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Questions are installing MGW shifter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Missouri
Questions after installing MGW shifter
Okay, so I have joined the MGW shifter club! It was an easy install, although the instructions shipped with my shifter were useless since they were for a C6... different console removale process.
In general I like it, HOWEVER, it is really, really, REALLY hard to move from left to right. The centering spring, or whatever, is so stiff it doesn't seem like it can be right. I drove the car all weekend, and I think my right arm is starting to become overdeveloped! Several times on the highway I would even shift from 5th to 4th accidently. It just a real chore to drive now.
Save the jokes, I'm not a weakling, this thing is just super stiff. This is my first short throw, so maybe they are all like that. I'm not even sure I want to keep it.
I plan to call George tomorrow, but I was wondering what you all thought...
FYI, I ordered the 25%... I think thats what I recieved, it doesn't say it on it like the pictures I had seen. Seems like a quality unit, so don't get me wrong. Maybe its just adjusted wrong, or maybe its supposed to be like that.
In general I like it, HOWEVER, it is really, really, REALLY hard to move from left to right. The centering spring, or whatever, is so stiff it doesn't seem like it can be right. I drove the car all weekend, and I think my right arm is starting to become overdeveloped! Several times on the highway I would even shift from 5th to 4th accidently. It just a real chore to drive now.
Save the jokes, I'm not a weakling, this thing is just super stiff. This is my first short throw, so maybe they are all like that. I'm not even sure I want to keep it.
I plan to call George tomorrow, but I was wondering what you all thought...
FYI, I ordered the 25%... I think thats what I recieved, it doesn't say it on it like the pictures I had seen. Seems like a quality unit, so don't get me wrong. Maybe its just adjusted wrong, or maybe its supposed to be like that.
Last edited by mhorton01; Mar 3, 2008 at 12:10 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
Mine's not too stiff for me. It helps if you face the palm of your hand towards the direction you want to move the shifter. Try it.
They also have a very long thread section. You may want to try moving the **** up some and setting the set screw. That will give you more leverage.
They also have a very long thread section. You may want to try moving the **** up some and setting the set screw. That will give you more leverage.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Missouri
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
Okay, so I have joined the MGW shifter club! It was an easy install, although the instructions shipped with my shifter were useless since they were for a C6... different console removale process.
In general I like it, HOWEVER, it is really, really, REALLY hard to move from left to right. The centering spring, or whatever, is so stiff it doesn't seem like it can be right. I drove the car all weekend, and I think my right arm is starting to become overdeveloped! Several times on the highway I would even shift from 5th to 4th accidently. It just a real chore to drive now.
Save the jokes, I'm not a weakling, this thing is just super stiff. This is my first short throw, so maybe they are all like that. I'm not even sure I want to keep it.
I plan to call George tomorrow, but I was wondering what you all thought... FYI, I ordered the 25%... I think thats what I recieved, it doesn't say it on it like the pictures I had seen. Seems like a quality unit, so don't get me wrong. Maybe its just adjusted wrong, or maybe its supposed to be like that.
In general I like it, HOWEVER, it is really, really, REALLY hard to move from left to right. The centering spring, or whatever, is so stiff it doesn't seem like it can be right. I drove the car all weekend, and I think my right arm is starting to become overdeveloped! Several times on the highway I would even shift from 5th to 4th accidently. It just a real chore to drive now.
Save the jokes, I'm not a weakling, this thing is just super stiff. This is my first short throw, so maybe they are all like that. I'm not even sure I want to keep it.
I plan to call George tomorrow, but I was wondering what you all thought...
FYI, I ordered the 25%... I think thats what I recieved, it doesn't say it on it like the pictures I had seen. Seems like a quality unit, so don't get me wrong. Maybe its just adjusted wrong, or maybe its supposed to be like that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Missouri
Did talk to George yet, he was out of the office today. However, the lady who answered the phone told me something I did not know which may be news to most of you... they don't make the 25% or 35% model any more.
The one they shipped me is 30%... but no one explained this to me, so that would have been nice to know.
I'll keep you posted. I'm gonna try raising the ball a bit to see if that helps. Not like I can drive it now though... damn snow!
The one they shipped me is 30%... but no one explained this to me, so that would have been nice to know.
I'll keep you posted. I'm gonna try raising the ball a bit to see if that helps. Not like I can drive it now though... damn snow!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Read this entire post about the same shifter, why they changed to only one % model and why the tech is out for a while...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1925563
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1925563
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: CA
I just ordred mine for the vette today. As far as the shifter being stiff I had one in my 03 cobra and it was stiffer than stock but no where near the B&M I tried in the vette. I think the side to side motion being stiff is due to the centering springs. The gates going in and out of gear I never thought were all that stiff, but the centering action is stiff, it will take some effort to get into 5th and 6th gear, if you don't like it you may want to look into a different shifter, like the c6 Z06 shifter. I really think it comes down to personal preference, I will take the stiffer side to side motion in trade for being able to bang the hell out of third gear. Good luck to you and let us know how it turns out for you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Missouri
Talked to George
George called me yesterday. After talking to him I realize that the stiffness is for the exact reasons a couple of you had mentioned... being able to bang quickly and clearly into 3rd, and even from 5th to 4th.
He has offered to send me a longer threaded piece for the ****, about an inch longer, which will raise it back to stock height and provide a bit more leverage and reduce the effort a bit. Once I get that piece, I'll let you all know how it changes the feel. George mentioned that he MAY start offering the longer piece as an option for those of us who are "daily" drivers, and want the improved shifting characteristics of the short throw, with just a touch less effort.
What great customer service!
He has offered to send me a longer threaded piece for the ****, about an inch longer, which will raise it back to stock height and provide a bit more leverage and reduce the effort a bit. Once I get that piece, I'll let you all know how it changes the feel. George mentioned that he MAY start offering the longer piece as an option for those of us who are "daily" drivers, and want the improved shifting characteristics of the short throw, with just a touch less effort.
What great customer service!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Back from the dead.....
I bought an MGW for my wife's C5Z06 about a year and a half ago and finally put it in about a month ago. Install was clean and all is well but it's way too stiff. I thought I installed it wrong but from all the threads I'm reading I guess this is just it's nature.
I put a B&M in my GTO and thought that was stiff at first, but the MGW makes my GTO's B&M feel like butter. WTF.
IMO it takes too much effort to push the shifter around. Good solid feel, yes but wtf. My wife needs two hands to get into 5th and 6th
Any way to loosen this thing up a little?
I bought an MGW for my wife's C5Z06 about a year and a half ago and finally put it in about a month ago. Install was clean and all is well but it's way too stiff. I thought I installed it wrong but from all the threads I'm reading I guess this is just it's nature.
I put a B&M in my GTO and thought that was stiff at first, but the MGW makes my GTO's B&M feel like butter. WTF.
IMO it takes too much effort to push the shifter around. Good solid feel, yes but wtf. My wife needs two hands to get into 5th and 6th
Any way to loosen this thing up a little?
