Preferences Zirban vs Ripper vs stock shifter

1861 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by ddle, Jun 19, 2001

SMFCPACFP

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2001

I am still using the stock shifter and don't seem to have problems missing shifts, although admittedly you do have to be careful.

I have heard people complain that the Ripper is too stiff. Haven't heard anything negative about the Kirban. I would just like to revisit this issuse if you don't mind

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

hcvone

· #2 · Jun 18, 2001

The stock shifter sucks and must go, that will be the first day mod on the new car, well that and the column lock bypass will be done together. I have the Kirban and love it, and I have one for the new car sitting here waiting, the B&M Ripper is a great shifter as well, but the Kirban factory is 15 minutes from my home so that is why I use Kirban. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

See less See more

BOBSZ06

· #3 · Jun 18, 2001

Waiting for the new Hurst Shifter which is adjustable for stiffness. Mid July available. Sounds like a winner!

ddle

· #4 · Jun 18, 2001

I was in the same situation when I was looking to change out the shifter in my Z, and saw a lot of complains on the the B&M shifter. I read a lot of good posts on the Kirban, and I went with the Kirban. There were a long post not too long ago comparing the kirban and the B&M. I admired his efforts on the comparision, but didn't took a bit of it. The guy only have one month of usage on the Kirban. It takes more than one month to break this thing in. Who knows, maybe he had a defective shifter... I had mine for couple months now, and it's getting better and better everyday. It's very precise and easy to shift. Just "Slightly" stiffer than the stock, but I love it. According to some of the "other posts" in the forum, it may take Mr. olympia to be comfortable with the B&M. I'm no way near Mr. Olympia, so the Kirban is perfect for me. Atleast, I don't have to grind my teeth and flex all the muscles in my body to shift.

To tell you the truth, the thing I miss the most about my Z is shifting it. That's how much I love the Kirban. Now, nobody have any kind of experience with the Hurst shifter yet. You may look into that as they are a well known company.

Just my 2 cents.....

See less See more

GS4-2-Z06

· #5 · Jun 18, 2001

shifter as well, but the Kirban factory is 15 minutes from my home so that is why I use Kirban. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

The Escort HQ is literally 3 minutes from my door, but I still use the Valentine 1 (better product IMHO). Is there anyone in the Greater Cincinnati Area running a Ripper or Kirban in a Z06? I'd love to get a firsthand feel...of the shifter. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

See less See more

ghoffman

· #6 · Jun 19, 2001

see: http://www.z06vette.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=8519&forum=1

Good review of the Pros and cons...

hcvone

· #7 · Jun 19, 2001

If the two detectors were the same price and quailty then would you use the one that is closer to you? That is what I was saying, the two shifter are the same high quality. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

See less See more

GS4-2-Z06

· #8 · Jun 19, 2001

If the two detectors were the same price and quailty then would you use the one that is closer to you?

Of course. From the several reviews I had read though, the Kirban seemed to have a few shortcomings (no gasket, bad directions, two piece unit, noisy) whereas the Ripper only suffers from noise and difficult lateral movement due to heavy springs.

hcvone

· #9 · Jun 19, 2001

Mitchell, the Kirban is 2 pieces, it that an advantage or disadvatage I am not sure, I heard of someone sell their B&M to a person that stripped the threads, on the Kirban that is removing 2 bolts and replacing, the B&M requires removing the shifter. I used the stock gasket when mounting my Kirban, it can be done and that reduces the noise to a level of stock, and no worse. I thought the directions were very clear, the job was well under an hour start to finish. I do not care what shifter anyone would buy because I have no interest in any shifter company, but because of the area being close to the Kirban factory I would say that about 20 of my Zaino customers that own Vettes all have Kirban shifters and only one (you know who you are /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif ) had a problem with his. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif As I said you can not go wrong with either shifter, both are a thousand times better than stock. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

See less See more

3

Ranger

· #10 · Jun 19, 2001

I've driven a C5 with a Ripper and one with a Kirban. Upon reflection, I kept my stock shifter. Throws are longer, true. But I just haven't had any difficulty with missed shifts nor finding the shift gates.

Ranger

ddle

· #11 · Jun 19, 2001

On 2001-06-18 21:02, ghoffman spewed forth this drivel:
see: http://www.z06vette.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=8519&forum=1

Good review of the Pros and cons...

Great review (like I mentioned), but Kirk only had one month of usage on the Kirban. It's all depends on what you want, softer shift (not too nice) or better looking (but arm tiresome).

ddle

· #12 · Jun 19, 2001

On 2001-06-18 22:06, GS4-2-Z06 spewed forth this drivel:
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:</font><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1 COLOR=AAAAAA></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE><B>
If the two detectors were the same price and quailty then would you use the one that is closer to you?

Of course. From the several reviews I had read though, the Kirban seemed to have a few shortcomings (no gasket, bad directions, two piece unit, noisy) whereas the Ripper only suffers from noise and difficult lateral movement due to heavy springs.

</B></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1 COLOR=AAAAAA></TD></TR></TABLE>

I didn't see any shortcomings about the Kirban. I have to admit that the B&M looks very nice. But, after you installed it, and the boot goes over it, it doesn't make any different because you can't see anything. Unless, you have the carbon fiber dressing, then that would make a difference because the shinny looking stick of the B&M. When I took the stock shifter off, the gasket was still on the base, so I just but the Kirban right over it. With an extra $3 and some creative thinking (not saying that I'm smart or anything), the Kirban is quieter than the stock in my car. Carl had already covered the two pieces unit, so I won't go into that. About directions, when were the last time you need to read directions to change the oil in your car? Installing the shifter is not as easy......but, if you can change the oil in your car, you can change the shifter without much directions. There are pictures and sketches on the installation instruction sheet that one can follow. It's not very clear (not a lot of words), but I think a person with minimal IQ (like myself) can figured it out. So, you shouldn't have any problem at all.

How easy is it to shift? To put it in to 1st, move lever left and push forward. To put it into 2nd, use little (very little) force to left and pull it straight down toward you. To put it into 3rd, jam it straight up (forward, no angle required), it will go into 3rd. Jamming it straight up won't make it go back to 1st, it will be in 3rd. 4th, pull straight down. 5th, push forward at an angle to the right. 6th, use little force to the right and pull down toward the rear. It's almost impossible to mistaken 5th for reverse (I had the CAGS removed too). I don't remember have to flex lots of muscle to shift at all. Of course you'll have to use a little more energy than the stock shifter, but it doesn't sound like what people had complaint about the B&M.

Anyway, just my 2 sense, it's your money, put it where you'd like to.

See less See more

NetJunkie

· #13 · Jun 19, 2001

Does anyone sell a smaller shift boot for these? I put in a Ripper and then added a Momo shift knob. The Ripper was short before, but the way the Momo fits on makes it REAL short now...The stock shift boot is all mashed down.

Anyone sell a small one?

Nelson

· #14 · Jun 19, 2001

I was the person that sold the Ripper, and yes, the person I sold it to put a Nut on it to "clean" the threads because he said that by me installing the ripper, the "plug" to stop the knob from rotation "spread" the ripper shaft (Don't worry, you CAN NOT spread the ripper shaft, he made a mastake, and got through his problem, so that problem solved itself)

Bottom line is this... When I got my Ripper EVERYONE swore by the Ripper... z06vette.com was not around at this time, and the "Other" forum lead me in the direction of the Ripper... Once I used it, and then took it out... posted that I did so EVERYONE jumped all over me...

"Are you crazy"
"Learn to drive"
"Start working out"

I heard it all... then all of a sudden, it was a turn around... more and more people are starting NOT to like the Ripper...

Everytime I was roadracing, I waited for my gears to grind it snapped so hard from gear to gear and I had to pull on it so hard... I removed it and drive BETTER now that it is out. the Ripper was great when I 1st had it because I was so happy the distance from gear to gear was so small... but before long I started to realize that it was "neat" but not "useable"... I would stick with the stock shifter for now... drive someone else's for a LONG time if you can.. I drove a vette that had the ripper, and then said "I need one of them!" only to "rip" it out /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif...

On 2001-06-19 07:59, hcvone spewed forth this drivel:
Mitchell, the Kirban is 2 pieces, it that an advantage or disadvatage I am not sure, I heard of someone sell their B&M to a person that stripped the threads, on the Kirban that is removing 2 bolts and replacing, the B&M requires removing the shifter. I used the stock gasket when mounting my Kirban, it can be done and that reduces the noise to a level of stock, and no worse. I thought the directions were very clear, the job was well under an hour start to finish. I do not care what shifter anyone would buy because I have no interest in any shifter company, but because of the area being close to the Kirban factory I would say that about 20 of my Zaino customers that own Vettes all have Kirban shifters and only one (you know who you are /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif ) had a problem with his. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif As I said you can not go wrong with either shifter, both are a thousand times better than stock. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

See less See more

GS4-2-Z06

· #15 · Jun 19, 2001

On 2001-06-19 15:19, ddle spewed forth this drivel:
About directions, when were the last time you need to read directions to change the oil in your car.

Probably not a good point of comparison for the C5. Had I not read Hib Halverson's DIY series I would not have known that you have to raise up the rear to get all the oil out. That's why I always buy the shop manuals. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

You do make good points though. A lot of the shifter stuff if personal preference. Most people who buy something are not going to turn around and trash it. BUT, it's the ones that do who get my respect. I have read a bunch of shifter related threads; not just here, but all over the net. Jury's still out for me...

_________________
Mitchell Hamm
West Chester, Ohio
2002 Z06 Quicksilver/Black/All Options
Order #DKDJ5S / TPW 07-16-01

See less See more

hcvone

· #16 · Jun 19, 2001

Nelson, I drive many customers and friends cars with B&M shifters and that is why I bought the Kirban, as well as the fact that they are local to me, I just thought the B&M was too stiff if my fiancee drove the car, of course she is way stronger than I am being a personal trainer. I wanted shorter shifts but not "harder" shifts.

MARZ06

· #17 · Jun 19, 2001

I have also read all of the comments on the Kirban and the Ripper. I finally bit the bullet and installed the Ripper. It's awesome!!! Stiff....a little but by no means unbearable. I live in LA and sit in traffic almost every day and it doesn't bother me one bit. Buy one or the other and if you don't like it, sell it. should be easy enough to unload. Good luck.

ddle

· #18 · Jun 19, 2001

On 2001-06-19 17:31, GS4-2-Z06 spewed forth this drivel:
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:</font><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1 COLOR=AAAAAA></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE><B>
On 2001-06-19 15:19, ddle spewed forth this drivel:
About directions, when were the last time you need to read directions to change the oil in your car.

Probably not a good point of comparison for the C5. Had I not read Hib Halverson's DIY series I would not have known that you have to raise up the rear to get all the oil out. That's why I always buy the shop manuals. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif
</B></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1 COLOR=AAAAAA></TD></TR></TABLE>

You got a good point there.. I didn't know that people doesn't already knew that. I always jack my car up in the direction to where I can drain all the oil out, include pouring half a quart of clean oil to rinse out all the dirty stuff. This was all common sense to me. I didn't read this anywhere. Had done it since the first day I knew how to do an oil change. I do this to all of my vehicles. This practice needs to be done on all vehicles, not only to the C5.

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.