ZL1 to MGW shifter / opinions wanted - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Sakudog · 10-03-2015, 10:38 AM

Upgrading my OEM clutch which has begun to slip at 800+ wheel, not bad really hats off to GM!

While we're in there considering a shifter upgrade to MGW. I've heard the shifter is GOOD but not GREAT compared directly to the OEM ZL1 shifter.

Who here has gone from the ZL1 shifter to the MGW?

Thoughts and opinions on value are my main concern. I don't want to upgrade to "upgrade" I really only want a better shift to 3rd. I've missed it a few times in big races.

Thanks!!!

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NW Sam · 10-03-2015, 01:06 PM

I bought an MGW shifter last year after I missed a downshift going into a fast corner.
The shifter has stronger springs holding the shifter in the center of the gear pattern. Shifts are shorter. I enjoy it much better than stock.
I was talked into the flat stick shifter and ball knob, don't like it. I like the stock shift knob it fits my hand better. Talked to MGW and they shipped me the new upper handle for the ZL1 shift knob. Much better fit for my hand.

CamaroDreams76 · 10-04-2015, 03:01 AM

MGW is hands down night and day. I love mine and its an older version. Shifts are precise and if you miss 3rd.......either you have no business owning a manual or something is wrong with ur tranny ie. locked out. Shifts are a little shorter. I really noticed the reduction in the 3-4 shift. It's worth every penny and personally one of my favorite mods.

The MGW shifter is great.

merrell13 · 10-05-2015, 08:54 PM

MGW is a great shifter. Wait till you shift 2 to 3. You cannot miss it. I say, Go For IT!

LuckyZL-1 · 10-05-2015, 09:31 PM

+1 I haven't missed 3rd since! No regrets!

DrkPhx · 10-05-2015, 09:37 PM

I would love to try one before buying. How bad is the install?

winterboy8 · 10-06-2015, 05:50 AM

It's more challenging than changing out to something like a Hurst. Here's the video on how to change it. I've watched it a couple of times as I too would love to change to this shifter. In the end, I think I'd have someone do this for me as I don't have a lift or the desire to lay on my back to try and reach the parts you need to access from the underside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=iR45CGOnQOo

Camarotobeornottobe · 10-06-2015, 06:15 AM

I went from 1LE shifter (same as ZL1) to the MGW. I did it on jackstands in my garage.

The install video is pretty spot on. If you have a garage and stands, and you don't allow yourself to be rushed, you can follow the video step by step and be just fine.

It is an improvement over the 1LE/ZL1 shifter, no doubt. Is it worth the expense and effort? I don't know I can say that for sure, since the ZL1 shifter is pretty darn good too. I will say that with the 1LE/ZL1 shifter, if I was being lazy, I could hit that spot between the 1st and 3rd gate when trying to grab 3rd (and miss the shift). It is pretty much impossible to do that with the MGW, as the spring return pulls you very hard into the 3-4 gate.

The 3-4 rate is so strong, if you aren't careful, you can end up in 4th when trying to go from 1st to 2nd

Fraxum · 10-06-2015, 06:29 AM

The MGW is a better shifter for sure, but how much better is debatable. Is it noisier? That would bother me.

My opinion is the ZL1/1LE shifter is very good. I used to miss third sometimes, but Ranger helped cure me. Check it out. Practice, practice, practice. Muscle memory.

http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Im..._Shifting.html

OP, what clutch are you going to?

ZL1Naboz · 10-08-2015, 03:35 PM

I was questionable about it being shorter than OEM and better than OEM. It's hands down better! Haven't missed a 3rd gear since install!

Camarotobeornottobe · 10-09-2015, 06:26 AM

The question of how much shorter is easy: The ZL1 shifter has a 25% reduction in throw over the non-Hurst SS shifter. The MGW shifter has a 33% reduction over the non-Hurst SS shifter. Frankly, it is not a huge difference.

Someone asked about noise. In my case, noise was reduced over the 1LE shifter. However, full disclosure, I used extra sound proofing during the MGW install, including using additional sound mat (like what they include in the kit) and using dynamat on the tunnel shifter. At first, I also used a weighted shift ball. I did all this out of paranoia, and it paid off.

Later, I went back to the stock 1LE shift knob on the MGW shifter. It is lighter and conveyed slightly more noise than the weighted ball. All in all though, the MGW with the extra sound proofing was still more quiet than the stock 1LE shifter.

BeelowSS · 10-10-2015, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

MGW is hands down night and day. I love mine and its an older version. Shifts are precise and if you miss 3rd.......either you have no business owning a manual or something is wrong with ur tranny ie. locked out. Shifts are a little shorter. I really noticed the reduction in the 3-4 shift. It's worth every penny and personally one of my favorite mods.

The MGW shifter is great.

+1

nighttowl · 10-10-2015, 11:21 PM

The MGW is a really nice shifter.
The only con I've found is that it needs a lot of force to move the shifter over into reverse.

Sakudog · 10-15-2015, 09:32 PM

Alright guys...I went back and forth on this but I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the MGW shifter. We should have the car put back together next week and I'll let you know what I think.

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10-03-2015, 10:38 AM	#1
Sakudog Drives: 2019 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: The ATX Posts: 966	ZL1 to MGW shifter / opinions wanted Upgrading my OEM clutch which has begun to slip at 800+ wheel, not bad really hats off to GM! While we're in there considering a shifter upgrade to MGW. I've heard the shifter is GOOD but not GREAT compared directly to the OEM ZL1 shifter. Who here has gone from the ZL1 shifter to the MGW? Thoughts and opinions on value are my main concern. I don't want to upgrade to "upgrade" I really only want a better shift to 3rd. I've missed it a few times in big races. Thanks!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Ryker #29 2019 ZL1 1LE A10 2015 Z/28 #809 Last edited by Sakudog; 10-08-2015 at 04:12 PM.

10-04-2015, 03:01 AM	#3
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,079 View My Garage	MGW is hands down night and day. I love mine and its an older version. Shifts are precise and if you miss 3rd.......either you have no business owning a manual or something is wrong with ur tranny ie. locked out. Shifts are a little shorter. I really noticed the reduction in the 3-4 shift. It's worth every penny and personally one of my favorite mods. The MGW shifter is great. __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

10-05-2015, 08:54 PM	#4
merrell13 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 37	You Will Love It! MGW is a great shifter. Wait till you shift 2 to 3. You cannot miss it. I say, Go For IT! Attached Images

10-05-2015, 09:31 PM	#5
LuckyZL-1 Ragtop Rocket!!! Drives: Black on Black Convertible Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 809	+1 I haven't missed 3rd since! No regrets! __________________ ADM built 2013 Triple Black ZL-1 Convertible M6 ADM custom cam, LPE stage 2 heads with dual valve springs, LS-3 ported throttle body, LPE 2 piece pulley, LPE overdrive balancer, 10% overdrive pulley, ported supercharger inlet, ADM race intake system, stainless works 1-7/8 headers, Injector Dynamics injectors, ADM heat exchanger, ADM dual fuel pump system, ADM exhaust switch, ADM 3 tunes tuning package. 744rwhp 727rwtq

10-06-2015, 05:50 AM	#7
winterboy8 Drives: 2015 ZL1 Blue Velvet Metallic Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 720 View My Garage	It's more challenging than changing out to something like a Hurst. Here's the video on how to change it. I've watched it a couple of times as I too would love to change to this shifter. In the end, I think I'd have someone do this for me as I don't have a lift or the desire to lay on my back to try and reach the parts you need to access from the underside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=iR45CGOnQOo __________________ Roto-Fab CAI, ARH LT, SW 3" catback, JRE tune, Elite-2 CC, VMAX TB, Big Gulp, WW II relo, Lingenfelter S/C reservoir

10-03-2015, 01:06 PM	#2
NW Sam Drives: 2017 ZL1 Garnet Red Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NW Wa Posts: 354	I bought an MGW shifter last year after I missed a downshift going into a fast corner. The shifter has stronger springs holding the shifter in the center of the gear pattern. Shifts are shorter. I enjoy it much better than stock. I was talked into the flat stick shifter and ball knob, don't like it. I like the stock shift knob it fits my hand better. Talked to MGW and they shipped me the new upper handle for the ZL1 shift knob. Much better fit for my hand.

10-05-2015, 09:37 PM	#6
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	I would love to try one before buying. How bad is the install?

10-06-2015, 06:15 AM	#8
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	I went from 1LE shifter (same as ZL1) to the MGW. I did it on jackstands in my garage. The install video is pretty spot on. If you have a garage and stands, and you don't allow yourself to be rushed, you can follow the video step by step and be just fine. It is an improvement over the 1LE/ZL1 shifter, no doubt. Is it worth the expense and effort? I don't know I can say that for sure, since the ZL1 shifter is pretty darn good too. I will say that with the 1LE/ZL1 shifter, if I was being lazy, I could hit that spot between the 1st and 3rd gate when trying to grab 3rd (and miss the shift). It is pretty much impossible to do that with the MGW, as the spring return pulls you very hard into the 3-4 gate. The 3-4 rate is so strong, if you aren't careful, you can end up in 4th when trying to go from 1st to 2nd

10-06-2015, 06:29 AM	#9
Fraxum Drives: a M6 LT1 ordered From Becky!!! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,520	The MGW is a better shifter for sure, but how much better is debatable. Is it noisier? That would bother me. My opinion is the ZL1/1LE shifter is very good. I used to miss third sometimes, but Ranger helped cure me. Check it out. Practice, practice, practice. Muscle memory. http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Im..._Shifting.html OP, what clutch are you going to?

10-08-2015, 03:35 PM	#10
ZL1Naboz ZL1Naboz Drives: '13 ZL1, ‘53 Chevy Pickup, ‘22 GMC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Winston Salem, NC Posts: 337 View My Garage	I was questionable about it being shorter than OEM and better than OEM. It's hands down better! Haven't missed a 3rd gear since install! __________________ Rotofab CAI, Big Gulp & Washer Bottle Relo, MGW, Kook's w/Hiflo Cats, SCT4, Jannetty, 35% tint, Oracle Side Markers, MTX Sub, Escort 9500ix - Blendmount, 18% Lower, ATI Super Damper, ID850 Injectors, Moroso Catch Can, MSD BAP, AFCO Heat Exchanger Pre-Pulley Dyno 559.92 RWHP 519 RWTQ

10-09-2015, 06:26 AM	#11
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	The question of how much shorter is easy: The ZL1 shifter has a 25% reduction in throw over the non-Hurst SS shifter. The MGW shifter has a 33% reduction over the non-Hurst SS shifter. Frankly, it is not a huge difference. Someone asked about noise. In my case, noise was reduced over the 1LE shifter. However, full disclosure, I used extra sound proofing during the MGW install, including using additional sound mat (like what they include in the kit) and using dynamat on the tunnel shifter. At first, I also used a weighted shift ball. I did all this out of paranoia, and it paid off. Later, I went back to the stock 1LE shift knob on the MGW shifter. It is lighter and conveyed slightly more noise than the weighted ball. All in all though, the MGW with the extra sound proofing was still more quiet than the stock 1LE shifter.

10-10-2015, 11:21 PM	#13
nighttowl Sarcasm loading -------- Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: TX Posts: 1,808 View My Garage	The MGW is a really nice shifter. The only con I've found is that it needs a lot of force to move the shifter over into reverse. __________________ "The salesman actually told me to stop getting it sideways during the test drive" 2018 MBM ZL1 1LE - Stock 2014 CRT ZL1 574 rwhp, 537 rwtq - SOLD 2010 IBM SS Camaro VVT L99 w/ TR6060 swap, 489 rwhp, 444 rwtq - SOLD

10-15-2015, 09:32 PM	#14
Sakudog Drives: 2019 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: The ATX Posts: 966	Alright guys...I went back and forth on this but I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the MGW shifter. We should have the car put back together next week and I'll let you know what I think. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Ryker #29 2019 ZL1 1LE A10 2015 Z/28 #809