Stiff gear change

[Big Guns]

Hi all.Having just picked up my new 5.7 Monaro i fully expected a stiff gear change...very notchy.But this bugger is like a !Especially from cold start.Has anyone else experienced this and how long before it loosens?I have put 800 miles on the clock in a week!

[BigNige]

Yep, they all do it.
Reverse especially is a bast.

You'll find it loosens somewhat after about 5000miles and you'll also find that if you drive around town, getting it into first is notchy.
After a run though first is fine.

It isn't a good gearbox.

[ringram]

The box is a solid mutha and will take some abuse. Its used in the Viper afterall. (Well same model, slightly different bearings)
Monkfish changed mine to a redline oil and it definately has made it better. A new shifter will also make the shifts more positive and shorter.
Stock its got about 3 linkages in it, plus a rubber shaft to make it feel all floppy.

[P47ThBolt]

Ripshifter....nuff said!

[mose]

Rippy is a great bit of kit, but I still find gear change a nightmare, still very very stiff. Reverse is very hit and miss.

[stu harris]

They are a bit stiff on cold mornings....

However , it wll loosen up quite a bit with use. If its new and you're trying for reverse slot it into another gear first then try reverse , normal goes in with a metal on metal contact feel.

On gearchanges for the first few hundred miles you're much better off employing a lazy change as this will help it bed in quicker. Also long term try to ride the clutch as little as possible and make it a disengage/ engage action , this will also help reduce the change notchiness.

Fitting the Ripshifter improves the change no end and gives Tremec a heartattack on loadings etc but everyone seems happy so far.

Stu

[BigNige]

As they say, take away the pain but leave the stiffness.

errr...probably

[sid447]

Castrol Transmax Z,

Is also another option to help with this problem.
Mal Wood from www.malwoodauto.com.au/ who specializes in Tremec, only ever uses this oil.

[pomona]

Fitted Mal Wood Tremec C/R box & filled with Castrol Transmax.Found no difference than using Red Line.

[Big Guns]

Thanx all.I was tempted to take the mother back!Yeah reverse is a real pi**er!Hit 'n' miss is being kind.Still,you pay good money for a workout like that!My last 5 cars(4 jags and 1 merc) have all been auto(lazy git!)so I thought I'd lost the ability!!!Cheers again..Dave

[mrs rocket]

What are you on about you big bunch of girls blouses! I don't have any problem shifting, and I'm just a giiiiirrrl.
Ok, it's a little stiff when you first get it out, but selecting first before reverse helps.

mrs rocket

[sjc]

mrs rocket said:

. Ok, it's a little stiff when you first get it out, mrs rocket

[rocket]

mrs rocket said:

Ok, it's a little stiff when you first get it out...

errrrrrr....ok dear, I think we'll leave it there shall we.

And anyway, when can I have my bl**dy car back!?!

[ringram]

I find using a forward gear that goes in easy, then partially releasing the clutch to kind of roll forward a little then shifting quickly into reverse works well. Seems better if you are at a slight roll.

[BigNige]

ringram said:

I find using a forward gear that goes in easy, then partially releasing the clutch to kind of roll forward a little then shifting quickly into reverse works well. Seems better if you are at a slight roll.

I think the point is you shouldn't really have to.

This is 2006 not 1926 and gearboxes shouldn't be such hard work and not require £600 to be spent on a new shift mechanism just to get an acceptably smooth & sure change.

[sid447]

BigNige said:

I think the point is you shouldn't really have to. This is 2006 not 1926 and gearboxes shouldn't be such hard work and not require £600 to be spent on a new shift mechanism just to get an acceptably smooth & sure change.

You're right, compared to a ZF it's like something from off the farm; and who in their right mind puts reverse next to 5th instead of at the other end of the gate.

Pomona, Castrol was mentioned as an option, not as a comparison to some American offering.

[caspy]

BigNige said:

ringram said: I find using a forward gear that goes in easy, then partially releasing the clutch to kind of roll forward a little then shifting quickly into reverse works well. Seems better if you are at a slight roll. I think the point is you shouldn't really have to. This is 2006 not 1926 and gearboxes shouldn't be such hard work and not require £600 to be spent on a new shift mechanism just to get an acceptably smooth & sure change.

But i think they were designed and built in 1926!!!

[island boy hsv]

I don't understand, I have a 2001 HSV VX and have never had any problems selecting gear after installing my ripshifter and running redline gearbox oil. I must admit you have to let the Rip shifter bead in for a couple of hundered miles or so. But after that it should be fine.

[BigNige]

island boy hsv said:

I don't understand, I have a 2001 HSV VX and have never had any problems selecting gear after installing my ripshifter and running redline gearbox oil. I must admit you have to let the Rip shifter bead in for a couple of hundered miles or so. But after that it should be fine.

It's the standard linkage we're talking about on a std box with std oil.

Spend £600 on a Ripshifter & anopther £70 on Redline and yes, you will get a better change...and I would damn well hope so too.

But why should that be the owners that have to cure such "foibles"?

Don't get me wrong, I bought the car after a test drive and accepted that the box & clutch need a real mans touch to get the best out of them...I'd hestitate to say it's part of any "charm" but it certainly makes the car part of what it is, a muscle car.

[Big Guns]

Yeah me too.I had a three day extended loan during which I covered 200 miles.The box is tighter than an ducks arse on water though.I LOVE the car,it looks great,drives great and makes me laugh but that reverse is a real bitch.If it was a women....I would still marry it!