I just installed a Hurst Billet/Plus shifter on my 96 six speed.

Short version:
Performance = A
Instructions = A
Fit = C-

Main feature of the shifter is that it reduces shift throw by 40%
It also eliminates the co-axial rubber damper built into the stock lever.
It also places the shift **** lower, a bit over an an inch.

The end result is better than the numbers indicate. It feels like completely different tranmission. You need to try one to appreciate it. Just saying 40% shorter throw doesn't describe the improvement in feel. I think getting rid of the rubber in the lever has a lot to do with that.

The instructions were clearly written and accurate. Very well done and not unecessarally long

It's a good sized job, the car needs to be high enough to allow you to work nder the car. The exhaust and x-member(convertible) also need to be removed. Some center console pieces need to be taken off too. The details are other places on the web, so I won't go into that.

There was one poor fit and one no-fit problem with the Hurst shifter. Both were fixable but shouldn't have happened.

The stock lever is 1.378 inches wide where it fits in the aluminum pivot cradle. The opening in the cradle is 1.380 so there is a nice close 0.002 inch clearance on a stock shifter.

The hurst part was 1.388 to 1.389 wide in that area, a 0.008 to 0.009 interferance fit. It could be pressed into the aluminum cradle but that made the lever too stiff and the e-clips couldn't be installed in the pin that goes through the cradle because the cradle spread over the groove.

I fixed that by reworking the aluminum cradle with some sand paper on a hardwood block to open it up to 1.389 to give line to line fit with almost no drag.

The lower end of the shifter was also a bit too big and felt a bit notchy where the gear shift rod fits into it. It was close to right so I worked it back and forth about 50 times and it freed up enough to use.

On the good side, the supplied shims let me take out about 0.008 factory end play at the pivot guides. That reduced play enough to just feel at the lever and was a nice touch.





[Modified by xs650, 9:31 AM 2/13/2004]

 

You forgot to tell folks about the reverse lockout. It removes it.

I've had mine over a year and just love it. Now top it off with a Hurst ball shift **** with the shift pattern on top. Great feel and look.

 

I forgot to mention that because 95 and 96 don't have the lockout. :)

Is the spring on the early models stiff enough so that hitting reverse by mistake isn't a problem?


[Modified by xs650, 10:35 AM 2/13/2004]

 

Has anyone else had these problems with fit? I just bought one and will be doing the install soon!

-Rick

 

You can get an idea how yours is by measuring the width of the Hurst lever at the little needle bearings that are pressed into it.

If it's over 1.378 (35.00mm) wide, you might have a little work to do.

Once I attached a piece of 120 grit silicon carbide sandpaper to a small block of wood, it only took about 10 minutes of careful hand work and trial fits to get it right. It was an annoyance but a lot easier than finding a lever that fit out of the box.

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/review...406&TopicID=21

Scroll down and read Hib's review/installation instructions...

Mike

 

Rick,
I had the exact fittment problems when I did my yellow 93 a couple of months ago. I DIDN'T have to drop the exhaust but DID have to remove the X brace. I tore the lower boot all to hell trying to get it out from between the trans tunnel and the top of the trans (lousey GM assembly problem), It cost around $30 for the new boot. All in all, it made a BIG improvment in the way the trans shifts. Even my wife commented on it when she drove it. :thumbs:
I also LOVE the lack of a reverse lock out now :) .

 

thanks for the replies guys!

Jim,
I did not know you picked up another one! NICE! That's a helk of a gargae too! See you around this summer.

-Rick

 

I was one of the first to install the Hurst in my 96 CE Convert. Had no problems at all and the shifter as been great. I didn't take the exhaust off and it was a PITA. I did an install on a buddys car and dropped the exhaust. What a difference in the install. It went in in half the time. He also loves the Hurst feel. Good luck with your install. :smash:

 

Was the rear of the engine/transmission positioned properly? Mine was about 1/2 inch too far to the left and things were tight. After I loosed the C-beam and moved the rear of the trans to where the shop manual sez it belongs, there was decent clearance on the left.

Dick

 

Dick,
As far as I know, the trans is positioned properly. The forward portion of the lower boot was tucked inside the hole in the trans tunnel and was pinched TIGHT between the tunnel and the top of the trans. I didn't feel like going thru the extra work of dropping the exhaust and the beam to lower the trans to get it out so I TRIED to GENTLY pull & pry to get it out. It didn't work.

Rick,
Arlene & I went to Miami on Thanksgiving Day to pick the yellow one up and drive it home. I had been lusting after Arlene's convertible since she got it and we decided to get another convertible that we both can DRIVE & ENJOY. The 6 speed makes it a WHOLE lot of fun to drive also :) . As a matter of fact, I drove it to work this morning. Thanks for the compliment on the garage.


[Modified by Jim Martley2, 7:08 AM 2/16/2004]

 

Jim,
Yup...I couldn't live without the 6 speed! :cool: Now I just need to get my Hirst shifter in there!

Miami to New York....nice trip!

-Rick


[Modified by cicch95, 8:29 AM 2/16/2004]

 

Rick,
We covered 1,540 miles. We left Miami at 11:30 am on Friday (with 90 degree weather) and got to our house at 2:00 pm on Sunday. It was an interesting trip.

 

That sounds like the rear of your trans is at least high and probably to the left too. There are a couple of easy measurements you can take between your C-beam by the front U-joint and the tunnel to see if it's in the right spot.

 

I also had to sand to fit. Maybe there was differences in parts made over the years. Most posts have not mentioned having to make it fit. I remember one post where the shifter was stiff after having a shop install it.

I would rather have it snug rather than having a sloppy feel. :yesnod:

 

i put the hurst in when i did my clutch last summer so it was super easy cause i had the tranny out. I dont know how i ever did without. Now when i see cars with the stock shifter in it looks rediculous to me how long it was.