Swapping shifters...
 

Boy... After driving Ami's Z with the Hurst (short, crash-through) shifter a little bit, that is one mod I'd like to do on my 90.

Can I ask a noob kinda question? I assume the transmission has to come off to do the change...BUT DOES IT? I'd hate to drop the trans, only to find that I didn't need to.:o

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Send your stock shifter out to Bill B at ZF Doc. You and your ZF will be better off.

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Trans doesn't need to come out for shfter install

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Why what is wrong with the Hurst?

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There is nothing wrong with the Hurst. In fact, I feel it's a better design than most of the aftermarket shifters out there.

I've head one in my '95 for about 15 years and it works great. Somewhat shorter throw and much better feel though removal of the stock shifters rubber vibration isolator.

The Hurst was designed by Chris Reinhart who, at one time was (and may still be) a ZR-1 owner. In fact, he designed the shfiter for his own car then sold the design to Hurst.

A shifter change on a C4 with a ZF S6-40 does not require removal of the trans. You remove the center console trim then pull off the lower shift boot and, viola...there's the shifter.

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I have had both the Hust and Bill B's in my 94 Z and prefer the more solid feel of the Hurst.
A while back Johnny Phrogs posted a good write up on doing a Hust install on the other forum:
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...r-install.html

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

I'm not sure if the B&M is no longer available, but I love it more than my Hurst. I installed the Hurst in my 90 back when I got it and all I know other than stock until I bought this 95. The 95 came with a B&M and I love how it feels and goes into each gear with precision and positive action.

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Not sure if this link with work since from the other forum:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/luv...4_shifters.htm

I don't agree, but this is from the designer of the Hurst shfter.

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If you are talking about converting to a 95 crash-thru shift detent, then, yes- you have to pull the trans and take it apart.

I had Bill B do that on my 91 when I had it repaired in 2011.

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

I switched to the Hurst SS this past winter after driving Bob's WARP TEN and being incredibly impressed with how it felt. I've been extremely pleased with the mod after about 1,700 miles which included mountain run 3. Marc did mine as part of the winter upgrade, but I know the transmission was not out during the project.

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Bad experience with the Hurst shifter on the ZF. Plus I just don't care for it. I prefer the Billy B shifter.

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Can you elaborate? I was just about to click 'Buy'.

Thanks.

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Bill Boudreau shifters:

http://www.zfdoc.com/S6-40ShifterOptions.htm

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It's hard to explain. The Hurst shifter was installed on one of my ZR'1's. Shortly after the install I had trouble going into 4th gear during spirited driving. That was very unusual to have trouble with 4th gear. Out went the transmission to Billy for a full cryo job and let him put back a stock modified shifter. That trans now has been in 2 modified cars and a lot of hard shifts with no problem whatsoever. Just change the oil that's all. And these ZF's need the oil changed often. And don't forget to change the clutch fluid too.

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Does anyone have a 95 and did the Bill B Crash-Thru Short Shifter mod; how did you like it? I imagine anything from the ZF Doc is great and proven.

How about the Custom Lift-Ring Short Throw Shifter ($450.00) For S6-40 Retrofit with 1964-1967 Shift Lever Appearance? Very cool thought even if a bit pricey. Slicker than oyster sn**chie.

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I have a few more pics in by thread on CF but this was one pic I had comparing the Hurst vs oem. One thing I know for sure and have experienced is the ZF is very temperamental with fluid types and condition of the hydraulic system. When everything is bled right and working I have never had a grind in any gear with any shifter. Bills site mentions that as well.

I also cut the top off the hurst just a little to get my momo knob a tad lower ;)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps060cd495.jpg

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Since there are 2 threads about shifters I thought Id post here.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psnbqeh1ya.png

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

I had a regular LT1 95 with the crash thru reverse detent. My 91 ZR-1 had the shifter detent rod and ball bearing detent pattern block swapped to 95 parts during the rebuild. It feels the same...well except I have a Hurst shifter that is slightly shorter. No lockout ring is a cleaner look and there is no way you are going to accidentally find reverse on the 95/96 ZF shifters.

I prefer it, especially since my first C4 was that 95.

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Thanks Mike. Whoa, I saw your earlier post and if the 95 needs to pull the trans to mess with the shifter then forget it. Well, the crash-thru has already been removed. I guess a call to the Doc would be the best.

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Good info! Thanks to all that have contributed!:cheers:

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[QUOTE=FU;229071]It's hard to explain. The Hurst shifter was installed on one of my ZR'1's. Shortly after the install I had trouble going into 4th gear during spirited driving. That was very unusual to have trouble with 4th gear. Out went the transmission to Billy for a full cryo job and let him put back a stock modified shifter. That trans now has been in 2 modified cars and a lot of hard shifts with no problem whatsoever. QUOTE]

It's not clear why you think the shifter was the problem. If Bill tore the box down and cryoed the gears, then changed the shifter. How would that isolate the shifter as the problem. just sayin'. :confused:

I've had a Hurst in there for a decade or so, (one of Chris Reinhart's prototypes), no problem, and better than stock.

As far as the B&M Ripper goes, when it first came out, it had almost universally bad reviews, maybe they've re-designed it, but I doubt it.

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Bob is right--mine is a Hurst with the stock shifter knob. I do like it a lot although I am sure that Bill's shifter--which retains the stock vibration damper--is great as well. Without the vibration damper the Hurst is just a little clunky but still fine for me. Much tighter shifts than stock and you don't hit the cd sticking out when shifting into third. I went with the Hurst on my 95 after having had one for about 10 years on my 93. The 93 had the lift ring detent for reverse which I hated. When I did the Hurst on the 93 I just eliminated it and just relied on the stock spring detent for the reverse gate. Never had a problem with accidently shifting into reverse. Worked great. Before going with the Hurst in my 93 I drove a corvette with the B&M Ripper Shifter and did not like it at all as Bob Eyres noted.--Bob

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I'm glad you brought this up Paul. I've got a new Hurst shifter I've been wanting to install but haven't had a chance.

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Yeah, me too.

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I've read or heard the exhaust needs to come off for the shifter upgrade and also is it possible to replace the shifter without going under the car, I've got a one car garage and getting the car up in the air in that garage is not one of my favorite things. Does anybody make a plain white shifter ball for this shifter.

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I've seen 2" plain white knobs but I don't recall seeing a 2 1/4" which is what I believe the original HURST knobs would have been. I don't know that the current knobs black or white are actually 2 1/4".

Speaking of shifters. Does anyone still have the KWR modified installed?

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FYI. There is a new in box Hurst shifter FS on Corvette Forum C4 parts section.

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I've looked for a white one too, no luck. Somebody offers a black one, but Hurst doesn't offer any. :confused:
Why do they sell a shifter, but no Hurst knob?
I'd like one because they feel better than the stock knob, and just for "old time" sake. :cheers:

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

They made them in both colors.. they may not make them anymore.. BUT

White
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HURST-C4-Cor...25.m3641.l6368

Black
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hurst-6-spee...25.m3641.l6368

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Check www.flameball.com

http://www.flameball.com/index.php/s....html?color=31

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Thanks Jeff. Just ordered one. I don't know why that didn't pop up in my searches. :cheers:

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I have the white one but don't recall it coming with the jam nut. Does anybody know if the jam nut can be bought seperate from the ball?

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If the knob is still in the original package the jamb nut actually positions the ball in the blister pack. It's only a barrel with two flats and not a hex affair.


The nuts are nearly always on eBay also. 9/16-18 Hurst nut should get you there.

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

I just bought a hurst shifter with a black hurst engraved shifter ball and it does come with the nut in the package.

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Where and how much for the shifter??

Thanks in advance, guys!

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http://www.hurstshiftersonline.com/p...?idproduct=291

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hurst-391508...fa1255&vxp=mtr

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I think the ball I bought years ago was a knockoff so I just bought one on EBay,don't really matter cause I can't find the damn thing. I did find at least one Hurst shift ball,white on Amazon for about $40 shipped. I'm going to attempt the shifter install this weekend in my one car garage. Wish me luck,sounds like a YouTube moment in the making. I'd post some pictures but not sure how from my iPhone.

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

Paul,

I believe I paid $164.00 for the shifter and about 40 dollars for the ball. the ball is black with white engraved shifter numbers for our shift pattern and it has on each side "Hurst" engraved also. This will be installed in my car next month. I bought them both on ebay.

ed ramos #3028

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Thanks for the cost info. That project is now on my "list"! I just need to read up on how it is done on a ZF trans and 'git er done!!'

Re: Swapping shifters...
 

The shifter swap is a PIA. I didn't drop the exhaust and it was a pain to get the pin out. Getting it back in wasn't either. When you are putting the pin back in keep in mind you might need another person to hold the shifter while hammering away. I also do not have a punch. I only have rachet extension and what not.

After it being done, the shifter is awesome. Make sure to lube all the interfacing surfaces, once it warms up and you drive it a bit the shifter will loosen up a bit.