WTB short shifter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 127
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From: Houston TX
WTB short shifter
whats up guys, ive got a 99 FRC 6 speed and i want to upgrade the shifter(im SICK of the oem telephone pole shifter
) what do you guys recommend as far as an upgrade? thanks
if you have one for sale i'd prefer to pick the shifter up locally(houston)
) what do you guys recommend as far as an upgrade? thanksif you have one for sale i'd prefer to pick the shifter up locally(houston)
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There won't be a consensus of opinion. You better start a poll to tally the points for all of the possibilities.
Right now, the MGW or the C6/Z06 oem shifters seem to have the most supporters.
When I was researching for my choice, those were not available. Mine is a B&M "Sport" shifter with similar rubber isolation to oem C5 and C6 shifters. Easy shifting (not "notchy"), no vibrations or noise into the cabin, which is a problem with many billet construction shifters.
If the overall length is your primary issue, it's easy to shorten the oem shifter by 3/4" or more.
Right now, the MGW or the C6/Z06 oem shifters seem to have the most supporters.
When I was researching for my choice, those were not available. Mine is a B&M "Sport" shifter with similar rubber isolation to oem C5 and C6 shifters. Easy shifting (not "notchy"), no vibrations or noise into the cabin, which is a problem with many billet construction shifters.
If the overall length is your primary issue, it's easy to shorten the oem shifter by 3/4" or more.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,651
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From: Farmington UT
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There are two distinct types of shifters. OEM STYLE aftermarket "without centering springs in the shifter body" & aftermarket shifters with centering springs in the shifter body.
Once you determine which TYPE you prefer, that narrows down the list quite a bit.
The OEM shifter does NOT have 3rd/4th gate center springs and all the shifter handle centering (third/neutral/forth gate) is accomplished by a spring inside the transmission.
Early six speeds had **** Poor First/Second gate to third/neutral/forth gate return springs.
To eliminate that problem, I chose a Kirban Ripper Shifter. It has nice firm return spring inside the shifter body and when shifted properly, you significantly decrease the chance of going into second gear when you wanted fourth.
If you prefer an OEM style short throw shifter that really works well, get a C6 shifter. I thought I wouldn’t like it when my wife purchased her C6 Coupe. I purchased a B&M shifter to install in it place. After driving the C6 with the OEM short throw shifter, I learned to really like it. It shifts excellent. The C6 MN6 tranny also has an improved 1st/2nd & 5th/6th centering spring unlike the early C5's
Before you invest in a specific shifter, see if you can find a C5 with an aftermarket shifter and see how it feels.
BC
Once you determine which TYPE you prefer, that narrows down the list quite a bit.
The OEM shifter does NOT have 3rd/4th gate center springs and all the shifter handle centering (third/neutral/forth gate) is accomplished by a spring inside the transmission.
Early six speeds had **** Poor First/Second gate to third/neutral/forth gate return springs.
To eliminate that problem, I chose a Kirban Ripper Shifter. It has nice firm return spring inside the shifter body and when shifted properly, you significantly decrease the chance of going into second gear when you wanted fourth.
If you prefer an OEM style short throw shifter that really works well, get a C6 shifter. I thought I wouldn’t like it when my wife purchased her C6 Coupe. I purchased a B&M shifter to install in it place. After driving the C6 with the OEM short throw shifter, I learned to really like it. It shifts excellent. The C6 MN6 tranny also has an improved 1st/2nd & 5th/6th centering spring unlike the early C5's
Before you invest in a specific shifter, see if you can find a C5 with an aftermarket shifter and see how it feels.
BC
