As many here have witnessed over the years, I have installed and posted installations and reviews of various shifters in my '02 MN6 - always in search of the perfect shifter. I have had the stocker, the C6 shifter, the Hurst and, finally, I installed the MGW shifter this past weekend and I'm pretty sure I'm done trying shifters.

The stocker is, IMHO, a rubbery noodle not worthy of even riding in the C5 rear storage compartment. I know there are many who like or tolerate it but it doesn't hold a candle to the decent unit my 300ZX had so it was outta' there the second a Hurst became available.


The C6 shifter is a bit better and has a better position with it's crooked neck but is still far too flacid for my taste.

C6 shifter


C6 shifter


The Hurst is a huge improvement but may be a bit too stiff for many here. It is far more precise, though, and fares well paired with a broken-in tranny where movement isn't as notchy as in a new T56. The throws are very short and snick-snick from gear to gear but the higher side loads detract from the overall consistent feel, even with the softest spring setup. Nevertheless, it's a great shifter.

The Hurst, C6 and C5 shifters


Hurst installed - fyi, it was during the creation of my Hurst installation web page where I coined the term "Demon Key" for the notoriously-hellicious **** key that many suffered in attempts to extract.


Hurst installed with a modified f-body Hurst ****


The MGW, although similar in feel to the Hurst, is a decided improvement. It has the same precise action as the Hurst but with lower, more even side forces. The MGW appears a bit of a hybrid with the shorter throw and heavy billet construction of the Hurst but also incorporates a rubber isolator smaller and less compliant than the stockers. It's this combo that, IMHO, strikes the best balance. And although the feeling is direct and communicative, the heavy construction and design make it very solid and free from any hint of noise and vibration. It's a winner in my book.

MGW and Hurst


MGW installed


MGW installed with C6 **** - this is my winning combination of feel and comfort

 

Hmm nice write up, so how did you finally get the demon key out??? as it looks like the hurst is my next mod...

 

C5 set up with a C6 threaded ****?

Welcome to the club Ed, Just wait about a month and you are going to love it even more. it gets better.

Sometimes I feel bad how hard I hit mine...lol

Peace
Chip

 

Chip - modified C6 **** on the MGW C5 threaded shaft in case I decide to swap the **** out. Doubt I will as it's even better than my custom Hurst ****.

o2Z51, my install page illustrates what I did but there is also a Tech Tip that outlines an effective method as do seferal other posts and sites. Personally, I've never had a problem getting one out.

Patches' Hurst Install

Tech Tip - **** Removal

Here's a just-released "Street-friendly" version of the MGW shifter.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2091893

 

Nice write up. I could not agree more. I researched it like crazy, and went directly from stock to the MGW shifter, and never looked back. What a great product. A dramatic improvement. I have the MGW ball shift handle. Very tight...short, precise throws.
Ronnie

 

I think I was the first one on C5GEN to use the MGW and I'm still loving it. I swapped out to the new style barrel **** from George and it's great.

Congrats!

 

Never thought the Hurst could be dethroned but MGW definitely got my attention. I think the Hurst is going up for sale.

 

Thank you so much for posting. Your posts always plant seeds of "I think I can". Thanks for that. I was wanting to get one of these shifters but discouraged because you couldn't slap the c6 **** on it. Now..... "I think I can"

 

My modified C6 **** is off of ebay but you can just buy a stock C6 **** and order the C6 version of the MGW shifter. The lower portion is exactly the same for the C5 and C6 - the upper part with the **** threads comes in either the C5 9/16"-18 version or the C6 version so just tell them what you want when you order and they'll send the C6 upper piece with the base.

Below is a shot of the kit - the separate upper clamp-on shaft in the top-right of the pic shows the C5 version which would be replaced by the C6 version if you ordered that one.

 

Thanks again! You always answer questions that folks like myself haven't thought to ask yet. haha!

Have a great weekend and I am placing an order

 

It will look like this



Peace
Chip

 

I installed the MGW shifter a while back...and the only way the demon key came out was with a wooden block as a wedge, a vicegrip firmly grasping the key, and a big old screwdriver as a lever...and even then mine was difficult

 

Nicely done with the custom look Chip!

 

 

I don't understand why so many overthink the demon key. It's quite simple. Two smallish flat blade screwdrivers on either side and pry it up/out. If you want you can put some paper towels on the stock shift **** to prevent it from getting marred by the screwdrivers.

I'd like to drive a car w/ the MGW... I really like my C6Z06 shifter though. Had the Hurst for over 3 years but got tired of the ultra stiff side/side movement and tried all sorts of different spring combos.

 

Patches,

A great write up and the photos make it even better! Thanks for the detailed comparison...

 

I didn't find the "demon key" that hard to remove either.
Perhaps we just got lucky and ours weren't jammed in as bad as most...

Oh, and I have the MGW too.

 

Personally, I never had a problem just popping the Demon Key out in about 5 seconds but many here have had some nightmarish, traumatic experiences taking their's out.

Btw, I did trim the center hole in my 1-1/2" Fernco plug/isolator and push it over the shifter shaft and into the stock isolator to help keep it as quiet as possible although, I doubt it's needed with the well-insulated MGW base. My plug does probably increase the shifting force slightly due to it's resistance. It's made of rubber so it's pretty pliable. It does keep the shaft well-centered in neutral.

 

Negative.

That may have been the case for yours, but there was no way mine was coming out with 2 screwdrivers, all that left me with was a messed up ****.

I had to vice grip mine and pound it with a BFH like crazy to get it out. What a PITA that was.

P.S. I love my MGW shifter

 

I was a Hurst user for years too. My Hurst has been sold in favor of the MGW.

The Hurst is "old school" now.

Tom