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Old May 29, 2014 | 09:38 AM
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Default Shifter question

I see that some people are putting in a MGW shifter again. I thought GM improved the old shifter mechanism and there were no problems with the new ones rattling. What's up with this?
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Old May 29, 2014 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by chucky7
I see that some people are putting in a MGW shifter again. I thought GM improved the old shifter mechanism and there were no problems with the new ones rattling. What's up with this?
Generally the MGW is used for shorter throws.

MGW has much shorter throws overall and that makes a firmer/crisper experience.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by HalfMoon
Generally the MGW is used for shorter throws.

MGW has much shorter throws overall and that makes a firmer/crisper experience.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 10:33 AM
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Nothing wrong with the stock system.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 10:36 AM
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Not much rattling or vibration, but the shifts definitely leave much to be desired.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Elite275
Not much rattling or vibration, but the shifts definitely leave much to be desired.
Having been an MGW user in my C6, I agree.

Going into 7th though... feels about as firm as shifting a spoon in some oatmeal. I always second guess if it's in gear when letting out the clutch. :
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Old May 29, 2014 | 10:47 AM
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Since the ratios are so close with the new 7 speed gearbox, I also hear that the MGW helps with mis-shifting into the wrong gear. I cant count how many times I've almost gone from 7th to 4th.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 01:53 PM
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I didn't have the manual in my C6, but I did put the MGW Shifter in my C7. I like it much better than the stock shifter (which was not too bad). It makes it easier to hit the gears, has shorter throws for quicker shifts, and is just a joy to use every time I drive it.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 02:23 PM
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I put a MGW shifter in my C6 and ended up taking it out. Everyone considering this modification should realize that there is NO free lunch. The MGW DOES shorten shift throws but that comes at the expense of higher shift effort. For me, the trade off was not worth it, for many others, the shorter throws outweigh the increased effort....YMMV, as always. In my C7, I find the shifting to be quite good (throws are clearly shorter than a C6), that said, the 7th to 6th downshift does require more attention than it should.

Jimmy
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Old May 29, 2014 | 04:44 PM
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Okay, a little help for the ignorant old guy here. First, what is a "MGW" shifter?? I come from from a time period of long ago when I replaced the OEM shifter in my 1966 Chevelle SS396 with a Hurst shifter. Next, how does the 7 speed shift mechanism work in our C7s with the transmission located in the rear like it is? Is there actually linkage or is it all electronic? It's hard to imagine a drive-train like this without the transmission directly behind the clutch bell housing, if that's what it's called these days.

THANKS!
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Old May 29, 2014 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Motohead279
Since the ratios are so close with the new 7 speed gearbox, I also hear that the MGW helps with mis-shifting into the wrong gear. I cant count how many times I've almost gone from 7th to 4th.
I have a heck of a time when down shifting out of the higher gears too, although I am getting better at it. I like the rev match to be on most of the time, if for no other reason it tells me when I am about to go into a lower gear than intended before I actually engage it.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by monicatomokc
Okay, a little help for the ignorant old guy here. First, what is a "MGW" shifter?? I come from from a time period of long ago when I replaced the OEM shifter in my 1966 Chevelle SS396 with a Hurst shifter. Next, how does the 7 speed shift mechanism work in our C7s with the transmission located in the rear like it is? Is there actually linkage or is it all electronic? It's hard to imagine a drive-train like this without the transmission directly behind the clutch bell housing, if that's what it's called these days.

THANKS!
For the die hard retro HURST fans like me, here is a good option. Short throw, and you can hear the shifter click into each gear. Yes, there is actually shift linkage connecting the shifter box to the transmission.


Last edited by TEXHAWK0; May 29, 2014 at 06:13 PM.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmyb
I put a MGW shifter in my C6 and ended up taking it out. Everyone considering this modification should realize that there is NO free lunch. The MGW DOES shorten shift throws but that comes at the expense of higher shift effort. For me, the trade off was not worth it, for many others, the shorter throws outweigh the increased effort....YMMV, as always. In my C7, I find the shifting to be quite good (throws are clearly shorter than a C6), that said, the 7th to 6th downshift does require more attention than it should.

Jimmy
Can you do the anti-venom "mod" like you could in the C5?

-If you're unfamiliar, it was placing a washer or three on a transmission plug (non-technical term). This raised the plug up slightly and decreased the effort required to get the shifter into and out of the detent.
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Old May 30, 2014 | 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by jimmyb
I put a MGW shifter in my C6 and ended up taking it out. Everyone considering this modification should realize that there is NO free lunch. The MGW DOES shorten shift throws but that comes at the expense of higher shift effort. For me, the trade off was not worth it, for many others, the shorter throws outweigh the increased effort....YMMV, as always. In my C7, I find the shifting to be quite good (throws are clearly shorter than a C6), that said, the 7th to 6th downshift does require more attention than it should.

Jimmy

I understand your point but i need to stress that without the new box design there was really no free lunch but this combo really allows shorter smoother throws AND almost no increase in effort. there is some but not even in the same zipcode as before due to the limitations of the lower stock box.

It really feels incredible.

George
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Old May 30, 2014 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by MGW George
I understand your point but i need to stress that without the new box design there was really no free lunch but this combo really allows shorter smoother throws AND almost no increase in effort. there is some but not even in the same zipcode as before due to the limitations of the lower stock box.

It really feels incredible.

George
I agree. I'm running the MGW with the complete MGW shifter in my C7 and noticed very very very little if any increased effort in shifting. In all honesty, I had the same concerns about shift effort but the MGW shifter really was a very worth while upgrade with absolutely no detectable downside.
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Old May 31, 2014 | 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by MGW George
I understand your point but i need to stress that without the new box design there was really no free lunch but this combo really allows shorter smoother throws AND almost no increase in effort. there is some but not even in the same zipcode as before due to the limitations of the lower stock box.

It really feels incredible.

George
Hey George,
I hope I didn't offend you, certainly not my intent. The quality of the shifter I got from you for my C6 was perfect, just more effort than I was comfortable with.

So, as usual, I should have done some research before posting....I take from your post that the stock C7 box is different from the C6. Could you explain the difference?

Jimmy
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Old May 31, 2014 | 12:44 AM
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As I understand it the shifter and box in the C7 is pretty much identical to the C6 right down to the part number on the lower box. The only change being the shift ****. That said the MGW is is work of art and is now sold with the new lower box and I can't imagine anyone being disappointed. Anyone experiencing a higher shift effort with the MGW was using the stock lower box and not the new MGW lower box in combination with their shifter.
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Old May 31, 2014 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by MGW George
I understand your point but i need to stress that without the new box design there was really no free lunch but this combo really allows shorter smoother throws AND almost no increase in effort. there is some but not even in the same zipcode as before due to the limitations of the lower stock box.

It really feels incredible.

George
With the MGW does it click when you shift gears ?
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Old May 31, 2014 | 10:57 AM
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I just installed mine last week. Haven't had a chance to drive it yet. Seems very well built.
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Old May 31, 2014 | 11:25 AM
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Not trying to be a smart as& but how fast are you driving to be using 7 the gear?
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