Is there a difference between a 99 6spd shifter and a 2004 ZO6 shifter?

Is the Zo6 shifter a little "tighter" in the shifting pattern/quality of shift or is it the same shifter as a 99?

THX

 

The oem shifters from '97 and up are all basically the same stamped steel with rubber isolation construction. GM made them that way not only for cost, but to reduce the vibrations/noise into the cabin.

A newer model shifter might feel tighter because it isn't worn out from years of use.

The only real significant difference is the C6/Z06 shifter with the bent back lever and much preferred ergonomic **** w/ the side "ear" type of attachment.

If you want an '04 Z06 (actually from my Z16) shifter that has the threaded portion shortened by 3/4", I have one for sale. I removed it at approx. 4,000 miles in favor of a B&M "Sport" shifter.

Your best bet is probably to decide on which after market shifter best suits you. If you ask which one is "best", you'll never get a consensus, so try several different types already in friends cars. The MGW seems to be the hottest must have right now. Before that it was the C6/Z06 shifter and before that the MTI shifter. Some people change shifters like others change their shorts...

 

No difference.

 

What about the C6 shifter? Any difference?

 

The differences are noted in my PMs to you.

But, in case anyone else needs to know...the differences are the laid back lever and the ergonomic **** with "ear" attachment to the lever. Of coarse, the boot is also different, but the C5/Z06 boot can be modified to fit a C6/Z06 shifter.

On the C5/Z06 shifters, the Z06 cars used a solid bushing and the regular coupes/convertibles used a rubber bushing to reduce cabin noise/vibrations.

On the C6/Z06 cars, I believe GM discontinued the solid bushings on the Z06, but I'm not absolutely certain on that...

 

i read somewhere you dont have to use the whole shifter when installing c6 z06 shifter into a c5
anyone care to shed some light on this for me??

 

There IS a difference in the C5 ZO6 shifter and a C5 shifter. The housing on a C5 shifter is RUBBER mounted and the ZO6 shifter housing is hard mounted.

I only have pics of my ZO6 housing mounted to the torque tube:



The regular C5 shifter has rubber isolators in those slots.

Heres a comparison between a stock C5 shifter handle and my KIRBAN Shifter:





Close up of a stock shift handle:





There are TWO different types of shifters. Centering and NON Centering.

The stock non centering shifter top or handle does not have any springs or levers in it to cause the handle to stay centered. If you remove it from the car and pick it up, the handle will just flop around.

Some aftermarket shifters (KIRBAN included) have centering springs that force the handle to the 3rd/4th gate and in the neutral position. So, if you pop the shifter out of gear, the handle will spring to neutral and into the 3rd/4th shift gates

The stock shifter handle will do the same when its mounted in the car only because theres a spring inside the transmission and it does a very poor job at centering the shifter. Some early C5's, the shift handle would hardly move from 5th/6th gate to the 3rd/4th gate when popped in to neutral

My KIRBAN shifter puts the centering spring on steroids. When I shift from second to third,,,all I do is use the palm of my hand to push the lever out of second; it automatically centers in the 3rd/4th gate and I just continue to palm it into third. The beauty of the centering springs is when I shift to 4th, I just have to use the tips of my fingers to PULL it into 4th. Theres very little chance of accidentaly hitting second and damaging the engine!!! The centering springs really aid the shifting process.

Some people hate that feel, some love it.

Thats why you need to FEEL different shifters before you stuck one in your car.

The KIRBAN also has shift stops which i also use and love! I like that mechanical SNICK SNICK feel that I get when I ram it into gear. The stock shifter has a mushy feel when it hits home.

BC