Hey everyone.
I recently picked up a 98 c5 with a hurst short throw in it. It’s so stiff I have to literally engage my chest to get it into first gear and sometimes it just won’t go into first period. It also doesn’t feel smooth, it feels like I’m having to force it into gear. Is there any adjustment I can do to make it slot into gear better? Should I just get a different shifter? If that’s how it’s supposed to work then I can live with it, but it doesn’t feel right. Any help I’d seriously appreciate.
Thanks!

 

Check out the "Anti-Venom mod". Makes shifting significantly easier, costs less than $10, takes less than 30 minutes, and has been done by many members on this site.

This assumes there is no other damage somewhere that is making shifting abnormally difficult. But short throws are harder to shift than stock, and this makes shifting easier.

 

Sweet thanks! I’ll check it out

 

It's also very possible it isn't aligned perfectly. Also very possible the bushings for the lower shift box are blown out.

 

How would I be able to tell if it wasn’t aligned well? The bushings sounds like a good replacement anyway, thanks for the tip.

 

TMod Customs is a good source for bushings, rebuilt boxes, shifter parts, shifter kits, and general shifter knowledge.
https://tmodcustoms.com/collections/all

 

By performing a shifter alignment. Just google search "C5 Corvette shifter alignment" and you should get some good hits probably including Youtube videos.

 

My car had one when I bought it. My wife couldn’t drive it, and I struggled with it as well.

I sold the Hurst shifter (cheap), bought a used C6 shifter and TMOD did their magic on the box. Shifts smooth and precise. I’m very happy with setup

 

My c5 came with some mystery Hurst style shifter and it was next to impossible to get into 5th gear, i couldn't stand it and I've had short shifters on other cars before. Got rid of it and put a C6 Z06 shifter and **** in it and shifts like butter now.

 

Upgrading the box shifter bushing will make a significant difference; it will be smoother, more precise and it will go into every gear reliably but it will only be a little bit easier to move (shift effort) because it has a high amount of reduction which is less leverage basically. Less leverage is the trade off you make for shorter throw (travel of the stick between each gear). I always recommend trying that out first then if you want to go with a stock shifter they area dime a dozen. I also have aftermarket shifter options available, my most popular option has a little less reduction than al the rest of the aftermarket shifters available for these cars and the goal is to make it's movement as smooth and precise as possible while keeping the required shift effort low.

I also have a minimal effort version that has almost no reduction in the leverage. It's the same in every other way to my most common option but it has the easiest effort possible. I make this option for drivers with arm injuries, bad shoulder like myself, etc and for women drivers.

Let me know what other questions you have, I'm happy to help with anything I can. I'm going fishing tonight for a few days so I will be slower than usual to respond after midnight tonight.

Thanks for the love everyone, I appreciate it very much!

 

As noted above, reduced shifter throw pattern results in higher effort - no way around it. The Hurst shifter has about a 35-40% reduction in throw pattern compared to the factory shock C5 unit. The points made above will help; proper shifter alignment, gasket spacer between the shifter base and the lower box is in place and sealing the assembly, make sure the bushing at the base of the shifter stick is in good shape as well as the shifter rod mechanism itself and the seals in the shifter box are still in place and keeping debris out as well as the anti-Venom mod,. Let's face it the C5 is +20 years old and the tunnel is a hot and nasty place for anything to survive. The TMOD shifter box will make any shifter a much better unit (note that the MGW shifter comes with its own lower billet shifter box). Heck even a different fluid in the transmission will have some effect on shifter effort and quality.

But with the Hurst shifter there is also adjustable bias springs and preload screws that affect the self centering of the shifter into the 3-4 gate and the corresponding effort required to move the shifter sideways left to right into the 1-2 and 5-6 gates. You will want to review the details here and possibly make adjustment accordingly to better fit your desires and tastes.

https://documents.holley.com/3915085_instructions.pdf

 

Also keep in mind that no vehicle equipped with any Tremec transmission is going to shift as silky smooth as say a Honda S2000, Mazda Miata or RX7 / 8. Just not going to happen.

 

I'd like to try a S2000 etc...with my MGW and anti venom mod My C5Z can still feel a little on the notchy side. First work problems. I also want an upgraded shift linkage but not feeling frisky enough to take the drivetrain out JUST to do that job.

I drove/raced a C7 GS that was better/smoother.

 

Yes the later T6060 and T6070 units are better than the earlier T56 series units, but still not "world class" as far as shifter feel and smoothness is concerned. As always YMMV.