Short shifter for LT4
200+
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Argyle TX
i am running the b&m in mine and i love it
B&M Short Throw Shifter Kit: 45056
Throw Reduction: 45%
Adjustable Throw: NO
Neutral Position Adjustibility: NO
**** Included: NO
Accepts Stock ****: YES
Upgraded Bushings: NO
Counter-weighted: NO
Fits:
1989-96 Chevrolet Corvette
B&M Short Throw Shifter Kit: 45056
Throw Reduction: 45%
Adjustable Throw: NO
Neutral Position Adjustibility: NO
**** Included: NO
Accepts Stock ****: YES
Upgraded Bushings: NO
Counter-weighted: NO
Fits:
1989-96 Chevrolet Corvette
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 60
From: Auburndale Florida 1990 Vert, 6 speed
I have the Hurst shifter and really like it.
I believe that ZF doc makes or modifies your own shifter that converts it to short throw and it retains the reverse lock out feature.
Here is mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hurst...s#ht_666wt_941
I believe that ZF doc makes or modifies your own shifter that converts it to short throw and it retains the reverse lock out feature.
Here is mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hurst...s#ht_666wt_941
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Thanks for the feedback on the shifters guys. What does it take to install? Does the trans have to be removed and the case split? I'm crippled to the point that any mechanical work is impossible for me to do. Thank you in advance. BTW, big price difference between the two items $109 and $252, just for clarity.
Al
Al
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 77
From: Elgin, IL
I have the Hurst shifter on my 96LT4 and it is very nice. It is a very smooth solid short throw. The installation is not too difficult and can be done by removing some interior pieces and replacing the stock shifter. The trans doesn't come out. Everything is done from the top. You can't go wrong with either one compared to the stock one. They should have come from the factory with these types.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
You can't do it all from the top. You have to drive out the retaining pin in the linkage, which you can not do from the top. A shop could charge 1.5 hours and not be out of line for the install.
I have the B&M in my car and like it more than the Hurst. I've never shifted the ZFdoc shifter, but both the B&M and the Hurst are horrible compared to an aftermarket shifter in a T56 or T5. I guess that is the price we pay for having a linkage driven shifter.
The B&M rattles a little, the hurst doesn't The hurst is sloppy compared to the B&M, and the throws are longer. Neither has spectacular feel or precision.
I have the B&M in my car and like it more than the Hurst. I've never shifted the ZFdoc shifter, but both the B&M and the Hurst are horrible compared to an aftermarket shifter in a T56 or T5. I guess that is the price we pay for having a linkage driven shifter.
The B&M rattles a little, the hurst doesn't The hurst is sloppy compared to the B&M, and the throws are longer. Neither has spectacular feel or precision.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
B&M shifter with B&M T-Handle
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Hey PLRX, that looks cool. Do you have any trouble going from second to 3rd? I have a heck of a time. It just doesn't always want to slide over as it should and more than once I have missed a good shift. I am hoping a short shifter will cure this problem or at least a new shifter. Thanks for the comeback and especially the pictures from all of you guys.
Al
Al
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Hey PLRX, that looks cool. Do you have any trouble going from second to 3rd? I have a heck of a time. It just doesn't always want to slide over as it should and more than once I have missed a good shift. I am hoping a short shifter will cure this problem or at least a new shifter. Thanks for the comeback and especially the pictures from all of you guys.
Al
Al
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,676
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
I have the Hurst in my 93.
I was told it reduces throws by 30% (vs. 45% for the B&M)
The Hurst is a quality piece. Nothing was chintzy. Instructions were good. I did lose the reverse lockout feature. Sometimes I wish I had that feature (just me driving the car). Other times I dont (when dropping the car off at a service facility who may not realize it has that and they run the risk of damaging the shifter by 'forcing it').
The shifter effort (by virtue of being shorter) requires a little more effort to get it into gears. Nothing bad, just thought Id mention it. Its a little notchier, but thats the price you pay on this car for reduced shift throw.
I imagine shift effort -with the B&M, would be even a little more stiffer.
Overall I like it. It was not an easy install. I installed it at the time I had the trans dropped for a clutch change.
Did it make me faster at the track? I doubt it.
I was told it reduces throws by 30% (vs. 45% for the B&M)
The Hurst is a quality piece. Nothing was chintzy. Instructions were good. I did lose the reverse lockout feature. Sometimes I wish I had that feature (just me driving the car). Other times I dont (when dropping the car off at a service facility who may not realize it has that and they run the risk of damaging the shifter by 'forcing it').
The shifter effort (by virtue of being shorter) requires a little more effort to get it into gears. Nothing bad, just thought Id mention it. Its a little notchier, but thats the price you pay on this car for reduced shift throw.
I imagine shift effort -with the B&M, would be even a little more stiffer.
Overall I like it. It was not an easy install. I installed it at the time I had the trans dropped for a clutch change.
Did it make me faster at the track? I doubt it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 3
From: Chandler Arizona
I am currently running a B&M (which Bill- ZFDOC, installed himself). the shifter feels great (haven't gotten the car back to fully analize the feel), but I also chose to run a Delrin 4" shift ****. the 3" is also popular, but the B&M is EXTREMELY short as far as height is concerned.
Bill DOES do a modification to the existing shift lever to reduce the throw length. He prefer's this approach only because short shifters (in general) are relatively notchy, and require more effort than the standard shift lever... his modification to the oem shift lever feels fantastic! it's just butter smooth, no additional effort needed (over stock).
JMHO
Bill DOES do a modification to the existing shift lever to reduce the throw length. He prefer's this approach only because short shifters (in general) are relatively notchy, and require more effort than the standard shift lever... his modification to the oem shift lever feels fantastic! it's just butter smooth, no additional effort needed (over stock).
JMHO
