I am thinking about upgrading the 6-speed shifter on my '99 and was wondering if anyone has an opinion about the Kirban, B&M or Hurst brands. They all seem to be about the same price so was wondering is one is better than the other.

I have the B&M Ripper and really like it, although after I slightly modified it (cut 1.5 loops off of each spring )and did the Anti venom mod (washer/s added to detent bolt) I liked it MUCH better.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/Repairs/Antivenom.jpg

I really think they are all pretty much the same, I've heard nothing but good things about every one of the three you mentioned. Personally the Anti venom mod makes all the short throws allot better as they and the tranny have built in return to center forces that fight each other. The anti venom mod lessens or even defeats the Tranny's detent or return to center force.... and make sure you allign the shifter as well, that can make a HUGE difference if it's off...

FWIW the best shift knob I've found is the stock one....

B/M ripper for me. Installed for a year now, gotta love any short throw shifter!!

I also have the B&M Ripper short throw shifter, it was installed in the Z06 when I bought it. I like it lots. If your interested in a stock 2002 Z06 shifter let me know, I'll make you a good deal on it in a new B&M box too...lol

What does the anti-venom mod do exactly?

It decreases the trannies internal return to center force, basically you have the ripper's side springs that force the shifter to center and also the tranny doing the same thing doubling the effort to tkae the shifter to the right or left. the washers added behind the detent bolt lessen or elliminate the trannies built in return to center force lessening the throw effort of the shifter... I used one 13/16th copper drain plug washers (M20 washer) and then cut a loop and a half off each spring in the shifter, the feel of the shifter is perfect now, for me anyways...

I see... Yes I do know about the return force of the both of them working together, I have a few times shifted from 5th to suppose to 6th and gone to 4th instead for a moment, under normal driving conditions, so it was not any issue. but I will have to check into that for sure, I have known of it for a while just didn't know the exact understanding of it. Thanks. I will check it out on mine when we get moved into our new home, which has a 2 car garage, unlike my home now that has an attached covered carport.