2011 2SS Manual Shifter Improvement

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by acammer

I'll go ahead and be the contrarian here - I think that the stock shifter is really pretty decent. My 2011 had a aftermarket Hurst Billet Two Plus in it when I bought it - and it was junk. It was noisy, it was sloppy, but the worst part was that it really caused trouble getting the car to reliably shift when driven aggressively. I've had stick cars my whole life, and that shifter genuinely made me feel like I didn't know what I was doing.

Now, I'm aware that they make a "Pit Pack" which has a different bushing set and tightens it up a little. I'd contend that they ought to just sell it that way, knowing how problematic it is. Dollars and cents I'm sure driving those decisions. I can imagine that with good bushings and a heavier ball it probably could be decent - but that wasn't my experience at all.

I tried a different master cylinder, bleeding the clutch, running Redline D4 ATF, but what cured my poor shifting was simply getting my hands on an OEM shifter and swapping that in. Instantly resolved every problem I had with the trans. So, I have little love for the aftermarket Hurst.

The stock shifter has been just fine. I think an MGW would potentially be an upgrade, but not a substantial one. Maybe for a circuit raced car the stronger centering would be more important to me, but my car primarily sees drag, and the stock shift has been plenty adequate. Sounds like the original poster has found much the same.

Have you ever shifted a ZL1 shifter? MUCH shorter & smoother than stock shifter. I wouldn't have believed it until I drove one.

[AG454]

I have had a Hurst since late ‘09, one of the first mods I did. I wanted the factory Hurst, but it wasn’t available yet when my order was pulled. Just last week I put in the pit pack bushings I had purchased a few years ago. They made the shifter tighter for sure. The original Teflon bushings were still in decent shape. The job was much harder than it was back in ‘09, getting old sucks. To the OP’s idea of dripping oil down the shaft, the OEM shifter has just a plastic bearing on the pivot point. I wonder how long that holds up to really aggressive shifting.

[acammer]

Originally Posted by camguynj

Have you ever shifted a ZL1 shifter? MUCH shorter & smoother than stock shifter. I wouldn't have believed it until I drove one.

Yes sir - the ZL1/1LE/Factory Hurst is night and day better than the standard SS shifter. It's not any smoother to me, I think that has a LOT to do with the actual transmission, but it's got a shorter, nicer throw for sure, and the weighting is pretty good. If I found cause to change my stock shift, that's what I would be dropping in.

[hesster]

Originally Posted by mickss

Try Amsoil Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/manual-sync...uid-5w-30-mtf/

Did you notice a difference, and is it compatible versus the GM stock fluid?

Choice of, and recommendations for what fluid to use are all over the map.

And, one of the first things I did was install a Ram Clutch Adjuster, as I hated the clutch engaging at almost the top of the pedal travel.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...SABEgK70fD_BwE
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158901

[mickss]

Originally Posted by hesster

Did you notice a difference, and is it compatible versus the GM stock fluid?

Choice of, and recommendations for what fluid to use are all over the map.

And, one of the first things I did was install a Ram Clutch Adjuster, as I hated the clutch engaging at almost the top of the pedal travel.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...SABEgK70fD_BwE
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158901

I have the Aisin AY6 six-speed manual that was standard for the 2010 V6 Camaro and they are IMO crap transmissions and not a very smooth to shift transmission, but the Amsoil did seem to help. If by "compatible versus the GM stock fluid" you mean mixing the two I wouldn`t do it, as a replacement for gear fluid GM uses every research I did back in 2010 suggested the Amsoil was better than the OEM fluid.

[Wizard1183]

MGW. Better shift than factory.

[Joe.G]

All I keep hearing about is the MGW Shifter and I may try it at some point, I have heard the later OEM Hurst are better then the earlier versions, the 1 in My 14 2SS is quite good, Is this the same as the 1LE/Zl1?


I had a Hurst that I bought in the Early 90's in my 3rd Gen and that was the best shifting car I ever drove ( I have driven all kinds of car's on the track ). It was Short throw and a very positive engagement. If the MGW is half as good as that one was I would be very happy.

[SIM GhostrdrZ]

Disclaimer: anyone that has additional HELPFUL points please add to list

A good shifting experience is multifaceted in the 5th gen Camaros.

1) Clean Clutch Fluid, this may include separating the clutch and brake fluid as most drivers don’t flush their brake fluid frequently enough to keep nasty fluid out of the throw out bearing.

2) bleeding clutch fluid on a frequent bases or earlier if needed. This might include “ranger” flushes on a separate clutch reservoir.

3) maintaining quality transmission fluid, GM fluid per owners manual.
I personally like Redline

4) a quality throwout bearing or at least a billet aluminum bearing sleeve to get rid of the plastic one(if you’re in that deep anyway) as well as an easy bleeder line setup

5) snake oil on your factory shifter or if you prefer a bit tighter shift the MGW can be icing on the cake of your already smooth, well maintained gear rowing system.
But the MGW WILL NOT FIX YOUR POORLY MAINTAINED AND OPERATING clutch system


Good luck

[hudson773]

I had a chance to drive both Hurst and MGW. I chose this. the only downside was the wait to get it, about a month.

[christianchevell]

Had a MGW short throw after the stock POS kept hitting the gates causing carnage, loved it for many years and a Holden GT separate clutch reservoir and a Monster lt1s clutch shifted like stock but held better....

[acammer]

Originally Posted by SIM GhostrdrZ

Disclaimer: anyone that has additional HELPFUL points please add to list

A good shifting experience is multifaceted in the 5th gen Camaros.

1) Clean Clutch Fluid, this may include separating the clutch and brake fluid as most drivers don’t flush their brake fluid frequently enough to keep nasty fluid out of the throw out bearing.

2) bleeding clutch fluid on a frequent bases or earlier if needed. This might include “ranger” flushes on a separate clutch reservoir.

3) maintaining quality transmission fluid, GM fluid per owners manual.
I personally like Redline

4) a quality throwout bearing or at least a billet aluminum bearing sleeve to get rid of the plastic one(if you’re in that deep anyway) as well as an easy bleeder line setup

5) snake oil on your factory shifter or if you prefer a bit tighter shift the MGW can be icing on the cake of your already smooth, well maintained gear rowing system.
But the MGW WILL NOT FIX YOUR POORLY MAINTAINED AND OPERATING clutch system


Good luck

This looks like a really good list to me.

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by christianchevell

Had a MGW short throw after the stock POS kept hitting the gates causing carnage, loved it for many years and a Holden GT separate clutch reservoir and a Monster lt1s clutch shifted like stock but held better....

Do you still have your 2013 SS ?

[brydell]

I ordered my 2011 2SS RS with the factory Hurst Short Shifter. It works as advertised and is perfect. Wouldn't change it for anything.

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by brydell

I ordered my 2011 2SS RS with the factory Hurst Short Shifter. It works as advertised and is perfect. Wouldn't change it for anything.

Can you put a Hurst Billet chrome lever on the factory Hurst shifter?