MGW installed!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,732
Likes: 15
From: SC
MGW installed!
WOW! I'm loving this shifter! The centering action is very good, the throws are short with direct feel. Seems like it will be impossible to miss a shift now. It requires more effort then stock, especially in the side to side movement but the trade off is well worth it. Install took me about 2 hrs with a trip to home depot for a T20 torx. I reused the stock **** and am happy to report no rattling at all. During install I was able to put the console down on the passenger seat with the TC/Aux power still connected, did have to disconnect the hazards and cig lighter.
Here's a few pics
Beneath the console....
Stocker removed, notice the TC/Aux power cables with enough cord to move console to passenger seat.
Side by side bases
Finished install......
Here's a few pics
Beneath the console....
Stocker removed, notice the TC/Aux power cables with enough cord to move console to passenger seat.
Side by side bases
Finished install......
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Lombard IL
How much more effort would say, % wise?? thats one of my few complaints on the C6 is the "rock crusher" shifter. I am having my MGW put in shortly and the preciseness sounds great, but the additional effort - not so much.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,732
Likes: 15
From: SC
It seemed to lessen as your driving, or perhaps I was getting used to it. I've also read in a few threads it breaks in and becomes a little easier over time.
Believe me at 1st your gonna notice the extra effort but it fades and you just concentrate on the much improved shifting.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Lombard IL
Hard for me to put in terms of %. The 3-4 shift feels nearly stock, perhaps 5-10% more effort, the neutral to 1st is much more noticeable effort, 20% or so perhaps.
It seemed to lessen as your driving, or perhaps I was getting used to it. I've also read in a few threads it breaks in and becomes a little easier over time.
Believe me at 1st your gonna notice the extra effort but it fades and you just concentrate on the much improved shifting.
It seemed to lessen as your driving, or perhaps I was getting used to it. I've also read in a few threads it breaks in and becomes a little easier over time.
Believe me at 1st your gonna notice the extra effort but it fades and you just concentrate on the much improved shifting.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,732
Likes: 15
From: SC
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
BJK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,008
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Another poster who recently installed the MGW mentioned issues with fitting the stock boot over the MGW boot. He indicated that he had to cut the stock boot to get it to fit well. Did you have any issues with this?
Congrats, btw. I'm interested in doing this but all these "your warranty will be voided if..." threads have me a bit spooked.
Congrats, btw. I'm interested in doing this but all these "your warranty will be voided if..." threads have me a bit spooked.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,120
Likes: 506
From: Greenville, NC
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Very nice! You are going to love the MGW shifter.
For anyone interested in a MGW shifter you might want to check out this thread from George at MGW.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1978898
For anyone interested in a MGW shifter you might want to check out this thread from George at MGW.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1978898
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,120
Likes: 506
From: Greenville, NC
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Another poster who recently installed the MGW mentioned issues with fitting the stock boot over the MGW boot. He indicated that he had to cut the stock boot to get it to fit well. Did you have any issues with this?
Congrats, btw. I'm interested in doing this but all these "your warranty will be voided if..." threads have me a bit spooked.
Congrats, btw. I'm interested in doing this but all these "your warranty will be voided if..." threads have me a bit spooked.
I trimmed the light color rubber mat, which is shown in the first picture above, to fit around the MGW shifter when I first installed it. I have had no issues with it fitting at all.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Papillion NE
I have the MGW 25% shifter. Install is an adventure, but no big deal. On something like this, you have to ask yourself, "Knowing what I know now, would I still do the upgrade/mod (in this case the MGW shifter)?" In my case the answer is absolutley, positively 100%...YES! 
Whatever little more side to side effort is needed, is more than offset by the precision of the throws...especially 2nd to 3rd.
As an FYI...I also just swapped out the transmission fluid in my '05 to the new Dexron stuff....much better; both in terms of ease of shifting and eliminating the slow turn rear end chatter everyone talks about. I recommend this upgrade as well.
Whatever little more side to side effort is needed, is more than offset by the precision of the throws...especially 2nd to 3rd.As an FYI...I also just swapped out the transmission fluid in my '05 to the new Dexron stuff....much better; both in terms of ease of shifting and eliminating the slow turn rear end chatter everyone talks about. I recommend this upgrade as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,008
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Warranty shouldn't be an issue. The MGW shifter is much better made than the stock shifter and George has just about perfected the shifter through several versions he has made. The latest version of the shaft, which I installed yesterday, is awesome. It made my already unbelieveable shifter even better.
I trimmed the light color rubber mat, which is shown in the first picture above, to fit around the MGW shifter when I first installed it. I have had no issues with it fitting at all.
I trimmed the light color rubber mat, which is shown in the first picture above, to fit around the MGW shifter when I first installed it. I have had no issues with it fitting at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,120
Likes: 506
From: Greenville, NC
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
No changes to the shift boot are necessary. It fits right over the MGW shifter like it does the stock shifter. If you look at the pictures of the two shifters side by side above you will notice that the MGW shifter is wider at the point where it goes through the mat because of the rubber boot on it. The hole in the mat can be enlarged using scissors to make it fit with the MGW.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,732
Likes: 15
From: SC
No changes to the shift boot are necessary. It fits right over the MGW shifter like it does the stock shifter. If you look at the pictures of the two shifters side by side above you will notice that the MGW shifter is wider at the point where it goes through the mat because of the rubber boot on it. The hole in the mat can be enlarged using scissors to make it fit with the MGW.
As others have said, the console is the PITA, after that it's easy.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Lombard IL
Thanks, I'll tell the shop to do that as well. Is that the best stuff to use? I see Dexcron too.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 193
From: By The Hook NJ
I was the one who talked about trimming the shifter boot. It is actually the tunnel boot. I trimmed it to fit around the MGW boot and then I also trimmed the white rubber to fit around it.
I went for a 120 mile spin yesterday and the shifter was awesome. The rock chips are another story.
I went for a 120 mile spin yesterday and the shifter was awesome. The rock chips are another story.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,732
Likes: 15
From: SC
*****UPDATE 4/26*****
I've had the MGW in for about a month now. One thing that is very apparent is the shifter is now easier to shift then when initially installed. Not really sure what there is to break in but a month later the side-to-side movement is pretty much near stock levels. In overall shift effort I'd say it's VERY close to stock if not exactly the same. I'm sure some of it has to do with becoming used to the new shifter but it honestly feels different.
So just to clear up some folks concerned about the increase in shift effort there really is nothing to worry about.
Anyone else having a similar expirience?
I've had the MGW in for about a month now. One thing that is very apparent is the shifter is now easier to shift then when initially installed. Not really sure what there is to break in but a month later the side-to-side movement is pretty much near stock levels. In overall shift effort I'd say it's VERY close to stock if not exactly the same. I'm sure some of it has to do with becoming used to the new shifter but it honestly feels different.
So just to clear up some folks concerned about the increase in shift effort there really is nothing to worry about.
Anyone else having a similar expirience?