Kirban Shifter Shaft Question
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7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
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Kirban Shifter Shaft Question
I'm happy with the Kirban on my C6, but would like to shorten the shaft about one inch. Anybody played with Lou's Short Shaft enough to know if it will bolt on? Otherwise, I guess, the best alternative would be to get the Kirban C5 shaft and cut and rethread it and use a C5 ****. Suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
This probably could be better answered in the C6/Z06 forums, but I'll take a stab. Measure the center line to center line of the bolt on lever and see if it's 7/8". If it is, then actually any HURST or LONG (steel or aluminum, black, polished or chrome) shifter lever will bolt right on. Those may not be the length or shape you want though.
Another option is the old style Corvette levers with the reverse lockout offered by KEISLER AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. It's a bolt on with a faux lockout and white, chrome or black ****, ala '60-70s Corvettes. They should also bolt up if the c/l to c/l is 7/8". See image below.
I shortened the oem C5/Z06 lever on my Z16 about 3/4". I didn't even have to remove the shifter, which in your case would be easy with the KIRBAN by removing the lever from the shifter. I used a new 32 tooth hack saw blade and masking tape to give me a straight edge. I wrapped a large towel around the shifter to catch the metal pieces. Then I dressed the initial 9/16-18 threads with a file to enable my HURST **** to thread on straight.
Another option is the old style Corvette levers with the reverse lockout offered by KEISLER AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. It's a bolt on with a faux lockout and white, chrome or black ****, ala '60-70s Corvettes. They should also bolt up if the c/l to c/l is 7/8". See image below.
I shortened the oem C5/Z06 lever on my Z16 about 3/4". I didn't even have to remove the shifter, which in your case would be easy with the KIRBAN by removing the lever from the shifter. I used a new 32 tooth hack saw blade and masking tape to give me a straight edge. I wrapped a large towel around the shifter to catch the metal pieces. Then I dressed the initial 9/16-18 threads with a file to enable my HURST **** to thread on straight.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Apr 19, 2007 at 07:19 PM.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
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Kirban C6 Shifter Shaft Shortening
The Kirban shifter shaft mounting bolts are centered 1" apart, not 7/8" like on other shifters. But, there is plenty of room to drill another mounting hole 1" above the current top hole, making the old top hole the new bottom hole. Then just cut the bottom of the shaft off near the top of the old bottom hole so the shifter shaft can clear the noise abatement plate, and you have shortened the shifter 1".
My throws are now about the same as with the Hurst, seem quite a bit easier and much smoother, and absolutely no rattles. I'm happy!
My throws are now about the same as with the Hurst, seem quite a bit easier and much smoother, and absolutely no rattles. I'm happy!
