changing shifter
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,605
Likes: 2
From: Latrobe PA
changing shifter
Can anyone tell me the degree of difficulty? I want to change the shifter on my 2001 to a c6 style.
Is this something that should be left to the dealer or is it a relatively easy project?
Thanks for your help.
Is this something that should be left to the dealer or is it a relatively easy project?
Thanks for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
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From: I have to return some videotapes
I swapped out the stock one for a Kirban last year, and it was a really easy job. I was most concerned about remove/replace of the console, but it's just a few screws. The toughest part is getting the demon pin out of the stock shifter handle. Try searching for "shifter install" and you should find a good write up. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I changed mine to a C6 Z06 shifter and I am very pleased.
Very easy install. I followed the procedure by forum member patches. Linkey below:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
Very easy install. I followed the procedure by forum member patches. Linkey below:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Eads, Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Very easy install. Stay away from the dealers.
Look at the links in the following thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...C6+Z06+shifter
Look at the links in the following thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...C6+Z06+shifter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Demon Key Removal:
Using a suitable pair of Vise-grips, or facsimily, firmly lock pliers in place, slide large screw driver or bar through the jaw opening, and tap screwdriver from the bottom with a hammer, sharply, close to the pliers jaw. It'll take 5 or 6 good taps and the key pops right out, no biggie here.
Using a suitable pair of Vise-grips, or facsimily, firmly lock pliers in place, slide large screw driver or bar through the jaw opening, and tap screwdriver from the bottom with a hammer, sharply, close to the pliers jaw. It'll take 5 or 6 good taps and the key pops right out, no biggie here.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Scranton Pa.
Also, please take the advice given to stuff rags or something similar around the empty spaces by the shifter. If you drop a screw or bolt and it falls under the tube you will be pulling your hair out and calling yourself names for hours. I know it probably won't happen, but, trust me, it can.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Vancouver Washington
Originally Posted by Patches
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 109
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From: Enterprise AL
Just did it today and it would have taken me twenty minutes if it weren't for the demon pin and the fact that I had to go to Autozone for a T40 Torx Bit. So, assuming you have all the tools and patience with the damn demon pin, it is a very straightforward install.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: MI
Originally Posted by BobbyG
Demon Key Removal:
Using a suitable pair of Vise-grips, or facsimily, firmly lock pliers in place, slide large screw driver or bar through the jaw opening, and tap screwdriver from the bottom with a hammer, sharply, close to the pliers jaw. It'll take 5 or 6 good taps and the key pops right out, no biggie here.
Using a suitable pair of Vise-grips, or facsimily, firmly lock pliers in place, slide large screw driver or bar through the jaw opening, and tap screwdriver from the bottom with a hammer, sharply, close to the pliers jaw. It'll take 5 or 6 good taps and the key pops right out, no biggie here.
Last edited by 346sfi; Oct 15, 2006 at 09:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Photoguy -
10mm 6 point socket -
3/8 drive ratchet
6" extension
t15 torx
vice grips
large screwdriver
small prying instrument.
all the tools you need - follow the links listed above.
One thing I find makes the job a lot easier is to just pull the shifter out with the stock **** and boot in place - then hold it on a workbench , grip the demon key with the vice grips, and put a screwdriver in the gap in the jaws of the vice grips and then tap the key out by hitting the screwdriver shaft with the hammer -
Works great and no chance of damaging your interior since you are not even in it.
If your car is not brand new, you will probably find a lot of crap under the console, so having a vacuum nearby is a plus.
best regards -
mqqn
10mm 6 point socket -
3/8 drive ratchet
6" extension
t15 torx
vice grips
large screwdriver
small prying instrument.
all the tools you need - follow the links listed above.
One thing I find makes the job a lot easier is to just pull the shifter out with the stock **** and boot in place - then hold it on a workbench , grip the demon key with the vice grips, and put a screwdriver in the gap in the jaws of the vice grips and then tap the key out by hitting the screwdriver shaft with the hammer -
Works great and no chance of damaging your interior since you are not even in it.
If your car is not brand new, you will probably find a lot of crap under the console, so having a vacuum nearby is a plus.
best regards -
mqqn
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 3
From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by mqqn
Hi Photoguy -
10mm 6 point socket -
3/8 drive ratchet
6" extension
t15 torx
vice grips
large screwdriver
small prying instrument.
all the tools you need - follow the links listed above.
One thing I find makes the job a lot easier is to just pull the shifter out with the stock **** and boot in place - then hold it on a workbench , grip the demon key with the vice grips, and put a screwdriver in the gap in the jaws of the vice grips and then tap the key out by hitting the screwdriver shaft with the hammer -
Works great and no chance of damaging your interior since you are not even in it.
If your car is not brand new, you will probably find a lot of crap under the console, so having a vacuum nearby is a plus.
best regards -
mqqn
10mm 6 point socket -
3/8 drive ratchet
6" extension
t15 torx
vice grips
large screwdriver
small prying instrument.
all the tools you need - follow the links listed above.
One thing I find makes the job a lot easier is to just pull the shifter out with the stock **** and boot in place - then hold it on a workbench , grip the demon key with the vice grips, and put a screwdriver in the gap in the jaws of the vice grips and then tap the key out by hitting the screwdriver shaft with the hammer -
Works great and no chance of damaging your interior since you are not even in it.
If your car is not brand new, you will probably find a lot of crap under the console, so having a vacuum nearby is a plus.
best regards -
mqqn
Zuti
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Originally Posted by Zuti
mqqn knows what he's talking about. He did my car last week. About 20 minutes with the biggest issue being removal of the demon key, which as he mentioned was a two minute task by taking the whole stock shifter, boot and **** out and pulling the key with a vice grip, screwdriver, and hammer. Zuti
ZutiThanks Zuti!
Have fun tomorrow and think about running up to Cordova with us - I am taking a vid camera to tape the runs - I'll post and host all of them that I take -
best regards -
mqqn
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 3
From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by mqqn
Thanks Zuti!
Have fun tomorrow and think about running up to Cordova with us - I am taking a vid camera to tape the runs - I'll post and host all of them that I take -
best regards -
mqqn
Have fun tomorrow and think about running up to Cordova with us - I am taking a vid camera to tape the runs - I'll post and host all of them that I take -
best regards -
mqqn
Yea, I think I'm going to go. Also bringinh my video and digital and maybe a tripod. See ya Sunday. Zuti