I hate the long throws on my C5 shifter. I remember reading that the C5Z06 shifter provided better feel and was a shorter throw. Is this true and if so can I simply replace my standard C5 shifter with one from a Z06? Thanks.

 

Base C5 and C5 Z06 use the exact same part. The Z06 lower box has solid metal bushings where it attaches to the side of the torque tube. It doesnt shorten the throw any but gives a little less sloppy feel. The C6 shifter is a popular upgrade because it bolts onto the same lower box and is a slightly shorter throw. It takes away the feeling of rowing a boat with a 10ft oar. They are also cheap and easy to obtain.

The best option for a SHORT throw is to go aftermarket, but all the aftermarket ones are subjective. Most people like MGW. I have driven cars on track with stock, C6, MGW, B&M, and I just put a Hinson in my personal car. I wanted the shortest throw possible, but the effort is pretty high (OK for me). MGW is still really tight and precise, without a lot of increased effort. Shorter throws than stock or C6, similar to the B&M, but with a little more precision. It seems to be the best all around for a street car that may or may not see some track use.

 

Thank you. Excellent information.

 

When I bought my car it had a B&M, but I didn’t know it. It was hard to get in first or reverse, but it shifter short and positive while driving. It was a pain for me, and my wife hated it.

I installed a C6 shifter with a TMOD box, and it’s precise and like butter. Yes, a bit longer throw. I’ll agree with above that people speak very highly of MGW.

 

I had Tom do my lower box as well when I installed the Hinson. I have zero miles on it (snow up here in Ohio) but that could be part of the reason its so stiff right now until I break it in a bit. I bet if I had done the TMOD box while I still had the C6 shifter I would have liked that a little more than I did. Tom was great to work with and the box looks beautiful! I would recommend him for sure. Plus, since you can get a C6 shifter for less than $100 used adding the cost of his service still makes it less than an MGW.

 

I bought a hurst shifter years ago and never installed it. I got the bug again and prefer to do it once. So it sounds like my best options are C6 w/tmod box or mgw?

 

Comes down to preference, each will be a good setup. Reviews seem to indicate people are very happy with whichever of the two they chose.

If a performance oriented shorter throw is the priority, I'd go with the MGW. Used to be MGW provided the shifter and you used your existing stock box. Now, the MGW is a complete package including their own lower box. I haven’t owned one of these, but it looks like a really nice design, and people swear by them. If I wanted a short throw, this would be my unquestioned choice. Check out their videos…

I wanted a setup that was smooth and sophisticated, like a Porsche. Something my wife wouldn’t have to muscle, yet was slick and precise for me. So, I went TMOD box and C6 shifter and have no regrets. If you go TMOD, make sure to ask for the delrin bushing and the softer mounts. The GM bushing is a cheap plastic cup and probably becomes sloppy as you drive out of the dealer lot. It’s $20 for Tom’s delrin bushing, and it will be immediately clear why it’s a good choice.

Note: if you remove the lower box make sure to remove and save the rubber locater strip on the bottom of the box, it’s held on by silicone or soft glue. When TMOD returns your upgraded box, you’ll use silicone to glue it back on.

 

Thanks for the information. I’m leaning towards the MGW shifter was just out on their website. I’m ok with wrenches but I’m no experienced mechanic, can someone let me know how hard is it to replace the stock shifter and install the MGW?

 

I recall that the aftermarket shifters like BPP and Hurst were very short throw but vibrated very badly. The C6 Z06 shifter was superior. While not having quite as short a throw in each gear, the C6 Z06 shifter was perfect, at least to me. Of course, this was 8 years ago so there may be better shifters on the market, but I can still highly recommend that Z06 shifter.

 

very simple. Watch a couple videos and it will be no problem. The C5 is really easy to work on.

 

I never felt the need for an aftermarket shifter. I tried B&M Sport on my C5 but switched back to stock with my Stuzvette T-Handle.. My stock C6 shifter in my C6 s great.
I have heard great reviews of the MGW shifter but I am sticking with my stock C6 shifter and I drive my Corvette daily 10-11K miles per year. It really comes down to preference.

 

I think i narrowed down my plan to replace my stock C5 shifter. My plan is to buy a C6 Z06 shifter with a tmod lower box. From my research, I think most of my issues are with the lower box being sloppy/vague and that TMOD fixes this. And it looks like the C6Z06 shifter is a tad shorter throws. I’m looking to get the poly shifter bushing to replace the stock plastic piece. Does anyone see any issues with this or have any additional thoughts? Sorry for all the questions, i’m not a road racer or track guy but wants to improve the shifting.

 

Sounds like a solid plan for someone looking to remove some slop and throw and still have a comfortable shift. Go for it.

 

Thanks for the sanity check. I found a c6 Z shifter I’ll e buying. Ed

 

Excellent! I found that improving the shifting experience significantly increased my driving enjoyment Enjoy!