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Howdy,
The folks over on the Z06 side are saying one should manually shift to keep the revs up to get a better engine sound. So in preparation I configured Z mode on the Stingray & put it in manual mode. What a blast!
I had not done much paddle shifting previously so it took a minute to get used to it. Much different from my H pattern cars. Of course with the shift setting all the way to the right one can click off some really quick gear changes. It idoes feel odd that it will downshift on its own to keep from lugging the engine.
I've been playing with the paddle shifters in sport mode just to get the feel of it and I enjoy dropping a couple gears to get the revs up and hear the tone (Z-51 coupe).
When you hit the gas in the higher rpms the torque and power is quite impressive and the car has instantaneous acceleration. .
I cannot imagine what a Z-06 must be like.
All my sports cars back to 1988 including an 01 C5 andna 14 C7 were manuals. Some of my daily drivers too. In my 23 C8 I just let the computer do its thing. I've tried the paddle shifters and they are just not the same experience. They are their own thing. If I want to keep the revs up, I just put it in Z mode and press the go pedal harder. I have all the bars for Z mode pulled all the way to the right.
I used "D" and let the car shift during the break-in because I did not want any "mistakes". I also use D Touring when sightseeing. However recently I have found some less-used mountain roads fairly close by and now switch to M as soon as away from traffic. My manual shift point is about 4000 RPM but I am also really happy the car will take over when required. Almost impossible to screw up.
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Another feature of driving in Manual Mode is the car won't switch from V8 to V4 because Active Fuel Management is turned off. That may or may not be a benefit, depending upon your point of view.
I drive in M mode 100% of the time. As soon as I put it in Drive I click M! Not quite as fun as a true manual, but much more fun than I thought it would be.
I drive in M mode 100% of the time. As soon as I put it in Drive I click M! Not quite as fun as a true manual, but much more fun than I thought it would be.
My use of the paddles is conditional. In town, if I'm the lead I'll be in M. If I'm behind a bunch of other cars it goes back to D. Getting onto the Freeway (side note here FREEWAY not TOLLWAY) I use the paddles, but leave it it in D. Once up and cruising D, (I hate having it in 8th, need to ZIP, hit the pedal and forget I'm in M and have it NOT downshift). On the back roads, getting into the twisties, back to M. ..
TLDR. No one setting is correct (for me) at all times.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by randyfl
Will that lock into the desired gear or will the trans still shift before the rev limiter is hit?
If you are in Manual, it will hold the gear and bang the rev limiter. It will not upshoft until you command it to. When I got my 23 Stingray, I tried the various shift modes in auto, bu none of the satisfied me, so I switched to using Manual all the time. It’s even better doing this with the Z06.
For those periodically using "M", I am curious about your RPM shift points. I like to be around 4000 and up to 4500 to shift.
I had a 2004 GTO with the 6spd man. For relaxed driving I got used to 3000 rpm shift point. I like to shift the same in the C8 for in town with the car in TOUR Manual mode. Spirited driving is around 4500-5000.
For the race driver feel…Z MODE with 5500-6000 shift points when on a nice windy country road.
If you are in Manual, it will hold the gear and bang the rev limiter. It will not upshoft until you command it to. When I got my 23 Stingray, I tried the various shift modes in auto, bu none of the satisfied me, so I switched to using Manual all the time. It’s even better doing this with the Z06.
My understanding is if you are in permanent manual mode (used the M button) it will bounce off the rev limiter. If you are in temporary manual mode (pulled the paddle while in drive mode) it will shift to the next gear at readline.
My understanding is if you are in permanent manual mode (used the M button) it will bounce off the rev limiter. If you are in temporary manual mode (pulled the paddle while in drive mode) it will shift to the next gear at readline.
Yes it does say that.
"If upshifting does not occur when necessary in Manual Paddle Shift mode, vehicle speed is limited to protect the engine. When inTemporary Manual Paddle Shift mode, the transmission will automatically upshift if the accelerator pedal is pressed all the way to the floor."
But then, later it also says this:
"Manual Paddle Shift can be used with cruise control. See Cruise Control 0 211. At maximum engine speed (rpm), auto-shifts will occur after a specified time period to protect the engine."
I take this to mean even if in manual mode, if one tries to run at maximum RPM too long, it will eventually shift up. I have never tested that.
From: PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work.
Originally Posted by Jettcity1
I've been playing with the paddle shifters in sport mode just to get the feel of it and I enjoy dropping a couple gears to get the revs up and hear the tone (Z-51 coupe).
When you hit the gas in the higher rpms the torque and power is quite impressive and the car has instantaneous acceleration. .
I cannot imagine what a Z-06 must be like.
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