After installing a Hurst shifter in RedEcotecSS's ride over the weekend I've decided that I want a short shifter too.

I'd like to hear some of your opinions on each shifter... it's pros and cons... would you get the other one if you had the option? Would you go back to stock?

I've checked around and prices everywhere are the same on these things. So, I don't know which one to get... B&M or Hurst. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but both of these are made by the same company, so the only real difference is looks?

What about add-on knobs... I would really like to put a t-handle on the shifter... muscle-car style. Is this possible with either one?

Thanks.

 

I have the hurst. I don't know if there made by the same company, but no they are not the same. They are very diff. The hurst feels a little more heavy, but at the same time more solid. It also seems to have a little bit shorter throws. I actually just made a T handel for my Hurst, and I think I might actually go into making some more of them and selling them. I'll have pics up in a week. But getting back, the Hurst to be is the better of the 2. Knobs for the hurst are easy to come by and there are a bunch of diff choices U can choose from.

 

the action and feel of the Hurst shifter is excellent compared to the stock unit.
although, the finish on my Hurst knob sucks... I had it replaced once (after a month) and the second one is holding up worst than the first... I have not contacted them about attaching a different knob. I have a old T-Handle and it does not fit due because of the spacer/spring locater below the knob... I might try to modify this to make my T-handle fit.

hope that helps a little

I don't think those other knobs fit... the knob that comes w/ the shifter for the Cobalt has a recess underneath and I don't think the other Hurst knobs do.

please correct me if I am wrong

 

Actually, U could be right. Ive just seen a bunch of ball knobs like the old school ones and ones with the N20 button on it.... I just figured they worked? Maybe your right and they don't.

And BTW, yes, the Hurst knob does suck! ++++ It gets SOOOOOOO HOT DURING THE DAY! Ive since made my own T handel but yea, the stock knob does kinda blow. (Mine actually came scratched)

 

sorry to thread jack, but I wanna see the T-Handle.... I would def be thrown back to look inside a supercharged 4 banger and see an old school T

 

That's my general idea. Plus our shifter is located perfectly for a T... it would fit nicely.

 

My big question has always been about the bushings. Aparently, the B&M comes with upgraded bushings for the install but the Hurst does not. So, basically, if what I have heard is correct, the Hurst feels more solid but the B&M has the advantage of aftermarket bushings. I remember a while ago some guys looking into whether or not you could purchase the B&M bushings seperately and use them when installing the Hurst...

 

This is the first I've heard of the "bushings" what are they for?

 

I'm not familiar with it bro. Just bringing up what I've seen on the forum trying to catch someone who is familiar with it so they'd correct or confirm.

As far as I know...The bushings replace stock bushings at a certain joint in the shifter setup. Let me go see if I can look anything up, like a How To, for the B&M.

“Remove the 4 rubber/metal bushings from the shifter assembly where the bolts slide through to secure the shifter to the vehicle. Pry the metal piece out with a flathead from the top and then pull the rubber bushings out from the bottom. Then take the four metal bushings that B&M supplied and place them over the bolts on the floor of the vehicle.”

Courtesy of arsenal21’s “How to: Install B&M Short Throw Shifter.”

 

Mmm... interesting... still dosen't tell what they do or how they are better.

 

Sure it does. Obviously we know why bushings are used. From that, we can tell that the stock bushings are rubber and these new bushings are metal. Upgrading to stiffer bushings reduces play in the shifter and, more than likely, makes for a more sturdy feel...

 

Actually, the ones it sounds like they are talking about are metal also, just attached to a washer as apposed to the reg bushings. I'm not up on the B&M being as I have a Hurst. But I have felt both, Hust hin mine and B&M in another members car and the Husrt Def feels more solid. And from compairing our notes, me and the other member, have come to the conclusion the Hurst is a shorter shift!

 

I have the Hurst. Pretty much the same as stock. Maybe slightly shorter and a little more solid because of the metal shaft. I like it though.
As for a t handle. My buddy has one on his b & m shifter. Pretty cool.

 

I noticed the diff from stock right away when I jumped on it in 1st, got into 2nd, and whent to 3rd! 3rd was perfect. like almost shifting up from 2nd into 1st! lol, just a tiny bit over more! Still one of my fav mods!

 

Now there's good info. I noticed that the stock had both rubber and metal. Could you see how the metal helps at all?

How long have you been running the Hurst? No problems yet?

This is how we settle things. Thanks for the help...

 

i just installed the hurst last week and it feels very much more sloid than the stock as for the shifts being shorter maybe a little bit. i took it to the strip and it felt alot better racing it than the stock

 

diff car but same issue, 2 of my friends both had sti's. one stock shifter, and 1 with bushing upgrade kit from cobb i think it was. night and day diff between the two. the bushing kit made everything tighter and quicker to get through gears. good upgrade fro the car. one of the guys here took the stock shifter and cut it down and then put the hurst knob on it. cheap and works just as well.

 

Might seem like it works just as well, but I'll guarantee it doesn't.

A short throw shifter actually changes the mounting point on the shaft, not the length of it. When the shifter is mounted lower in the cradle, it takes fewer degrees for it to go through the full motion from one gear to another, i.e. 2nd - 3rd. stock=70°, STS=55°. I'm just throwing numbers out there for sake of example. I don't know how much travel is reduced by either the Hurst or B&M. But the idea is the same regardless of numbers. Just cutting down the shaft will do nothing for the actual travel except how high your hand is in the air while maneuvering it. Make sense?

As far as the bushings go. I would like to hear more testimonials from people who have driven our vehicle with both the Hurst and B&M. That's the only way to truly compare, within reason...

 

but if your hand is closer to the base of the shifter, won't it travel less in range of motion? i mean you won't be stretching as far when you do shift. the diff is prob small, but there non the less. i agree comparing the 2 with stories and thoughts would be best but a shortened stock shaft would be close.

 

Yes, your hand will travel less, but the shifter still takes the same amount of travel to go from one gear to another. No matter how short you cut it, it will still take the same amount of movement from one gear to another. A short throw shifter will actually decrease the one gear to another distance...

 

i can say this.. i've only had the hurst for a few days as RaineMan has said, and during these hot 95+ degree days, this shifter knob gets hot as hell. but its nothing an old had or something cant take care of while your waiting on it to cool.

 

Throw that hat on there while you're not in the car, that'll make it less likely to heat up as much. You can also look online for leather coverings that you can buy and put over it...

 

Well... the Hurst is on order. I was gonna wait... but my stock shift pattern (on top of the knob) convieniently decided to break off today... guess it's the cars way of saying NOW. Heheh...

As far as the knob getting hot... I keep my sun shades up religiously so the interior stays decently cool during the day... shouldn't be a huge issue.

Thanks for the help boys.

 

My cap broke off two weekends ago, lol...

First thing to break inside my car after 17K. Oh well, I'm glad that was what broke. I'm still not to the point of buying one yet. Where did you order it from Raine?

 

As much as I wanted to help out one of our supporting vendors... I got it from e-bay. Place called Atlantic Speed. They were $5 cheaper than anything else I could find. Plus they are in SC... so the shifter will be here in like 2-3 days.