Shifting issues with MGW Short Shifter
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 523
Likes: 90
From: Los Angeles, CA
Shifting issues with MGW Short Shifter
Installed the MGW Short Shifter Flat stick in my 2004 C5Z about a month ago and while the throw was definitely shortened there still seems to be a "crunchy" feeling when going through the gears.
I did the Antivenom mod with 1 washer thinking it would fix it, but it didnt.
Sometimes going into 1st gear when I start the car in the morning or from a dead stop feels like there is something in the way or takes a couple tries to go in smoothly (for example, I push the clutch in, try to shift to 1st and it either doesn't go in at all or goes in but feels like its got some resistance/notchiness. Same goes for reverse)
I've noticed that if I press the clutch in and shift to 1st then shift out of 1st back to neutral and do that a couple times, it gets smoother each time.
Any ideas on what's causing this or how to fix it? I've searched on here and found a shifter adjustment thread, so I followed the steps on there. Took apart the MGW this morning, repositioned everything to line up better and still the same.
Would really appreciate some insight as I hate the way the shifter feels even with the MGW
I did the Antivenom mod with 1 washer thinking it would fix it, but it didnt.
Sometimes going into 1st gear when I start the car in the morning or from a dead stop feels like there is something in the way or takes a couple tries to go in smoothly (for example, I push the clutch in, try to shift to 1st and it either doesn't go in at all or goes in but feels like its got some resistance/notchiness. Same goes for reverse)
I've noticed that if I press the clutch in and shift to 1st then shift out of 1st back to neutral and do that a couple times, it gets smoother each time.
Any ideas on what's causing this or how to fix it? I've searched on here and found a shifter adjustment thread, so I followed the steps on there. Took apart the MGW this morning, repositioned everything to line up better and still the same.
Would really appreciate some insight as I hate the way the shifter feels even with the MGW
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 13
From: Staten Island NY
Was there a problem before the shifter install?
If not seems doing the whatever mod to the transmission is unnecessary. The shifter doesn't affect anything in the trans. It's either installed correctly or not. Don't go making things worse.
If not seems doing the whatever mod to the transmission is unnecessary. The shifter doesn't affect anything in the trans. It's either installed correctly or not. Don't go making things worse.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
it comes with a fool proof alignment tool so I guess we could count that out ??? I have one washer in mine and after three summers of use(18,000 miles) it is butter !!!
Last edited by Pounder; Dec 10, 2016 at 11:51 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 523
Likes: 90
From: Los Angeles, CA
I did use the alignment tool the first time. Like you said, pretty foolproof since there's really only one way to bolt down the alignment tool.
And yes, i did notice these same problems with the stock shifter, but I think it's now more noticeable because of the stiffer and shorter throw of the MGW.
I juat want the same butter shifting that everyone talks about with these MGW shifters.
And yes, i did notice these same problems with the stock shifter, but I think it's now more noticeable because of the stiffer and shorter throw of the MGW.
I juat want the same butter shifting that everyone talks about with these MGW shifters.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 759
Likes: 50
From: woodbridge,VA Myrtle Beach,SC
Mgw
remember this is a race designed shifter, it takes more effort to select gears than a stock shifter.
maybe that's being confused with misaligned?
I use MGW shifters in all my corvettes, none work "smoothly" but they all work as designed, as a precise racing shifter.
at 7K RPM I don't want to hope I have the correct gear, so I use MGW.
and I think they work smoothly! perception!?
maybe that's being confused with misaligned?
I use MGW shifters in all my corvettes, none work "smoothly" but they all work as designed, as a precise racing shifter.
at 7K RPM I don't want to hope I have the correct gear, so I use MGW.
and I think they work smoothly! perception!?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 523
Likes: 90
From: Los Angeles, CA
remember this is a race designed shifter, it takes more effort to select gears than a stock shifter.
maybe that's being confused with misaligned?
I use MGW shifters in all my corvettes, none work "smoothly" but they all work as designed, as a precise racing shifter.
at 7K RPM I don't want to hope I have the correct gear, so I use MGW.
and I think they work smoothly! perception!?
maybe that's being confused with misaligned?
I use MGW shifters in all my corvettes, none work "smoothly" but they all work as designed, as a precise racing shifter.
at 7K RPM I don't want to hope I have the correct gear, so I use MGW.
and I think they work smoothly! perception!?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 13
From: Staten Island NY
You obviously have an internal transmission problem that you need to address. Not sure why you would think changing the shifter would help.
Grinding/crunching usually means bad syncro's or maybe your clutch isn't disengaging all the way. Either way you should fix it before you really break something.
Grinding/crunching usually means bad syncro's or maybe your clutch isn't disengaging all the way. Either way you should fix it before you really break something.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 523
Likes: 90
From: Los Angeles, CA
I may not be describing the problem correctly. The shifter in my 04 GTO felt the same way. There is no grinding whatsoever. It's almost like a 2 notches going into gear rather than one solid notch into 1st or reverse. Like I mentioned above, with the clutch in, if I move the shifter into 1st then back neutral a couple of times, the more I do that, the smoother it gets.
I completely uninstalled the shifter yesterday morning and was able to get the shifts from 1-2, 3-4 smoother but now getting into 1st and reverse are even more difficult to get into. I'll probably disassemble the shifter one more time and try to readjust everything and if that still doesn't work I'll take it to my local corvette shop
I completely uninstalled the shifter yesterday morning and was able to get the shifts from 1-2, 3-4 smoother but now getting into 1st and reverse are even more difficult to get into. I'll probably disassemble the shifter one more time and try to readjust everything and if that still doesn't work I'll take it to my local corvette shop
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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You obviously have an internal transmission problem that you need to address. Not sure why you would think changing the shifter would help.
Grinding/crunching usually means bad syncro's or maybe your clutch isn't disengaging all the way. Either way you should fix it before you really break something.
Grinding/crunching usually means bad syncro's or maybe your clutch isn't disengaging all the way. Either way you should fix it before you really break something.
... I would start off by trying a high quality trans fluid such as amsoil torque drive and if that doesn't help then it sounds like you might need to have the trans refreshed to fix the issue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
My MGW was very stiff but very precise.
It was so stiff I didn't like it and was considering something else. It was a chore to drive because of fighting to get it into 1st or reverse.
I did the anti venom mod and it made a ton of difference. From the first time I drove it the stiffness was gone but still precise. Instead of fighting it, I just drove it and didn't notice the shift effort.
Since it made so much difference on mine, I would suggest adding another washer. It is cheap, easy and quick to see if it helps.
Good luck.
It was so stiff I didn't like it and was considering something else. It was a chore to drive because of fighting to get it into 1st or reverse.
I did the anti venom mod and it made a ton of difference. From the first time I drove it the stiffness was gone but still precise. Instead of fighting it, I just drove it and didn't notice the shift effort.
Since it made so much difference on mine, I would suggest adding another washer. It is cheap, easy and quick to see if it helps.
Good luck.