MGW Short throw shifter-C5
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
MGW Short throw shifter-C5
Thinking of replacing my Hurst Shifter as being a bit too notchy and ocassionally getting stuck in reverse.Hearing good things about MGW as a replacement for both smooth, short shifts and a nice compliment to the C5 ZO6 where I'm considering using it.
Any thoughts or confirmations?
Thanks,
Ed
Any thoughts or confirmations?
Thanks,
Ed
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
I would try the anti-venom mod before investing in the MGW. I had the MGW with the shorter shaft. It is precise and smooth, but there is little leverage to work with there and it takes some effort for shifting on the street. It worked great at the track when you are heel/toe shifting, braking turning etc. Shifter gives you 100% confidence that you will hit the right gear. I ended up getting the longer shaft as it was much easier for dd and still pretty quick at the track.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 864
From: So Cal
I would agree that the Anti-Venom Mod is always worth a try as the first step to take before replacing any shifter.
I have the older 2003ish B&M short throw shifter and found it quite notchy. Also, the outside area of my right elbow was occasionally painful when shifting into fifth. I first tried two washers for the Anti-Venom Mod but it made everything a little loose and even a little weird. Huge change and the plusses did not outweigh the minuses.
Changed to one washer in the mod and that was just right. Very pleased with the change but still considering the upgrade to a newer B&M shifter or the MGW simply from the "newer is better" or "grass is always greener" possibilities. My concern is that there will be little discernible change from my current shifter.
Decisions, decisions.
I have the older 2003ish B&M short throw shifter and found it quite notchy. Also, the outside area of my right elbow was occasionally painful when shifting into fifth. I first tried two washers for the Anti-Venom Mod but it made everything a little loose and even a little weird. Huge change and the plusses did not outweigh the minuses.
Changed to one washer in the mod and that was just right. Very pleased with the change but still considering the upgrade to a newer B&M shifter or the MGW simply from the "newer is better" or "grass is always greener" possibilities. My concern is that there will be little discernible change from my current shifter.
Decisions, decisions.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix, Arizona
I luv my MGW
2004 C5 Coupe.
When I upgraded my stock diff to a RPM Level 2 with 4:10 gears I asked the tech at RPM what shifter I should go with as I was looking for something quicker, etc. than stock. He said there was only one way to go, and that is the MGW. He had one in his C5 and like mine, his had a Monster level 3 clutch and 4:10 gears, so shifting needs to be quick and precise.
I bought and installed the MGW using their excellent follow-along
DVD and man, what a difference! I totally recommend it. Their racing shift **** is worth the money too. You'll thank yourself, it is absolutely one of the best improvements to the Vette to date.
When I upgraded my stock diff to a RPM Level 2 with 4:10 gears I asked the tech at RPM what shifter I should go with as I was looking for something quicker, etc. than stock. He said there was only one way to go, and that is the MGW. He had one in his C5 and like mine, his had a Monster level 3 clutch and 4:10 gears, so shifting needs to be quick and precise.
I bought and installed the MGW using their excellent follow-along
DVD and man, what a difference! I totally recommend it. Their racing shift **** is worth the money too. You'll thank yourself, it is absolutely one of the best improvements to the Vette to date.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 505
Likes: 6
From: Dover De
I had a B&M Ripper with the Anti Mod, loved it but wanted a change. I went with the MGW and I have to say it was like night and day. I love my MGW. The shifts are smooth and short and the shifter is a little shorter then the B&M. I was a little learry for paying $250 for a shifter but once I did I was like this is the shifter that needed to be in the car from the factory. I have a ball shifter and love the feel. I also know that the shifter is well made and a USA product. The CS of MGW was top notch.
If you switch you will not be disapointed.
Nick
If you switch you will not be disapointed.
Nick
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St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
My MGW was really notchy and then I did the anti-venom and now its awesome!
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The Anti-venom mod does the trick!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 5
From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
There is pro/con on the anti mod. I have had the MGW shifter for 3/4 years. Best shifter I've had in the car. About 2/3 weeks ago I decided to do the mod and was not pleased with the results. Upshifts felt fine but the downshifts sucked. Removed the washer and car is now back to normal. YMMV
Gene
Gene
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
ED
"QUOTE" (Thinking of replacing my Hurst Shifter as being a bit too notchy )
If you carefully examine the OEM shifter, the Hurst Shifter and the MGM Shifter and any C5 or C6 shifter for that matter,, you will find that the SHIFTER does NOT have any gates in the shifter that can cause it to feel NOTCHY! There are also ZERO gates in the lower box.
If you secure the base of the shifter plate to something solid, you can move the handle in almost any position (left, right forward and reward) Some shifters (KIRBAN) have centering springs that help center the shifter handle in the center neutral position.
All the shift gate are inside the transmission and are controlled by a small plate with groves and a small follower pin in the shift rails
There have been issues with the LOWER SHIFT BOX bearings where the shaft protrudes the box on the front and rear of the box wearing out or becoming dry and cause a poor shift feel.
Bill
"QUOTE" (Thinking of replacing my Hurst Shifter as being a bit too notchy )
If you carefully examine the OEM shifter, the Hurst Shifter and the MGM Shifter and any C5 or C6 shifter for that matter,, you will find that the SHIFTER does NOT have any gates in the shifter that can cause it to feel NOTCHY! There are also ZERO gates in the lower box.
If you secure the base of the shifter plate to something solid, you can move the handle in almost any position (left, right forward and reward) Some shifters (KIRBAN) have centering springs that help center the shifter handle in the center neutral position.
All the shift gate are inside the transmission and are controlled by a small plate with groves and a small follower pin in the shift rails
There have been issues with the LOWER SHIFT BOX bearings where the shaft protrudes the box on the front and rear of the box wearing out or becoming dry and cause a poor shift feel.
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 1
From: Orange County California
I love my MGW, but it doesn't make shifting less notchy, it makes shifting more precise and faster, so you eliminate grinding and missing gears...the anti venom mod helps with smoothness...together you get what you are looking for
Bill mentioned the spring un the Kirban shifter pulling the shifter back centered...through some feat of engineering the MGW does the same thing without a spring...It centers and stays centered when not in gear...when in neutral there is zero play side to side
can't go wrong with a Kirban or MGW...do the anti venom mod either way ;-)
Bill mentioned the spring un the Kirban shifter pulling the shifter back centered...through some feat of engineering the MGW does the same thing without a spring...It centers and stays centered when not in gear...when in neutral there is zero play side to side
can't go wrong with a Kirban or MGW...do the anti venom mod either way ;-)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
After extensive online research, I decided to go with the B&M Sport shifter because of two main reasons:
1) The MGW requires a permanent modification to your rubber boot. It needs to be cut to fit over the new shifter. The B&M does not.
2) I could not get any response to my numerous attempts to contact the company to enquire on Canadian shipping costs. I tried once through their website, and twice by sending an email. They did answer one of my emails with "I will get back to you". They never did. This did not inspire me to go with them. What would happen in a case I needed technical support? I did not encounter this problem with B&M.
So, there you have it. I am vert happy with my B&M so far. However, it is extremely important that you ensure your shifter box is perfectly aligned and is in perfect shape.
Last edited by Cybermind; Jan 3, 2013 at 06:02 PM.
