How about a new short-throw shifter poll now that Hurst has been out for a little while. :seeya

 

welcome to the forum.

 

I have -- and like -- the B&M. It's true that it take a good amount of effort to shift it, though...

I had a Kirban and didn't like it (too noisy and notchy). Had a CC one, but it didn't do what I was hoping (it was shorter, but the throws weren't, and it wasn't precise). Rowed through a friend's Hurst and it felt just like the B&M. Don't like the angled shaft of the BPP (you could only screw a **** down to the bottom of the threads, but some ***** are designed to sit lower than that and wouldn't work well). The stock one is just plain ol' sloppy and too tall (but I can see where some folks just don't feel like messing with it)...

Just wish the B&M was a hair easier to shift....

-Kirk


[Modified by KMeloney, 8:36 PM 9/15/2002]

 

This is going to sound really random, but I like the tall height of the stock shifter because you can rest your hand on it while changing the radio volume **** with your fingers.

Although, I did just buy a hurst (haven't installed it yet) so I guess it doesn't really mean _that_ much to me. :)

-d

 

I like my Kirban. Firm shifts but not too hard.

 

Well I bought a BPP and installed it this last weekend. I got the Breathless because of the multiple angle adjustments. Being 6'3", its nice to be able to position the shifter in a more comfortable position based upon the length of my reach. Anyway, I like the closeness of the shifts and the tightness of the hold once in gear. Although it is a bit "clunky" I could probably live with it. My real problem with it is the noise. The sound from the transmission/gear box translates up through the shift lever and it sounds like it is rattling. I don't know if I can live with that. Since Hurst won out in the poll, can you guys tell me why. Is it quieter? Are the shifts as close and does it hold tight?


[Modified by Waterfreak, 1:47 PM 9/18/2002]

 

Interesting. While I was in BG over Labor Day, Ernie told us he was adding a rubber grommet that was suppose to suppress the noise and quiet everything down.

 

I played around with making my own rubber bushing between the two sections of shift handles last night as well as added small rubber washers between the spring washer and the horizontal bars at the base of the shifter (with a little bit of grease). I also removed the billet *** I had purchased and replaced the original (with weather strip and silicone under the shift-pattern cap). Having done all that, it is definately quieter, but there is still some noise at 75-100% throttle. I am trying to decide if the shifting action (which I do like) is worth the little bit of noise. If I just can't live with it, I'll have to put the original back on. The problem is (and I found this out trying to remove the BPP last night) that the BPP is now quite affixed to the the base. I couldn't get it off! I used a silicone based product between the BPP and base plate (as directed in the instructions) because the original rubber gasket had split in half when I pulled the original off. I don't know what I'm going to do about that when and if it comes time to remove the BPP. I'm thinking that some of the noise could also be eliminated by using the stock rubber gasket between the BPP and the base plate, but I don't know because I can't get it off.


[Modified by Waterfreak, 1:33 PM 9/19/2002]


[Modified by Waterfreak, 1:33 PM 9/19/2002]

 

Wedge a screwdriver under it and pry that puppy off. :yesnod:

-Kirk

 

I tried that, but I didn't spend too much time on it. It was getting late, the damn thing was hotter than hell, and I didn't want to f*** anything up. I would be a little hard to explain to my wife that I managed to screw up a perfectly good brand new $52,000.00 car because I wanted to make it better than it already was. :eek:

 

I'm using the BPP and love it! :smash:

Zippy :chevy :chevy

 

Go to stock , who wants noise and rattles?? How much do you really pick up in time when racing?? If you are good shifting you do not need to change the shifter, practice shifting ! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

 

This seems like a good time to remind everyone to be carefull with that plastic cup that you have to remove from the bottom of the factory shifter and put on your aftermarket shifter. DON'T BREAK OR LOSE IT. It can only be replaced by purchasing the entire shifter assembly. I have now confirmed this with two different dealers.

BTW, I have a Ripper and agree it is just a little tough. I've just added a little taller ****, and I think it is going to help a lot. Just put it on the other night, and have not driven it much yet. I think the Kirban is pretty good, and overlooked too often. I've driven rschiltz's Kirban in two different cars, and I think it's a good compromise. Kind of wish I had bought it.

 

Legendzzz,

The real issue isn't shift speed, at least not for me, it is consistency. I found myself very rarely - but occasionally - missing third. You aren' t likely to do that with the aftermarket shifters.

Plus the short throws feel great.

But the noise has got to go or the shifter will.

 

I agree. The issue isn't missed shifts or speed all that much. Its a feel. I like my shifter to be tight and close. Stock isn't either. Simple as that. I have reduced transmission resonance through the handle to a minimum that is only really noticible at all during almost full throttle and at that level it is only slight. My homemade bushings seem to be the ticket. I guess the issue isn't learning to shift but rather spending enough time shifting (my Z06 is a daily driver) to know the difference between a nice shifter and an average one. :rolleyes:

 

I wish they would put a stock stick ( a little shorter, but keep that shock absorber thing on there to dampen vibrations ) on a Hurst bottom end...

 

I modified the stock shifter based off previous posts in the forum. Absolutely love it. Removed the rubber isolators inside the shaft and shortened it by ~2 inches. Relatively simple mod. Provides more comfortable arm positioning and shifts are more direct. Haven't missed a shift with this mod unlike the stock set-up. Worked good for me, and the cost is right!

 

Have you noticed that most of the people who claim the stock shifter is fine don't post race results? For around town cruising I agree 100%, stay stock. If you race the car a short throw positive gated shifter makes a WORLD of difference, especially on the 2-3 shift.

And for the person who say's all you need is practice, all I can say is :nono: :bs I have been driving a manual tranny for over 30 years, many makes and models, many stock and aftermarket shifters. I am told that even when I "only" speed shift my car sounds like an automatic going down the track. I don't need practice thank you.

All this said an aftermarket shifter is not for everyone, drive a few cars with an aftermarket in it and see if it is right FOR YOU, (I will be at the Z06 Fest and would be happy to have people experience my quiet but very stiff Ripper Shifter :)

Peace.

Les

 

In my opinion, the stock shifter can turn in virtually identical e.t.s to the aftermarket ones except for one thing, you will miss the 2-3 shift far more often with the stocker.

There is NO DOUBT that being able to push up from two and let the springs find three for you, instead of you having to guess (at 6,400 rpm, as fast as you can) which gate is three and which gate is five.

I have missed 3rd a couple of time just goofing off and decided it was time for a good shifter.

Frankly though, I'd like to try a more stock-like shifter except WITH the positive gate - that would make an interesting compromise.

I wish I could put the stock handle on the Hurst base and try that.

 

That's why I'm thinking about giving the Mallett shifter a whirl. I've been through the stocker, Kirban, Corvette Concepts, and currently have the Ripper (the Ripper is what I've been using for the past year, liking it the best). I like the idea of it being shorter-than-stock, and without the rubber insulation, and without the difficult shift effort...

...i just hope it doesn't feel completely sloppy coming from the Ripper. We'll see!

-Kirk