Sorry I had to. 
[Z06] Help my stick is too long?!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: El Cerrito CA
Help my stick is too long?!
ok, I don't know who at GM thought that a shift **** the size and shape of a Rubik's cube was a good idea but they were dead wrong. 
One of the first things I did when I got my Z was order the shift **** you see in the photo below. I like the size/shape but the whole shifter is too tall now. You can see the top of the shift **** is probably about 7.5" to 7.75" above the console. It's so tall it blocks me from getting to the hvac and radio controls. I'd like to be more in the 5" range. any suggestions?
One of the first things I did when I got my Z was order the shift **** you see in the photo below. I like the size/shape but the whole shifter is too tall now. You can see the top of the shift **** is probably about 7.5" to 7.75" above the console. It's so tall it blocks me from getting to the hvac and radio controls. I'd like to be more in the 5" range. any suggestions?
Last edited by asifnyc; Feb 22, 2010 at 02:07 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: Lorton VA
Do you have the stock shifter?
Changing out the shifter to an aftermarket will shorten the lever and throw. Most don't like the C5 stock shifter anyway, so that might be a mod to consider. Not very difficult to do yourself.
Since you have the longer style shift ****, it will still sit higher than most.
Have you consider the ball type **** or one of the shorter ones? I just installed one from Conceptual Polymer and Dave there can tap the thread deep as possible so it sits low.
Here is mine with an aftermarket shifter (B&M Sport).
Shorter and feels much better than stock.
Last edited by taegee2; Feb 21, 2010 at 10:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
your stick is to lone, that is not what I heard
couldn't resist either. I have a ripper in mine with momo **** and it is perfect height for me. shorter throw and stiffer than stock but works for me
couldn't resist either. I have a ripper in mine with momo **** and it is perfect height for me. shorter throw and stiffer than stock but works for me
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: El Cerrito CA
thanks for the info. what's the difference between the hurst and b&m shifters (besides 80 bucks...)? also, do you think I could cut down the shifter in the car or would I have to remove it? I'm knee deep in my javelin and the z06 wasn't supposed to be another "project" car...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
The stock stick is garbage when 'new', long throws, vague feel, after thousands of miles of use it's not worth cutting down, and certainly not in the car! 
Get an aftermarket shifter.
I have a Hurst, (cut down twice/not in the car, and drilled for the retainer screw) with the C6 ****. Love it.
Get an aftermarket shifter.I have a Hurst, (cut down twice/not in the car, and drilled for the retainer screw) with the C6 ****. Love it.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 3
From: Matthews Nc
You just bought the same shif **** I bought a few months ago. I also installed it on my factory shifter and hated the way it looked. I took it off until I purchased my mgw. I just installed the mgw on saturday along with my new ****. I love it.....The mgw is shorter than factory and the z06 shift **** is bigger. Once installed together it seems to be the factory height feel. Because the shift **** is taller it gives me better leverage shifting threw gears. Im glad I went with it because the mgw is alot stiffer than factory but the taller shift **** makes it feel not so hard. So my suggestion is get an aftermarket shifter and the z06 **** wont look so stupid!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
When I bought my Z06 it had a very similar shift ****. Made the stick very long & tall. I bought the C6 shifter from Gene @ GM Parts House and I have been very pleased with it. Shorter stick & throw and I really like the shape of the shift ****. I've drove the car about 100 miles since I installed it and the more I drive it the better I like it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
I agree the stock shifter is not good and dangerous to shift fast. I bought a Kirban and before putting it in shortened it and added more threads so I could screw the Kirban round chrome shift **** down all the way. I don't have pic but it is very short and works great!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The shift lever is not necessarily the issue in your case. Compare the height of the oem **** to the **** in your images.
The **** you chose doesn't thread down far enough on the lever. You can either change the shifter assembly (usually after market shifters are slightly shorter), cut down your current shifter (DIY free) or chose another **** that threads down further.
What is your preference, form or function?
The **** you chose doesn't thread down far enough on the lever. You can either change the shifter assembly (usually after market shifters are slightly shorter), cut down your current shifter (DIY free) or chose another **** that threads down further.
What is your preference, form or function?
Last edited by hotwheels57; Feb 22, 2010 at 01:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
Waay Cool...Looks like that's a handle you can really rip!!! I want to get in my 505 so bad but the weather in WY limits my Z-06 pleasures. I won't pull it out until the ice/snow/road debris clears up. Won't live here forever...9 years, 8 months and 7 days left until retirement.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Ga
if you HAD to cut down the lever it can be done inside the car. find a box and cut a small hole in the bottom. put the shift lever into the hole in the box with the opened end facing the roof of the car. lay some towels around the area to help catch any possible metal flakes and use a dremel or whiz wheel to cut it down.
theres a write up floating around this site somewhere too that can aid in getting this done for you. hope this helps and if you have any other questions just ask!
theres a write up floating around this site somewhere too that can aid in getting this done for you. hope this helps and if you have any other questions just ask!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
If he did that, then he would be over on the C6Z06 forum and whoever bought his car would be here on the C5Z06 forum. Then you would have to tell them to stop messing around with a lowly C5 and get a C6. At some point you're going to have to realize that C5Z06's exist and therefor people will own them despite your recomendations. Or maybe you will figure out you're own the wrong forum.