Standard transmissions; my impressions on my first run / thoughts
- Thread starter schoi
- Start date
imported_memnuts
New member
Polaris said:
Z28's and SS come standard with 4 spd automatics ( I have the optional 3.23 gearing) or 6 spd manuals. Your choice.:xyxthumbs .
I have 4 cars with manual that I do not drive and since I drive the Z28 convertible about 2000 miles a year I prefer not to deal with shifting manually. My previous small displacement engined cars and trucks were all manual ( VW Bettle, TR-6, Rx7, BMW 320i, Acura Legend and Jeep J-series x2)
Mod's on the Z28 are mild but very effective. Believe it or not the the most important mod's were done on the suspension ( shocks, springs( modified SLP's - dropped 1.5"), LCA's (lower control arms), convertibles come standard with stiffen bodies, and of course tires ( 255x16x50 Firehawks vs standard 245's Goodyear). All of this plus engine fine tuning ( re-cal'd ECM), under-chassis ram air, 4" exhaust into FlowMaster 50 all contribute to increased hp and the "fun" factor without needing to shift gears. All added to increase grip and power at launch and decreased 0 - 60 E.T. :xyxthumbs :wavey
Abercrombie2582,
I hope you and your GF are okay.
. This may be irrelevant now since the Z is damaged but she/you should look into that shifting problem (lag).
Does not sound normal. Sounds like potential transmission problems. How many miles on this vehicle? If you are talking about manually shifting the automatic than that's another story and wasted effort. To max out each gear all one needs to do is mat it and the computer will out shift you any day. By manually shifting a 4E60L you are adding in another analytical step for the ECM >> lag.
:nixweiss Done worry you will not be bored. Just keeping that car under your control will give you enough "driving" excitment.:wavey
In reality I love both. I wish they made a real manual / automatic. This would include a clutch that would be used when manually shifting. Heaven:xyxthumbs
imported_memnuts
New member
Polaris said:
Never dyno'd. Stock 285hp/325 tq. Believe it or not but those numbers are great for bragging rights ( look at all the outragous hp commercials on TV now) but the total package ( suspension, engine ( hp and tq), gearing and DRIVER = real performance.
This engine ( LT1 ) would pale verses my 396 and 502 and even the 350cc/ 350hp 67 RS SS Camaro. Why bother, this small ( relative ) would need deeper mod's for that kind of hp and raw torque.
"Horsepower numbers for show Torque to go.":xyxthumbs
Polaris, Beautiful Car. Black Vette C5:bow :bow :bow :bow
switerajaya
New member
Well, let me chime in... This is my 2nd 'vette. Both have been 6 speeds, would not have it any other way. I have driven auto 'vettes that were friends cars but it was not the same. Yes, they are still very fast and very quick off the line. But there is nothing like third gear chirps with a V8. When you do find an open road, or deserted street and decide to really launch a 6 sp vette. You will light up the tires and kick sideways a bit, you'll get another milder kick and scratch when you hit 2nd and if you hit it just right you can get scratch in 3rd gear. Now, I am not suggesting you go out and race on city streets. I am indicating you won't have to because most other car drivers will recognize and you won't have to do the "exhibition of speed". You'll just be sitting there in your shiney vette, smiling...
hondaguy2582
New member
blkz28convert, the car is a 1998 camaro z28 convert(310 hp) that has never been waxed, not taken that good of care, and its a lease(i have no clue why my gfs dad decided to lease the car since it just sits in the winter pretty much without any kind of winterization). The damage to the front fender, door, and hood cost about 4 grand which got fixed in about 2 weeks, so it looks better now then before. Now on regards to the automatic, i just don't like how it shifts when you step on the gas at all bc it delays a lot b4 engaging, but im sure thats bc her dad doesn't take care of it at all. I would never shift an automatic into the lower gears and such, thats just dumb and i could blow that transmission. Their was a 6 speed firehawk that i was in a year and a half ago, and my friend took it up to 70 down a sub(don't ask, i know its dangerous and id never do it). That car was fast as heck, and ever since that, ive always dreamed of getting a ws6 or ss camaro with a 6 speed, then theirs a z06
If it were an suv, then yeah id get an auto, but if its a car, i prefer a stick.
If it were an suv, then yeah id get an auto, but if its a car, i prefer a stick.
hondaguy2582
New member
oh i will add, my gfs z28 is a horrible ride, it definitely needs suspension mods bc the ride is so stif.
That's the idea. One of the interesting things about these cars (and this was mentioned at the dealership) is that there is nothing to prove. Everyone knows that Corvettes are fast. That doesn't mean I need to run absolutely everyone off the line, you know? Besides, that's just retarded. <<<not a big street racing fan
That's true, six speeds definitely have their merits (or any stick for that matter), but like I said, no complaints here!
:up
That's true, six speeds definitely have their merits (or any stick for that matter), but like I said, no complaints here!
:up
imported_memnuts
New member
Abercrombie2582 said:
Abercrombie,
I totally agree. That is why I probably only drive Z28 2000 miles a year. My wife refuses to drive it ( laying down driving position, ultra sensitive steering response, convertible has HUGE blind spots, throttle response is instantaneous ( requires sensitive toe acceleration or you are receiving a "Illegal Demostration of Acceleration" ticket
) and when the top is down messes up her hair 
.Definitely not something I would want to drive everyday. But when I do pull her out with all of her requirements to drive. I get
:bounce . Yes, if I knew that I would be driving her as little as I do I would have gotten a 6-speed. Matting her and listening to the automatic power up-shifts is also fun. Especially if you are not careful the rear-end sometimes steps out at both 2nd and 3rd upshifts.
The real fun is when I pull the Z28 502cc (500 hp). A chirp is nice and cute at 70 but to lay a patch ( not for you Polaris, I have been drive twice as long as you been alive) is just plain OUTRAGEOUS!!!:shocked
switerajaya
New member
Hey, let's see more of that bad a$$ ride. Don't tease with that measley pic. Show us the car!! 
imported_memnuts
New member
Pecs_McCoy said:Hey, let's see more of that bad a$$ ride. Don't tease with that measley pic. Show us the car!!
LMAO :xyxthumbs
I am at work. This pix was on file here. Actually, this is my next project when funds / time present themselves. Change her from a straight maniac to a curve carver. Suspension make-over for autocrossing and hopefully run road coarses (VIR less than 15 miles from our house). Members can run laps.
My retirement "golf game" is going to the race track and doing laps. For those who have not run autocrosses may see this as boring, but there is nothing ( IMO no sex comments, please
) more pleasurable than improving one time around a course. After each lap you analysize your performance and try to correct the faults and improve upon the good points. This is my retirement dream.
imported_memnuts
New member
The good stuff is in the garage.
lmao that kinda got to me for a second there... until I realized that you're probably right!
Might I just ask, though, what's wrong with doing that kinda stuff on an empty, straight road (like back roads)? If I did it at all, it would be pretty rare.
< Not stupid :xyxthumbs
(edit: you posted before me. Nice car(s)!)
imported_memnuts
New member
Polaris said:
Polaris I was not discounting your driving skills but...
First of all, the Z28 502 has a old fashion "live" axle after market Posi-Trac rear-end that can handle this type of abuse (Vette independent rear-end).
Secondly, because I was "stupid" and did this doesn't mean you should repeat my act.
Thirdly, unless you know the vehicle's handling characteristics ( sudden traction induced oversteer) extremely well this can be extremely dangerous at 70 mph. :wavey
hondaguy2582
New member
sigh, i wish my dad would have kept his dark blue 67 pontiac gto 400 cu in, it was such a nice car. 4 speed and everything, it hauled some @$$
4 speed and everything, it hauled some @$$imported_memnuts
New member
Abercrombie2582 said:sigh, i wish my dad would have kept his dark blue 67 pontiac gto 400 cu in, it was such a nice car.
'67 GTO:bow :bow :bow :bow
I love the cars of my early teens (mid 60's up). Brings back fond memories. When cars were cars and not computers.:wavey
blkZ28Conv said:
Oh, well, I know you weren't. But you're right in that there is no substitute for experience, right? It's just that some of us seem to ... "gain more" in the same amount of time as others. Dunno if you know what I mean by that.
And I wasn't really planning to get all crazy at 70 mph. If I ever did that, it would be in a large, unobstructed area with no obstacles and for the purpose of getting some at the limit experience. You know how some people take their cars to empty parking lots and such to feel out ABS stops, slides in the snow, skids / loss of control, etc.? Same idea.
:xyxthumbs
imported_memnuts
New member
Congrats again Polaris on the Valedictorian and Vette
Enjoy that beautiful car and the joy of accomplishment and recognition of hard work. Now work hard in college so that you can do for your future family what your parents have done for you.
Also have some fun doing it ( college and Vette).:xyxthumbs :wavey
Enjoy that beautiful car and the joy of accomplishment and recognition of hard work. Now work hard in college so that you can do for your future family what your parents have done for you.
Also have some fun doing it ( college and Vette).:xyxthumbs :wavey