Chris is Zrchris. He has always kept us updated on the development of shifters. As for the B&M I don't like it, to notchy. Chris made his own and I had to have one. :cheers:

 

Sorry I'm late guys, computer was down. As far as installation effort, all shifters for the ZF take about the same effort. As far as smoothness and throw reduction, the differences are quite significant. The Hurst provides a 30% throw reduction on both axes, a significant reduction over stock. It retains the smoothness of stock, no notchiness, and with a reasonable effort level in any car. Both the Hurst and B&M cut the handle height by 1". Both also have solid steel levers which do much to increase precision over the stock rubber-coupled lever.

The B&M is extremely short in throw, with a fore/aft reduction of 60%. Some like this, but on many cars this results in extreme effort. Some get away with reasonable effort, varying w/ the trans- and you can't really tell until you install it. Beyond the effort, extreme throw reduction means much less smooth and more notchy operation, and difficulty in gear identification. Increased effort and decreased smoothness both lead to difficulty in shifting, regardless of whether your drag racing or driving around town.

Essentially, because we are stuck with a given transmission, the shift lever must be designed to interface with it in a user-friendly manner. While the stock shifter was made for any Grandma to shift it, we can only shorten the throw to a limit where it becomes uncomfortable for us "strong-armed performance people". And because of variations in personal preference and transmission components, the limit for many is near the Hurst, but for some the B&M works out. The only way to find what's right for you is to try them out.

The Hurst was designed out of dissatisfaction with the B&M, and is made to seamlessly work with all factory parts, and give a factory-original look and fit. The only part it replaces is the lever itself, and it is as vibration-free as stock.

Hib Halverson recently wrote a CF review of the Hurst and spoke of the differences in the aftermarket choices. Check it out here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/review...490&TopicID=21

My own in-depth review of the shifters can be read at:
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gt1479b/C4shift.doc

If you're interested in buying a Hurst, CF vendor Speed Demon Motorsports offers this shifter in the CF Mall at a great price, check it out:
http://store.yahoo.com/corvetteforum/hur-c4shifter.html


[Modified by zrchris, 10:44 AM 6/21/2002]

 

IMHO the B&M is the best shifter out there. The Hurst just really isn't that much different than stock.

But then my opinion is just like anybody else's, it's an opinion. The best advice I could give is to find a way to drive each one and see what you like best. That way you know you get what YOU like. For me, that's the B&M, for other's it's the Hurst. Everybody is different and that's what make life so interesting.

This topic usually starts a war, which gets nowhere. I'm glad to see it hasn't yet. Everything works better that way.

 

While we're on the shifter mode, has anyone modified or removed
their armrest/compartment cover?

 

I just installed the Hurst about a month ago (Twice but only ZChris knows why :rolleyes: I am a big dummy) But the difference is like night and day! This is the part that should have came with the car from the factory. The installation is relatively easy but time consuming(I should know I had to do it twice) allow for between 2-5 hrs. I have not tried the Ripper but I am sure it is also superb. I purchased mine from Speed demon and had it in less than 24 hours they rock!!! and at a great price.

 

When the scumbags that rebuilt my tranny gave my car back to me they forgot the detent spring that keeps the shifter from entering the reverse gate unintentionally. I am still trying to get them to fix this, but I am also considering the hurst. If all you did was replace the shifter, then it is my guess this spring is located somewhere on the stock shifter. If you still have it check it out and let me know. I'm sure you can rig a spring on the hurst somehow. Let me know if you come up with anything.
kdrhpe@yahoo.com

 

There are no springs or detent mechanisms outside of the transmission. The shifter is just a lever with a linkage rod. Most don't encounter problems in finding 5th, so I'm not sure what would be wrong externally other than excessive shimming of the pivot block will cause excessive drag and loss of feeling of the gate detents. The 5-6 gate should be sharply identified, and shifting from 4th to 5th should be about as easy as shifting from 2nd to 3rd.

If you previously relied on hitting the reverse lockout block to enter the 5-6 gate, you will need to adjust to use these aftermarket shifters, or even a stock '95-6.

 

B&M here I dont think shift effort is bad at all (althow I do eat my Wheaties) I love the Flick-of-the-wrist feel and so do my mustang buddies (their t-5's have to much throw for their liking) on buddy even said that it changed the whole personality of the car. He said" insted of feeling like your going to punch out the radio, It feels like the true sports car that it is." I do feel that it does make alot of noise, but with a single mass clutch It already makes alot of racket. I dont even notice it now just my passengers do. I also love the fact that I can "open palm" third gear. :D