Meet GheyRay: Lower, Wider, Lighter!

[Kracka]

How big of a pain is it to swap the bushings if you don't like?
~2 hours, not quite like the SnapTite Evos :lol:

I'll make my decision once I have the Delrin ones here and can compare/feel them 1st hand. I tried to get a small discount by having him just not send any bushings but he wasn't having it ;)

[Kracka]

Here's a pic that includes his 3 different bushing choices:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/1297x975/80-20180512_000624_003_cca95b6f76d2fc4feb78aaf620c209 9fe5205185.jpg

[Kracka]

3 of these 4 boxes are the solid mount (no bushing) early C6 Z06:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/1300x731/80-20180419_115341_2f06b37b2609f7c50a39ac684ce286134a fee645.jpg

[Goat Blower]

I am old now, so my vote is for the one that gives the most rigidity without being annoying as hell. So might not be Delrin.

How big of a pain is it to swap the bushings if you don't like? If it's easy I'd say start with his recommendation and change if it sucks.


Yep, I'd get the poly as well. :D

[Kracka]

I'm still torn on which bushings to use! His Delrin ones fit perfectly and basically snap snug into place. We'll see...

http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0816181645b.jpg

http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0816181645a.jpg

http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0816181645.jpg

I got some nice Mobil 1 grease for the shifter cup and 4 new bolts to connect the 2 shifter halves last night (broke 1 of 4 originals installing my current polyurethane bushings back whenever that was). If I can get out of work at a decent time this afternoon I'll probably do it when I get home.

[Kracka]

Here's a copy/paste of my install & review thread over on CorvetteForum: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-tech-performance/4178074-tmodcustoms-performance-shifter-box-install-and-review.html

To start, here is the part being discussed: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-parts-for-sale-wanted/4103679-performance-lower-shifter-boxes.html

In stock form I was not happy with the C7's shifter. I liked the throw, knob, and effort, but not the vagueness often associated with a stock overly-rubbered shifter. Back in 2016 I went with Redline D4 ATF fluid and some ZIP Corvette polyurethane bushings, along with a proper shifter alignment to factory spec. These things all helped and I was happy with the overall feel of the shifter. not aftermarket precise, but good none the less for a stock unit. This info is detailed in the threads below:

fluid - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-tech-performance/3800362-diy-manual-transmission-and-rear-differential-fluid-service.html
bushings - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-tech-performance/3759132-zip-polyurethane-shifter-bushings-w-stock-m7-shifter.html

Always wanting more/better, I stumbled upon Tom's (TMODcustoms) thread linked to above selling these performance shifter boxes and decided to give one a try since it seems to make good sense in theory. Already having polyurethane bushings I ordered the box with his Delrin bushings so I could compared the differences firsthand for myself.

Everything arrived looking fantastic and nearly new. The Delrin bushings are incredibly rigid basically like a hard plastic and snap right into place. Also note that this sealed billet cap which replaces the stock black plastic cap eliminates the stock shifter alignment pin; the alignment pin hole also doubles as an air vent (more on this in a bit).

Instructions on how to remove the C7's shifter assembly can be found here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-tech-performance/3445860-how-to-install-short-shifter-replace-stock-shifter.html

Once my stock box was removed I cleaned the shifter ball & cup and greased it with red Mobil 1 grease and also applied this same grease to the new box's shaft & cup. I then put a thin bead of black silicone around the mating flange of the new box to seal the two halves together. I then did another thin bead of black silicone on the lip of the new box that holds the stock rubber foot, the bead of silicone here will basically glue the rubber foot to the box plus dampen any potential vibration between the pieces once installed.

During install I was having a hell of a time getting things to feel right and kept ending up with a squishy/spongy/springy feeling in the stick. What I ended up doing was reinstalling the performance box with the stock plastic cap and alignment pin so I could measure the exact distance between the box and shaft clamp. This step is very important in my mind and I highly encourage anyone installing this box to first set their factory alignment and measure the gap so you can target it when installing the new box without alignment pin. Instructions on how to perform a factory shifter alignment can be found here:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-tech-performance/3595683-c7-shifter-issues-here-s-the-alignment-procedure.html

Here is a picture of the measured & set gap:
http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0818180716b.jpg

Much better...but still a little springy feeling in the stick... With the sealed billet cup and no alignment hole there is no way for any air movement in or out so as the you move the stick forward or back the shaft is either under a vacuum or pressurized. What I did to cure this, much to Tom's dismay I'm sure, was drill a vent hole in the end of the billet cap. The stock alignment hole is 5/32" but I went one size smaller to 1/8", I likely could have gotten away with smaller yet. The smaller the hole the less chance there will be for debris to enter into the greased bearings so if I were to do it over again I'll likely go down by another bit size or two. It is my assumption that this modification will void his lifetime warranty, but I got everything buttoned back up and now love the way it feels! Smooth and precise with nothing weird going on no matter the movement or gear selected.

I was not wild with the way the Delrin bushings were crushing under the torque tube bolts, even with large/fat washers on them, so I ended up retaining my ZIP Corvette polyurethane bushings which reuse the factory metal bushing sleeves. Doing it again, or for anyone else out there thinking about ordering, I'd skip the Delrin and either go with the available polyurethane bushings option or solid metal if you don't care about NVH.

http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0818180716a.jpg

http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0818180727.jpg

http://www.mitsustyle.com/photopost/data/686/medium/0818180737.jpg

Now this is how the shifter should have come from the factory! Zero slop, very precise, and only a tiny bit more drivetrain vibration coming through the stick into the knob!

[Kracka]

Beyond amazing customer service! After 44 emails in the past week, and my modifications to his billet cap, he's still going to cover it with a lifetime warranty no questions asked.

[Kracka]

I decided to drive the car to work today and took a route that I knew would lead to more shifting and I will say how incredibly impressed I am with the precision in the shifter now! Smooth and direct, almost machine-like. No extra effort and a minimal change in vibrations. I am definitely glad I stuck with my polyurethane bushings, definitely helps keep things "streetable" if you will. Money and time well-spent. I wish it would have been a little cooler outside though, was pretty brutal out there in the garage (and is part of the reason I was out there working again @ 6am Saturday morning)!

[rose0529]

Glad you got it sorted out!

[Kracka]

Thanks! It had me REALLY frustrated on Friday evening, but I'm glad a few things came to me overnight which is part of what got me back out there so early Saturday.