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allow me to ask a pointed question re: the stock shifter then,
How defined are the gates? How precise is the pattern?..... have no experience with C2 original style shifters. Thanks
A well-maintained and adjusted original, or a true-to-spec reproduction, is as smooth as silk if you ask me, and a pleasure to use, both during high performance driving, and normal street cruising. I’ve had numerous Muncie equip cars with Hurst shifters through the years, yes the pattern may be a bit narrower, apparent when your power shifting between second and third, but for anything less than full throttle drag racing i’d certainly go with the factory shifter. But you really have to drive both yourself to form your own opinion.
A well-maintained and adjusted original, or a true-to-spec reproduction, is as smooth as silk if you ask me, and a pleasure to use, both during high performance driving, and normal street cruising. I’ve had numerous Muncie equip cars with Hurst shifters through the years, yes the pattern may be a bit narrower, apparent when your power shifting between second and third, but for anything less than full throttle drag racing i’d certainly go with the factory shifter. But you really have to drive both yourself to form your own opinion.
I have not seen any mention of the factory shifter in the optional short throw position? I don’t recall how many years they came this way but my 65 has the option and I have it in the short throw position and I love it.
The repro shifter in my '60, now 30+ years old, is still smooth and precise. No issues with it at all.
My bride's Grand Sport track car also has a repro shifter. It, too, is smooth and precise. It has a reassuring feel when upshifting on the straights or dowshifting for a turn.
In contrast, my Grand Sport vintage racer has a Hurst with the look-alike stock handle. (Yes, I drank the Kool-Aid....once) Even after thousands of track miles involving multiple shifts per lap, the dang thing is still stiff and notchy. Bearable but definitely not as pleasant as the stock shifter in my bride's car.
That is exactly what I experienced! Love my stock repro shifter.
If you like a day 2 car look go with the Hurst however a properly installed and fully adjusted stock shifter is AOK in my book. Never had any issues with the ones I have had.
In terms of pure shifter feel and precision, you can't beat Hurst. Night and day over Muncie. But if you want originality, find a good used OEM and re-build it. The reproductions get sloppy real fast.
The factory shifter in my ‘64 worked ok, but was a bit on the sloppy side. SS shims were used to beef up spring clip load on the shift rod ends. A shim was placed in the main housing to tighten up clearance between the shifter fingers.
Along with a good clean and lube the factory shifter works smooth as butter now. I’m happy with it.
In terms of pure shifter feel and precision, you can't beat Hurst. Night and day over Muncie. But if you want originality, find a good used OEM and re-build it. The reproductions get sloppy real fast.
I've been waiting 30+ years for my repop shifter to become sloppy. How much longer do I need to wait?
From: Somewhere North of The 49th Parallel Ontario
I have a 64 327/ m-21 and when I pulled the trans to replace all the gaskets and put it back in the car, I set up my original 4 speed muncie shifter per shop manual instructions and I couldn't be happier, smooth as silk. Sorry about the pictures quality.
As mentioned in post 21, best advise, it is personal preference, see if you can find someone near you to let you feel a hurst and another stock one to compare to yours. While a lot of us won't let someone just hop in and drive our car, I've never said "no" to someone at a car show etc wanting to sit in it etc, and explaining the situation you should be able to push the clutch in and get some idea of the hurst vs stock. I thought my 62's shifter was worn out when I got it until another c1 owner let me feel what his car was like, nope, that's just how they feel. Some people love them, some don't. Personally I like the hurst feel (the hard stops, spring bias side/side) from the days of driving a 4 speed in a 68 camaro, but I have stock shifters in my 62 and 72, and I'm putting the stock one back in my 63 now just to keep things original.
The repro shifter in my '60, now 30+ years old, is still smooth and precise. No issues with it at all.
My bride's Grand Sport track car also has a repro shifter. It, too, is smooth and precise. It has a reassuring feel when upshifting on the straights or dowshifting for a turn.
In contrast, my Grand Sport vintage racer has a Hurst with the look-alike stock handle. (Yes, I drank the Kool-Aid....once) Even after thousands of track miles involving multiple shifts per lap, the dang thing is still stiff and notchy. Bearable but definitely not as pleasant as the stock shifter in my bride's car.
This has been my experience. I have the stock shifter. I think it is smooth. He Hurst feels stiff and chunky.
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Couldn’t get rid of my Hurst fast enough in favor of a stock repro. Love it!
