"Short shifters"
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
"Short shifters"
He gang, I was wondering about the short throw shifters I see from MGD (?) and some other companies. I watched some of the installation video for one of them and I'm concerned that although the throw distance is shorter, does the effort increase??
Thanks,
Chas
Thanks,
Chas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Yes, the effort does go up some, but they are much nicer to drive. Be warned that a lot of them (like my Hurst) tend to have a rattle at certain rpm's.
If you drive in a lot of traffic you may not like it as much - just fair warning.
You may also want to loo into the "anti-venom" mod to reduce the shift effort so that it is kind of a wash making the change.
If you drive in a lot of traffic you may not like it as much - just fair warning.
You may also want to loo into the "anti-venom" mod to reduce the shift effort so that it is kind of a wash making the change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Any time you reduce the length of your shifter you are effectively reducing the length of the lever which will increase the effort required to change gears. I for one like the increased effort and its still not too bad, but mine isnt as short as some.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 580
Likes: 1
From: Ironton Ohio
MGW here and the effort went way up. I had a stock shifter I had cut down previously and the effort required was nearly like stock. If I hadn't cut the rubber insulation boot for the MGW I might have gone back to the cut stocker or a C6 shifter.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Stay away from the Hurst, my Z06 had one installed when I purchased it. The shifter was noisy (rattled) and difficult to shift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
Strange, I have a Hurst and it has never rattled. Shift effort was high but after I did the venom-mod it's got a good feel. I use the light springs and keep it lubed.
The big heavy Hurst ball may be what is stopping the rattle. I've never used the stock shifter on the Hurst. It's very light and a wierd shape.
The big heavy Hurst ball may be what is stopping the rattle. I've never used the stock shifter on the Hurst. It's very light and a wierd shape.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor Fl
I like my Kirban shifter. The centering spring offers a good resistance and it snaps back to center quickly. The throws are solid. If you like to feel your car going into gear and how solid everything is working this is the shifter for you. If you're a nancy with a limp wrist that doesn't like the feel of a good manual tranmission this shifter may not be for you.
I hated the factory shifter. With just the tranmsmission centering spring I felt it was too weak and I hated the large gaps between gates. A shifter with good centering springs in the base is the way to go.
I hated the factory shifter. With just the tranmsmission centering spring I felt it was too weak and I hated the large gaps between gates. A shifter with good centering springs in the base is the way to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
+1 I have the Hurst and the effort is higher, but much nicer to drive. I put the lighter springs in and started getting the rattle at high RPMs, as a test I am going to see if going back to the stiff springs stops the rattle. That is one nice thing about the Hurst is that you can adjust the springs to get a feel that you like.
Yes, the effort does go up some, but they are much nicer to drive. Be warned that a lot of them (like my Hurst) tend to have a rattle at certain rpm's.
If you drive in a lot of traffic you may not like it as much - just fair warning.
You may also want to loo into the "anti-venom" mod to reduce the shift effort so that it is kind of a wash making the change.
If you drive in a lot of traffic you may not like it as much - just fair warning.
You may also want to loo into the "anti-venom" mod to reduce the shift effort so that it is kind of a wash making the change.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
I would not say that it is harder to shift, I would say the effort of moving the shifter has increased some, but it makes hitting the right gears easier. Benefit, fewer missed shifts and a really buff looking right arm! 
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 like my Kirban shifter. The centering spring offers a good resistance and it snaps back to center quickly. The throws are solid. If you like to feel your car going into gear and how solid everything is working this is the shifter for you. If you're a nancy with a limp wrist that doesn't like the feel of a good manual tranmission this shifter may not be for you.
I hated the factory shifter. With just the tranmsmission centering spring I felt it was too weak and I hated the large gaps between gates. A shifter with good centering springs in the base is the way to go.
I hated the factory shifter. With just the tranmsmission centering spring I felt it was too weak and I hated the large gaps between gates. A shifter with good centering springs in the base is the way to go.
100% Accurate!
I love my KIRBAN also! Positive accurate shifts.
BC
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 70
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
I have a H&R short shifter and I would not call it smooth shifting but it is shorter and more exact. It feels notchy to me, I would liked a smoother feel to shifting. But doubt I will change again.
By the way, nice pics.
By the way, nice pics.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
Strange, I have a Hurst and it has never rattled. Shift effort was high but after I did the venom-mod it's got a good feel. I use the light springs and keep it lubed.
The big heavy Hurst ball may be what is stopping the rattle. I've never used the stock shifter on the Hurst. It's very light and a wierd shape.
The big heavy Hurst ball may be what is stopping the rattle. I've never used the stock shifter on the Hurst. It's very light and a wierd shape.
I haven't even done the Anti-venom mod yet.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
The stock shifter on the C5 is one of the worst I've ever driven; almost any aftermarket shifter would be an improvement. Yes, the effort goes up; but if you can't manage to shift your car with relative ease even with a very short aftermarket shifter installed you need to get to the gym. Go to a local corvette club meeting and ask someone to try their's. It's honestly a lot more difficult to get used to the very short throws than it is the shift effort...
Yes, shift effort goes up, no it does not become HARD to shift. If you want some of the slop of the stock shifter back but still like the precise throws of an aftermarket one you can do the antivenom mod. Very simple, very easy, very quick.
I've tried two other aftermarket shifters (including hurst) and my MGW is here to stay.
Yes, shift effort goes up, no it does not become HARD to shift. If you want some of the slop of the stock shifter back but still like the precise throws of an aftermarket one you can do the antivenom mod. Very simple, very easy, very quick.
I've tried two other aftermarket shifters (including hurst) and my MGW is here to stay.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
I know 2 other vettes( one with a B&R ripper and one with a MGW) all in working order.
You cant base your experience on one shifter and say its say that about the brand. You just had a bad experience.
No need to get sour with a member( who is knowlegable btw) who doesnt favor your opinion.