[Z06] MGW Shifter install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
MGW Shifter install
I picked up an MGW shifter and after install I can't help but think I may have installed it wrong (How do you install a shifter wrong?) - I Like the shift pattern, it's tight, and crisp - but it takes significantly more muscle to shift it than I've ever noticed from any shifter before. I can deal with it if thats how is was designed to work, but I can't help but to think something isn't right?
Anyone with an MGW shifter, is this similar to how yours performs? Its the new 30% shifter.
Anyone with an MGW shifter, is this similar to how yours performs? Its the new 30% shifter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
You installed it correctly, that's normal. I was concerned at first too, it was very hard to shift, especially 4-5, and reverse. Give it a couple of weeks to break in, it'll get easier. Now I love it, best shifter I've owned, and I've had pretty much all of them.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
Good to hear, even with the way it's currently performing I think its a great shifter, good to hear it will wear in a bit!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Central FL
I picked up an MGW shifter and after install I can't help but think I may have installed it wrong (How do you install a shifter wrong?) - I Like the shift pattern, it's tight, and crisp - but it takes significantly more muscle to shift it than I've ever noticed from any shifter before. I can deal with it if thats how is was designed to work, but I can't help but to think something isn't right?
Anyone with an MGW shifter, is this similar to how yours performs? Its the new 30% shifter.
Anyone with an MGW shifter, is this similar to how yours performs? Its the new 30% shifter.
Just got mine in today and it's tight and heavy as hell. Like others have said, it should loosen up with time/use.
Last edited by TPA Z06; Mar 17, 2009 at 05:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 0
From: KaLiFoRnIa
LOL ya they are def. a lot stiffer than stock.
I knew kind of what to expect, so it didnt really bother me. A few weeks ago I went and test drove an 88 rx7 and that shifter was so loose and pathetic, but after about a half hour of driving it I got back in my car and was like HOLY Crap theres something wrong with my shifter/tranny, but nope it was just way more stiff than that 88 mazda lol
I knew kind of what to expect, so it didnt really bother me. A few weeks ago I went and test drove an 88 rx7 and that shifter was so loose and pathetic, but after about a half hour of driving it I got back in my car and was like HOLY Crap theres something wrong with my shifter/tranny, but nope it was just way more stiff than that 88 mazda lol
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 33
I put mine in the other day and the shift **** I had didn't fit. So without a **** I tried and couldn't put it in reverse. Needless to say, I found it mildly disconcerting! 
Hopefully when the new **** comes in tomorrow I'll be able to back out of the garage and test it out!!
Hopefully when the new **** comes in tomorrow I'll be able to back out of the garage and test it out!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
I put mine in the other day and the shift **** I had didn't fit. So without a **** I tried and couldn't put it in reverse. Needless to say, I found it mildly disconcerting! Hopefully when the new **** comes in tomorrow I'll be able to back out of the garage and test it out!!
Hopefully when the new **** comes in tomorrow I'll be able to back out of the garage and test it out!!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 33
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 5
From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
I bought the old MGW shifter when the new ones went up for sale. It's been in the Z06 for about 2/3 months. The shifts for the first 4 gears has improved and I like the firm short throws. Shifts just right in these gears. As far as the others,5th, 6th and reverse, they are still a handful. Doesn't really bother me as I rarely use these gears. No rattles or vibrations, so far. I also like the race **** I bought with the shifter.
Gene
Gene
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: San Diego/Imperial Beach Ca
I got one of the first new style MGW shifters. I've driven about 2,500 miles with it so far. It does loosen up. It was stiff getting into 5-6-R and still needs a little effort to get into them gears. I haven't had any other after market shifters for the Z, but to me this was a performance upgrade. Everytime I rip through the gears it puts a smile on my face. I haven't missed 3rd since it was installed. It is still crisp and precise. Sometimes I get the rattling noise, but not to often and only when really getting on it. Mine is for a C6 though because I liked the 1" or so that the shifter is off set. I can rest my arm on the arm rest and basically use wrist action to shift. The base is the same as the C5.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
The car has a reverse lockout solenoid. I believe it fails in the closed position, so when you have no power, you're locked out. You can overcome the lockout by pushing really hard on the shifter... should be substantially easier to shift into reverse with the car running.
