The need to replace the tires on our aging Corvette has led to some conversations about other parts of the car that might be worth upgrading.
Rest assured, the seats have been discussed. We're working on it. As far as the wheels go, your comments suggest we shouldn't change a thing, so we probably won't. Well, we might powdercoat the stockers a darker shade of gray, but that's about it.
The other most often discussed issue is the shifter. It's not terrible, but not graceful either. And it's a little on the tall side. So, do we go aftermarket? If so, which setup? Another possibility is switching to a C6 setup. One of the cars we test drove during the buying process had such a setup and it wasn't bad. Suggestions?
Ed Hellwig, Editor, Inside Line @ 50,302 miles
throwback says:
10:30 AM, 08/17/10
Go aftermarket there are some great options out there. You can never go wrong with a Hurst shifter and shift kit.
sideswiper says:
11:17 AM, 08/17/10
Not like its "necessary"...but has there been any talk of adding more power to the 'Vette? I'm with you guys that the day-to-day mods should come first... seats, tires, shifter...but will there be a round 2 of modding?
I'd love to see reason for a hood bulge...
hybris says:
11:31 AM, 08/17/10
I don't know enough about performance manual transmissions to make even a educated guess but the next thing that comes to mind is a Detroit TrueTrac limited slip diff.
c5z06er says:
11:37 AM, 08/17/10
I bought and installed a Hurst 6-speed shifter for my C5 Z06. I've never regretted it for a moment. The Hurst takes a pretty strong shifting arm, but it comes with several springs so you can adjust how stiff the movement is. I think it feels like a new bolt action rifle. Over time, I think it will only get better as it "loosens up". I even cut the shift lever down some because I also like the look and feel of a short shifter.
Long story short, the Hurst shifter gives you shorter throws and better feel, with a little increase in effort. I, personally, recommend it.
adamb1 says:
12:20 PM, 08/17/10
Any change to the shifter should include killing the skip-shift feature.
kevm14 says:
02:15 PM, 08/17/10
I personally hate high effort shifters. I think it ruins the driving experience except perhaps banging gears and bouncing off the rev limiter. Which this car is good at. I may also recommend a trans fluid change to Amsoil Torque-Drive. I am about to try it in my CTS-V and the general consensus is, it is probably the single best fluid for the T56.
maxedoutmax says:
02:41 PM, 08/17/10
C6 Z06 shifter is the most popular mod, but I don't really like it.
I went with this one
http://www.mgwltd.com/corvette_gripper_shift_knob.shtml
@hybris. All corvettes come with limited slip so that mod is pointless.
louiswei says:
03:18 PM, 08/17/10
I have a brand new Razo RA95 (http://www.carmate-usa.com/html_razo/razo_shift_m_gt.htm) sitting at home, you are welcome to take it and try it out.
All I want in return is a canyon ride in the Z06...
c5z06er says:
03:25 PM, 08/17/10
@maxedoutmax and louiswei: Umm, guys, I think we're talking about a new shifter, not a new shift knob.
And I'm recommending this:
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/hurst-products/97-04-c5-corvette-bw-t56/BILLET-PLUS-SHIFTER_2
maxedoutmax says:
03:39 PM, 08/17/10
I am currently running the Hurst... it is hands down the hardest/most effort shifting shifter I have ever driven. Esp if someone is used to honda/bmw lightness, this is not the way to go.
bodyblue says:
05:38 PM, 08/17/10
Sell it and use the money for a down payment on a new Boss 302! :)
zacharyt1122 says:
06:48 PM, 08/17/10
When it comes down to T-56 trannys, you can't go wrong with the MGW shifter. I have it in my '03 Cobra (I know they are not entirely the same) and it changed the whole car completely. I have heard great things about the MGW for the Vette tho.
c5z06 says:
08:41 PM, 08/17/10
I went with the C6 Z06 shifter in my C5 Z06. It has a much better feel to it than the stock shifter but without the high effort of some of the aftermarket shifters. From the comments I've read on various forums, pretty much all the aftermarket shifters for the C5 Z06 are high quality, so you won't go wrong with any of them.
As someone else said, get the skip-shift eliminated while you're at it. You can either buy a little module to install, or you can take it to a tuner and they can eliminate it that way. It's a very annoying aspect of the car and was the very first modification I made to mine.
allenychung says:
10:48 PM, 08/17/10
I really like the Vette, but that is one ugly shifter, and looks really uncomfortable to hold as well.
vtirocz says:
03:48 AM, 08/18/10
To disable the "skip shift" feature, all you need to do is install a 2.2K Ω,1/2 watt resistor into the connector that plugs into the skip shift solenoid (I assume it's the same deal as on the 98-02 F-body t56). Why spend a bunch of money on a special module, when you can do the job correctly for < $1. With the resistor in place you will not get any fault codes.
deagle13 says:
08:56 AM, 08/18/10
MGW! MGW! MGW! MGW! MGW!
I had one of their first Corvette shifters on my 2007 C6. Great product and their customer service is second to none.
lmbvette says:
10:13 AM, 08/18/10
I also recommend the MGW or Hurst. You can't go wrong either way as either is an improvement on the stock setup.
ebsz says:
04:38 PM, 08/18/10
MGW, bodyblue why buy a more expensive slower car.
drew2003cb says:
09:06 AM, 08/19/10
I say go for the c6 set up. It looks great and feels great. Plus for resale value I think it would be better.
drew2003cb says:
09:08 AM, 08/19/10
I say go with the C6 set up. It looks and feels great. Plus I think for resale value it would be better.