[Z06] Hurst questions: always this STIFF!?!?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Hurst questions: always this STIFF!?!?
Is everyone's Hurst so stiff it takes some serious muscle to shift it? After shifting the buttery smooth stock shifter with my fingers, this thing SHOCKS me! 
Don't get me wrong, I'm 6'3" and 200+ plus, I have muscle, but I actually have to use more muscles than just that in my wrist and arm, just for a simple shift. Is this normal????
Of course, my wife HATES it and I don't blame her. I let a few other people shift it and drive it and they were all baffled that someone would pay money for something like this.
I've had a few shifters in other cars to clean up the shift, but this is almost rediculous. Am I missing something??? It feels something like pulling up a 15lb weight with just your fingers! :blush:
Don't get me wrong, I'm 6'3" and 200+ plus, I have muscle, but I actually have to use more muscles than just that in my wrist and arm, just for a simple shift. Is this normal????
Of course, my wife HATES it and I don't blame her. I let a few other people shift it and drive it and they were all baffled that someone would pay money for something like this.
I've had a few shifters in other cars to clean up the shift, but this is almost rediculous. Am I missing something??? It feels something like pulling up a 15lb weight with just your fingers! :blush:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by Weedo
Is everyone's Hurst so stiff it takes some serious muscle to shift it? After shifting the buttery smooth stock shifter with my fingers, this thing SHOCKS me!
:blush:
:blush:
Seriously, do a search on this subject and you will find lengthy discussions on the trade-offs between the stock shifter and the Hurst shifter. In general, the shifter loosens up and you can enjoy the increased precision of the Hurst over the rubber dampened stock shifter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
You're just used to the stock shifter that doesn't have centering springs. The Hurst uses them and they will soften up with use. But if they still are to manly for you, then switch to the lighter ones.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,023
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From: Proxima Centauri
Time will help some. Also, you can take the spring out. That will help some too. Another thing you can do is get pistol grip type **** for better leverage.
Gets to be second nature after a while.
Gets to be second nature after a while.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 0
From: GOCC - Rebels Without A Clue Santa Barbara, CA
Yep they are pretty stiff. But if you search the archives I think you will find out that most say it loosens up after a while. I've had mine on for a year at it still is pretty tight going up to 5th. 
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
After market shifters are stiff at first, they will loosen up some with use. But remember the aftermarket shifters are designed to be more precise than the OEM shifters.
Give it some time, but remember your part of the process now, you have to be very deliberate when selecting gear, you can't be lazy and hope for the best.
Tom
Give it some time, but remember your part of the process now, you have to be very deliberate when selecting gear, you can't be lazy and hope for the best.
Tom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
I installed my Hurst without springs and it WAS stiff. Now I'm going to put some springs back in because it's getting a little too loose for me. Remember, this is a lever you just shortened so you won't have the same "leverage" you had with the longer/taller shifter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I am not sure how much they soften up over how much you just get used to it... I do love mine, and I went back to the stock **** as when I put an aftermarket **** on, it made it as high and long as the stock 
I went with the Hurst spings, and I realy like it now, but it is a big change over the stock shifter. Good luck!
Dave
I went with the Hurst spings, and I realy like it now, but it is a big change over the stock shifter. Good luck!Dave
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Liberty Mo
I posted the same thing when I put one in the frc, after a short while it shifted great just took some time to loosen up.
PS-sounds like you wife let you go with a few more mods then you first talked about.
PS-sounds like you wife let you go with a few more mods then you first talked about.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Originally Posted by 2000FRC4ME
I posted the same thing when I put one in the frc, after a short while it shifted great just took some time to loosen up.
PS-sounds like you wife let you go with a few more mods then you first talked about.
PS-sounds like you wife let you go with a few more mods then you first talked about.
Yep, the original "mod" goal was $2k total. I think i've exceded that a bit...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 69,020
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Shifting into 5th is a nice workout for the rotator cuff, yeah.
And getting it into reverse can sometimes make for a nice puzzle in the morning.
But it is sooooo much better than the stock shifter. I haven't missed a gear yet.
And getting it into reverse can sometimes make for a nice puzzle in the morning.
But it is sooooo much better than the stock shifter. I haven't missed a gear yet.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 484
Likes: 102
From: Prescott AZ
Originally Posted by chiefDave
I am not sure how much they soften up over how much you just get used to it... I do love mine, and I went back to the stock **** as when I put an aftermarket **** on, it made it as high and long as the stock I went with the Hurst spings, and I realy like it now, but it is a big change over the stock shifter. Good luck!
Dave
I went with the Hurst spings, and I realy like it now, but it is a big change over the stock shifter. Good luck!Dave
I just installed a new one into my Z and went for a test drive today. My reaction was "Wow, this thing is stiff....way stiffer than my old one"! I think you should give it some more time....my old one seemed to ease up after I ran it through the gears hard at the track.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: Perkvl PA
I just got my Zo6. My previous vette was a 98 A4. I thought I was going to have a problem with the shifter after reading all the forums. I went to the track the first week end I got the car and turned a 12.9. My consistancy that week end was better than 3 years with my A4. From the discriptions of the aftermarket shifters I think I will stick with the stock unit. It's easy, precise ,and enjoyable. I don't hear that with the alternatives. I hear time after time, wife can't drive it, needs muscles to get to 5th gear. My question is WHY. I havn't driven a stick in years and this stock unit is the best I have ever driven, Before any body gets "Froggy" I'm 56 years old and have forgotten about driving more than most on this forum have learned.