i recently bought a '00 z28 6 sp, 44k all stock besides air lid, cat back and skip shift eliminator. the owner before me took good care of the car it was garage kept, he said he never dumped the clutch or slipped it to launch it was his second car. i believe him b/c of how clean the car is and the tranny mount isn't torn at all and looks factory. once in a while i will put my foot on the clutch to put it in 1st and when i push into first it grinds (goes in tho) i ruled out it being me not puttin the clutch to the floor it will grind with foot on the floor and a slow push into first. i nailed it in 5th and it doesn't slip so i don't think its a clutch issue. he never changed the tranny fluid so i'm gonna do it soon, any suggestions on what fluid to use? has anyone else had this problem? please let me know (when it doesn't grind it shifts very smooth and i doubt the trans has been damaged clutch still engages smoothly too

 

A few things come to mind. The clutch may not be releasing fully, (low fluid level, air in system, bad master or slave cylinder, stuff uder clutch pedal). Also, synchros may be bad, improper transmission fluid level or type, shift likage probelms. I am sure there are more.

 

To answer one of your questions, your manual trans uses Dexron III automatic trans fluid. I've had that grinding happen to me, and it was just the gear oil/fluid in need of a change. If your fluid is low or broken down, the lessened resistance could allow the gears in the trans to "free-wheel" a little longer after disengaging the clutch, and then give you a "crunch" when putting it in gear. As a test, try giving it more time by holding the clutch pedal down for a few or more seconds, and then put it in gear.

 

cool thanks i will try changing the fluid in the trans and in the clutch line, thats what i thought about the dIII fluid i think thats what it says on the side of the trans i haven't looked recently. also i've heard good things about the GM sycromesh trans additive, anyone use that? im gonna look into it, i did think that about the trans spinning down, but i didn't think that old fluid that is less viscous would cause that, its def time for a change tho, thanks for the help