camaro 22

Do lt1 z28's not have a 1st gear on an auto shifter? On my auto 97rs vert, my shifter is P R N @ D 2 1. On the 97 z28 parts car i just bought with auto, the console doesn't have 1st gear.

shoebox

That means your parts car came equipped with 2.73 rear end gears. First gear was made non-manually selectable on those so equipped.

camaro 22

Thank you for the reply. Yes according to the code, it did come with 2:73 gears, but the previous owner said, the first owner before him told him that he put new gears in being either 3:42 or 3:73. Said he can't remember for sure. If I keep my console with my 1st gear, will there be a 1st gear to use that way? If not, then I might as well use the parts car's console then, right? Thanks again.

Shawn

shoebox

You can just swap the plate that has the indicator in it. The shifter in the car with the 2.73s has a little plastic block on it that keeps you from pulling the lever into first. All you have to do is cut that block out with a sharp tool or hacksaw blade. It will then be like the "normal" shifter.

camaro 22

Great, thanks shoebox

BigBlue95Z

What is the reasoning for that??? Or is that just the way they wanted it.....more $$ for the 3.32 upgrade to hold 1st?

shoebox

It was to meet a drive-by noise requirement when the cars were being certified. The 2.73 equipped cars would not meet the requirement when held in first gear, so they just locked it out to satisfy the gov't test.

BigBlue95Z

F'n gov't. They gotta spoil all the fun!!!