Best Short Throw Shifter?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by 01ZEEE06
Hey guys, I've had 'em all and Chuckster's modified stock shifter is by far the best.....no noise, no rattling, shortest shift possible AND, you'll never miss a shift. Plus, you don't need Arnold's arm to shift it. And it's like it knows where to go. Just rip off those shifts...snick, snick, snick.....you'll never miss a shift. 
Also, the aftermarket shifters force more leverage onto your tranny and in time this will take it's toll.
My daily driver is a 2005 WRX STI with the $400.00 short shift option, which the car rags love. It's pretty good, but there is absolutely no comparison to my highly modified stock shifter.
I went all the way to Chuckster's fourth stage maximum shifter version on his original instructions posted here a few years ago. Mine looks like his except I have the Gripper **** (same one that's in Tony Stewart Nascar). Zip Products carries The Gripper.
Best part is it's free if you do it yourself. Or, if you're like me and don't have the time, just take the instructions to your favorite mechanic.....takes about an hour of labor.....
It's Soooo bitchen
Thanks Chuckster
Also, the aftermarket shifters force more leverage onto your tranny and in time this will take it's toll.
My daily driver is a 2005 WRX STI with the $400.00 short shift option, which the car rags love. It's pretty good, but there is absolutely no comparison to my highly modified stock shifter.
I went all the way to Chuckster's fourth stage maximum shifter version on his original instructions posted here a few years ago. Mine looks like his except I have the Gripper **** (same one that's in Tony Stewart Nascar). Zip Products carries The Gripper.
Best part is it's free if you do it yourself. Or, if you're like me and don't have the time, just take the instructions to your favorite mechanic.....takes about an hour of labor.....
It's Soooo bitchen
Thanks Chuckster
I love this shifter so much! People talk about the Miata shifter being the benchmark for short, smooth and easy..I think this makes a C5 Damn close..
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Waveland MS
I have the Hurst, and I like it for what I needed. I guess I should describe it a few ways:
Installation: It was VERY easy to install, and I just used the springs that were in it for simplicity. I just really don't know either way, so I just used it the way it came. I also have the set screws set in a position that really do nothing. The stick bottoms out before I hit the screws. They are in there somewhat by mistake, but I don't feel like taking it apart to remove them or set them correctly. They don't do anything for me.
Cons: It is stiffer than the stock shifter. The sound of it popping into gear can be heard (I personally like it and expect it). It's around $180. I believe Summit Racing may be the cheapest I've seen, but I bought mine from LAPD simply because of the service.
Pros: It eliminated a problem I was having with high speed shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear. It was a real PITA to get on the gas and have a good take-off, but have to come completey off the gas because you hit a brick wall going into third. It also has no ambiguous slop when lining up the gears. Because it is stiff, they go exactly where they need to go with minimal travel. It is not noisy while driving in gear, and it gives no vibrations. The stock boot fits over it, and you can't tell it's there just by looking at it. The stock **** fits on it as well.
With all of that said, I think any of the popular after market shifters will do the exact same thing for what I needed; I'd be surprised if I could tell any major difference between them. Like most decisions, before I bought it, I put a ton of research into. Then, after I have had it in for a few months, I have forgotten about and don't care. Go figure. I have learned that the recipe for eliminating the lack of shift smoothness is to change the shifter and keep the fluid changed regularly. It's like a hot knife through butter now.
Installation: It was VERY easy to install, and I just used the springs that were in it for simplicity. I just really don't know either way, so I just used it the way it came. I also have the set screws set in a position that really do nothing. The stick bottoms out before I hit the screws. They are in there somewhat by mistake, but I don't feel like taking it apart to remove them or set them correctly. They don't do anything for me.
Cons: It is stiffer than the stock shifter. The sound of it popping into gear can be heard (I personally like it and expect it). It's around $180. I believe Summit Racing may be the cheapest I've seen, but I bought mine from LAPD simply because of the service.
Pros: It eliminated a problem I was having with high speed shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear. It was a real PITA to get on the gas and have a good take-off, but have to come completey off the gas because you hit a brick wall going into third. It also has no ambiguous slop when lining up the gears. Because it is stiff, they go exactly where they need to go with minimal travel. It is not noisy while driving in gear, and it gives no vibrations. The stock boot fits over it, and you can't tell it's there just by looking at it. The stock **** fits on it as well.
With all of that said, I think any of the popular after market shifters will do the exact same thing for what I needed; I'd be surprised if I could tell any major difference between them. Like most decisions, before I bought it, I put a ton of research into. Then, after I have had it in for a few months, I have forgotten about and don't care. Go figure. I have learned that the recipe for eliminating the lack of shift smoothness is to change the shifter and keep the fluid changed regularly. It's like a hot knife through butter now.
Last edited by newgene; Aug 19, 2005 at 11:41 AM.
