So I just picked up my 05 Vette about a week ago. Great car! I only have one thing that is getting to me... the shifter!! I mean is this really the shifter Chevy put in a 50k dollar car? The throw is almost as long as a truck, and it feels like the gears are from a 1950's car. It is like shifting an old army Jeep! My 2006 Eclipse shifts wayyyy wayyy shorter and smoother, and it cost half what the Vette did new!

Is there a fix for this? Can I just buy a really nice short throw shifter and fix most of the problem, or do I just have to live with what Chevy gave me?

 

yes there is a fix get an MGW short throw shifter it is a great shifter.

 

Get an aftermarket shifter. Alot of guys seem to like the MGW. I have a B&M that was in the car when I bought it and am happy with it also. Anyways, the T56 transmission does have a clunky/notchy feel though.

 

I had a friend that had an SRT4 with a B&M in it, and I like that shifter. Are the MGW and the B&M about the same, or are they quite different?

 

Never mind, it was a Hurst shifter he had, not a B&M... What about Hurst for the Vette? any good?

 

It's not a bad shifter at all. Maybe you just can't drive?

 

Or... maybe I'm just use to driving cars with better shifters...

 

Besides, I never said anything about bad driving, just that the stock shifter is very long and clunky..

 

Some times the shifting effort is in knowing how to do it. The way to use the shifter is to make sure you don't aim the shifts. All it takes is a slight pull with the fingers or a push with the heel of the hand. Do not wrap your hand around the shifter just put it on top of it. The 1-2 shift is just a pull with 3 finger tips and the arm while the 2-3 shift is just a push with the heel of the hand. Doing it that way the transmission will move the shifter to the center without any guidance from your hand than just shoving forward with a slight angle to the right.

There is little difference between the aftermarket shifters and the stock shifter. If you imagine making a circle with your left thumb and indes finger and then sticking your right index finger into the circle that describes every shifter made for the Corvette and a bunch of other cars as well. The aftermarket companies do some things to raise the pivot point which shortens throws and they throw some springs in to add more centering force but that is it. They can't smooth out the gates as they are in the transmission. Their billet bases don't mean much either. Its just easier for them to make the shifters that way since they can throw a piece of aluminum on a NC Machine and let it go to town. Usually the raised pivot point increases shift effort and the centering springs make it harder to shift into the two outside gates. But, people swear by them. I have no idea why since I have tried several of the aftermarket shifters and found them to be worthless when compared to a properly handled stock shifter.

Bill

 

 

So true. I to have tried all of the after maket shifters. Have put up with the buzz ( MGW) , heavy springs and almost impossible to get into 5th, 6th and reverse. I would suggest the OP try and find some vette's with aftermarket shifters in them and try them. Really, to each his own. If you don't like the shifter, change it. That is why there are so many aftermarket companies on here trying to separate you from your money.Some work, some don't. All I'm saying is try it in another Vette before buying it.

 

A shifter feeling clunky or heavy isn't a bad sign itself, just like a shifter feeling light and smooth isn't a good sign.

Porsche's are known for having notchy feeling shifters and they are some of the best driving cars in the world. My dad's 09 911 Turbo feels GREAT, but the shifter is absolutely not what I would call light and easy.

 

In an '05, if it's got any miles on it at all, the bushings are probably worn out or destroyed, and the whole thing needs to be cleaned and lubed.

Very simple to do, and very likely to make you MUCH happier.

I also like the MGW shifter, myself.

 

The C6 shifters are not really that bad. If you want bad, hop into a CTS-V or a GTO and it will make you beg for your C6 shifter back.

I like the "Snap Shifter" from forum vendor "RSD". It is based on a stock bottom box and modified upper half. Very smooth and precise.

Contact "Steve@RSD" on here if you want a good shifter.

 

You should drive a C5 if you think the stock C6 shifter is bad.

 

Lol I have driven a C5, and I couldn't stand the shape of the shift ****.

 

Thanks man, great info. The car has just over 43k miles on it now. I'll take apart the center console and see how the bushings look, also guess I'll check the ones on the trans as well.


Thanks again!

 

That may be true...but then again your Eclipse didn't run low 12s at 115+mph or top out at almost 190mph in bone stock trim while still getting 30+mpg either.

 

I like my c6 shifter.... shrug....

 

No it didn't, but that is why it is crazy that it has a better shifting transmission then the C6.

I have run a 13.2@108mph though.