Shift Knob - 6 Speed Pattern

You may have read our recent post about new B&M Six Speed Shifters for the C6 Corvette. If so here are a few C6 Corvette shifter knobs that will install easily on that shifter, other aftermarket shifters and the stock setup as well.

Zip Corvette’s new 2.25″ C6 Corvette Shifter Knobs will give you that feeling and a touch of unique flair for your Corvette.

Shift Knob - Corvette Logo

These new Corvette Parts have been designed specifically for the C6 Corvette, so they not only reduce the height of your Corvette’s shifter by 1″ but will they also allow you to continue to use the factory shift boot mounting points. Something no other aftermarket knobs can boast! Say goodbye to merely “dressing up” your Corvette’s aftermarket shifter!

Knob - Grand Sport Stripe

Manufactured of a composite material, the C6 Corvette patterns, logos and scripts are embedded into the knob and you’ll never have to worry about those graphics disappearing. Choose from several different knob and script color combinations. Knobs are available in white or black and scripts are available in white, black or red. These C6 Corvette shifter knobs mount to the shifter just like the OEM knob and will fit all C6 Corvettes including the Z06, ZR1 and Grand Sport. Each shifter knob is 100% GM Licensed therefor quality will not be an issue.

C5 & C6 Shifter Housing Bushings

An Exclusive from Zip Corvette Parts! These polyurethane 1997-2012 C5 & C6 Corvette Shifter Lower Housing Bushings were designed in-house by Zip’s Vice-President of Product and Development in response to rubber bushings that break down after just a few years.

If you are tired of rubber bushings or would like to add some performance to your Corvette, then polyurethane is the way to go. Replace your torn stock shifter housing rubber bushing with Zip’s polyurethane replacements; eliminating movement of the C5 or C6 Corvette Shifter when banging between gears. Not only do they increase performance level, they last much longer than their rubber counterparts.

These bushings fit all 1997-2012 Corvette 6 speed shifters except for C6 Z06, ZR1 and GrandSport models.

Have you rebuilt your early Corvette shifter only to find the same problems banging gears? Or are you installing a new shifter and need help making sure the shifter linkage is properly adjusted? Zip Corvette has a simple tool that can make a shifter linkage adjustment easy. These Corvette 4-Speed Shifter Linkage Adjustment Tools allow you to set the proper distances and locations for your Corvette shift mechanism while installing it. Zip Corvette offers these tools for 1957-1962 Corvettes with Borg-Warner T-10 transmissions (part # ST-404), 1963 BW & Muncie transmissions (part # ST-405) and 1964-1981 Muncie and late Super T-10 transmissions (part # ST-406).

On 1957-1963 Corvettes the alignment block is inserted in the top of the levers. Locate the shift fork levers on the side of the Corvette’s Transmission in their neutral positions. Install the shifter without any rods attached. Insert the block with the groove over the tab and into the slots at the top levers. Once all are in position you can hook up your shift rods and begin any fine adjustments you may need to make.

On 1964-1981 Corvettes with the Muncie or late 1970′s T-10 Corvette Transmission the procedure is slightly different. The alignment tool is a small metal plate inserted into the side of the shifter levers. Begin by locating the transmissions lever in neutral. Locate the small slot in the lower portion of the shifter levers. Slowly insert the plate through the slot and through each of the shifter levers. The plate will not come through, but instead will bottom out once all the levers are aligned. Once all are in position you can hook up your shift rods and make any fine adjustments that may be needed. These tools prove invaluable when installing a Corvette Shifter, allowing you to quickly and easily get your Corvette shifting smoothly again.

By Tom Richardson – Zip Sales Representative

Corvette Flywheel

If your 1963-1972 Corvette is equipped with the factory style clutch but you desperately need to replace the flywheel, we have two great options that are direct replacements for your factory Corvette flywheel. Our cast iron flywheels and billet steel flywheels are designed to be used on Corvettes with a 10.4″ clutch, each flywheel includes 153 teeth.

Cast Iron Flywheel: Our new Corvette Cast Iron Flywheel is a cost efficient replacement to any OEM flywheel. This flywheel is made by Sachs who is a well known supplier of quality OEM GM parts.

Billet Steel Flywheel: Our new Corvette Billet Steel Flywheel is a high quality durable flywheel that is guaranteed to last for years. Manufactured in the USA by Hays from certified billet material, this flywheel will be able to handle the stress of high R.P.M. and extreme racing. This flywheel is S.F.I. certified meaning it is approved for use in racing applications.

Here are a couple of helpful tips to consider when installing a new flywheel or replacing the clutch in your Corvette…

• When bolting the new flywheel to the back of the engine, make sure you do it to the factory specifications. Hays, the manufacturer, has found 75 lbs.-ft. to be the factory rating. Perform this procedure in a 3-staged pattern, tightening each bolt in a crisscross pattern starting at 55 lbs.-ft., followed by 65 and finishing at 75.
• A critical step in order to achieve optimum clutch performance is to remove the flywheel for resurfacing when installing a new clutch. In addition, the pilot bushing and throw out bearing should be replaced with the new clutch.

What GM and Sachs have done with the ZR1 is designed a factory clutch that is capable of handling over 800 horsepower while still offering the drivability expected of a new C6 Corvette. Originally only available for the C6 ZR1 Corvette, you can now install the best factory clutch ever to be in a Corvette with our ZR1 Corvette clutch assembly. Our clutch kit includes the OEM ZR1 pressure plate and disk, new throw out bearing and slave cylinder, new billet steel flywheel and the necessary flywheel and pressure plate mounting hardware.

C6 ZR1 Corvette Clutch Assembly

“Can I use the ZR1 clutch in my base C6 or Z06?” Yes! We have made it possible to bolt the ZR1 clutch to any LS2, LS3 or LS7 Corvette. Our new Corvette Steel Flywheel for 2005-2010 includes six bolt holes as opposed to nine on the ZR1, which allows it to be bolted to the crankshaft on any C6 Corvette including the Z06. The steel flywheel, also sold separately, is made from billet steel by the original ZR1 flywheel manufacturer and has been tested in excess of 12,000 rpm. You should know that it is only compatible with the ZR1 Corvette Clutch Assembly.

So if you are tired of your Corvette’s clutch slipping, or on the flip side you can’t enjoy driving your Corvette because it seems that the clutch has an on/off switch, consider our new clutch assembly. With a bolt on installation, all necessary components and hardware your Corvette will be capable of holding huge amounts of horsepower while maintaining a smooth ride.

Pfadt C5 Corvette Transmission Brace

Here is an independent review provided by an industry professional, Hib Halverson on the Pfadt C5 Corvette Transmission Brace.

“Got the Pfadt transmission mount installed and did some testing. Wow! Does that product work great or what? Powertrain “rubberbanding” greatly decreased. Wheel hop virtually eliminated. The downside is a significant increase in noise and vibration between 2200 rpm and 3800 rpm.”

“In a race car, where its use would be allowed by rules, this part is highly advised. In a car that’s drag raced, it’s a virtual requirement. In a track/street car which doesn’t see a lot of street use and no long trips, the same is true because most drivers will take the noise and vibrations in exchange for the better performance… In a street car that is driven on long trips, it’s not advisable because of the big increase in noise and vibration right in the rpm range that the LS1 or LS6 engine will run at on the highway.” Read more about the Pfadt C5 Corvette Transmission Brace here.

C5/C6 Carbon Fiber Driveshaft

Stock C5 & C6 Corvette aluminum driveshafts can “whip” at high RPM’s, which can eventually lead to a bent or broken driveshaft. By upgrading to a carbon fiber Corvette driveshaft you will not have to worry about bending or breaking your Corvette’s stock driveshaft as the carbon fiber will not change shape at high RPM’s. Zip’s new carbon fiber driveshaft is stronger and lighter than the stock driveshaft and unlike the factory setup, you will not have to worry about vibration issues caused by bends or breaks. In the event of a driveline failure the carbon fiber driveshaft will “broom”, which will just polish the inside of the torque tube instead of causing a complete failure.

Our carbon fiber driveshaft will bolt-in to a 2001-2010 C5/C6 Corvette with a manual 6 Speed Transmission and provide instant reliability and safety for any C5/C6 Corvette owner who enjoys pushing the limits of their Corvette. If you own a 1997-2000 Corvette and would like to upgrade to a carbon fiber driveshaft you may do so but will have to upgrade your Corvette’s 10mm torque tube to the newer 12mm tube found in 2001 and later Corvettes. The carbon fiber driveshaft is a must have if you are involved with any type of racing or are looking to add impressive acceleration to your Corvette.

C6 Corvette Clutch Assembly

The LS9X Corvette Clutch Assembly is your answer to any C6 Corvette clutch woes. The new high performance yet dependable twin disk clutch assembly utilizes an aluminum flywheel with a stock ZR1 twin disk clutch. It has been rated to handle 700 rear wheel horsepower and is as drivable as your stock Corvette clutch. In the past you would have to make do with poor drivability so that your Corvette’s clutch could handle more power, with the C6 Corvette LS9X Katech Twin Disk Clutch Assembly you get the best of both worlds. The LS9X is 8lbs lighter then the stock Z06/LS7 clutch and will not produce the rattle associated with other clutches while your transmission is in neutral. By utilizing an aluminum flywheel every C6 Corvette owner, excluding ZR1 owners, can bolt this twin disk clutch assembly in without any modifications.

Features of the C6 Corvette LS9X Katech Twin Disk Clutch Assembly:

• Fits C6 Corvettes including Z06 (excluding ZR1)
• High performance twin disk clutch assembly
• Clutch disks and pressure plate from the C6 ZR1
• Aluminum flyweel with 6 bolt pattern for standard LS engines
• Includes slave cylinder
• Includes pressure plate bolts
• 8lbs lighter than the stock Z06 clutch
• Drives like a stock ZR1 – stock pedal feel
• Proven to hold 700 rear wheel horsepower
• No neutral noise or chattering

Corvette 4-Speed Transmission Rebuild

Zip Corvette Parts offers just about anything you can think of when it comes to rebuilding your 1963-1967 Corvette’s Transmission including: transmission tags, cluster assemblies, mainshaft bearings, front input shafts, gears, synchronizers, seals, a small parts kit, and a complete 4-speed transmission rebuild kit.

Our complete Corvette Transmission Rebuild Kits include everything you would need to return your Corvette’s 4-speed transmission to its original level of performance. New gaskets, snap rings, washers, needle bearings, front and rear bearings, rear seal, brass sychronizer rings, counter shaft and a small parts kit all make up the Muncie transmission rebuild package. Unfortunately for the M22 Muncie transmission we do not have a rebuild kit available but for all other 1963L-1967 Corvettes this kit will work great.

Zip works hard to be sure that your Corvette’s restoration goes as smooth as possible, that’s why we offer pre-assembled kits to our customers. By letting us put all the parts in a simple kit, you can forget about the hassle of trying to mix and match components from different Corvette Parts suppliers. All of our kits are as close to exact as possible and of course are backed by our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Hurst Billet Plus Corvette Shifter

If you are tired of missed shifts or you are just looking to upgrade your C5 Corvette’s Shifter consider the Hurst Billet Plus C5 Corvette Shifter from Zip Corvette. The particular design of the billet plus enhances the positive precise feel when shifting while reducing shifter throw at the same time. Self centering alignment of the Hurst shifter improves 2nd to 3rd up-shift gear changes, which will considerably help eliminate missed shifts. The CNC machined 6061 billet aluminum base and stop collar offer the ultimate in strength and durability. With a high strength steel stick this shifter is sure to perform under even the most strenuous situations. The Hurst Billet Plus Corvette Shifter installs without any modifications; click here to view the Hurst Billet Plus Corvette Shifter installation instructions.