C5 shifter vs C6 shifter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 15
From: Strafford, New Hampshire
C5 shifter vs C6 shifter
Ok , I've looked around and I have a question. The difference between a c5 and c6 shifter is, obviously the shifter shaft angle and diameter. But what about the box, it looks identical in every picture I could find. Is there a difference in the box or should I just find a c6 shifter and bolt it onto my box to get the short throw feel? Is it really worth the upgrade?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Not sure what you mean by the box. The C6 shifter is plug and play and is more than just the stick. Did this installation years ago and still love. Tried the Hurst, it was a piece of crap IMO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
I didn't look REAL close but, it does appear to be the same box... when I bought the C6 shifter it came with the box... IF there is a difference it is a very subtle one... Still happy with the results
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 15
From: Strafford, New Hampshire
Thank you. That is the answer I was looking for. SO I don't have to buy the whole box just the shifter. And was it a noticeable upgrade? worthy of the potential couple hundred bucks I'm gonna drop?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Shifts like butta...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I installed a TPS 427x C6 modified shifter they offer a few weeks ago along with one of their shift *****, and new rubber bushings for the lower box and honestly I could not tell any difference whatsoever in the shifting. I like the look and the feel of the cue-ball ****, but that's it. I'd suggest adding a bit more $$ and going with the MGW shifter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 273
From: Jax, Fl
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 15
From: Strafford, New Hampshire
Thanks for all of your input guys! So I don't feel like dumping $360 for the mgw as some of you dont like it. I just don't have the money. And it sounds like the box itself is roughly the same from the c5 to the c6. It seems that the only real difference is the ****, shaft, and gate. I'll be looking for those pieces soon. I have a list of more essential fixes I need to address first with the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 57
From: Kensington MD
The MGW is a lot tighter, if that's what you're looking for. The C5 and C6 are a lot looser, but also a lot smoother and much less effort to shift.
As mentioned, the box is the same for both C5 and C6. You may wish to replace the rubber bushings that mount the box, though. Be careful about dropping any hardware in there--it's very hard to fish it out!
As mentioned, the box is the same for both C5 and C6. You may wish to replace the rubber bushings that mount the box, though. Be careful about dropping any hardware in there--it's very hard to fish it out!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
I tried the TPS shortened C6 set up, but reverted to a shortened C5 set up as the kink in the C6 lever moved the **** back just far enough to feel a big less natural to me.
It's certainly the cheap way - a $10 die, a hacksaw and a new **** - around $30-$40 depending on choice. I did tie the box down a bit more solidly - used conventional bolts with good thick flat washers under them, and made sure they were torqued up good and tight.
It's certainly the cheap way - a $10 die, a hacksaw and a new **** - around $30-$40 depending on choice. I did tie the box down a bit more solidly - used conventional bolts with good thick flat washers under them, and made sure they were torqued up good and tight.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 299
Likes: 33
From: Chambersburg PA
When I did the c6 shifter in my 02 I left c5 lower box on trans and just installed the top piece, lower is same on both. Didn't notice any difference in shifter throws but that wasn't the reason I swapped mine. I hated the club that the c5 came with on top of shifter, the c6 **** is more pleasing to my eye and hand. Also no need to buy a new shift boot, I was able to utilize my c5 shift boot, it's a stretch but it will work.
So as far as performance not a noticable improvement, but looks and feel in the palm gets 2👍👍
So as far as performance not a noticable improvement, but looks and feel in the palm gets 2👍👍
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 189
From: Wilmington DE
to the MGW naysayers it takes a little time. I have the mgw with new lower box. Like others said its stiff at first and was tricky going into 5th. Heres what you need to do.
1.Make sure to use the alignment tool during install this helps with 1st and 5th alot
2.. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
3. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
4. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
5. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
1.Make sure to use the alignment tool during install this helps with 1st and 5th alot
2.. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
3. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
4. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
5. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
Last edited by SuperTom; Jul 16, 2016 at 11:34 AM. Reason: added another line
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
to the MGW naysayers it takes a little time. I have the mgw with new lower box. Like others said its stiff at first and was tricky going into 5th. Heres what you need to do.
1. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
2. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
3. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
4. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
1. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
2. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
3. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
4. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
I did the same things and not ONE of them maybe would make a big difference but put together they do...I also switched to Lucas Synthetic DOT IV clutch fluid...I think that helped a little
I also VENTED the dust covers on the bell housing... one by the oil filter and one by the starter... keeps heat and dust down....
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 21
From: Henderson Nv
I installed a hurst short shifter, loved the feel of it but HATED how tall the shifter was. I chopped the shifter down and threaded it the whole way down to where it tapers out. It's perfect now, along with the solid motor mounts it feels like shifting a heavier s2000 shifter.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,183
From: Buffalo Texas
to the MGW naysayers it takes a little time. I have the mgw with new lower box. Like others said its stiff at first and was tricky going into 5th. Heres what you need to do.
1.Make sure to use the alignment tool during install this helps with 1st and 5th alot
2.. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
3. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
4. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
5. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
1.Make sure to use the alignment tool during install this helps with 1st and 5th alot
2.. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
3. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
4. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
5. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 235
From: Pa
to the MGW naysayers it takes a little time. I have the mgw with new lower box. Like others said its stiff at first and was tricky going into 5th. Heres what you need to do.
1.Make sure to use the alignment tool during install this helps with 1st and 5th alot
2.. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
3. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
4. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
5. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
1.Make sure to use the alignment tool during install this helps with 1st and 5th alot
2.. Amsoil Torque Drive fluid in the trans
3. Clean clutch fluid - I used ranger method with a long skinny hose to really get beyond the reservoir and squirt fresh fluid all the way in the back pushing the bad fluid forward.
4. AntiVenom mod - I think I'm on 1 washer after starting with 2.
5. Actually drive your Car - after 1000 miles or so the MGW loosens up
Right now after 2 years my shifting is soo smooth and precise its just perfect. A little patience needed with this one
Last edited by steig; Jul 17, 2016 at 06:16 PM.