shifter stiffness

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Oct 17, 2001 | 01:40 AM

00c5coupe

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 557

Likes: 0

shifter stiffness

All,
I just recently installed a b&b ripper and it's a little too stiff. Is there a way to make less stiff?
Thanks!

Oct 17, 2001 | 02:06 AM

C5Cemo

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 2,521

Likes: 0

From: Houston, TX

Re: shifter stiffness (00c5coupe)

I have heard of softer centering springs that are available from B&M but have no experience with them.

Maybe you will get use to the tension that the shifter has after a little while. I know it is a LOT stiffer than the stock unit. It may feel like too much now but you might end up liking it. BTW, it will loosen up some after you break it in. I know mine has since I got it.

Hope this helps

Oct 17, 2001 | 03:08 AM

SVOno5oh

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Silverdale WA

Re: shifter stiffness (00c5coupe)

Well I don't know about the B&M Ripper specifically for the C5s, but I haven driven lots of cars with B&M Rippers and other aftermarket shifters. All aftermarket shifters are stiff to start with. The centering springs do break in after being used for a hundred miles or so and it gets easier. Either that or I get used to it. I really like the Hurst shifters as they have adjustable tension centering springs. The Ripper in your car might have adjustment capability or you could get lighter springs from B&M I imagine as the other poster stated. It should be really inexpensive too. If you can't get them from B&M, you can most likely get them from a fastner, screw, bolt supply store in less tension but the same dimensions if you take one down there for comparison.

Oct 17, 2001 | 08:24 AM

stevenll

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 883

Likes: 3

From: wilmington DE

Re: shifter stiffness (SVOno5oh)

The Ripper is pretty stiff to begin with. It gets better with time. (I think your right arm gets stronger too!) Many have gone to the Hardbar shift **** to help solve this problem. The Hardbar is a longer ****, so you'll get more leverage and an easier shift. It took about 7-8,000 miles for my Ripper to soften up a bit, or my arm just got stronger. The quick, positive shifts make it all worthwhile.

Oct 17, 2001 | 08:36 AM

C5 Tweaker

Racer

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 405

Likes: 1

From: Dallas

Re: shifter stiffness (00c5coupe)

I personally like the stiffness for 1/2, but found the stiffness for 5/6 excessive. I removed the left spring in the shifter for a perfect balance (or imbalance as the case may be).