Need some help selecting a replacement shifter for our 2001. I'm set on the Hurst, however, I have read numerous threads about the tension being too stiff. I'm worried that my wife won't be comfortable with it (Hurst). Any comments/suggestions - got to keep the wife happy since it's her daily driver. Other shifter recommedations? Has to be a big shifting improvement to win her over cause she's ok with keeping the stock (but it's too sloppy for me)............

Mike

 

The Hurst comes with lighter-effort replacement springs, and also has the ability for you to adjust the preload on the spring once you install it.

I installed mine last night, and it feels fantastic (see my thread further down the page). No issues whatsoever. It's still a bit too stiff for my tastest, but folks say it loosens up for the next few weeks of driving, so I'll reexamine my thoughts then.

-J

 

I read some where where some one removed the tension springs all together on his Hurst shifter. FWIW, I personaly would not recommend that, not even if it did lighten up the side tension. The reason is that if you look closly you can see that those springs also keep the pivot in the socket and keep the stick from being pulled up and down. (No it wont come out but will be way to loose and will probably add to the wear and tear.

Some up and down movement of the stick is disireable to prevent binding in the socket and the lingage, but it should not be just flopping around in there.

This is not a problem on the OEM shifter because the "Pivot" is all rubber and it completly "captures" the stick. It also allows some up and down movement

AS was reported here you have the option to use light springs but the majority of the side tension is in the transmission linkage itself and theres not much the average guy can do about that!

I myself reduced the effect of the Hurst springs as much as possible with the light springs (one light weight spring per side) and only turned the retaining plugs in a couple threads. I used lock tite on the threads to prevent then from coming out and falling into the shifter.

It's tight, no doubt about that, but not as tight as it was. I expect it will loosen up as I go along and not be so noticable after I change the oil this spring

 

My wife has no problem driving the car with the hurst. However it takes 2 hands for her to put in reverse. I think she'll be fine.

 

If you go with a shorter shifter, the shift effort will be increased. The degree of increase depends on the shifter you choose and, if adjustible, the way you set it up. I'm not sure your wife will be happy with any of the brands available. Good luck.

 

Mike, my best advise would be find another C5 owner who has the shifter you want and see if he or she is willing to let your wife run it through the gears.

Even with the lightests spings and the caps only in a few threads (Hurst) it's the stiffest shifter I have ever encountered. Other owners have reported they breakin with time mine only has 1500 mi. on it. I'm sure any short shifter will be stiffer just because the leverage you give up with the shorter handle. Some people have also reported vibration issues with short shifters because there is no rubber in the handle like the factory one. This problem seems to vary in degree depending on the shift **** used. Noise is also a factor although there are several solutions that have been posted on the forums most work well. I used the 2in rubber plumbling cap one and it's pretty quit again. Hope this helps, Bob


[Modified by bbvett, 7:10 PM 2/13/2004]

 

Appreciate the response...I have to deal with this carefully (because my wife does drive the car alot). 2 hands to put in reverse won't be acceptable. I'll hear nothing but whining.....I was leaning topward the Hurst, but I guess I'll go the "redline" route and see if that takes out some of the notchyness.

Mike