Want your C5 to shift smoother?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Want your C5 to shift smoother? Here is some information for those interested in the “Antivenom’s shift mod” and the “shifter detent modification” used to make the neutral detent not so pronounced on the M6 and M12 transmissions.
It makes your standard transmission shift smoother.
SoonerZ06/RPO-Z06 and myself installed some spacer washers purchased from Ace Hardware (machine washers, 3/4"hole x 1-1/4”outside diameter x .045 and .072 thickness, 28-cents each) on the 6-speed transmission detent mechanism.
This detent device looks like a bolt with a 24mm head and a spring-loaded ball bearing on the threaded end. It threads into the passenger side of the transmission towards the back/rear and top, parallel to the ground. We used a deep 24mm socket and very short extension to remove the detent device without hitting the side of the transmission or the exhaust pipe with the ratchet handle. Nothing will leak or fall out when you remove it.
RPO_Z06’s ’01 Z06 only needed a .045 shim to make the shifts with the Breathless Performance shifter be smooth as silk. We also tried the .072 shim, but the feel was a little loose.
My ’02 Z06 with a B&M Ripper shifter was a different story. I installed the .072 shim first and it only made a slight difference. I added a .045 shim to the .072 and that helped, but the neutral detent was still more pronounced than RPO_Z06’s original stock shifter feel. I finally added another .045 shim for a total of .162. Although that seems like a lot compared to what others have used, apparently in some transmissions the detent ball really has a lot of preload in the notch in the shift linkage that needs to be adjusted for. I can still feel a little “notch” while passing thru neutral on a shift, but it is MUCH better than before the 5-minute “fix”.
It makes your standard transmission shift smoother.
SoonerZ06/RPO-Z06 and myself installed some spacer washers purchased from Ace Hardware (machine washers, 3/4"hole x 1-1/4”outside diameter x .045 and .072 thickness, 28-cents each) on the 6-speed transmission detent mechanism.
This detent device looks like a bolt with a 24mm head and a spring-loaded ball bearing on the threaded end. It threads into the passenger side of the transmission towards the back/rear and top, parallel to the ground. We used a deep 24mm socket and very short extension to remove the detent device without hitting the side of the transmission or the exhaust pipe with the ratchet handle. Nothing will leak or fall out when you remove it.
RPO_Z06’s ’01 Z06 only needed a .045 shim to make the shifts with the Breathless Performance shifter be smooth as silk. We also tried the .072 shim, but the feel was a little loose.
My ’02 Z06 with a B&M Ripper shifter was a different story. I installed the .072 shim first and it only made a slight difference. I added a .045 shim to the .072 and that helped, but the neutral detent was still more pronounced than RPO_Z06’s original stock shifter feel. I finally added another .045 shim for a total of .162. Although that seems like a lot compared to what others have used, apparently in some transmissions the detent ball really has a lot of preload in the notch in the shift linkage that needs to be adjusted for. I can still feel a little “notch” while passing thru neutral on a shift, but it is MUCH better than before the 5-minute “fix”.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Sorry, we didn't take any pictures.
The actual "click" into each gear doesn't change, but the detent click while shifting thru neutral is quite different and the tranny will be much smoother and faster.
Originally Posted by Greg Fell
Does it make the shifts into each gear easier as well?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Motor not running, put the shifter into neutral and shift between third and fourth gear. You should be able to feel the detent try to lock it in neutral as you pass thru the middle shift gate.
Some transmissions have more detent "feel" than others.
Some transmissions have more detent "feel" than others.
Trending Topics
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
I'm having issues with my 1st gear popping out into neutral while I'm starting to go from a dead stop, but only first gear (occasionally)! Do you think this mod would help that problem or does my issue sound more complicated?
I've already messed with the shifter, etc.
I've already messed with the shifter, etc.
