Is it worth it?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
Is it worth it?
I have a 03 z06 and have done some research on short throw shifters. My question is the mgw worth the extra $100+ than the hurst short throw. Ive read great things about the mgw but wondering if its that much better. Thanks for the advice in advance.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
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From: Buffalo Texas
I had the same issue, after going to the MGW site and looking at a picture it was plain to me the MGW. The MGW is not just a stick with a ball on the end it is the whole lower box and when you see it in person it is WOW !!!!!
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Buffalo Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Richmond, Ky
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I have an older style mgw and I like it so much that I can't justify making the switch to his newest version with the lower box
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
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Any shifter is better then the oem c5 shifter, it amazes me how some guys justify having the stock pos shifter in their c5s. I have the third generation mgw shifter without the lower box, it is very precise, its impossible to miss a shift. I think the set up to go is amsoil fluid in transmission + anti venom mod + mgw shifter = super crisp shifting. But like others noted find a few other vette owners and see if theyve made the switch to try out.
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
you install a small washer on the detent plug on the passenger side of the transmission... it relieves some of the pressure from the detent plug and makes shifts a little easier
http://toquez06.com/ scroll down towards the bottom
http://toquez06.com/ scroll down towards the bottom
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Tech Contributor
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
OP
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL on changing shifters?? What do you EXPECT from the new shifter?
Those are the QUESTIONS that you should ask yourself.
Like previously stated, Find a car with an aftermarket shifter already installed and see if you like it. Some people find the ADDED EFFORT need to shift is too distracting.
There are TWO styles of shifters:
You have your OEM Style. It DOES NOT have any springs inside the shifter part that returns the stick to the N (3rd/4th gate) when you kick it in N. If you remove the top of the shifter the stick will just flop around any way it wants.
Then you have the MGW/ KIRBAN/ HINSON style that incorporates EXTRA springs in the body of the shifter above the ball that puts additional force on the stick to make the return to the N 3rd/4th gate fool proof.
Each Shifter will have different shift handle lengths and altered fulcrum geometry to make the shift a little shorter. BUT, that also changes the amount of EFFORT that you have to use to change gears.
SO,,, there are trade offs that you have to make to get the BEST SHIFTER FEEL and shift reliability.
Here is my KIRBAN shifter compared to a STOCK OEM Shifter:
The KIRBAN has shift stops that are not really necessary but I set them and use them.
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL on changing shifters?? What do you EXPECT from the new shifter?
Those are the QUESTIONS that you should ask yourself.
Like previously stated, Find a car with an aftermarket shifter already installed and see if you like it. Some people find the ADDED EFFORT need to shift is too distracting.
There are TWO styles of shifters:
You have your OEM Style. It DOES NOT have any springs inside the shifter part that returns the stick to the N (3rd/4th gate) when you kick it in N. If you remove the top of the shifter the stick will just flop around any way it wants.
Then you have the MGW/ KIRBAN/ HINSON style that incorporates EXTRA springs in the body of the shifter above the ball that puts additional force on the stick to make the return to the N 3rd/4th gate fool proof.
Each Shifter will have different shift handle lengths and altered fulcrum geometry to make the shift a little shorter. BUT, that also changes the amount of EFFORT that you have to use to change gears.
SO,,, there are trade offs that you have to make to get the BEST SHIFTER FEEL and shift reliability.
Here is my KIRBAN shifter compared to a STOCK OEM Shifter:
The KIRBAN has shift stops that are not really necessary but I set them and use them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
I had the hurst ans swapped to the last gen MGW upper only
the hurst is a little more notchy then the MGW, the MGW takes less force and shifts are faster then the hurst while its not night and day difference i would not buy a hurst again since i can shift faster with the MGW
now i only have the upper i've been told by a few people the complete upper/lower combo is a really big difference
so for me MGW does edge out hurst
the hurst is a little more notchy then the MGW, the MGW takes less force and shifts are faster then the hurst while its not night and day difference i would not buy a hurst again since i can shift faster with the MGW
now i only have the upper i've been told by a few people the complete upper/lower combo is a really big difference
so for me MGW does edge out hurst
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
I never had a problem finding 3rd with either the hurst or MGW, i was torn for a while should i swap or not then seen a c5 with a MGW played with the shifter and was sold
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I've had a B&M ripper for 14 years,... it works flawlessly.. it also makes every shift feel like I'm driving a real sports car, not just a stick shift car. If you like a precise notchie, gaited, low and short shift.. like I do, then a B&M is a perfect choice..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Any shifter is better then the oem c5 shifter, it amazes me how some guys justify having the stock pos shifter in their c5s. I have the third generation mgw shifter without the lower box, it is very precise, its impossible to miss a shift. I think the set up to go is amsoil fluid in transmission + anti venom mod + mgw shifter = super crisp shifting. But like others noted find a few other vette owners and see if theyve made the switch to try out.
