track day problems, 4th to 5th

[zr1343]

I had her at VIR and had a problem with up shifting to 5th. 5000 to 5500 in 4th trying to shift to 5th and she would not go. It was like CAGs or something was blocking me. No grinding or anything , she simply would not go into 5th. Sometimes I could get her into 6th. Once in the high gears, downshifting was no problem. Double clutching did not help. I remember running C5s at a school there and we had to hesitate slightly from 4th to 5th orit would bind also. Different animal but same symtom.Any ideas?
She also developed a popping at 5000 in 4th. Sounded like at my feet- maybe exhaust leak or cats popping or spark issue.
Exhaust is Corsa. All else stock.

[Hammer]

Sorry, I can't help, but would recommend giving Bill Boudreau a call. Look his number up on his website. I have no doubt he could help.

Never driven VIR, but watched plenty of footage. Is there a need to go into 5th gear, or is staying in 4th a possibility?

Any issues driving on the street going into 5th, or is this a track only occurrence?

[tccrab]

If I were a gambling man, I'd bet that your 5/6 gear synchros are nearing the end of their life.
Call Bill Boudreau:
http://www.zfdoc.com/

TomC

[Aurora40]

Wow man, with stock gears, running out of 4th is like 150mph! I can't say I've ever had to shift to 5th from a high rpm.

[Kevin]

the question I have is why you're shifting at 5500...

however it does sound like a syncro issue

[zr1343]

VIR can be done with 4th but she is winding. Temps get high for oil. I have seen 270 with air temp around 100. She my baby and I am learning so I don't stress her too much.
130-135 mph back stretch and I want a little 5th. Then you got to have brakes that will hang around.
Boudreau responded and needs more info.
Cooler today and she did fine in everyday traffic.
I wonder if I am just getting the shifter in a bind.???
Popping may be ignition coil giving up in the heat.????

Thanks for advice and comments

[tccrab]

At those speeds it may be a binding that you are experiencing, but maybe not he binding that you're expecting.
Does your shifter tend to lift at higher RPM's?
Do you have Bill B.'s beam plates installed?
Are you *SURE* that you're driveline/transmission/rearend are in exact alignment?
Do you hear or feel a buzzing in the cockpit at really high rpm's (other than the engine)?
Get under the car and check to torque on the "C-Beam" bolts.

If you get enough transmission movement at speed/max RPM's, it could just be that you're shifter is lifting and binding on side of the shifter hole.

It's a WAG (Wild Azzed Guess) but it is a possibility.

TomC

[rkreigh]

doubt it's the syncs as the 5th gear syncs don't get loaded too much

my bet is that the shifter is binding up. still stock shifter?

also make sure the clutch is releasing. the hydraulics often get hot and you aren't getting the clutch to allow the shift

bleed it with fresh fluid, and make sure the lines aren't too close to the exh

strange that it would be fifth.

My hurst is balky going into 1st sometimes and feels "blocked" as you describe!

[gbrtng]

or maybe just add fluid to the clutch master.