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Hey guys, sorry I know that this has been beat to death and back. I was just wondering what people's opinions are about the B&M shifters and the Hurst shifters. I wanted to know about smoothness of shifting? I also wanted to know what you guys think about the Hurst having shift stops and different springs to use and the B&M not having any? I am about to buy one I just don't know which one because I haven't driven a vette with either type of shifter. And I also hear great things about both of them when looking at previous posts by other members.
After I installed my Hurst it felt like I was driving a totally different car. The shifts were more precise and alot shorter. I used the stock springs and the shift stops and in my opinion it is perfect. I also went with the Hurst Q-Ball **** and this set up is dead silent.
Installed the new B&M Ripper about 60 days ago, replaced a shortened stock one.
Let's say I've done this a few times over the years. The Ripper is the best I've ever seen, quiet, soild, percise and a short throw. IMHO you can't go wrong with the Ripper.
Love my hurst. I have used the adjustable springs. Now I never miss 3rd. It's happend to me a few times with the stock one. It is slightly notchier but so will any shifter without a rubber isolator. The shifter doesnt control the notchiness, just how much you can feel and how much leverage you have. I haven't tryed the b&m I know their auto trans parts and shifters are horrible(just ask any trans builder) but I havent herd anything bad about their c5 shifters. Hurst has alwise made a good product though.
Both are very good. I have the hurst and I like it but its not a daily driver. There is another thread right now where another member is taking out his hurst and putting the stock back in because it was just to much trouble shifting to him.
I agree either are harder to shift, but they are more precise and fun to use, howcer on a long comute I think it would get old.
Many folks are considering the new C6 Z shifter as a middle ground, better preformance, while still being easy enough to shift and quiet.
I will most likely keep my Hurst in I do like it better than stock, because stock just felt to "refined" and to "tall" to me. I like the fun feel of the hurst or B&M, but like i said I don't sit in it in traffic every day, if i did it would be out and the stock or c6 in
I just installed the Hurst, and its OK, but it too often makes me unsure of whether its in gear or not as im letting the clutch out (yeah, its THAT short)- I am also concerned about missing shifts with the Hurst. If I had to do it again I would just cut the stock shifter to make ir shorter. I suppose I will warm up to the Hurst, but I may try the C6Z06 shifter instead.
I have the Hurst and I'm very happy with it. The springs allow you to tailor it to your stiffness preference. It works great and is very precise. A word of advice to anyone looking to purchase one. Buy it from www.jegs.com. They are about $70 - $80 cheaper than the Corvette vendors for the same item and they don't charge shipping either.
I just recently installed the newest B&M precision shifter. This shifter is as quiet as stock but having the shorter throws and tighter gates. It really isn't much harder to shift than the stock one but feels so much better. Anybody looking for a short throw shifter that doesn't want the issues of noises and vibration, or too stiff side to side NEEDS TO TRY THIS SHIFTER . That's my 02. anyway.
After I installed my Hurst it felt like I was driving a totally different car. The shifts were more precise and alot shorter. I used the stock springs and the shift stops and in my opinion it is perfect. I also went with the Hurst Q-Ball **** and this set up is dead silent.
I also have the Hurst with black cue ball ****, and agree with everything Sgt. Pyle said. With the Hurst, you will never miss the 2-3 shift again, because of the centering device on this shifter. Regardless of which shifter you go to, they are a 100% improvement over stock. Some have complained about the stiffness, but in my opinion, this only adds to the performance aspect of driving a Vette.
My dimunitive girlfriend drives my vette sometimes on curvy roads that require up and down shifting often. I'd never let her drive the car before installing the Hurst so that's all she knows.
Bottomline, she's never complained about it being tough or stiff or requiring a lot of strength, etc. so, I wouldn't put a lot of weight on those comments if I were a new buyer. Too many variables: how high is your seat, how long is your arm, do you have a long torso, etc. Your seating position will have a lot to do with the leverage.
I have had the hurst shifter in my coupe for three years and love it over the stock one and the 2nd to 3rd shift is a snap that I have always hit with ease.