Hopefully it works well for the wait.
Short Throw Shifter?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland IL
Here's another vote for the MTI six shooter.
I only do street driving, and after trying a hurst, decided it was too stiff. After reading some posts about the MTI shifter, I decided to give it a try. It is only a little more effort than stock, but is much more precise with a positive feel.
I have posted concerns about a slight rattle in the past, but after installing an MBA shift ****, the rattle is pretty much gone.
I couldnt be happier with this shifter.
I only do street driving, and after trying a hurst, decided it was too stiff. After reading some posts about the MTI shifter, I decided to give it a try. It is only a little more effort than stock, but is much more precise with a positive feel.
I have posted concerns about a slight rattle in the past, but after installing an MBA shift ****, the rattle is pretty much gone.
I couldnt be happier with this shifter.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
I just installed the new improved B&M sport shifter. It has an isolated stick like the stock shifter, but the throws are much shorter and more precise. Very quiet and I love the feel! A little stiffer, but not bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
2. Your girlfriend WILL NOT BE DRIVING YOUR VETTE. The shifter is now sufficently stiffer (both north and south, as well as east to west) from stock, that I really doubt many women would feel comfortable driving it. I'm not trying to be sexist, I'm just telling you chances are good that a woman will no longer find the shifter "easy" to manipulate. You have to shift this thing with intent.
- Max
- Max
Whats the downside to the girlfiend or wife not driving the car???
My wife LOVES manual cars (she drives a 06 Jetta 5spd) but hates driving the Vette with the short shifter.......oh well
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
As you probably realize, shifters are VERY subjective things. What one person LOVES, another HATES. Having said this, I LOVE my Kirban!
The way I see it, here's the low down on the Kirban shifter vs. Stock: I will begin with what I see as positives and then highlight some minor negatives (caveat, I do not have any first hand knowledge of other shifters)
1. Stock shifter is NOT horrible. I drove the car quite happily for over 2 years and 15,000 miles with the stock shifter. Were the throws on the longish side? Yes. Was I ever TOTALLY pleased with the 4-5 up-shift or the 6-5 down-shift? No. (Something about 5th never felt as "solid" as the rest of the gears, I don't know if this is true of all M12 transmissions, or just mine, but mine felt somewhat sloppy or vague). But again, I enjoyed driving the car VERY much.
2. The throws of the Kirban shifter are MUCH shorter then stock.
3. My 5th gear "vagueness" is GONE. The 4-5 shift is a much more positive and rewarding feeling.
4. The 1-2-3 up-shifts are like working the pump action on an Ithica shotgun both in feeling AND in sound. The Kirban's shifts are louder then stock. Too loud? No. But again, this is subjective. I like it, and I'm not a noise junkie at all. For example, I'm not one of those guys looking for a louder exhaust or ANYTHING like that.
5. The down-shift from 5-4 was never bad, but now, it's awesome. Noticable improvement.
Now for what I consider some downsides:
1. There is some noise from the shifter at idle. Is it bad? If I could snap my fingers, sure, I'd make it disappear. Am I over it? TOTALLY. Do I hear ANYTHING once it's in gear and I engage the clutch and drive? NO. Nothing. As soon as I drive even 2 feet, literally, it is GONE. Kirban does now include a "silencing" ring, made of aluminum I think, which I believe that my mechanic installed, but maybe he forgot. I do wonder. Do I care? No.
2. Your girlfriend WILL NOT BE DRIVING YOUR VETTE. The shifter is now sufficently stiffer (both north and south, as well as east to west) from stock, that I really doubt many women would feel comfortable driving it. I'm not trying to be sexist, I'm just telling you chances are good that a woman will no longer find the shifter "easy" to manipulate. You have to shift this thing with intent.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I think trying to pick a shifter is a leap of faith unless you can actually drive a vehicle so equipped. I took a leap of faith based off my mechanic's recommendation. I'm very glad I did, my car is better for it.
- Max
The way I see it, here's the low down on the Kirban shifter vs. Stock: I will begin with what I see as positives and then highlight some minor negatives (caveat, I do not have any first hand knowledge of other shifters)
1. Stock shifter is NOT horrible. I drove the car quite happily for over 2 years and 15,000 miles with the stock shifter. Were the throws on the longish side? Yes. Was I ever TOTALLY pleased with the 4-5 up-shift or the 6-5 down-shift? No. (Something about 5th never felt as "solid" as the rest of the gears, I don't know if this is true of all M12 transmissions, or just mine, but mine felt somewhat sloppy or vague). But again, I enjoyed driving the car VERY much.
2. The throws of the Kirban shifter are MUCH shorter then stock.
3. My 5th gear "vagueness" is GONE. The 4-5 shift is a much more positive and rewarding feeling.
4. The 1-2-3 up-shifts are like working the pump action on an Ithica shotgun both in feeling AND in sound. The Kirban's shifts are louder then stock. Too loud? No. But again, this is subjective. I like it, and I'm not a noise junkie at all. For example, I'm not one of those guys looking for a louder exhaust or ANYTHING like that.
5. The down-shift from 5-4 was never bad, but now, it's awesome. Noticable improvement.
Now for what I consider some downsides:
1. There is some noise from the shifter at idle. Is it bad? If I could snap my fingers, sure, I'd make it disappear. Am I over it? TOTALLY. Do I hear ANYTHING once it's in gear and I engage the clutch and drive? NO. Nothing. As soon as I drive even 2 feet, literally, it is GONE. Kirban does now include a "silencing" ring, made of aluminum I think, which I believe that my mechanic installed, but maybe he forgot. I do wonder. Do I care? No.
2. Your girlfriend WILL NOT BE DRIVING YOUR VETTE. The shifter is now sufficently stiffer (both north and south, as well as east to west) from stock, that I really doubt many women would feel comfortable driving it. I'm not trying to be sexist, I'm just telling you chances are good that a woman will no longer find the shifter "easy" to manipulate. You have to shift this thing with intent.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I think trying to pick a shifter is a leap of faith unless you can actually drive a vehicle so equipped. I took a leap of faith based off my mechanic's recommendation. I'm very glad I did, my car is better for it.
- Max
MAX,,,you nailed it!
I love the added centering force and the positive stops. Make a ROCK SOLID shift! You know when it is in gear! The extra force that the shifter has added for centering allows you to shift into the 3rd/4th gate with POSITIVE assurance and make that shift without going back into second!
KIRBAN! You will love it!
BC
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I believe the KIRBAN is the only C5/Z06 shifter with a removable lever...
Is the center to center dimension of the mounting holes 7/8" with 3/8" mounting bolts (as in HURST non C5/Z06 shifters)? Does anyone know who manufactures the shifter for KIRBAN?
Has anyone with a KIRBAN used one of the optional levers that HURST offers in black or chrome?
Is the center to center dimension of the mounting holes 7/8" with 3/8" mounting bolts (as in HURST non C5/Z06 shifters)? Does anyone know who manufactures the shifter for KIRBAN?
Has anyone with a KIRBAN used one of the optional levers that HURST offers in black or chrome?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Torrance CA
I just bought a Hurst Shifter and installed it yesterday. I love it! Stiff compared to stock, but still feels good. It is very precise, much shorter throws than stock. Took some getting used to but it feels great. Also performed the anti-venom mod that helped smooth out the shifting alot. If you have a short throw shifter, and havent performed the anti-venom mod, I highly recomend it. The install was very easy also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Torrance CA
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 1
From: N.GA
Here's a vote for the C6 Z06 shifter. Big vote. HUGE VOTE. I installed it yesterday, but I still don't have my boot and **** from vette essentials, so I went for a drive today without a center console or any thing right in there!!! I just got the Trac. contrrol piece and plugged it in and left it there so I could turn Comp. driving mode on
Anyways, besides the shifter hurting my hand due to the lack of no ****, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I just took a Hurst out to put the C6Z in, and the throws aren't really that much longer, BUT IT'S SO MUCH EASIER AND SMOOTHER!!!!!! The Hurst got on my nerves. Anyway, I love the C6Z shifter, so I'm thinking of upgrading other parts of my Z to C6Z parts
Just as long as you TRULY love your shifter, then you've made the right choice
I just got the Trac. contrrol piece and plugged it in and left it there so I could turn Comp. driving mode on Anyways, besides the shifter hurting my hand due to the lack of no ****, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I just took a Hurst out to put the C6Z in, and the throws aren't really that much longer, BUT IT'S SO MUCH EASIER AND SMOOTHER!!!!!! The Hurst got on my nerves. Anyway, I love the C6Z shifter, so I'm thinking of upgrading other parts of my Z to C6Z parts
Just as long as you TRULY love your shifter, then you've made the right choice
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
Thanks- I've heard varying opinions on one vs. two washers.
