MGW Shifter question?
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 719
Likes: 14
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
St. Jude Contributor
I agree with the others who have recommended doing BOTH shifter and box. Not only do you get a GREAT shifter but you'll never have to deal with the C6 shifter rattle again. The C6 shift box is a poor design prone to vibration and rattle, this is where the MGW's superior engineering shines making their billet lower box the way to go. My MGW shifter/lower box was easy to install and is ROCK SOLID as well as DEAD QUIET. I also bought an extra shift handle threaded with standard 9/16-18, now I can add any aftermarket 9/16-18 **** I like. Bottom line, MGW has AWESOME customer service and make a SUPERIOR shifter. I'm not saying this just because I currently have the MGW, but after trying both Hurst and B&M shifters.
Last edited by K.Shupe; Nov 16, 2013 at 12:26 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 68
From: Carrollton GA
W. GA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15
I bought mine before the MGW box came out. I think I'll get the box as well. I'm using the threaded shaft and installed a Hurst Shift ball. I like having both shafts and enjoy have the ability to change the ball.
Below the black ball is using the OEM style shaft that came with the MGW shifter, and the White Hurst ball is using the optional MGW threaded shaft.
Below the black ball is using the OEM style shaft that came with the MGW shifter, and the White Hurst ball is using the optional MGW threaded shaft.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 861
Likes: 33
From: San Antonio Texas
Okay here's another question then: suppose we have the older MGW shifter without the box. Is the older MGW shifter compatible with the new MGW box or do I need a new shifter as well?
Honestly my shifter actually works great on my 2008 C6 so I don't feel much of a need to do this. I mean... NO rattles or complaints. The shifts still require a tad more effort than I'd like so I plan to apply the anti-venom fix here soon.
Honestly my shifter actually works great on my 2008 C6 so I don't feel much of a need to do this. I mean... NO rattles or complaints. The shifts still require a tad more effort than I'd like so I plan to apply the anti-venom fix here soon.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
Okay here's another question then: suppose we have the older MGW shifter without the box. Is the older MGW shifter compatible with the new MGW box or do I need a new shifter as well?
Honestly my shifter actually works great on my 2008 C6 so I don't feel much of a need to do this. I mean... NO rattles or complaints. The shifts still require a tad more effort than I'd like so I plan to apply the anti-venom fix here soon.
Honestly my shifter actually works great on my 2008 C6 so I don't feel much of a need to do this. I mean... NO rattles or complaints. The shifts still require a tad more effort than I'd like so I plan to apply the anti-venom fix here soon.
I had the older MGW shifter as well but went ahead and bought the newest MGW shifter and lower box.
While the older shifter was better than the OEM shifter, the newest combo is even better in my opinion. It was worth it to me to make the change.
If your shifter is doing great with no rattles or vibrations then maybe it wouldn't be worth the change, but I do think the newest combo shifts slightly better with slightly less effort.
Older shifter:
Newest shifter:
Last edited by ncvette_1FUNRIDE; Nov 17, 2013 at 10:54 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
Can you get an MGW shifter with the standard throw. The shifter in our '05 works fine and if I were ever to change, I really wouldn't want a shorter throw and lose any more leverage. I guess a person could always machine up a longer handle which is easy enough.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 25
From: NY NY
If your changing the shifter do the complete job and change out the box too. The kit and videos are very well put together. The only problem I had was the jig supplied to center the cup did not fit my '05 cup, I used the video suggestion to center it. Best mod I have installed so far.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 897
Likes: 19
Ok, my questing is this, Does the MGW shifter feel smoother, easier to get it from gear to gear or do you need more force to change gears. The reason I am looking for a EASIER shifter is for my wife.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
It is really smooth and vibration free.
1st to 2nd, just a slight effort to keep the shifter towards you as you pull it back.
2nd to 3rd is as easy as it gets, just use your palm to push the shifter forward and it glides into 3rd.
3rd to 4th very easy as well, just pull straight back with the finger tips.
4th to 5th, is similar to 2nd to 3rd but you have to push it away from you slightly as you push it forward.
5th to 6th, pull back while slightly holding it towards the passenger's side.
All very smooth with just a little effort needed for some of the shifts as the shifter seems to self center itself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 823
Likes: 7
From: Rosewood Heights IL
**** effort is probably improved but the overall effort is much higher than stock. My wife complains it is too hard, but she doesn't drive it. MGW is far stiffer than stock.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
There was a guy who had tranny problems and the dealer blamed it on the shifter. I guess u can always install the stock shifter before bringing it into the dealer if you have a problem that could be related in their minds. I have an 08 and I'm really happy with the shifts. They are very smooth and effortless and I have a warranty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 823
Likes: 7
From: Rosewood Heights IL
Older design, stock box. No rattles, no vibration, no problems.
I have no problems shifting, I find it much more enjoyable and also only use my fingertips when shifting. But side to side movement in neutral is much stiffer. Further, the gate is much closer, making it harder for a novice to feel it out. If his wife is having trouble with the stock wet noodle, the MGW probably isn't the best choice in my opinion.
I have no problems shifting, I find it much more enjoyable and also only use my fingertips when shifting. But side to side movement in neutral is much stiffer. Further, the gate is much closer, making it harder for a novice to feel it out. If his wife is having trouble with the stock wet noodle, the MGW probably isn't the best choice in my opinion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Did you try relaxing the detent spring with a washer? That should solve your issue, since it relaxes the side-to-side force required to shift. I relaxed it on my stock shifter hoping to solve the 'crunching' issue, but didn't help much. But feels nice, so will leave it there. Only heads-up for those searching for this mod (venom mod) is that copper washer is too large. Helped a forum member with this issue, and he found the perfect size aluminum washer in the same thickness (still doesn't fit perfectly, meaning it sticks out a little, because the detent plug wasn't designed for a washer -conical surface), and looks OEM now.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
Everyone seems to want the short throw shifter but we are still stuck with a mile long clutch pedal travel. The clutch isn't totally disengaged until the pedal is hard on the floor, at least it's that way with our car. Not totally disengaged can also cause shifting grief. Perhaps we all should be looking at this unit. http://www.tickperformance.com/tick-...rvette-c6-z06/ Anyone had any experience with it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 823
Likes: 7
From: Rosewood Heights IL
It's simple physics that reduced leverage requires higher force. The better question is how much more. Glad to see an honest owner (below) who tell you the truth. Most posts tell you it's quieter, smoother, easier to shift and requires less effort. It's like saying you're better off falling from a 3rd floor of a building than the 2nd one.
Did you try relaxing the detent spring with a washer? That should solve your issue, since it relaxes the side-to-side force required to shift. I relaxed it on my stock shifter hoping to solve the 'crunching' issue, but didn't help much. But feels nice, so will leave it there. Only heads-up for those searching for this mod (venom mod) is that copper washer is too large. Helped a forum member with this issue, and he found the perfect size aluminum washer in the same thickness (still doesn't fit perfectly, meaning it sticks out a little, because the detent plug wasn't designed for a washer -conical surface), and looks OEM now.
Did you try relaxing the detent spring with a washer? That should solve your issue, since it relaxes the side-to-side force required to shift. I relaxed it on my stock shifter hoping to solve the 'crunching' issue, but didn't help much. But feels nice, so will leave it there. Only heads-up for those searching for this mod (venom mod) is that copper washer is too large. Helped a forum member with this issue, and he found the perfect size aluminum washer in the same thickness (still doesn't fit perfectly, meaning it sticks out a little, because the detent plug wasn't designed for a washer -conical surface), and looks OEM now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
I agree that the earlier versions took a little more effort to shift than the OEM one because it is more precise, in my opinion. (Not as much play as the OEM one)
The newest MGW shifter with the lower box does shift better than the older one does. I have had both.
In my opinion, the only shifts (with the newest MGW) that may be harder than the OEM shifter is 1st to 2nd and possibly 4th to 5th.
I think it is the combination with the lower box which is designed to work well with the newest MGW.
The newest MGW shifter with the lower box does shift better than the older one does. I have had both.
In my opinion, the only shifts (with the newest MGW) that may be harder than the OEM shifter is 1st to 2nd and possibly 4th to 5th.
I think it is the combination with the lower box which is designed to work well with the newest MGW.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 445
Likes: 87
From: Sparta, NJ
Quick question here.. I'm installing the newest MGW into my C6, I trimmed the shifter boot ring so that it tucks around the MGW bellows. What about the OEM outer boot that clips onto when using the stock shifter? I cant find anywhere online if that outer boots get's reused, if so I think it will have to be trimmed to get it to fit.
Can anyone who's installed the newest MGW in a c6 please provide some info..
Thanks..
Can anyone who's installed the newest MGW in a c6 please provide some info..
Thanks..
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Hemlock MI
I installed the newer MGW in my 2010 GS last year and would agree it is much more precise but it does require more effort. I also changed the shift **** to a heavy stainless ball with the shift pattern laser etched in it (can't remember the brand right now). There is a mod that you can do (search anti-venom mod) that requires pulling out the detent bolt from the transaxle and putting in 1 or 2 copper spacers. I used two, and I can tell you shifting effort is now incredibly light but still extremely precise. Personally the anti-venom mod along with the MGW shifter is one of my favorite mods to date. Oh, almost forgot no vibration issues or rattles.