I'm thinking about installing a short throw shifter on my 96 LT4 6 speed. Having trouble finding manufacturer and could use some help. Hard to install or easy? Who has the best one? Thanks

 

Hurst is awesome try Ebay. Didnt like the B&M, too stiff and notchy for my tastes

 

I'm running the B&M, I would agree that it take some effort to shift and feels to notchy with the stock shift ****. I am currently using a 4" delrin Hardbar shift ****, and it feels substantially better.

the stock shifter is a real nice piece though.

If you want to retain near stock feel/effort but have a shorter throw try Bill's own shortened stock shifter.

www.zfdoc.com

 

There's a zfdoc shifter with reverse lockout on ebay now....... hmmmm guess who's.....

they say make an offer hmmm guess how much.....

 

Sounds like my best bet is Hurst. Thanks for the info.

 

I have a B&M shifter in my 95. I installed it myself, and fit everything very carefully. I love it. It shifts easily, is very positive, and I can shift with my elbow on the console. The throws are very short. You should drive one of each before picking. I liked the Hurst, but the throws were not that much shorter than my stock unit. The B&M unit can be shifted with your wrist.

 

Check out the units for sale at zfdoc.com

 

Can the B&M shifter be installed from the top side or do you need to go under the car too? Thanks.

 

That is a matter of opinion.....my vote is for the B&M, I love it with the OEM ****...

 

You have to go under the car to install the B&M. Not too bad of a job.

 

I like the B&M, Installed myself in an afternoon.

 

You have to go under it to install either one.

 

Way back when I picked the Hurst, I put a Hurst shifter next to the B&M shifter and the choice became very easy. No matter which one you choose, you'll have to go under and on top of the hump. Be carefull with the rubber boots. I had my exhaust off at the time and that made installation very easy.

 

This was something I got specifics on. What I found was interesting.

On all three shortened shifters, about 1" has been removed up top (where the **** screws on). Of course, this is something anyone could do to their stock shifter. IOW, no need to buy a new one -- if that's all you did.

So, the real difference is what's done below the pivot point! The more it's lengthened (vs stock) below the pivot point, the more the shift rod will move forward and back. That's a shorter shift.

Here are the lengths below pivot:

Stock: 1.25"
Hurst: 1.5"
ZFUnit: 1.75"
B&M: 2.65"

While so many people like the Hurst feel, I was disappointed when I saw how little the pivot was lengthened. (Again, I don't really count shortening above as something worth paying for).

B&M shifters get mixed reviews because some feel that shift effort is increased too much. Shortening the throw does require more effort due to the change in angles/leverage.

Bill at the ZFDoc has experimented and determined 1.75" was his favorite "compromise". While he originally built his short throws the same as the Hurst model, he recently experimented further. With the unit in his '89 ZF1, he found add'l shortening reduced throw w/o increasing effort. (Because he cuts/welds stock units to create a shorter shifter, he had the luxury of trying several combinations.) That's how he settled on the shorter-throw, longer pivot length of 1.75".

The other benefit of the ZF shifters is retention of reverse lock-out for pre-95 cars. Also, stock units have a giant rubber isolater at the bottom of the shifter shaft. This provides add'l isolation from the transmission -- resulting in a more refined/solid feel. Because the isolation rubber is sufficiently hard, play/movement is not induced into the throw.

After communicating with both Bill and Chris (Hurst creator), I also found Bill to be considerately more helpful and provides MUCH better customer service. So, there was no question in MY mind that the ZF unit was the best option for me.

(I won't be able to comment on it's performance until my motor is completed within the next few weeks.)

 

I felt the Hurst was what the factory could have put in originally but never did. Noticeably shorter than stock, positive but smooth feel .You know when youre shifting gears but you dont need much effort to move it. To each their own. I found powershifting with the Hurst easier.

if you like that "super race car feel" the B&M may be the ticket.
Weird, on the T56 its the opposite, thoguht the B&m kicked butt.

 

 

I went with B&M, def. notchy but really short.

 

Hurst gets my vote. B&M is too short for my liking. It looks a little weird being that short too.

 

Here is and old post with some good pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-z...r-install.html

 

When people keep looking back and forth at the lesser-modded Hurst vs the super-modded B&M, w/o considering the best-compromise ZF version, it kinda makes me wonder.