short throw shifter?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
short throw shifter?
I have a 96 LT4 and I am curious about short throw shifters. How difficult is the install on this? as far as driving, is this something that adds or complicates or would you suggest just staying stock. I use the car as a daily driver but I do like trying to improve it so I guess I am wondering if a shorter throw is something that you guys would consider an improvement? also, can you recommend a specific brand/part? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I consider a short-throw-shifter paramount. It's one of the 3 best mods I've done to my car. (After 383 stroker and 11" rears.)
A short-throw shift is what should have come on these cars. You will think the OEM shifter sucks once the install is complete and you drive a stock car again. I'm dead serious about this.
The ZF6 is originally a German bus/truck transmission and the stick makes you think of that (after driving the "right" one).
Since you drive a 96 and have crash-thru versus lift-ring lockout, your choice isn't limited. More have purchased the Hurst than any. I purchased a custom from the ZFDoc -- who cuts his bottom lever a bit shorter. He's experimented on his own ZR1 until hitting the right combination of Hurst (smooth) and B&M (short).
B&M's replaced Hurst as the shortest shifter. Some call it notchy and hard to throw. I'm so happy with my custom ZFDoc, I'd buy another in a heartbeat. (He's also the one one that makes the lift-ring unit for earlier models.)
Actually, he MIGHT sell all 3?
FWIW, it's kind of a PITA job. You'll have to take the center console out and wrestle a bit under the car. There's a 7mm pin that some complain about. I did my install while the trans was out. Not very hard that way!
There is a pictorial thread that's hard to beat as a how-to-guide. It's about 4 years old. If someone else doesn't post it, I'll look it up for you.
DO IT!!!
A short-throw shift is what should have come on these cars. You will think the OEM shifter sucks once the install is complete and you drive a stock car again. I'm dead serious about this.
The ZF6 is originally a German bus/truck transmission and the stick makes you think of that (after driving the "right" one).
Since you drive a 96 and have crash-thru versus lift-ring lockout, your choice isn't limited. More have purchased the Hurst than any. I purchased a custom from the ZFDoc -- who cuts his bottom lever a bit shorter. He's experimented on his own ZR1 until hitting the right combination of Hurst (smooth) and B&M (short).
B&M's replaced Hurst as the shortest shifter. Some call it notchy and hard to throw. I'm so happy with my custom ZFDoc, I'd buy another in a heartbeat. (He's also the one one that makes the lift-ring unit for earlier models.)
Actually, he MIGHT sell all 3?
FWIW, it's kind of a PITA job. You'll have to take the center console out and wrestle a bit under the car. There's a 7mm pin that some complain about. I did my install while the trans was out. Not very hard that way!
There is a pictorial thread that's hard to beat as a how-to-guide. It's about 4 years old. If someone else doesn't post it, I'll look it up for you.
DO IT!!!
