MGW & reverse....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 262
Likes: 60
MGW & reverse....
I put in the MGW shifter and lower box. Had to pull everything apart to torque down the set torx bolt.
I like the short and tight shifts.
However......into reverse is almost impossible with one hand.
I've read a few opinions. . Anto venom.. flush fluids..
Any thoughts?
I like the short and tight shifts.
However......into reverse is almost impossible with one hand.
I've read a few opinions. . Anto venom.. flush fluids..
Any thoughts?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 545
Likes: 384
From: southern rural MI
I also installed a MGW last year and love the short tight throws. When the car is cold and I'm backing out of the garage, I'll put in 1st and roll the car slowly forward and then while rolling, slip into reverse. Maybe not your issue, but it works beautifully when cold.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
With the stock and MGW reverse has always been a challenge to set smoothly. My work around is to put in 1st, clutch, into neutral, wiggle, clutch into Reverse. Works for me.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 154
Likes: 31
From: Temecula, CA
The anti venom mod seems to work for some people and not for others. It does make shifting through gears require a little less effort. The one time I installed it on a car with an aftermarket STS, it didn't help so much getting into reverse. It required some muscle, but it does "break-in" over time though.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 137
Likes: 55
From: Southern California
I've had an MGW shifter on my car when it had a stock clutch and now that it has a Mcleod RXT, and its always needed a little extra effort to get into reverse, but nothing that required the strength of both arms. Sometimes if it's being stubborn, what I do is put the clutch to the floor, start pressing the shifter into reverse, very slowly let off the clutch and right at the grab point of the clutch it will fall right in to reverse like butter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 1,389
From: Orange County, CA
A company called Core Shifters sells a softer reverse lockout spring for just this purpose. It makes getting past the reverse lockout solenoid easier. I bought one for the same reason some time after putting in a MGW. But I later put the stock spring back in after returning to stock C6 shifter.
If anyone is interested, I'll sell my barely-used Core Shifters softer reverse-lockout solenoid spring for $10 shipped.
https://core-shifters.com/products/s...ant=8019908803
Anti-venom mod only affects forward/backward shift effort. Doesn't affect side-to-side like the OP described for getting into reverse gate.
If anyone is interested, I'll sell my barely-used Core Shifters softer reverse-lockout solenoid spring for $10 shipped.
https://core-shifters.com/products/s...ant=8019908803
The anti venom mod seems to work for some people and not for others. It does make shifting through gears require a little less effort. The one time I installed it on a car with an aftermarket STS, it didn't help so much getting into reverse. It required some muscle, but it does "break-in" over time though.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 91
From: Delaware
Same here. I would suggest making sure you have the lower portion adjusted properly might take a few times to adjust to get it right. I had issues like that when I had the hurst shifter if I took it out I would have to mess with the adjustment some and it would work fine after. Only other thing I could suggest is call MGW and talk with them and see what they say.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,893
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
Same here. I would suggest making sure you have the lower portion adjusted properly might take a few times to adjust to get it right. I had issues like that when I had the hurst shifter if I took it out I would have to mess with the adjustment some and it would work fine after. Only other thing I could suggest is call MGW and talk with them and see what they say.
installing correctly and adjustment is the key to success..
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NC
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I've had several MGW installs in my car and in my friends. Never had this problem of getting into reverse. With the new alignment tool that comes with the shifter alignment is a non issue. On my current car a 2007 Z06 I did perform the AV mod. using one washer. It really improved the feel of the shifter (MGW) in this Z. All my other cars I just used the MGW but they were newer and didn't have the T56 transmission so they shifted better anyway. Might give MGW a call, they are very helpful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,893
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
I've had several MGW installs in my car and in my friends. Never had this problem of getting into reverse. With the new alignment tool that comes with the shifter alignment is a non issue. On my current car a 2007 Z06 I did perform the AV mod. using one washer. It really improved the feel of the shifter (MGW) in this Z. All my other cars I just used the MGW but they were newer and didn't have the T56 transmission so they shifted better anyway. Might give MGW a call, they are very helpful.
I would think people would have and use the alignment too;.. with this tool, never going to be an issue.
had my lower cradle out at a shop, they just put it back together and when i drove it, could tell immediately it was not aligned properly, they just stuck it in. So took it apart, not a big deal. used alignment tool and glued everything back together, works flawlessly again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,893
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
I always back in my garage after a flight.. so maybe that is why i have no issues with it, because maybe it is pretty warm and slips in easy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,230
Likes: 1,529
From: Pasadena, MD
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I’m going a different direction and recommending side lateral raises.
Kidding! I also have a MGW with no issues. Hope you get it worked out and keep us posted.
Kidding! I also have a MGW with no issues. Hope you get it worked out and keep us posted.