I have a 2002 Z06. Only mods so far are blackwing, cags and short throw. Switched the factory shifter to a Kirban about 4 weeks ago, switched from Kirban to Hurst this week; what a differnce or more accurately what differences! Everything including the box, the install directions, the shifter, the performance. In my opinion, there is no comparison!

The throw, noise and vibration are greatly reduced. The feel is like comparing the pull on a compund bow versus a bow made from a string and a stick. 1st and 2nd, 5th and 6th are just about as crisp as 3rd to 4th! No slop or play, centers solid after every shift.

Just one look tells you the materials are way ahead of stock or Kirban, again my opinion. Materials and look leans more toward ripper but even cleaner.

Installation instructions are clear, install is straight foward and simple. No need to set stops unless your a body builder who loves slamming gears.

Shifter is easily adjustable with spring sets provided with kit. You only need to remove the boot to change springs! You can also ease the throw by usng long tall handles versus stock or ball shift *****. This increases throw only slightly but gives a much different feel. The point is you can tailor this shifter to your liking; the changes are simple and time efficient.

The packing material is attractive and quality versus others.

Congratulations to Hurst for going outside their company to one of the finest engineering schools in the country to get help redesigning the product. Thanks to Chris Rinehart for not setteling for the current products and taking the initative to design a superior product.

One note to Hurst; get your act together on *****, handles and badging. Your brand means something, why not show it! **** changes are also and easy way for your customers to customize feel and effort; this broadens market appeal. It is an easy fix get it done!

One note to General Motors; why not offer Hurst Shifters as an option. I would have happily paid more for it as an option before I found it in the after market.

 

Good Review! Thanks! I'll be getting one soon.

GM does offer the Hurst on the Camaros and Firebirds, and it is way better than stock, but not as good as the aftermarket Hurst.

So there might be a GM P/N for the black leather Hurst shift ball. Don't know if it fits.

 

Well said.

 

cool. i just ordered mine this afternoon. can't wait for it to get here.

 

You like it now,Wait until it breaks in. It gets even BETTER with age. Man, What a product!

 

Hurst Rocks.... :cheers:

 

Just installed mine on my coupe last week & really like the snick-snick feel of this unit!

 

Wife just picked one up 5 minutes ago! Waht a coincidence!! She called from the parts store and asked if we needed one, about 10 minutes after I read this thread, and said SURE!!!! :cheers:

 

I have my Hurst ready to install in my 03Z when it comes in. It looks to be a real quality product, and that's coming from a former Kirban owner.

My only complaint is that there is scant technical info provided about the springs and adjustments. The only guidance is "springs and screws can be used to adjust the shifter feel". Well, DUH!! It seems with a feature such as this, there should be much more guidance on what springs do what. The fact of the matter is, with the springs and the tension screws, there is infinite adjustment. Problem is, we have no idea what these adjustments "do", without much trial and error.

My complaint comes from talking with a few guys who have the Hurst. They love it, but they don't exactly know how to fine tune it.

 

I will second the break-in thing. Mine just keeps getting better!

 

The Hurst is top quality. I love it! :cheers:

 

tracy,

I have had the hurst for a few months and did not like it at first as it was too stiff. I called Hurst and asked if it was ok to use just one spring rather than two. They said that was fine so I have the softest large spring installed with the adjusters turned in two full turns. Be sure to use loctite. That helped a lot. It does loosen up a bit with use. The stock **** rattles under acceleration so I plan to switch to a taller **** with a set screw very soon. I have read here that the taller ***** also make shifting easier.

Good luck.

Phil

 

HURST! :smash: :smash: :smash: "The only shifter there is" :cheers:

 

I installed mine three weeks ago and haven't quit smiling yet :)

 

HAs any one gone from a B&M to a Hurst. I would love to here about a comparison.

 

Phil,

That's good info, thanks. That gives us a starting point from someone who has used and modifided the shifter.

I'm amazed at the consensus that the shifter is stiff at first, and that working across the gates with anything other than the stock springs is much too "hard".

My Kirban was a little more difficult than stock to shift, but the *hand-brain* connection soon learns to accomodate the extra effort. Before long, it's second nature. If you get in a car with a stock shifter, you wonder how anyone can EVER find the gears!!!

It's odd how the stock **** makes the whole shifter rattle....my Kirban does some, but not much. There has been lots of fixes described here....everything from taping wheel weights to the stick, going to a heavy ball, etc, etc.....to cure the rattles.

No new car yet, so I can't install the Hurst yet.....

 

There is an interesting story here. The Georgia Tech engineer that redesigned the Hurst owns a 94 ZR-1. He rebuilt the car ground up and installed a B&M. He believed he could do better, he designed and built his own shifter. I believe this is what is now the HURST C-5 shifter. Hope that helps.

 

Too bad this Georgia Tech engineer didn't write some instructions to explain all his hard work on shifter adjustability. :eek: :cuss :eek: :cuss

 

You have a good point. I believe he is submitting changes to the instructions based on your feedback.

 

Great Info, Thanks
My "only" concern about the Hurst is the noise.
Have a 03 Z06 on order and would like to have shiftier here when car arrives. Did I understand, that the shiftier that you previewed was different (upgraded) from previous years?. What was the Hurst stock number, if one. and where did you find the best $$ deal.
Thanks