luke87gt

Hi guys,

This past week I had the my mechanic install the MGW shifter and MGW lower box in my 2003 z06 (bought them new from MGW so they are the latest generation). At the same time they installed a pair of Hinson motor mounts. The car already had a Hinson transmission mount that I was using with the stock shifter.

I noticed a significant increase in cabin noise coming directly from the transmission tunnel and it increases with RPM.

The shifter is amazing from a functional standpoint. Very precise short throws. Love that part. But the level of noise in the cabin is not something I expected. From what I've read, most people usually report that the MGW is quiet which makes me wonder if the noise is due to the dynamat not being used during install or if it's related to the stiffer mounts.

I guess I will need to first confirm that the Dynamat and heat shields were installed per MGW's video directions to rule that out first.

When I popped off the shifter boot, I could see that the lower dust boot was present and it was trimmed correctly and tight around the shifter base. I'll start by popping off the console and investigate further.

crazystevex

I just bought a factory replacement lower box when I installed mine and have never heard any noises out or it. but i did put a few pieces of Dynamat around the shifter and tunnel when I was in there.

Jeff T.

Luke - I have read in several threads that the trimming of the gasket is key to keeping the noise as before.

I assume you watched this video.

tlove32

Did you cut too much from the boot? If so, that would make it annoyingly loud.

zdeckich

I have the same MGW I got it from MGW about a month ago with the lower box, its the newest one they sell. I also cut the dust correctly and installed all of the sound deeding and the dynamax that comes with it. Mine seems to be even quieter than stock. and have zero problems. Feels great and really quiet.

luke87gt

Interesting... Abel Chevrolet installed it and I was told that they installed 100+ of these over the years. So I would hope they'd know how to install these.

I pulled the boot off and it looks like the dust cover was cut properly. Very tight fit around the shifter base. I'll have to pull the console to confirm if the dynomat was added properly (and add more if necessary).

It's incredibly loud in the cabin... (transmission operation noise)

tlove32

I'm across the Bridge from you...in Hayward. If you want to come thru, I'd be more than willing to take a look to it. I've installed at least 15-20 shifters on these car.

Jeff T.

Now that's what this forum is about!

zdeckich

this is the one i have, same one you have Luke87GT? I also have the C6 **** and boot if that makes any difference.

95wht6spd

Does it go into 1st and 2nd easier than stock?

zdeckich

much easier! every so ofton it will block me out of 1st.

IH8FORD

I just installed mine last month newest version and it is quiet no louder then stock at all.

gtrslngrchris

I drove around missing a shift boot for about a month while Redline tried to work out their error on my first one and the transmission noise in the cabin was pretty dramatically louder. I would never have guessed the boot was blocking so much noise.

95wht6spd

What is different about the latest version?

luke87gt

TLove32, thank you for the offer. I might have to take you up on that.

As I mentioned above, when I pop off the shifter boot, I can see that the installer (Abel Chevrolet) did cut the dust shield appropriately and it is there. What I can't confirm without removing the console is if the dynamat/heat shields were utilized. Based on the sound inside the car, my guess is that it wasn't.


Yes, that's the one I have as well. I'm using the C7 shifter **** myself however.


Yes, the shifting is supurb, feels incredible. Every gear is short and precise. I've heard people complain about having a very stiff shifter, but I think the side to side resistance is perfect (maybe that was improved with this latest generation).


Am I correct to assume that you used the dynamat/sound deadening that comes with the kit?

Tusc

The noise issue sounds strange.

Could they have reconnected to the shifter linkage and left "slack" to it? I remember installing mine and being very careful to align the bolt hole correctly again.

Otherwise, I can't imagine what noise a shifter could be promoting. I love mine. Silent and effective. Perfect with a lightweight flywheel, too!

luke87gt

Doubtful, the transmission shifts perfectly. Short, firm, precise shifts.

It's just transmitting a lot of transmission operation noise to the cabin for some reason. It's very quiet at idle. the cabin noise seems to get louder with RPM and it's clearly coming from the transmission tunnel.

Chris Edwards

Luke, do you think there is any possibility that the Hinson mounts are amplifying the sounds somewhat? I'm skeptical that a layer of Dynamat on the torque tube will remedy your issue. Abel seems like a quality installer, if the Dynamat was included in the MGW kit, they surely would have installed it no? By hundreds yes they probably have installed hundreds of shifters over the years, but how many have they installed with the new lower box? How long as the new lower box version been available?

0MGW George

There should be VERY little increase in noise levels. That is one of the trademarks of our shifter/box combo.

Is there more to this story...like have they installed or modded the car in conjunction with the shifter install in any other way?

George

ZF Six

I have an MGW with the lower box. Installed it myself and I hear no additional noise at all. Used the sound deadening that it came with as well as carefully trimmed the boot to match their recommendation.