short throw shifters

[JoeliusZ28]

I'm just wondering if over the last few years there have been any improved shifters released for fourth gens... I've been happy with my Pro 5.0 until today so I never paid attention.

My cousin brought a new challenger RT over that was a test vehicle for a new hurst shifter they are considering offering as an option, he wanted me to try it out. Looked similar to this but with a more factory looking knob:



My conclusion: This was the easiest car to powershift Ive ever driven in my life. The throw on couldnt have been more than 3-4" from first to second, even with a full length handle. I was even getting rubber in 4th with that heavy pig. I told my cousin if I were to buy a challenger equipped with that option it would be coming back for a lot of warranty work.

Anyway, its made me re-think my pro 5.0. I can rip the gears with it, but it takes a considerable amount more effort (throw) than that challenger's did. The throw is too long but I don't want the handle any shorter. I like a normal length handle. Does anyone here have the hurst billet plus? How is the throw on that? Or are we pretty much stuck with whats available based on the constraints of the T56 design?

[mcalus]

I loved my pro 5.0

[JoeliusZ28]

Mine works well too but if i could get a shorter throw id change it out. I never have an issue hitting gears quickly, but the hurst in that challenger made it effortless in comparison.

[Fox Slaughter]

I have a Hurst Billet Plus with a UMI short stick and the pistol grip.

If you want you can drive it sometime.

[SS4Matt]

back when I had a 6 speed, I had the SLP short throw (it had a gold base, I believe) and I had some sort of shorter stick ontop of it. maybe it was the Lou's quick stick or some other brand, irrelevant anyways, but it was my favorite shifter, not too short as far as height, and had a nice crisp short throw to it. I've never drove a car before or since that had a better feeling shifter than what I had (including the pro 5.0, I never liked that shifter in the few cars i've drove with it) and I used to be pretty handy with the gear rowing. I'm probably not as good anymore, spoiled with the luxury of a manual valve body

[birdie2000]

I have had the Hurst billet with the chrome handle and the stock SLP Hurst shifter with the UMI short stick. I liked the normal length handle better and am planning to go back to it, although I might test out both of them again since I had my T56 rebuilt and had the polishing and such done to make it shift smoother. Personally I didn't like the feel of the short handle, didn't have enough leverage IMO. I actually really like the Hurst billet.

Never driven the pro 5.0 to compare.

[Nocooler]

Lot of guys swear by the MGW.

I'm up in the air - I need to change out the non-hurst stock shifter w/short stick and get a real shifter.

Been debating Pro 5.0, MGW.

I tried the $10 ebay short throw - the throws are short and it shifted pretty nice, but the handle isn't bent right so it hits the console. I think it's a B&M ripper clone, so you can't swap out the stick.

[meissen]

I know it's comparing apples to oranges, but when it comes to the 5th gen world MGW is top dog IMHO. I was just going to reply asking if MGW worked with an LT1 setup since I'm pretty sure Fred has an MGW short shifter in his car. Craig and I were just talking about MGW shifters on Friday out on Woodward and how he wants to get one for his Mustang. On the 5th gens, the MGW is almost a complete replacement of the entire shifter assembly compared to just a shorter rod.

Wow - and the price on the 4th gen shifter from MGW is cheap compared to the 5th gens (no surprise there.. )
http://www.mgwltd.com/camaro_short_throw_shifter.shtml



Here's the 5th gen version:

[sman]

Ive driven a few 4th gens, my favorite by far was the factory hurst with a short stick. It was very notchy, super easy to find gears in. ZERO slop or mushy feeling. Felt like every gear literally clicked in. I also drove one with a MGW, I was not impressed. It felt rubbery and mushy in comparison to the other car, it was also a lot harder to shift. Took considerably more effort. It felt like something you would expect from the factory, nothing like the hurst.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

I can't find the one I purchased for my T5 (had T56 shifters as well) but it has the Hurst handle and nob. I think I bought it from core-shifters on eBay. I have a feeling they make their own bases but the feel is excellent on mine. About 3" from 1st to 2nd and it's smooth as silk, but T5's were great shifting transmissions.

[JoeliusZ28]

The stock hurst does have a very nice feel and probably the shortest throw of any i have driven, but does it have bump stops like a hurst or pro 5.0? This is the first i have heard of the MGW, curious if anyone here has one. It claims the shortest throw, but honestly i feel like my pro 5.0 is long enough that that doesnt say much.

It looks like the new shifter design for the 5th gens is vastly superior to what we have in terms of overall throw.

The lous short stick i think is too short to get any leverage.

[Darren]

I can't find the one I purchased for my T5 (had T56 shifters as well) but it has the Hurst handle and nob. I think I bought it from core-shifters on eBay. I have a feeling they make their own bases but the feel is excellent on mine. About 3" from 1st to 2nd and it's smooth as silk, but T5's were great shifting transmissions.

Link to a said T5 short shifter?

[hoogiesngrinderz]

I kept digging and found it. I didn't get the one with the stops, but the T5's and T56's have pretty decent internal shift stops.

T5 with shift stops. I'd sell you mine for $125 so I can can get this
http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet/the-129/Hurst-CHROME-Short-Shifter/Detail

[Darren]

I kept digging and found it. I didn't get the one with the stops, but the T5's and T56's have pretty decent internal shift stops.

T5 with shift stops. I'd sell you mine for $125 so I can can get this
http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet/the-129/Hurst-CHROME-Short-Shifter/Detail

mhm, I am saving this link for when my car runs again!

[meissen]

I think Fred said his car has an MGW shifter on it, Joel.