I'm looking at getting a short throw for my '02 z06.

I would like the shifts to be nice and tight. I am looking at either a B&M Ripper, or a Breathless Performance shifter (reviewed on z06vette.com).

Before I make any rash decisions, though, I would like to know what you guys think is best?

 

i have heard many great things about the hurst shifter aswell. i would include that on your list. good luck

 

I tried them all... the Hurst is on my car. The Ripper is too notchy.

 

There have been MANY post on this topic during this week! The question that your asking is almost the same as which beer is the best! It is a very opionated subject. It also falls in to the same opionated catagory as which header system is the best for me???

Your going to get many plugs for many different shifters. I have the Kirban Shifter and I love it! Very precise and accurate! The wife even likes it!

There are a few aftermarket shifters that are very short and require a lot of arm effort to shift. Some have adjustable return springs. The Kirban can be adjusted.

Here is a picture of the shifter as compared to the stock shifter:







Stand by for MANY more comments!

bill

 

I have driven them all and I prefer the Hurst.

 

what is meant by "notchy"

 

HURST!!!... I don't believe you could go wrong. I love mine ..but I haven't tried the others. I have read all are good, it's a matter of personal preference.

 

I will say the Hurst seems to have the most users on this forum, however i don't think you'll see many objections to the competing shifters.

I'm running the Hurst and i love it...i'm sorry i can't compare it to the others for you.

 

I have the ripper.I like how it feels However it does have a slight vibration at some RPMs It does not bother me..IN MY OPINION the factory shifter is a POS

 

Do any of you guys have a problem when in 6th gear going 90-100mph, then shifting into 5th to get more pull, the reverse lockout failing? It has happened a few times with me and I grinded a couple of those times before I gave up and went back to 6th out of paranoia.

Could that just be the stock shifter or maybe the syncros are at one of those odd moments when everything lines up or what?

 

Wow!!! . You should NOT be able to get into reverse at those speeds. It has little or nothing to do with the shifter it self!!

There is a reverse lock out gate that activates at (somewhere around 3-4 mph) that should prevent you form selecting reverse once the car exceeds the lock out speed. The gate is designed so that if the gate fails in the "BLOCKED" position and if you needed to get into reverse, you can crash through it! I believe that it requires around 25 foot/pounds of force to go through it. (Not certain of the exact speeds or FT/lb values but they are close! )

You can do some expiermenting with the circuit but it is worth having the dealer check out the proper functonality of the gate using the TECH II. They can do a complete test on the circuit without even moving the car. Having the dealer check out the circuit and functionality of the system sure beats destroying a $2500 trans!

If they do figure out that the solonid that operates the gate is bad, you can install it your self if necessary but it is a LOT of work.

Please check to see if you have any codes stored in memory. Please list them. The circuit operates off of the Under Hood Electrical Center and is supplied 12 VDC by fuse # 50 Fuse 50 also powers other critical componets, i.e. MAF, EVAC Purge valve, Cruise Control Release Switch

Please let me know if you find something.

Bill Curlee

 

Another Hurst vote here, but since I haven't driven a Vette with the other shifters I can't compare. However, I would say that ANY name-brand aftermarket shifter is better than the sloppy stock shifter!! Find the best deal and make the change! You won't be dissapointed!!!

 

I have tried the B&M and the Hurst. The Hurst is the one I chose due to it being slightly less notchy and the adjustable springs.

 

Recommend the Hurst with a Delrin shift ****. Nice combo.

 

Anybody in South Louisiana with an aftermarket shifter? I would like to try one out before I change from stock

thanks,
Lusky
ZO6 Z16 # 609

 

what is "notchy"!? I don't understand what that means.

 

No way! It doesn't actually go INTO reverse! No, the gate just opens. I'm thinking about taking it in. It's still under warranty.

 

This is a little hard to describe - it is literally notchy and not smooth when going into gear - almost like it starts to go in then the resistance gets harder, then it sort of pops into gear. The Hurst does not have this - I love my Hurst too

 

All of the aftermarket shifters have a more "positive" feel when engaged! The stock shifter has a softer/sloppy feeling when shifting. The "notchy" term to me sounds negative, but in this case (shifting precision) it is a GOOD thing!!!

 

I have the Hurst, and like it quite well. Shifts are positive, and the throw is short.