Replacing shift knob and...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 23
From: Waldorf, MD
Replacing shift **** and...
OK, first mod I make to my new GS is to replace the shift **** with a white ****. Anyone know how easy this is? And do you have a reommended source? Amazon has one pretty cheap but it has "Hurst" stamped on it and I would prefer just a plain white ball with the shift pattern on it. Drove the car for about 100 miles today and find it is really difficult to locate 5th gear when your already at high speed/revs. The shift gates are really close and I'm afraid of accidentally getting it in Reverse instead of 5th at 60 mph and letting the clutch out.
Second order of business is to get floor mats. The interior is black with light gray seats and trim. I have some GM gray mats in my Impala (real heavy waffle kind) that I sorta like but the rubber is so soft and porous it absorbs every bit of grease and oil off of shoes and the damned things take longer to clean than the whole car. Even then they aren't clean because the grease just soaks right down into them and leaves stains. I prefer a waterproof material over the footwells and the rear deck.
Second order of business is to get floor mats. The interior is black with light gray seats and trim. I have some GM gray mats in my Impala (real heavy waffle kind) that I sorta like but the rubber is so soft and porous it absorbs every bit of grease and oil off of shoes and the damned things take longer to clean than the whole car. Even then they aren't clean because the grease just soaks right down into them and leaves stains. I prefer a waterproof material over the footwells and the rear deck.
Last edited by Foxer55; Jun 20, 2010 at 07:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
The stock shifter has no threads on the shaft so you need a **** that is made specifically for the C6. You cannot put the car in reverse when the car is moving forward because of the lockout. No **** is going to make that shift easier than the stock unit.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Ceres California
here's mine from Ed, btw its just a torxs head screw at the base of the stock shifter that holds the **** on....Also gently twist the the top of shift boot to release it from the bottom of the shifter, very simple to change.
Last edited by LPM; Jun 20, 2010 at 10:42 AM.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
You need to use a shift **** that is adapted to use with the C6 shifter shaft. A standard threaded shift **** will not work. I sell a hurst style shift **** in black, white and a carbon fiber pattern that has been modified to ship on to the OEM shifter and attach with the OEM mounting hardware.
You can find them on my site here:
http://www.theredlion.us/*****.htm
The OEM shaft has no threads. The ***** slip on and attach with a side mount using a phillips head screw.
Paul
You can find them on my site here:
http://www.theredlion.us/*****.htm
The OEM shaft has no threads. The ***** slip on and attach with a side mount using a phillips head screw.
Paul
Last edited by talon90; Jun 20, 2010 at 10:49 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: NY
Yeah, only 1100 miles on my car and I'm still searching for that fifth gear all the time.
Hey Foxer, did you wind up getting a 4LT? How do you like the car so far? Just hit 1000 miles on mine the other day and finally started pushing it. Love this car.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
I bought an extra shifter ($50), used the shifter box kit I got from Curt Miller (urethane, not rubber), then had the shaft on the shifter cut at the indent, threaded and can use a $40 shift **** as opposed to an $80 shift ****. The **** height remains the same as stock, as the part that is cut off extends into the shift ****. Doing it this way is a little more trouble, but gives me access to a much wider variety of shifter ***** that are much less expensive.
Since replacing the rubber grommets with the urethane ones the shifter is much crisper, even though I did not have badly deteriorated grommets that some have posted. Curt also included a new shifter box support wedge, as the GM wedge that is glued onto the bottom of the shifter box doesn't seem to offer any support.
Jim
Since replacing the rubber grommets with the urethane ones the shifter is much crisper, even though I did not have badly deteriorated grommets that some have posted. Curt also included a new shifter box support wedge, as the GM wedge that is glued onto the bottom of the shifter box doesn't seem to offer any support.
Jim
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 23
From: Waldorf, MD
Walt White Coupe,
Yeah, I wasn't sure there was a lockout on reverse but thanks for confirming that. No, I don't expect the **** to make it easier but I love that white ****. I learned to drive in a Corvair Monza and that white **** brings back a lot of pleasant memories. Besides, I'm not a fan of the ergonomic **** or ergonomic design in a lot of circumstances.
The stock shifter has no threads on the shaft so you need a **** that is made specifically for the C6. You cannot put the car in reverse when the car is moving forward because of the lockout. No **** is going to make that shift easier than the stock unit.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
In my 05 I installed a B&M shifter because the stock unit had such a long throw and I replaced the **** with an "8 Ball" reminiscent of my first car, a 56 Chevy. The installation buzzed at full throttle. Tried a few things but nothing worked. As a last resort I put the stock **** back on and the buzzing stopped. It wasn't until I reinstalled the stock **** that I realized how much easier it was to shift and how comfortable that "ergonomic design" was in my hand. Some things are better left stock.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
The solenoid in the trans actually locks reverse in. You can test this by trying to put it in reverse when the car is completely turned off, it will not go. As soon as the car is started, the solenoid activates and allows reverse. It will also allow reverse access up to some very very slow speed while moving, so you don't actually have to come to a complete stop before shifting in. Once you are over that very slow speed, the solenoid deactivates and reverse is no longer available, so don't worry about fifth gear.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: NY
You shouldn't have to move the shifter to the right, when you push it forward it should auto center in the 3-4 position. If you are in second and push straight towards the front (without any side to side push), it should slip right into third.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 443
Likes: 12
From: KITCHENER ONTARIO
Stock Shifter Not Best!
I replaced the stock shifter with 400 gram Razo leather shift ****. I had to make my own adapter. The extra weight really helps with the notchiness - much slicker shifting.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
You CAN force the car in reverse when it is off. You have to shift down toward 6th, then push over, and shift upward toward reverse. It will then pop into reverse. However it involves some force and I don't think you could do this, when the car is moving, "on accident" in a 6-5 downshift.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,188
Likes: 4
From: S.F. Bay Area CA.
The ball, because it's shorter than the stock ****, makes the throw shorter, and because it's a smooth ball, you can palm it, making shifting, up and down, through the gears much easier, and more natural. All I can say is try it, you'll like.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
We're splitting hairs here. If you've got the old trans, then the stock **** is easier on your hand when shifting. Ergonomic design really does mean something. With the new trans(08 and up), the gear changes require so little effort anyway that it really doesn't much matter. Personally, I like the look of the 8 ball also.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,508
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From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I tried two different white Hurst style shift ***** and always went back to stock. The stock C6 **** fits and feels much better in my hand.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,696
From: South Carolina
I added the white ball to mine I purchased from a forum vendor. Personally I do believe it affects shifting effort. The ball is larger, lower and lighter than the stock unit which reduces the total amount of travel. To me it is easier and quicker because of that. (just a smidge)
In the looks s department...no school like old school. Gotta have that white ****.
In the looks s department...no school like old school. Gotta have that white ****.
