which direction? shifter installation
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
which direction? shifter installation
Last night I installed a kirban shifter on my 2000. I couldn't tell which way the shifter was suppose to be installed because it looked symetrical. Does it matter which direction the shifter is installed because it is really hard to put the shifter in reverse now.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Did you take note of the position of the milled slot in the lever for the "demon key" when you removed the oem shifter? It should be the same for any after market shifter. If you still have your oem shifter, you should be able to tell as the oem has that neutral locking pin at the front.
I hope you didn't force it into reverse and do any damage. It's been awhile since I had mine opened up, but I believe that slot should be facing towards the rear. Someone will correct me if I'm mistaken...
I hope you didn't force it into reverse and do any damage. It's been awhile since I had mine opened up, but I believe that slot should be facing towards the rear. Someone will correct me if I'm mistaken...
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
With a KIRBAN, I dont think it really matters! It all depends on what side you want to bias the shift handel. I installed mine so the handle was closest the drivers side. BC
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I made that suggestion based on what I remember reading in this B&M shifter installation. http://www.corvettedreams.com/shifter.htm
The B&M shifter in that article also appears to be symmetrical for installation purposes. This article suggested installation with the slot facing rearward. In re-reading it, that suggestion has more to do with the installation of the oem **** and "demon key" orientation. The KIRBAN removable lever would make this unnecessary.
You might simply need to loosen the four mounting bolts and make sure the shifter sits perfectly square to the box beneath to eliminate the hard to achieve reverse gear.
Post follow up to your impressions of the KIRBAN shifter. It is probably the only shifter I would consider installing in my car in the future. I like the idea of the removable lever.
The B&M shifter in that article also appears to be symmetrical for installation purposes. This article suggested installation with the slot facing rearward. In re-reading it, that suggestion has more to do with the installation of the oem **** and "demon key" orientation. The KIRBAN removable lever would make this unnecessary.
You might simply need to loosen the four mounting bolts and make sure the shifter sits perfectly square to the box beneath to eliminate the hard to achieve reverse gear.
Post follow up to your impressions of the KIRBAN shifter. It is probably the only shifter I would consider installing in my car in the future. I like the idea of the removable lever.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 2, 2007 at 05:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
I reinstalled the shifter last night and still the same difficulties. I looked in my service manuals and was reading about some alignment process that uses the neutral lock pin from the stock shifter. I'll probably try that next.
As far as the 1-6th gear experience... I'm very happy with it. The throw isn't quite as short as the B&M, but still a vast improvment from stock. No more mushy shifting.
As far as the 1-6th gear experience... I'm very happy with it. The throw isn't quite as short as the B&M, but still a vast improvment from stock. No more mushy shifting.
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
I made that suggestion based on what I remember reading in this B&M shifter installation. http://www.corvettedreams.com/shifter.htm
The B&M shifter in that article also appears to be symmetrical for installation purposes. This article suggested installation with the slot facing rearward. In re-reading it, that suggestion has more to do with the installation of the OEM **** and "demon key" orientation. The KIRBAN removable lever would make this unnecessary.
You might simply need to loosen the four mounting bolts and make sure the shifter sits perfectly square to the box beneath to eliminate the hard to achieve reverse gear.
Post follow up to your impressions of the KIRBAN shifter. It is probably the only shifter I would consider installing in my car in the future. I like the idea of the removable lever.
The B&M shifter in that article also appears to be symmetrical for installation purposes. This article suggested installation with the slot facing rearward. In re-reading it, that suggestion has more to do with the installation of the OEM **** and "demon key" orientation. The KIRBAN removable lever would make this unnecessary.
You might simply need to loosen the four mounting bolts and make sure the shifter sits perfectly square to the box beneath to eliminate the hard to achieve reverse gear.
Post follow up to your impressions of the KIRBAN shifter. It is probably the only shifter I would consider installing in my car in the future. I like the idea of the removable lever.
I really like my KIRBAN. It has an added centering force that helps prevent missed shifts. It also practically eliminates the 3rd to 2nd shift problem!
Granted, a lot of that problem has to do with shift technique but, the precision of the shifter makes accurate lighting fast shifts simple!
I have had owners of other C5's with aftermarket shifters drive mine and make the statement " man, I really like your shifter, what kind is it???"
BC
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Your previous posts about the KIRBAN got me interested in them.
I've tried to find out who manufactures them for KIRBAN. KIRBAN doesn't manufacture them per websites of vendors who sell them. I didn't even find them listed on the KIRBAN website. It seems they're more geared towards the Buick GNX and late model Mustang. KIRBAN didn't return messages.
They look like the CALLAWAY shifter, but CALLAWAY says they are not a KIRBAN. I just missed one on EBAY because someone else wanted it more than I did.
I've tried to find out who manufactures them for KIRBAN. KIRBAN doesn't manufacture them per websites of vendors who sell them. I didn't even find them listed on the KIRBAN website. It seems they're more geared towards the Buick GNX and late model Mustang. KIRBAN didn't return messages.
They look like the CALLAWAY shifter, but CALLAWAY says they are not a KIRBAN. I just missed one on EBAY because someone else wanted it more than I did.
