Stock shifter quality
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: texas
Stock shifter quality
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.
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.
Last edited by Goldfisher; Oct 30, 2007 at 01:28 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 2
From: New Bern NC
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. 
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.
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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.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
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From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
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
Look here for more info.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1464382
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 6
From: DFW Texas
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.
My C6Z shifter in in the mail though. Can't wait.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area California
Stock shifter quality
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
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
Terminal Vette Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,634
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From: Philly PA
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: texas
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
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).
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From: Winchester TN
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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
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
Last edited by mqqn; Oct 31, 2007 at 12:01 AM.