[Z06] MGW Shifter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville GA
you guys need to be aware that the corvette is a whole different animal to the mustang. our mustang shifters are rated the best in the industry by just about EVERY forum and magazine that has tested them too.
the springs on the corvette shifter we make are twice as WEAK as the mustang shifters. its the added pressure of the tranny return springs that make it seem harder but i got to say i can shift my corvette with 2 fingers over to first i just do not get why it seems so hard for some people
weaker springs are going to make it easier to shift INTO first but they are also going to make it easier to hit first when you want THIRD!!!!
george
the springs on the corvette shifter we make are twice as WEAK as the mustang shifters. its the added pressure of the tranny return springs that make it seem harder but i got to say i can shift my corvette with 2 fingers over to first i just do not get why it seems so hard for some people
weaker springs are going to make it easier to shift INTO first but they are also going to make it easier to hit first when you want THIRD!!!!
george
George, I have absolutely NO concerns about hitting 1st instead of 3rd with the weaker spring. And I mean this spring is weak. I agree with one poster that thinks maybe the tranny spring is stronger - especially considering the stock shifter had NO springs.
I'm still having trouble going from 5th to 6th without hitting 4th. I have to really hold it hard right.
By the way, do you make a longer threaded shaft for this shifter? Say about an inch or so?
Stephen
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
Also I've been driving around all night and it's getting better, or maybe I'm getting better at it, lol. Still not easy by any means, but the trade off is worth it for me I think, the shifting is just so quick and accurate now.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
The last thing you really want for drag racing is a short shifter, a more notchy/positive one yes for sure, but a super short one makes the shifts less accurate because there is less travel and you have to be more picky when hitting the gears.
It's great for the "racers" that cover their car in stickers and stuff, but I dunno about the real track rat competition guys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
I appreciate the reply George. Perhaps there is a variation in the tranny somewhere that causes some to be stiffer than others. Maybe the Z06 M12 is harder than the standard M6 in a base C5? But I can tell you I bench 250lbs and this thing is tough to get into first, fifth, sixth and reverse. Shifting 1-4 is flawless, no doubt, but if I tried put my MGW into first with two fingers I think they'd break off.
Can I expect it to get better with time? I've only put maybe 50 miles on it so far.
Thanks!
Can I expect it to get better with time? I've only put maybe 50 miles on it so far.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
I appreciate the reply George. Perhaps there is a variation in the tranny somewhere that causes some to be stiffer than others. Maybe the Z06 M12 is harder than the standard M6 in a base C5? But I can tell you I bench 250lbs and this thing is tough to get into first, fifth, sixth and reverse. Shifting 1-4 is flawless, no doubt, but if I tried put my MGW into first with two fingers I think they'd break off.
Can I expect it to get better with time? I've only put maybe 50 miles on it so far.
Thanks!
Can I expect it to get better with time? I've only put maybe 50 miles on it so far.
Thanks!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville GA
Another ex-camaro lt1 z28 owner here who agrees the pro 5.0 was the *best* shifter. A friend had the b&m ripper in his LS1 camaro ss, but it felt nowhere near as precise and smooth as the pro 5.0. The pro 5.0 with about 3/4th of an inch shaved off the stick was the ultimate.
The kirban shfiter on my z06 comes very close to the pro 5.0 in terms of feel - just a tad notchier. However, it transmits a whole lot of noise through the stick, even with the noise-reduction aluminum ring applied.
If anyone's both tried out a kirban and the MGW, what do you guys notice? Feels is most important of course, but if the MGW cuts down on all the tranny noise, I'd be interested in swapping..
The kirban shfiter on my z06 comes very close to the pro 5.0 in terms of feel - just a tad notchier. However, it transmits a whole lot of noise through the stick, even with the noise-reduction aluminum ring applied.
If anyone's both tried out a kirban and the MGW, what do you guys notice? Feels is most important of course, but if the MGW cuts down on all the tranny noise, I'd be interested in swapping..
And by the way... on a positive note the quality of the MGW in terms of construction is second to none.
I also like the Gripper shift ****.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville GA
I have a trick for this, you need to change your hand position for 5-6. I learned this trick when I had my old B&M for 5 years on my old FRC. You need to flip your hand upside down for the 5-6, and it'll be a snap. Put your hand on the opposite side of the shifter with your thumb down, hope this makes sense.
Also I've been driving around all night and it's getting better, or maybe I'm getting better at it, lol. Still not easy by any means, but the trade off is worth it for me I think, the shifting is just so quick and accurate now.
Also I've been driving around all night and it's getting better, or maybe I'm getting better at it, lol. Still not easy by any means, but the trade off is worth it for me I think, the shifting is just so quick and accurate now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
The best tip I've heard to ensure consistent 2-3, 3-4, 5-6, and 6-5, 4-3, 3-2 shifts, is *elbow positioning*.
When you push or pull on the shifter, people have a natural tendency to push directly away from your body (or pulling into their body). This works well when you're pushing from 2-3 and 4-5, since they are diagonal pushes away from your body. But when you'er going to, say, 3-4 real fast, you might pull it towards you and accidentally hit 2nd instead of 4th.
So when you're going 3-4 and 5-6, they're straight down, relative to the car, but relative to your body, you'll be pulling the gear down and *away* from you. So when you'er doing 3-4 and 5-6, keep your elbow out - not between your fist and body, but between your fist and the rear center of the car.
As long as I have followed this rule, I have not missed a shift.
2-3 and 4-5: elbow in.
1-2, 3-4 and 5-6: elbow out.
When you push or pull on the shifter, people have a natural tendency to push directly away from your body (or pulling into their body). This works well when you're pushing from 2-3 and 4-5, since they are diagonal pushes away from your body. But when you'er going to, say, 3-4 real fast, you might pull it towards you and accidentally hit 2nd instead of 4th.
So when you're going 3-4 and 5-6, they're straight down, relative to the car, but relative to your body, you'll be pulling the gear down and *away* from you. So when you'er doing 3-4 and 5-6, keep your elbow out - not between your fist and body, but between your fist and the rear center of the car.
As long as I have followed this rule, I have not missed a shift.
2-3 and 4-5: elbow in.
1-2, 3-4 and 5-6: elbow out.
great idea! But now i have to think when i shift!
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 337
Likes: 12
From: AUGUSTA GA
St. Jude Donor '08-'11
guys we do offer a taller shaft that brings the **** back up to stock height and does wonders for easing the shift effort. it does lengthen the throw a little but still much shorter than stock. if you guys that feel the effort is too heavy please call me and we can get one of these out for you.
regards
george
regards
george
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville GA
guys we do offer a taller shaft that brings the **** back up to stock height and does wonders for easing the shift effort. it does lengthen the throw a little but still much shorter than stock. if you guys that feel the effort is too heavy please call me and we can get one of these out for you.
regards
george
regards
george
OK... great quality and good customer service... NICE!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 2
From: Woodinville WA
guys we do offer a taller shaft that brings the **** back up to stock height and does wonders for easing the shift effort. it does lengthen the throw a little but still much shorter than stock. if you guys that feel the effort is too heavy please call me and we can get one of these out for you.
regards
george
regards
george
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville GA
Pic of what I received.
Oddly enough, I don't have an installed pic yet. As I said in a previous post, I installed then un-installed then installed again.
Edit: the CD was really helpful! Thanks MGW for that added touch.
It's 3 parts and 4 bolts...it's not that complicated.