Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - ADVICE PLEASE Missed 4th gear in three consequtive passes

z-u-later · 06-02-2002, 06:35 PM

Embarrasing as it is,I'll admit that I missed 4th gear(not 3rd but 4th w/the ripper) today on 3 passes in a row at the track!!

Needless to say I also was turning 2.22 and 2.02 60 ft times.My e.t.'s where all at 13.0 and 13.02.My launches where at 2200 rpm 2500 rpm w/26 # of rear tire pressure.

I've done 12.5 last week at this same track,without missing a gear,what do you think I did wrong or what is it that I'm doing to possibly miss 4th gear 3 times in a row?

All opinions would be appreciated..

06-02-2002, 06:50 PM

Troy...some days are just like that..don't sweat it.

I give you a lot of credit for last weeks times..this week..fooooorget abouuuut it!

Next week or the week after will be much better.

Good luck

JB

z-u-later · 06-02-2002, 06:59 PM

JB,
Thanx dude !
I will keep at it,however I'm wondering if anybody else has had this issue or was it just a bad day?

ZO6LS6 · 06-02-2002, 07:08 PM

zu, HOW are you holding the shifter, on the 3-4 shift?

NIB · 06-02-2002, 07:53 PM

dont look for third gear from second push forward dont move the shifter to the right. I did the same thing MISSED 3X on the way home from the track I could hit it every tome with this method. remember just shift up no movement to the right or left it will go into 3rd

06-02-2002, 08:11 PM

Troy, all kidding aside..when pushing the envelope harder and harder..no matter what you are attempting to do in life....you got to figure sometimes your going to go past the line..over the edge..and thats what I would say was happening..you were pumped and pushing the envelope for all its worth plus some. (and thats how you missed the shift) JMO I always figure no matter how good you are at something..you got to go over that edge sometimes in some ways .... to find the best way...Looking at your past performances..I'd suggest considering just taking it down a notch

This is just a guess on my part...as I've heard the ripper is a cool shifter for drag racing especially..

z-u-later · 06-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Z06LS6,
Good Point I think you may have just answered my question?

I'm gripping the shifter from the side it's an MGW.So it isposiible I'm going to far left which would bring me out of the 4th gear gate correct?

ZO6LS6 · 06-03-2002, 07:18 AM

z-u,
I had to learn a new way, to keep from POSSIBLY hitting 2nd from 3rd.......BAD JUJU...........

When coming from 3rd to 4th, have your hand FACING the shifter (from the drivers side) PALM side if you will........that way, when you come BACK to 4th, from 3rd, you only will come STRAIGHT back....do not wrap your hand around it, or have it on top......

Same for 1st to 2nd, except reverse palm positions......hand on passengers side( Palm facing you).

2nd to 3rd, palm ( on backside ) straight ahead from 2nd to third........

This is especially true when running at redline........
Be HAPPY you did not come back into 2nd.......sounds like you were real close to doing so...............

It took me a couple of thousand miles in my '01, to get to where I could have a GOOD shot of hitting 2nd to 3rd...strictly a shifter issue............
On the '02, nat a hiccup, or a single missed shift.........seems MUCH easier & tighter for me.................

ZO6/Les · 06-03-2002, 07:31 AM

Missing gears is like masturbation. There are two types of people - those that did it and those that lie about it

It sounds like you were trying too hard and pulling the shifter towards you instead of straight back. I move my hand (palm) to the top back of the shift knob after the 2-3 shift. Try different positions to see what works best for you.

Les

BAD 06 · 06-03-2002, 08:59 AM

Sounds like you know what you're doing. I bet your synchro for fourth is gone. Has it started grinding even during slow shifts? If not it will be soon, especially after last weekend.

Chad

PowerShifter · 06-03-2002, 11:11 AM

Hand position is important on the 3-4 shift for shure but there might be some thing else going on. I have found that changeing my clutch flued(in resovir) will help with the problem you describe. The more you understand the more choises you get. It works for me, try it before resulting damage requires mechanical repair. Ric

ZO6/Les · 06-03-2002, 11:35 AM

Good advise Ric. BTW you going to ZO6Fest? If I get to go I wouldn't mind lining up against you - would be fun. I haven't decided yet until an agenda comes out.

Les

Quote:

Originally posted by PowerShifter
Hand position is important on the 3-4 shift for shure but there might be some thing else going on. I have found that changeing my clutch flued(in resovir) will help with the problem you describe. The more you understand the more choises you get. It works for me, try it before resulting damage requires mechanical repair. Ric

z-u-later · 06-03-2002, 11:41 AM

POWERSHIFTER,
Do I just use the turkey baster method to empty the resevoir only,what fluid do I refill the resevoir with.
I beleive it's the smaller resevoir next to the brake fluid resevoir ,am I right?

z-u-later · 06-03-2002, 01:44 PM

This missing 3-4 shift does not occur on the street or during spirited driving,i think if the fluid or syncro's where bad it would occur constantly dont you think.

ZO6/Les · 06-03-2002, 01:51 PM

The stock fluid boils fairly easily in these cars - negatively affecting the clutch engagement. The heat would be greatest by the time you are shifting 3-4 which is Powershifter's point I believe. A syncro going bad would show up on the street too, especially if you are shifting fast like at the track. Putting in fluid with a higher boiling point is cheap insurance, though I still think it is how the car is being shifted.

Les

Quote:

Originally posted by z-u-later
This missing 3-4 shift does not occur on the street or during spirited driving,i think if the fluid or syncro's where bad it would occur constantly dont you think.