I have an oem jcw shift ****. Will it work with the Cravenspeed shifter setup?

Also, anything else worth doing while I'm in there?

My exhaust rattles a bit. What should I be checking there? It has Milltek race header with no resonator, and stratmosphere mufflers. If it matters.

 

I'd suggest watching @Grand-Cayman's installation video on a Cravenspeed SSK before you start the job. Mine had a B&M SSK (long ago discontinued) installed when new (within first 2k miles) which caused problems due to the SSK's shifter mechanism extending down and limiting clearance between that and the exhaust pipe. Not a problem with a straight pipe without resonator (such as you indicated yours has) but wouldn't work with Milltek's res-pipe as I wanted on mine to reduce total dBA and resonance heard inside the cab (mine has a 4:1 header too). Unless your objectives are oriented towards tracking, IMO an SSK might not be worth the tradeoffs. I reverted to an OEM shifter in combo with the same Cravenspeed shifter bushing kit shown in his video. Very happy now!

 

Everytime I drive my 96 corvette, it reminds me how much I want to put a short throw in the r53. Thanks for the input!!

 

So, I found where the rattle/buzz is coming from. Where the de resonator pipe connects to the mufflers.


Do I just need a new clamp or something else?
I also felt air escaping from there, prior to loosening the clamp.

 

IMO, if you have sufficient overlap engagement between those two pipes, a full circumference clamp should pull those slip-on sections tight to the pipe joint. These pics show mine with Milltek rear pipe (attaches forward of that to either resonated or non-resonated pipe) using furnished Milltek clamp and then attached to the muffler flange behind that.

 

I have milltek race header and non resonated milltek pipe. Oh yeah, that clamp in your pics is wayyy better than my clamp. Will see if I can buy one from Milltek.

 

Forum sponsor @ECSTuning shows them in stock in various pipe OD sizes. Add $49+ to cart for "free shipping"...

ECS for Milltek exhaust clamps

 

Ordered from ECS!

 

I thought craven speed was supposed to have a slight bend in the shifter?


My cravenspeed shifter doesn't have a bend to it. Can we reuse that plastic cap(that holds the shift lever) with the Cravenspeed? I find it impossible to slide it over the cravenspeed.

 

OK, it's me again since others haven't contributed to this topic thus far...

Frankly, I'd hoped my previous comments dissuaded you from proceeding with this mod "upgrade". But since you have, the OEM shifter housing being opaque and the retainer bushing being black caught my eye and "made me look". Yep as indicated in one of your earlier topics, yours is a pre-facelift model with the problematic shifter assembly. I'm uncertain on the condition of yours, however those are prone to failure (do forum searches) with the recommended option being to swap in an entire facelift shifter assembly with associated different cables. I'm clueless whether that OEM black plastic bushing ("cap") is compatible with the Cravenspeed assembly or if there is another issue.

Imaged is my OEM "facelift" (2004+) shifter assembly shown with that opaque white retainer bushing before modification and then after modification. Also noting, you should replace the o-ring which acts as a bump stop during shifting, which likely has fatigued with age and mileage usage.

 

All I had to was remove the top shifter black piece, and the adjustment nut. The plastic piece slid over. Love the shorter the shorter throws! Haven't driven it yet. Need to do a few more things.

 

Messy, but I will clean it up!!

Love the jcw shift ****. But the Cravenspeed one looks sharp as well

 

New clamp, but exhaust still rattles.

Could it be the rubber bushings that go on the metal brace? The brace is under the resonated/non resonated section, is the one I'm talking about.

 

I replaced all rubber hangers as a matched set same time I installed the Milltek in 2021 but had some interference rattling. At that point, I didn't realize cause was between the extended shifter box and res pipe mentioned previously, so used spacers as shown (subsequently removed) which did provide more clearance. I'm not suggesting those but If you haven't already, check if your hangers are stretched or torn.

 

Having now driven the car with the short throw, I love it!! Definitely worth it.

 

how much shorter are the throws? looks fantastic

 

Thanks! I would say maybe 40% less of a throw. Set to the lowest position. Hardly any notchier than stock.