OK, had the shifter installed, picked it up Thursday and drove it a bit, including at the Drag strip. Man, I'm cramping up! Love the 2-3-4 action, but damn, is it tough to move through the gears. I left in the original springs as well. A bit notchy through the neutral gate and very tough to move side to side.

Will it loosen up a bit or did I make a mistake?

 

 

It's going to be notchy, everything that happens in the transmission is amplified because there is no rubber dampener within the shift lever as there is in the OEM shifter. What you are feeling are the notches within the transmission shifter rods that hold the shift forks in the selected gear. Also, because the Hurst has a repositioned fulcrum, the leverage you apply is reduced. At the same time, the shift rod travel is is increased. In other words, the shift rod moves the correct distance, but the top of the gear shift that you move travels a shorter distance. What this means is the shift effort is increased.
Also, and many don't do this, the transmission has internal stops, so the adjustable stops on the Hurst should be backed off so the lever does not make contact with the stops. This will ensure that the Hurst stops do not prevent the full shift rod travel and possibly not go all the way into the selected gear. So in a nut shell, it sounds like you did a good job installing, it may take time to get accustomed to the new feel. Mine never did "loosen up", it still feels the same as day one. I used the springs that were installed in the shifter when it was assembled, they felt OK to me.

 

There has to be more life stories on this shifter

TTT

 

After the hurst short throw shifter you should throw in the Antivenom shift mod...

Makes the combination of hurst short throws and ease of shifting to a new level.

Go for it...

Great combo.

 

install the lighter springs

 

Installed mine several hundred miles ago, stock springs, Maybe I'm getting used to it. But it feels better the more I use it.

 

Explain the Antivenom shift mod please...Is it the bolt/ball/washer fix?

 

Yes it will loosen up. Mine was really stiff as well at first then after 2 weeks of driving it got better. Im using hurst oem springs. after 6 months I can shift without thinking about it Dont modify it or you compromise the quality of the shifter. I notice most guys here give up too easy on it.

 

You might like the feel of a modified stock shifter....shorter throws without the notchiness and additional effort the Hurst requires. You might want to look into that option....maybe a buddy or someone you know has one you can drive and see how you like it.

I'm very happy with the modified stocker in my car...

Tony M.

 

I've had mine installed for about 3 months. It takes some manhandling to get into 1st and reverse but after some time it loosens up a bit. I still miss first once in a while if I'm not paying attention (find 3rd instead) but wouldn't change a thing. It's dead on solid otherwise which I love about it.

 

Mine loosened up after a while. Still notchy, which I like, but not so high effort.

 

100%!

 

Uh, no, that's just your right arm getting stronger

Seriously, I may have to go back to a stock setup...........when arthritis is sooooo bad that I can't shift a short-shifter!!!!

 

I've had mine for almost a year. Love it, once I got used to it. ALso, I agree that 1st to reverse is a bear. Just try not to back up!

 

as you already know - the older it gets the less stiff it gets

 

go to the Z06 shifter. Same effort as stock C5, without the long throw.

That is the one I would choose if I did not race. Racing I love the Hurst because it feels that you can beat the heck out of it and it will keep going.

 

Ed,
When I put mine in I felt the same way. I stuck with it & now I'd NEVER go back. The stocker is a big mush ball compared to the Hurst. I also used the regular springs, as they were more then firm enough. I backed the stops out as well as mentioned above.
One day you won't even realize it's stiffer & you'll love it too!
Ron

 

I have a Hurst shifter still NIB,(thanks Nabbs, if you're lurking!)

Gotta install it soon, waiting fore the warmer weather....

Sounds like it's worth it...Ed give me an update soon,let me know what ya think after a few weeks, I don't want to install it , then not like it and have to take it out again!

 

It gets easier. My girlfriend doesn't even have a problem with it.