I took my Z28 to the Chev Dealer today. They said the growl/whine from the T-56 on cold days is due to a bad throw-out bearing. O.K. makes sense I said, what about the not being able to down shift from 6th to 5th. He's not sure. I watch them pull the shifter out. Looks fine, all it is a big bearing with a ball/pin underneath to the trans link. Maybe something in the T-56 is bad?
So let me throw a few questions out. What else should be replaced with the throw-out bearing. I have heard that warranty clutch jobs get a Z06 clutch is that true or B/S! Last question short of the bearing diameter being smaller on any after market shifter (smaller throw)
I can't see how it would be better? More positive? Ron

 

Mine has always been extemely notchy. Even right off the showroom floor I noticed it. We all know what the salesman said right? "It just needs to be broke in. It'll loosen up." Of course it's still the same today with 15,000 miles. I've kinda gotten used to it though. It's the SLP Hurst option shifter.

I've always suspected the throwout bearing as the culprit. But I've never been able to get any hard info on a TSB or anything. But from what I've heard, (not confirmed) the 02 has the Z06 clutch and pressure plate. I think the slave and master cylinder are different as well. They have a longer range of movement than the older stock ones. The big difference is a higher amount of pressure being applied to the clutch disks on the Z06. So my theory is that the throwout bearing might be the older stock part and not the Z06 bearing. Perhaps it can't handle the added pressures being applied due to the Z06 pressure plate.

When I open my door and push the clutch in, it's pretty quiet. If I then release the clutch in neutral, I can hear the transmission growling and rattling. It's been this way since new and never gotten any worse. And my experience with dealer service leads me to believe that it would come back worse than before if I took it in for service.

So I'll wait for it to blow up and get a new transmission maybe.

 

I have to strongly disagree with the post that you should stick with the stock shifter and 'spend your hard earned money' on an aftermarket shifter. If I could do it again, I would get a shifter as my first mod. Once you do it you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The OEM shifter just plain sucks. I had a ripper, and loved it, but also have heard great things about the Pro 5.0. Stay away from the Hurst's. I have felt them all, the SLP one ($100 one) (same as the factory option hurst), and the Billet Plus, and they both feel spongy and not nearly as solid as a Ripper. Good luck