ive been thinking about getting a shifter in my z06 with a shorter throw. i have done a little bit of researching and it seems that shorter throw shifters are harder to shift. are they annoyingly harder to shift? or just a little stiffer?

also read some stuff about rattling after a new shifter is installed. anybody have any problems with rattling?

what kind of shifters are you guys using and do you recommend them?

where can i find a real leather shift and brake boot other than vette essentials? that cheap vinyl stuff there now would look a lot better out of the car.

any info is appreciated, thanks.

 

Shifters are like cat back exhaust mods - its 99% personal preference.

I like the Breathless shifter, IMHO.

But, I'll go ahead and give everyone's answers.

yes..no...hurst only...no...too stiff...mallet....yes...no...BPP shifter...no...yes...no...

Try going to a large show (Funfest next weekend in IL) and just try some out and pick the one that matches your driving style.

 

Since opinions don't really count for much, I'll offer mine. About two months ago my '03 Z06 developed several leaks in the transmission and differential at about 5k miles. After much worry and second-guessing (and some supportive advise from fellow forum members) I decided to take the car to the dealership. Like most things in life, it all worked out for the best and the leaks were fixed in a timely manner by a mechanic that was both knowledgeable and conscientious. Having said all of this, I took my Z back to the same dealership for the CLB recall and while I was there I talked to the same transmission mechanic that did my "leak" repairs. During our conversation, I mentioned that I was thinking about changing out the stock shifter with a Hurst or Breathless and I asked him what his opinion was. He never hesitated and asked me if I planned on racing the car or putting it on a track somewhere. I told him no that the OEM shifter just felt "kind of loose" and not very positive, not to mention the longer throw. He agreed that the OEM stick was exactly the way I described it but that in his opinion the car was much easier to drive in day to day traffic with the factory shifter configuration as opposed to one of the after market competition shifters. Having thought about it for awhile I've decided to keep what I have and spend the money on some other mods (I don't know what yet but it's fun to keep looking). I'm sure that many of our fellow forum members will disagree with my decision to keep my stock shifter, but since I'm not racing the car and it does get driven a quite a bit in heavy traffic. One other item that keeps coming up when folks get to talking about swapping out their OEM shifter is the harmonic noise that seems to be generted by the after market shifters and the various "cures" for these noises. I don't know about yours but if there's one thing that my Z06 DOESN'T need and that is additional noise. Good Luck and keep us posted on what your decision is and how it works out!

 

Get a Hurst or a Ripper.

------>You're welcome.

Drive it for a week and the stock one will feel like driving a bus.

 

Most aftermarket shifters ARE "that much" more difficult to shift. It's the nature of the higher pivot point of the shifter and the centering springs. For these reasons, most of the short-throw shifters feel alike.

I got the Mallett (after trying 4 others) because:

- The shift effort is the same as stock

- There's no rubbery insulation in the stick, so there's no slop/rubbery feel like the stock shifter

- It's slightly shorter than the stock shifter

- The other short-throw shifters took the fun out of banging gears (since the effort was so much greater)

The Mallett shifter is way over-priced, that's for sure. But, I think it's what most people really want in a shifter (but aren't willing to spend the bucks for to find out). I bit the bullet, and I really like it.

-Kirk

 

Save your money and get a Hurst or Ripper.

 

I got a ripper and love it Once you become familiar with shifting I bet you will say.....Why you didn't think about it sooner

 

I bought the BPP and while I haven't even fitted it yet, it's a mini work of art. Lot smaller than I thought it would be and a beautifully turned piece. Shame it gets hidden really.

 

A shifter like the Hurst (which has been making performance car owners very happy for over 40 years) is slightly more stiffer but much more precise. I'd suggest you locate a few CF buddies in your locale and ask to test them out.

I'm sure once you've driven one for yourself you'll agree that they really do improve the driving enjoyment.

Good luck

Tom

 

I'm way ahead of you. I HAVE a Ripper. Had it in the car for almost a year. Huge improvement over the stock POS. But it's in a drawer right now, and now it's the Mallett that's been in the car for a year. The Mallett isn't like the Hurst/Ripper/Kirban/BPP -- IMO, it's better.

-Kirk

PS -- If COST is the main issue, then the choice should be the cheapest of Hurst/Ripper/Kirban/BPP. If you're looking for a different feel that is NOT stiff, then the Mallett is a totally different alternative (albeit the most expensive one).

 

Being a newby to Vettes/Z06's myself and looking to do a shifter soon ... about how much is the Mallet and where might be the best place to order one from ?

 

The shifter response, as others have said, comes down to personal preference. I have and love the Ripper, but it is for sure a lot stiffer than stock - though after 2 years of operation I don't notice it at all.

Meet up with a local Vette club and try out the various aftermarket shifters to see what is right FOR YOU.

Les

 

What exactly do you mean by stiffer? I just ordered a Ripper last week after doing some serious research. Do you have to use alot more effort (muscle) to get it to go into gear? What are the advantages? Thanks.

 

It will have a notchy, mechanical feel. You will definitely be able to tell when it goes in the gate. You will probably never miss a gear, either.

Getting into 5th might be hard if you have a bad rotator cuff.

Getting into reverse takes a combination of skill, patience, and luck.

 

I just installed the Breathless shifter yesterday. So far, no rattles. I put the softest springs in and it is still stiffer than factory. This morning was the first day I really drove the car. Downshifting, I experienced dropping too many gears down (hit 2nd instead of 4th, etc.). Because I still am getting used to the close gates and short throws, I am slow to release the clutch to see exactly what gear I am in.

 

I just pulled the Hurst out and sold it to another Forum Member. I hope he likes it. I put the stock shifter back in and am LOVING it. They only thing that I don't like is that the throw is a bit longer than I would like, but as for the ease and smoothness, I'll take stock over Hurst any day of the week.

The Mallet sounds like a great option though if it's not much if any stiffer than stock. I don't think you should have to "work" at shifting through the geears.

 

IMO the OEM is not bad, esp compared to F body cars. I had one and it fealt like a truck, and by comparison, the Z is much better. The I dropped in a Hurst and it is like night and day. The stock spings are tight, but I love the return to 3-4. The precision and acuracy is very noticable. I know a few 6 speeds here and they like it too, hell my budy with the 911TT loves it too GO for it as it is an easy MOD and it realy changes the car big time!
Dave
PS I tried an aftermarket *** too, and it made it to the track and then I took it off and put the OEM one back on!

 

The best advice is to try it in somebody else's car. I wish I'd compared the Mallett and BBP before buying my BBP. I like it, but it's definitely stiff and notchy, and from what I just read the Mallett is engineered to shift more like the stock shifter, only shorter. I've had my BPP apart four times to change springs, looking for the best feel. (and apart once when a bolt vibrated off, hence my earlier thread about using Locktite on all shifter bolts when you install them).

 

OK, went over to Mallettcars.com and found the shifter. It says it uses a new stock shifter base. So, in addition to being easy to shift, how much shorter and precise are the throws? Are they comparable to the Hurst and Ripper? Are there any noise issues?

If I'm going to shell out 4 1/2 bills for this puppy , I need to know what I'm getting. There is precious little info on the Mallett site. Thanks!

 

thanks for all the info guys. i am looking at the bpp shifter. anybody who is using this chime in with a comparison to stock.