Best Skip-Shift Solution?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Best Skip-Shift Solution?
My new Z06 is my first manual transmission Corvette, and I now feel the pain of everyone that has complained about the 1-4 skip shift "feature". Why GM puts this in the car, even to save a little money on a gas tax, is beyond me. It is the only horrible thing about the whole car. I've never had to suffer through this on any of my numerous other manual transmission cars.
OK, enough venting. What is the best fix for this? Is there a software setting or do I need to install a modified switch or what? Anyone done this to a 2015 Z06 manual yet?
TIA
OK, enough venting. What is the best fix for this? Is there a software setting or do I need to install a modified switch or what? Anyone done this to a 2015 Z06 manual yet?
TIA
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: UT
My new Z06 is my first manual transmission Corvette, and I now feel the pain of everyone that has complained about the 1-4 skip shift "feature". Why GM puts this in the car, even to save a little money on a gas tax, is beyond me. It is the only horrible thing about the whole car. I've never had to suffer through this on any of my numerous other manual transmission cars.
OK, enough venting. What is the best fix for this? Is there a software setting or do I need to install a modified switch or what? Anyone done this to a 2015 Z06 manual yet?
TIA
OK, enough venting. What is the best fix for this? Is there a software setting or do I need to install a modified switch or what? Anyone done this to a 2015 Z06 manual yet?
TIA
I'd also like to know what people recommend as I too am being driven crazy by the skip shift. Sometimes I don't even realize it happens and then I shift from 4th to 3rd. I know, I know... I need to pay way more attention.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 90
My new Z06 is my first manual transmission Corvette, and I now feel the pain of everyone that has complained about the 1-4 skip shift "feature". Why GM puts this in the car, even to save a little money on a gas tax, is beyond me. It is the only horrible thing about the whole car. I've never had to suffer through this on any of my numerous other manual transmission cars.
OK, enough venting. What is the best fix for this? Is there a software setting or do I need to install a modified switch or what? Anyone done this to a 2015 Z06 manual yet?
TIA
OK, enough venting. What is the best fix for this? Is there a software setting or do I need to install a modified switch or what? Anyone done this to a 2015 Z06 manual yet?
TIA
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
I did find the $20 part from West Coast Corvettes, and that looks like what I need.
Has anyone installed this themselves? Do I need to buy jacking pucks to lift the car up to install it?
Any installation advice or comments from those that have done it welcomed.
That is the stupidest feature ever. I rarely hit if I accelerate briskly enough but it is really unsafe and startling when it does kick in. GM should at least disable the CAGS in "sport" mode.
Has anyone installed this themselves? Do I need to buy jacking pucks to lift the car up to install it?
Any installation advice or comments from those that have done it welcomed.
That is the stupidest feature ever. I rarely hit if I accelerate briskly enough but it is really unsafe and startling when it does kick in. GM should at least disable the CAGS in "sport" mode.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
True - and 95% of the time it is no problem. But every once in awhile, if I accelerate too slowly, the CAGS kicks in and dumps me into 4th when I want, and expect to be, in 2nd. This is downright dangerous in heavy traffic, as I tend to start off slowly, and then suddenly find myself in 4th when I want to actually slow down a little bit. It is the car doing what I don't expect at a critical moment that bothers me. I want to control the car, and have it do the same thing every time, not choose a gear I don't want. In heavy traffic I really do want 2nd, even if I'm not doing a jack rabbit start.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,403
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
The feature is there to save us GG tax as has already been mentioned. Spend the $20 and remove it if you don't want it. I prefer to ignore it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 565
From: Allen TX
1st mod I did on my C5 when I bought it new back in '02. Yes, it is terrible and just a PITA to drive around with it kicking in when you're not expecting it.
It can be done through tuning, but the $20 part is easy to install and you don't have to tune the car to use it.
Glad to hear you are happy with everything else about the car. Enjoy!
It can be done through tuning, but the $20 part is easy to install and you don't have to tune the car to use it.
Glad to hear you are happy with everything else about the car. Enjoy!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 84
From: Miami FL
So far, all I've seen is the message suggesting I shift to 4th from 1st but I ignore it and haven't had a shift forced on me. If it becomes a recurring problem, I'll just get the part but since I only drive in Sport mode, I may never have the issue.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,800
Likes: 59
From: Tellico Village, Tn
St. Jude Donor '08
I did find the $20 part from West Coast Corvettes, and that looks like what I need.
Has anyone installed this themselves? Do I need to buy jacking pucks to lift the car up to install it?
Any installation advice or comments from those that have done it welcomed.
That is the stupidest feature ever. I rarely hit if I accelerate briskly enough but it is really unsafe and startling when it does kick in. GM should at least disable the CAGS in "sport" mode.
Has anyone installed this themselves? Do I need to buy jacking pucks to lift the car up to install it?
Any installation advice or comments from those that have done it welcomed.
That is the stupidest feature ever. I rarely hit if I accelerate briskly enough but it is really unsafe and startling when it does kick in. GM should at least disable the CAGS in "sport" mode.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,741
Likes: 5,604
From: AZ
Once the engine is warm and the engine RPM are in a low range (1200-2400?) in first gear and you are using very light throttle, when you go to shift from 1st into 2nd, the skip-shift feature will lock out 2nd and have you go into 4th instead. This only happens under the right conditions and between something like 12 to 19 MPH. Actually if you know that is going to happen you can put it into 3rd rather than 4th, but not into 2nd.
Many will just say to drive aggressively enough so you don't encounter it. I did install the skip-shift eliminator as it happened just a few time to me in traffic and was very annoying, so I spent the 20 and installed the device myself.
Many will just say to drive aggressively enough so you don't encounter it. I did install the skip-shift eliminator as it happened just a few time to me in traffic and was very annoying, so I spent the 20 and installed the device myself.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 495
Likes: 43
From: Panama City Florida
I hate CAGS the most because of left hand turns through lights. Especially in the Z06, 1st is just too torque-y and short to be useful, so I OFTEN will try to shift into second as I turn through the light so I have a nice long pull available to me. Lo and behold, CAGS seems perfectly positioned to prevent this with frustrating regularity.
Next time the car goes on a lift, my CAGS eliminator is going on! Can't wait.
Next time the car goes on a lift, my CAGS eliminator is going on! Can't wait.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 9
From: Rockaway, NJ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
I bought mine from Southern Car Parts little less than 20.00. I always use one every since I had a solenoid hang and had to hold clutch in while I coasted over to side of road to restart, it keeps solenoid in.
z51vett
Doug
z51vett
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
CAGS was definitely more intrusive on my C5, but hardly noticeable on the C7.
Even when it engages, it does not force you to 4th. I found by just pausing a second or so, you can go ahead and shift to 2nd.
Even when it engages, it does not force you to 4th. I found by just pausing a second or so, you can go ahead and shift to 2nd.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 9
From: Rockaway, NJ
On the rare occasions it did happen to me, I just shifted into 3rd instead of second.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 95
From: Denver, NC
I bought the CAGS eliminator because I had it on my C6Z, but haven't installed it since CAGS seems to be less of an issue on the C7Z. Looks like installation requires removal of the aluminum brace plate to access the solenoid. I suggest using a lift or service pit to do the installation. I would not recommend trying to install the CAGS eliminator using a jack and jack stands.