C4 Crunch

[PATTERNPART]

Hello

I'm thinking about purchasing a manual C4. I've had a brief test drive and the gearchange was rather cumbersome compared to what I am used to. (Mazdas) Do I understand that there's some sort of built in system that makes the box go from 1st to 4th regardless? Also, should it go smoothly into reverse and stay there without the driver's hand in place?

Regards

[BLUETHUNDER]

The system you are talking about CAGS. was only available on the C6 onwards.

[SeeFive]

BLUETHUNDER said:

The system you are talking about CAGS. was only available on the C6 onwards.

CAGS on is on C5s actually... Maybe c4 too. Mine is bypassed with the the harness adapter.

I would suggest that if it does not hold in a gear without your hand, reverse included, there is a fault. Can't comment on feel of the C4 box as I have not driven one, but the C5 is rightly described as feeling as heavy as a Victorian signal box, especially with my short shifter.

Edited by SeeFive on Monday 12th May 16:32

[V8 YEA]

C4 had also CAGS.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Thanks for the correction.

[ZR1cliff]

I've had CAG's disabled on my C4 ZR-1.

Plus you shouldn't have to hold any gear stick in reverse.

[Gixer]

What C4 is it? Manual box changed at some point. If its a Nash 4+ they were troublesome. If its a six speed, then it's a ZF and is one of the best gearboxes ever made and was also used in AM, Lotus Carlton and De Tomaso to name a few.... And yes it came win cags. 2 sec job to unplug.

[cwiklab]

I may not understand what you're saying properly, but if I do, no, you don't have to hold a manual C4 in reverse. There's a circle lip below the shifer head that you just pull up on with two fingers and that allows the shifer to go into reverse, and it will stay there without you having to hold it the whole time. At least that's the way it works on my father's 94 C4 that I've driven a few times.

[Gixer]

The lifter on the shifter is only on the earlier ZF's. The later ones didn't have it. What year C4 is it? Could be a Nash if an early car. Should certainly not have to hold it in reverse.

The ZF was 'filled for life' lol. If its not had a fluid change, it will be crying out for one. It takes engine oil not gearbox oil. Castrol TWS 10/60 fully syn. Available from any BMW dealer as its M5 oil

[PATTERNPART]

Thanks for the info. It's a 1999 six-speeder. Selecting reverse certainly seemed to be a problem.

[Gixer]

That makes it a C5 and I believe that's a tremec gear box. I think they are a bit notchy and don't like being hurried (when compared to a ZF anyway).

[PATTERNPART]

You are right. What a plum! C5

[Gixer]

In that case it should hold reverse, they are a bit notchy (not helped by the fact there's a linkage to the back as its transaxle) and it may well still have cags.

[V10 BAT]

Hey guys
I would say it will be the reverse gear and / or syncro ,IF you have to hold the shifter to stop it popping out while reversing .

It`s at the end of the shaft so a bit easier to replace without getting right into the box .

Cheers

[SeeFive]

I'd love to offer my Tremec T56 which is sitting in my garage but it would not help. It has reverse, but not 3rd or 5th.

It is true that these boxes do not like being rushed. After cooking my brakes at silly track speeds, I ended up rushing mine a little too much to wipe speed off. Lost 5th completely and 3rd had a slow synchro already.

Good news was that I got one out of a 20,000 miler with a write off front corner with a Getrag LSD still attached for £850, Pig to fit though without a gearbox jack...

Does reverse have a synchro Dave? I must get around to taking mine apart one day

Edited by SeeFive on Wednesday 14th May 00:17

[rubyragtop]

PATTERNPART said:

Hello

I'm thinking about purchasing a manual C4. I've had a brief test drive and the gearchange was rather cumbersome compared to what I am used to. (Mazdas) Do I understand that there's some sort of built in system that makes the box go from 1st to 4th regardless? Also, should it go smoothly into reverse and stay there without the driver's hand in place?

Regards

The reverse gear on my 2001 manual can mimic your problem, but only if I am imprecise with the move into reverse. If I ensure that the lever is pushed fully home into reverse position, it stays in place. If rushed or not fully pushed forward, it can pop out. As mentioned, this could be due to the adjustment of the linkage from the lever to the gearbox at the rear. I see it as my mistake due to rushing :-)