Bettter C5 Shifters...Which One?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618
Likes: 326
From: San Jose CA
Here’s the thing about C5 shifters, most of them do the same thing. You can move a pivot point to change the ratio and remove slop… that’s kinda it.
I like the Tick and TMod as they both replace the boxes and eliminate a ton of slop.
https://tmodcustoms.com/collections/...so-shifter-kit
I like the Tick and TMod as they both replace the boxes and eliminate a ton of slop.
https://tmodcustoms.com/collections/...so-shifter-kit
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 187
Likes: 120
Another fan of the TMOD. Shores up all the slop and I’m certain of which gear I’m selecting. It’s one of those “should have come from the factory like this” type of improvements. I went with this option because I was not looking for a notchy short throw shifter experience. Nothing wrong with those but I found the TMOD to be the perfect solution for just everyday street driving.
Last edited by Midwest19942000; May 10, 2026 at 10:40 PM.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 7,164
From: CT
I love Tmod for his tubs. I tried a free spinning shifter and it was not for me or my cro magnkn wrist. You have 3 good dudes here, but those shifters almost ne er get that heavy a response.
By all means, his tubs are amazing and I fully recommend the linkage mod next time you change the clutch.
I dig the older use MGWs personally. Light. Goes into a tmod tub. Awesome.
Tick is a monster too. You'll never miss a gear. It has less slop in the shaft travel and so it is great for guys driving hard because you don't ever need to think.
Best perfect function and fitment without the racer feel? Callaway. They got that one nailed.
By all means, his tubs are amazing and I fully recommend the linkage mod next time you change the clutch.
I dig the older use MGWs personally. Light. Goes into a tmod tub. Awesome.
Tick is a monster too. You'll never miss a gear. It has less slop in the shaft travel and so it is great for guys driving hard because you don't ever need to think.
Best perfect function and fitment without the racer feel? Callaway. They got that one nailed.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,978
Likes: 719
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,371
From: Orange County, CA
My journey was as follows: stock --> C6 upper shifter --> C6 upper with TMOD lower --> full MGW (#1) --> C7 upper with TMOD lower --> Hurst C6 with TMOD lower --> full MGW (#2) --> Hurst C6 with TMOD lower. Also tried a custom-shortened C6 shifter but that didn't really work out well. And note that the C7 is the same as C6 but with a better dust boot.
First MGW occurrence, I found the side-to-side effort was excessive especially for my daily-driving-in-traffic use case. Back then I was 30 years old and quite strong from regular gym attendance.
2nd MGW occurrence was 2.5 years ago while I serviced my Hurst C6 shifter (I got a good deal on this MGW and wanted to give MGW a try again). Same deal as first time, just didn't like it and was very happy to return to Hurst C6 with TMOD lower box. Yes I've played around with anti-venom mod.
With Hurst C6 + TMOD lower box there's pretty much no slop in my shifter while in gear. Should mention my shift linkage was upgraded by TMOD and I rebuilt the trans 6 years ago. Shifting just feels so good, and going through the gears the throw is plenty short and the overall experience is very rewarding.
First MGW occurrence, I found the side-to-side effort was excessive especially for my daily-driving-in-traffic use case. Back then I was 30 years old and quite strong from regular gym attendance.
2nd MGW occurrence was 2.5 years ago while I serviced my Hurst C6 shifter (I got a good deal on this MGW and wanted to give MGW a try again). Same deal as first time, just didn't like it and was very happy to return to Hurst C6 with TMOD lower box. Yes I've played around with anti-venom mod.
With Hurst C6 + TMOD lower box there's pretty much no slop in my shifter while in gear. Should mention my shift linkage was upgraded by TMOD and I rebuilt the trans 6 years ago. Shifting just feels so good, and going through the gears the throw is plenty short and the overall experience is very rewarding.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Murrayville, ga
My journey was as follows: stock --> C6 upper shifter --> C6 upper with TMOD lower --> full MGW (#1) --> C7 upper with TMOD lower --> Hurst C6 with TMOD lower --> full MGW (#2) --> Hurst C6 with TMOD lower. Also tried a custom-shortened C6 shifter but that didn't really work out well. And note that the C7 is the same as C6 but with a better dust boot.
First MGW occurrence, I found the side-to-side effort was excessive especially for my daily-driving-in-traffic use case. Back then I was 30 years old and quite strong from regular gym attendance.
2nd MGW occurrence was 2.5 years ago while I serviced my Hurst C6 shifter (I got a good deal on this MGW and wanted to give MGW a try again). Same deal as first time, just didn't like it and was very happy to return to Hurst C6 with TMOD lower box. Yes I've played around with anti-venom mod.
With Hurst C6 + TMOD lower box there's pretty much no slop in my shifter while in gear. Should mention my shift linkage was upgraded by TMOD and I rebuilt the trans 6 years ago. Shifting just feels so good, and going through the gears the throw is plenty short and the overall experience is very rewarding.
First MGW occurrence, I found the side-to-side effort was excessive especially for my daily-driving-in-traffic use case. Back then I was 30 years old and quite strong from regular gym attendance.
2nd MGW occurrence was 2.5 years ago while I serviced my Hurst C6 shifter (I got a good deal on this MGW and wanted to give MGW a try again). Same deal as first time, just didn't like it and was very happy to return to Hurst C6 with TMOD lower box. Yes I've played around with anti-venom mod.
With Hurst C6 + TMOD lower box there's pretty much no slop in my shifter while in gear. Should mention my shift linkage was upgraded by TMOD and I rebuilt the trans 6 years ago. Shifting just feels so good, and going through the gears the throw is plenty short and the overall experience is very rewarding.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618
Likes: 326
From: San Jose CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,346
Likes: 1,123
From: Dyer, IN
My short journey started with the stock shifter. Not appalling, just average. I then tried a Hurst shifter. I have had or installed hurst shifter/linkages in every manual transmission car I have owned, so it seemed like a safe bet. Well, the Hurst was the worst. There was no amount of adjustment that was ever going to make the shifter run well. Notchy, stiff, unpredictable shifting. I then went to a C6 ZO6 shifter modified by RSD, and have not looked back. Smooth, predicable shifting.
https://www.racespecialtydesigns.com...?productid=113
https://www.racespecialtydesigns.com...?productid=113
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 920
Likes: 607
From: Navarre, Florida
One thing I've learned about shifters over the years, is that they are one of the most subjective components on a vehicle--similar to asking which exhaust sounds the best. I, for one, appreciate the effort and notchiness of the MGW. If my car didn't already have one, I would have gotten one anyhow. But, that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the smooth, near effortless feeling of the stock or stock-like shifters. There's a lot to be said about a buttery shift but, given a choice, I prefer a very mechanical feeling shifter and that works for me but, clearly not everyone else.
In my Mustang's, I've been exposed to the Pro 5.0, Steeda Tri-Ax, Barton, MGW, etc. I'd say that the Barton and MGW were the closest to feel and quality with the Tr-Ax being a nice compromise between stock and an upgraded model. The Pro 5.0 felt like it was OEM+ and that appealed to a lot of folks. For me, the 2-3 shift spring/guide is money and where I will spend good money to help make that shift more reliable.
In my Mustang's, I've been exposed to the Pro 5.0, Steeda Tri-Ax, Barton, MGW, etc. I'd say that the Barton and MGW were the closest to feel and quality with the Tr-Ax being a nice compromise between stock and an upgraded model. The Pro 5.0 felt like it was OEM+ and that appealed to a lot of folks. For me, the 2-3 shift spring/guide is money and where I will spend good money to help make that shift more reliable.