C6 Shifter Review
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
C6 Shifter Review
First let me say thanks to Patches for his threads regarding shifter installs and specifically the thread below on the C6 shifter in a C5.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1022661
To start, I'll say that this is a very very easy mod to do. Infact my 8 year old did about 75% of the job himself...
In my opinion this is mod that does have enough value in and of itself to warrent the purchase. In my opinion the throws are significantly shorter than a stock C5 shifter and somewhat shorter than a C5 shifter that has been cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The biggest gain comes from the angle of the C6 shaft as the shifter **** now falls readily to hand and is way less of a reach for the forward gears. As Patches noted the 1st 3rd and 6th shift are more easily attained due to the angled back nature of the shaft. I also feel that the C6 unit is more percise feeling and it is easier to find the right gear (not that I had a problem before)
I would have to say that it is not a mechanical advantage though, because to my eye, there is no difference in the C5 and C6 base. It would more likely be a result of the canted shaft and how it falls to hand. I would say that there is no difference in the "notchy" feel from one unit to the next...The shifter **** itself is a far better **** in my opinion, as it rests comfortably in hand and does not have that awkward shape/feel to it. In that respect it feels like is is part of the shaft (which it pretty much is) as opposed to just sitting on top of the shaft like the stocker...I could not get the boot to fully wrap itself around the base of the C6 shifter, as it has a wedge shape lip on it and it seems like any more forcing would tear the seams of the leather, although I am sure it would go on if I worked at it a little more, however it sounds like a great excuse to start the interior leather treatment with a new shift boot to me...
As Patches stated in his write up, this is not a Hurst/B&M type change in the shifter action. For those of you who are looking for that type of shifter action, I would tell you this mod is not going to give you what you are looking for.
For those of you who are looking for a significantly better acting and feeling shifter, that has much better ergonomics and feel to it than the stocker, I would say that it would be money well spent to do the swap out...
Peace
Willfulone
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1022661
To start, I'll say that this is a very very easy mod to do. Infact my 8 year old did about 75% of the job himself...
In my opinion this is mod that does have enough value in and of itself to warrent the purchase. In my opinion the throws are significantly shorter than a stock C5 shifter and somewhat shorter than a C5 shifter that has been cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The biggest gain comes from the angle of the C6 shaft as the shifter **** now falls readily to hand and is way less of a reach for the forward gears. As Patches noted the 1st 3rd and 6th shift are more easily attained due to the angled back nature of the shaft. I also feel that the C6 unit is more percise feeling and it is easier to find the right gear (not that I had a problem before)
I would have to say that it is not a mechanical advantage though, because to my eye, there is no difference in the C5 and C6 base. It would more likely be a result of the canted shaft and how it falls to hand. I would say that there is no difference in the "notchy" feel from one unit to the next...The shifter **** itself is a far better **** in my opinion, as it rests comfortably in hand and does not have that awkward shape/feel to it. In that respect it feels like is is part of the shaft (which it pretty much is) as opposed to just sitting on top of the shaft like the stocker...I could not get the boot to fully wrap itself around the base of the C6 shifter, as it has a wedge shape lip on it and it seems like any more forcing would tear the seams of the leather, although I am sure it would go on if I worked at it a little more, however it sounds like a great excuse to start the interior leather treatment with a new shift boot to me...
As Patches stated in his write up, this is not a Hurst/B&M type change in the shifter action. For those of you who are looking for that type of shifter action, I would tell you this mod is not going to give you what you are looking for.
For those of you who are looking for a significantly better acting and feeling shifter, that has much better ergonomics and feel to it than the stocker, I would say that it would be money well spent to do the swap out...
Peace
Willfulone
Last edited by CCA Corvette Parts; Feb 27, 2005 at 01:45 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Great review and great to see kids involved in our passion with the Vette. 
Patches, saw your original post, great job.
Patches, saw your original post, great job.
Last edited by Target Chaser; Feb 27, 2005 at 02:50 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Excellent review and definitely mirrored my feelings of the C6 shifter. I agree that the improvements were due to the improved positioning due to the angling of the shaft, the 1" shorter shaft and the much better ****.
You did post better install pics with your eight-year-old son doing the install though. Did he get to take a test drive also?
Nice work.
You did post better install pics with your eight-year-old son doing the install though. Did he get to take a test drive also?
Nice work.
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Can we see pics of the completed job
Peace
Willfulone
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Thread Starter
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Originally Posted by Neablas
so easy an 8 year old can do it.
... lol .. nice.
... lol .. nice.
Peace
Willfulone
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Maybe we Hurst shifter guys should heat up the shafts and put an angle in them. Just a thought. I'll be checking out the angle the next time I get in. 
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Thanks for the great report. As an FYI, the BPP angled shifter has 16 possible positions, including those on either side of the lever, angled towards you or away from you (while on either side of the shaft), and many different variations of forward or rearward spacing. In other words, if that shifter doesn't fit you, nothing will!
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See? C5 Gen remains true to it's soul. Learned a lot with these threads tonight
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Nice review and thanks for sharing your experience. Looks like your son really enjoyed working on the car.
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Originally Posted by AdamC5
Very nice review and information! Would love to see pics of the completed job
I figured out the boot thing...just flipped it inside out, pushed the bottom og the **** threw the top of the neck...flippid it back right side up and then put it back on...
Peace
Willfulone
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From: Jackson MI
After driving a C6 there were several items I really liked (not the styling). I just loved the way the shifter fell in my hands and wondered if it would fit on my C5. After all the mods I did, I just never like the choices available to change out my shifter. Thanks to Patches and Bob at Fitchners, I now have a C6 shifter in the mail.
While I still have more HP than a C6, the new Z06 with the top cut off is in my future. Till then.......thanks for all the info on the new C6 shifter as it will help me wait till the new Super Vette becomes available.
While I still have more HP than a C6, the new Z06 with the top cut off is in my future. Till then.......thanks for all the info on the new C6 shifter as it will help me wait till the new Super Vette becomes available.
