Hello, I want to install a short shifter in my vette because my original one is bugging me, the shift throws are too long?What kind of short shifter do you recommend for my 1998 corvette c5? Please let me know which brand would be best?

 

Thats almost like asking: Hey What beer is the best??" If there are 20 different shifters, you will get 23 different recommendations.

Let me be the FIRST and recommend what I have. KIRBAN Shifter It has centering springs and shift stops. Most people dont like shift stops but, if used properly, they make a positive difference in shift feel.

Your best bet is to find people with different aftermarket shifters and drive their cars and see how that shifter feels and if you like it.

There are TWO types of shifters. The OEM type that DOES NOT have shifter handle centering springs. The shifter handle centering that you expierence is accomplished inside the trannsmision. On the early C5, that spring inside the tranny is weak and provides IMHO POOR Shift Handle Centering.

The second type is one like the KIRBAN that has additional centering springs in the shifter body.

I also had a 98 MN6 Coupe and I hated the vague feel of the shifter centering springs for the 1st & 2nd to 3rd-4th gates. If your not careful and dont shift properly, you will shift back into the 2nd gear gate when you winding out 3rd and need to go to 4th. Your engine will NOT be happy if you do that!!

KIRBAN vs OEM











Before you slap down some cash on a new shifter, make sure that its what you really want. Just because its new and aftermarket doesnt always make a positive difference if you want more positive centering.

NOTE! There are ZERO, NADA, NONE, NILCH shift gates in any C5 shifter. If you remove your shift handle from the shifter box, the shift handle will flop around in the shifter housing like a limp dish rag!!!! All the gates and shift feel is accomplished INSIDE the transmission!!!

BC

 

I think i am gonna go with one from TPS. Alot of members swear by MGW thought. A search would yield thousands of posts about it asl well.

 

Hurst makes a nice shifter. Two different sets of weighted centering springs and an adjustment on the shifter.

Lots of history with a Hurst and a cool decal.

 

MGW rules.

 

B&M with a hurst ball does it for me.

 

MGW for me. Its a lot different than the stock shifter. Once you install it and get used to it, you realize what a POS the stock shifter was.

 

Breathless for me.

 

In my humble opinion, MGW has the highest quality short shifter. It is postive engaging and precise. Never have to worry about hitting 3rd or 4th. Centers perfect

 

RaW Z06

Is the MGW a spring assisted to center shifter??


Thanks

BC

 

The MGW is a work of art. It is so well finished that you won't want to put the boot over it. It also is a very efficient short shifter. I does require more effort than stock but you quickly get used to that. It is not cheap but you get what you pay for.

 

I have not taken one apart but assume that it is spring assisted

Here is a quote from the MGW website

"offers positive return for finding 3rd gear every time"

 

Another vote for MGW!

 

I have an MGW for sale if you're interested. It comes w/ a delrin shift ****

 

MM GG WW !!

 

B&M Sport shifter here. I like it a lot. It shortened throws by 1/3. Like all short through shifters, it does reqire more effort because you loose some mechanical advantage when you shorten the shifter.

It doean't have any stops or springs in it but still centers very well. I have a 2001 coupe.

 

I cut the shaft down 1.5" at the base and then another 1/2" at the top where the shifter **** screws on.... Short in height, but same effort from stock shifter. That can be somewhat adjusted with machine washers in the shifter detent in teh transmission. Shorter than a B & M Precision Sport Shifter.

 

a new **** REALLY makes a big difference from stock ****.

 

God damn I need to scrounge me another stock shifter to do this. I'd hate to take mine off and screw it up somehow - I always like doing stuff like this on spares.

All I'd really want is a lower shifter, it's fine with me otherwise.

 

I just want to reiterate the fact that EARLY C5 (97,98 & 99,, could be 2000 also) had weak shifter return springs. The shifter handle centering on cars with a weak spring SUCKS!

If you purchase a shifter WITHOUT additional centering springs,, there will not be much improvement over the the old STOCK Unit. IF,,,, you like the feel of the stock shifter but want an INEXPENSIVE improvement over what you have now, up-grade to a C6 Shifter.

When I got my 06 MN6 Z51 Coupe, I swore that the first mod would be a NEW shifter. Well, the improved tranny and the short more ergonomic shifter fits the bill really nice! It does NOT have centering springs BUT,, the springs inside the C6 trans are much improved and makes a nice POSITIVE centering feel from either side of the 3rd/4th neutral gate.

BC