Best all around shifter
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 918
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg TN
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12,'14
Best all around shifter
Hi we have a 02 Z06 pretty much stock, and I am wondering about the pros and cons of the different shifters out there vs stock?
I have heard some good things about Kirban which I am not familiar, old school here Hurst Competion Plus but that was long, long ago!
Looking to do drag racing, as well as rally, maybe road course track days!
I read Hurst shifters can be noisy and people like others better. Not sure on the B&M Ripper?
Thanks
Carlos
I have heard some good things about Kirban which I am not familiar, old school here Hurst Competion Plus but that was long, long ago!
Looking to do drag racing, as well as rally, maybe road course track days!
I read Hurst shifters can be noisy and people like others better. Not sure on the B&M Ripper?
Thanks
Carlos
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
I can't talk about the others, but I just put a C6 z06 shifter in my c5, and I love it. Its not super short, but definitely an improvement over the stock c5 shifter which I now realize was a total piece of crap. The C6 shifter is very comfortable, quiet, and has a shorter throw. Plus it looks great 
Last edited by Erics_02_z06; Apr 9, 2010 at 01:26 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
I just picked up a Hurst shifter and I really like it. The centering mechanism is nice. It feels like it weighs slightly more than stock.
The Anti-venom mod is a must with this shifter, as it now requires more effort to shift.
I have heard a few people on here not liking the B&M shifter. I had one on my LT1 camaro and I loved it.
The Anti-venom mod is a must with this shifter, as it now requires more effort to shift.
I have heard a few people on here not liking the B&M shifter. I had one on my LT1 camaro and I loved it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 918
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg TN
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12,'14
I can't talk about the others, but I just put a C6 z06 shifter in my c5, and I love it. Its not super short, but definitely an improvement over the stock c5 shifter which I now realize was a total piece of crap. The C6 shifter is very comfortable, quiet, and has a shorter throw. Plus it looks great
Carlos
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 918
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg TN
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12,'14
I just picked up a Hurst shifter and I really like it. The centering mechanism is nice. It feels like it weighs slightly more than stock.
The Anti-venom mod is a must with this shifter, as it now requires more effort to shift.
I have heard a few people on here not liking the B&M shifter. I had one on my LT1 camaro and I loved it.
The Anti-venom mod is a must with this shifter, as it now requires more effort to shift.
I have heard a few people on here not liking the B&M shifter. I had one on my LT1 camaro and I loved it.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: Mohegan Lake New York
stick shift guy through and through,retired mechanic lifelong dragracer (corvette challenge racer last 5 years 03 z/06)stock shifter started to become more and more vague time for shifter Hurst we came to know and love not same company heard some good talk about Kirban little company ,take pride in products made in USA SHIFTER ALL BILLET ALUM. ANODIZED,STAINLESS HANDLE, ALL GRADE 8 HARDWARE detailed instructions w/pictures.This shifter is by far the very best shifter i ever had and it's cheaper than competitors with a lifetime warranty my only complaint was that I didn't put one in sooner ordered on a thurs afternoon said 5-7 days came next day under 2 hours to instaLL AND IF i HAD TO REPEAT JOB COULD PROB. TO COMPLETE JOB 1/2 HOUR. Can use stock shift **** you won't be dissappointed
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 15
From: Loxahatchee Florida
I've had the Kirban in the 2000 for a couple of years now. 1 - 4 is completely idiot proof. Just forward and back as fast as you can. 5th I nudge over to the right a little to make sure I don't go back to 3rd, then 6th is just straight down. Feels like it takes a little more muscle shifting.
I have the Hurst in the 99 and it is easier and lighter to shift if that makes sense.
Kirban is more a robust racing shifter, Hurst more user friendly easy shifter, and both are better/less sloppy than the stock shifters on these cars.
Oh yea, I like the Kirban better but that's just my personal taste.
I have the Hurst in the 99 and it is easier and lighter to shift if that makes sense.
Kirban is more a robust racing shifter, Hurst more user friendly easy shifter, and both are better/less sloppy than the stock shifters on these cars.
Oh yea, I like the Kirban better but that's just my personal taste.
Last edited by 2000BC; Apr 8, 2010 at 01:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
I've had the stock, Hurst and MGW. Like the MGW the best. Also had a Kirban, but didn't get around to installing it. The Hurst wasn't to bad with the smaller springs and antivenom, but I share the car with my wife and even though she said it was ok, I'm sure it was difficult.
Also look into the C6 ****. It's very nice.
Also look into the C6 ****. It's very nice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
It's my experience with my 02Z,that the trans itself is fairly notchy..and a short shifter will make it feel more so.
I have the B&M ripper and I did the A-V mod with 3 washers AND changed the trans fluid to Amsoil Torque Drive (ATD).
WAY better.Has a good solid,smooth feel.The wifey likes it now so it must be better than it was.
I run a Delrin **** from these folks in my 02Z and 03S2K.That's my car's in the C5 & S2K pix.
http://www.augerresources.com/shiftknobs.htm
\db2
Carolina
I have the B&M ripper and I did the A-V mod with 3 washers AND changed the trans fluid to Amsoil Torque Drive (ATD).
WAY better.Has a good solid,smooth feel.The wifey likes it now so it must be better than it was.
I run a Delrin **** from these folks in my 02Z and 03S2K.That's my car's in the C5 & S2K pix.
http://www.augerresources.com/shiftknobs.htm
\db2
Carolina
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Lockport IL
I also have a Kirban short throw shifter. Very precise and quick. It makes the stock shifter feel like you're rowing a boat in comparison. First mod I did when I got my vette.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 918
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg TN
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12,'14
Wow folks thanks for all the input, this is a great forum for sure!
I want to share the Z06 with the wife, so its a concern for me. I share the other cars and she has been driving standard for many years but learning to race stick will be new for her, and other then drag will be new for me as well.
I want to share the Z06 with the wife, so its a concern for me. I share the other cars and she has been driving standard for many years but learning to race stick will be new for her, and other then drag will be new for me as well.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 21
From: Orlando Florida
Got everything taken apart. It was pretty easy and straightforward taking everything apart.
Did some reading on the demon key and decided that I would exorcise the demon key:
And this is the end result:
Yep, even had time to go get some Sonic (strawberry fruit slushy) after I got everything taken apart and decided that I wasn't even going to mess with the demon key.
Took me about 1.5 from start to finish with the Sonic trip and going out to grab a hacksaw.
Shifts very smooth. The shift from 2-3 and 3-4 is incredible. Just drove it briefly, will have to get used to 4-5 and 5-6. You don't have to "find" the next gear anymore. I love the centering and how it centers itself from 2-3 so you don't miss 3rd.
The MGW came with an installation CD with big pictures, the ball on the bottom of the shifter was already greased, new bolts, new gasket and even the hex keys. I bought a race **** as well, the **** threads were greased already. I just reused the old bolts because I'm going to be dropping the trans in a couple of weeks and the shifter is going to have to come out again anyway.
I'm might look into a better looking shift boot because the stock one looks like a midget now!
Here you guys go:
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: St. Petersburg Florida
I can't talk about the others, but I just put a C6 z06 shifter in my c5, and I love it. Its not super short, but definitely an improvement over the stock c5 shifter which I now realize was a total piece of crap. The C6 shifter is very comfortable, quiet, and has a shorter throw. Plus it looks great
And they definitely do not adivse doing the AV mod either.