with the Z51 tires a few weeks ago....bought a set of Z06 look alike wheels with Michelin tires, non run flats, there ride much better, its 21 here this morning, no issues. I just sent the dealer the above engineering information, i will keep you posted. Today i may look into the NJ lemon law if this can't be resolved.

 

I always find the CAGS thing amusing.... I have two years and 34,000 miles on my C7 and have never had the 1-4 notice come on unless I wanted it to.

Of course, I've been rowing gears 51 years.

 

Hard shifting when the Trans is cold is one thing- popping out of gear is another. The alignment procedure should help. It should also shift easily when the trans fluid is warm.

 

Have you beat, been driving standard shifts on my DD's for 57 yrs! Started with 3 on the floor in my '41 coupe, to 3 on the tree in my '51 Ford coupe to finally a number of 4 speeds and my first 7 speed a Dodge Colt Turbo and my 2nd an '88 Vette with the Doug Nash electrically operated overdrive in 2nd thru 4th! :lol

Put CAGS eliminators in my 4 Vettes. Agree, on the C7 I only see the warning light when in bumper to bumper traffic. However because it doesn't happen often, before I installed it on my C7 I got caught in bumper to bumper traffic and tried to shift into 2nd. Forgot all about Skip Shift, with I never had in my C6 for 6 years with it's CAGS eliminator and the car slowed almost to a stop as I figured out what was wrong!

To me that is a real safety hazard! In my many years of driving have never had an accident with another car (looking for wood!) However with the distracted driving I see today I spend as much time looking behind and around me as forward! When I come to a red light I slow down well before I stop and keep my eyes in my mirror. If the person behind is distracted on the phone etc perhaps that will give them more time to see my rear before they hit it!

In that bumper to bumper traffic if the person behind me got a beep on their phone they may have been "obligated" to look to see who sent them a text message etc. It's a conditioned response for many! Not thinking I would slow abruptly they could have been be in my rear!

For ~$25 CAGS eliminators are very inexpensive insurance IMO and an easy install! To each there own!



Like Pavlov's Dog, Some Folks Responding to a Cell Phone Beep is a Conditioned Response! They Can't Help Themselves!

 

Sometimes it seems like Corvette owners just expect the car to fall into the next gear with no effort. If you cannot adjust to slight variations in shift feel, just get an automatic.

Also a little ironic many are quick to want to go to a shorter throw shifter and are surprised that the shift effort increases.

 

Also, one of the parameters of the 2-3 lockout is engine temperature. You should not engage CAGS when the transmission and engine are cold.

 

Got this last week from a local dealer, seems they admit there is an issue but don't know how to fix it.

 

I have only driven my C7 M7 in the cold and I have yet to experience an issue shifting into second. I have had the 1-4 surprise me a few times and everytime I think I did something wrong and find myself shifting back to second without a problem. I have owned many manuals over the years this is my first 7 speed I'm still getting used to the concept but I like it!

 

Glad it's fine. When cold, mine is just harder to pull in but no grinding. When it warms up, usually in a few miles, it goes in as in all other gears - easy.

FWIW, have had my M7 for 3 years. I find Rev Match is the best advance in a standard trans since syncromesh! The way I use the 7 speed is part of the reason:

First I often row thru to the direct drive, 4th gear then pick the overdrive that fits where I'm driving. In the rural roads near my home and in town that is usually 5th. If going on our flat Interstate to or from town I use 3rd or 4th to get to 70 mph then shift directly to 7th.

When leaving the Intestate, no reason to go thru two other overdrive to get to 4th for the exit ramp. Shift directly to 4th and Rev Match makes it a perfect transition.


If passing an 18 wheeler, I may downshift to 4th to accelerate quickly and minimize the time I'm exposed to their tires throwing rocks (had one hit my first month!) The shiftier springs make that shift very easy, just pull back and it's in 4th. There is an interesting difference in the C7 vs all the standard shifts I have owned (every DD for 50+ years.) If on cruise control, when you shift back from 4th to 7th it automatically engages! No need to hit Resume.

When making a turn while driving in 5th I shift directly to 3rd and Rev Match makes a perfect transition. I always had used heel-toe or toe-side of foot in my C6 etc. Was good at it at higher rpms but at low cursing speed modulating the throttle to get a perfect match is not as easy and I wasn't as smooth as at higher speeds/rpms. Rev Match does it perfectly every time. Just took time before I wasn't doing it myself!