I just got my first C5 the other day a bone stock six-speed light pewter 00 convertible with 47.000 miles on it. My question is what do you guys think about the stock shifter. Is it that junky or is it just me. Yesterday after I thought I had gotten the hang of it I took a friend out for a demonstration. Talk about embarrasing not to mention down right hard on the equipment I missed fourth gear by down-shifting into second. Now I'm in no way a novice in the art of banging gears being 47 I've had a few fast cars over the years with standards and I haven't broke one yet. Any way the Vette survived my stupidity and it's okay but what about the quality of the stock shifter.

 

Well congrats on the new car and not breaking it yet. A lot of people are upgrading to the new C6 shifter but I'm not sure if that'll help you make it into the right gear. Good luck with the car and try to take it easy on her until you get used to it.

 

I've got the B+M Shifter on my Z06 which is very notchy. Am going to go for the 2008 C6 shifter which appears to be much smoother. The throw is longer but I'm sure I can cope with that.

 

stock shifter is OK, nothing special. mine likes to get stuck when I'm trying to downshift. ticks me off sometimes! I hear changing your tranny fluid to a good synthetic oil may make shifting easier.

 

Replace your trannie, dif and clutch fluid (a C6Z06 shifter helps a lot too).

 

I've not had any real problems with my stock shifter, but a number of owners have put in the C6 shifter and reported that the shifting is much better. Might be an option if you don't care for the stock one.

 

The stock shifter sucks. What you need to do is buy an C6 Z06 shifter from the GMPARTWAREHOUSE (Gene) who is a forum sponsor and do the anti-venom mod, which will reduce the tension of the detente bolt for the shifting rod.

Look here for more info.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1464382

 

If you missed 4th and shifted into 2nd instead, perhaps someone already did the antivenom mod. I currently have the stock shifter (with no antivenom mod) and going from 3rd to second is no accident.

My C6Z shifter in in the mail though. Can't wait.

 

The stock shifter is just that and actually more. Yes, it has a stamped steel base and no trick bushing at the pivot point. But, it seems to have been designed to please a variety of different drivers certainly not all of us. You can replace with a multitude of short-throw aftermarket products or the C6Z06 shifter (same construction just a bit shorter shaft with a slight bend). I chose to cut down and re-welded my stock unit. Properly lubricated and adjusted it works well for my needs and most importantly makes no noise whatsoever. There are a number of post on this forum addressing the adjustment procedure.

As to the missed shift, take a look at the Owner's Manual which explains the logic used in the shifter assembly. The spring loading of the unit allows the shifter to "center" itself over the gates for 3rd and 4th gears respectively. If you don't overpower the lever and allow the springs to do their job the shifter will transition into 3rd and 4th gears in either direction. At least it works for me that way. Trust this is helpful.

A1

 

If you want to feel ike you are driving a race car with hard heavy throws.. the HURST is a decent shoice.

BUT personally I love the new ZO6 for C6 shifter. SHort throws, easy to push/pull.. OEM reliable and easy to install with no car experience... and the price is right from Gene ar GMPartshouse.com

I did it, never went back.. LIke driving a new car. SHould be everyone first MOD for C5, followed by the intake.

 

Thank's for all the help guys it's really appreciated. The main problem probably is the nut behind the wheel after all. I sold my 96 Mustang GT a few weeks ago after driving it for ten years with a after market shifter. I may have developed some bad habits with it over the years that need to be broke. So I'll just drive the Vette some more before I make any more drag-runs in it.

 

I've read many times (in car magazines) that the C6/Z06 shifter is still not as precise as the best shifters out there. Therfore, I've come to the conclusion that the best shifter may be a combination of a super short throw BPP, Hurst, or B&M + a variation of the antivenom mod, whereas a washer is installed to lighten the detent force. I will test this theory when I do the washer mod next month, since I already have half of the equation (super short-throw BPP).

 

Hi Goldfisher -

The stock shifter is ok - and missed shifts with it are not likely the shifters fault (as you already have surmised...)

That said, the stock shifter has a little more travel than I prefer, and it also has a rubber isolator bushing in the shift shaft that adds some flexibility to the shifts, but also isolates your hand from the mechanical gnashing that is a tremec 6 speed.

Some people replace the shifter with a true billet aftermarket shifter, such as a Breathless Performance unit, a B&M, a Hurst etc. These are hard-core, and are not for everyone. They transmit a significant amount of mechanical noise into the cabin and can be very notchy to use - and require more force to execute a shift.

The benefit is, however, rapid and positive gear changes on a drag strip. I like that and run a BPP in my Z06.

Others choose the new C6 Z06 shifter, that still has a isolator, yet is shorter shifting. This is a nice compromise that will provide shorter shifts but still have that OEM GM "polish" to it.

However - neither solution will prevent missed shifts.

best regards -

mqqn