Hurst Billet Plus & Lou's Short Stick:::::::Installed (Update)

[Dewey]

So my lovely wife to be has bought me this combo for V-day. Having read the mod review on this, I'm wondering if anyone has this w/ the "straight stick" that Lou is now offering. I understand that the other stick leans to the left, but that this straighter version should only lean back a little. Can anyone verify this?

Also, how was the leather wrap adjusted to the new shortness?

[ March 22, 2003: Message edited by: Dewey ]</p>

[good2Bking]

I have this setup, with the original short stick. I'm not sure about the straighter short stick that you're referring to, but if you're concerned with your leg bumping the stick, I wouldn't be, unless you have your seat sucked up close to the steering wheel or you're really tall. The short length of the stick negates any potential problems caused by the lean.

The leather boot adjusted fine to the new stick, and it looks a-ok. Sorry, no pics.

Also, see this post http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...&f=23&t=001631 for a potential problem. If you keep this setup, I'd be interested to see if you have the same problem once you get yours installed.

[ January 30, 2003: Message edited by: good2Bking ]</p>

[Dewey]

I'll let you know.

[Dewey]

So I finally got around to doing the install, and I must say, it was easy, but a little sketchy at parts.

First, the uninstall of the stock shifter was nice and slick.

Upon installation of the Hurst & Short Stick, it was immediately apparent that the boot from the Hurst would not fit under the outer boot that screws down to the frame of the car. Yikes. Is there a way to make them fit together? Don't want any junk to get up in there.

So on a test drive, I was mostly pleased. The shifts are short and firm, and no slipping out of gear issues like good2Bking mentioned.

One thing I did notice was that in order to get into 1st and 2nd, you really have to pull towards you. And it reminded me about something. I was told to install the short stick on the driver's side. Maybe this is the reason? Should I try switching sides? I dunno.

Also, what did people do to get rid of some of the leather boot? Seems like there's some excess that get's in the way a little.

Any advice would be great.

[Jason McCallister]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Upon installation of the Hurst & Short Stick, it was immediately apparent that the boot from the Hurst would not fit under the outer boot that screws down to the frame of the car. Yikes. Is there a way to make them fit together? <hr></blockquote>

It will fit.... just takes some elbow grease and a few choice words! ;)

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I was told to install the short stick on the driver's side. Maybe this is the reason? Should I try switching sides? <hr></blockquote>

I have a Spectacle Solutions (straight) short stick for my Hurst and it's mounted on the right (passenger) side. 1st will always require a little effort of pulling towards you but I have no problems on the 1-2 shift. I can do it with one finger! :D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Also, what did people do to get rid of some of the leather boot? Seems like there's some excess that get's in the way a little. <hr></blockquote>

Just pull the tip of the boot up to the bottom of your shift handle and tuck the rest of it down. Downside is that it collects more dust & dirt but just pull it up and wipe it down to clean it! ;)

[99CamaroBullet]

I just ordered this combo, and am waiting for delivery. I was happy to see some one else was commenting on the setup. I will keep you posted when I get it, and try installing it. Hoping it will be a smooth install.
Gonna love the shorter throws, when I head for the track in a couple weeks.

[good2Bking]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dewey:
Upon installation of the Hurst & Short Stick, it was immediately apparent that the boot from the Hurst would not fit under the outer boot that screws down to the frame of the car.

... no slipping out of gear issues like good2Bking mentioned.<hr></blockquote>

I'm 99 percent sure my slipping problems are because of the lack of space between the Hurst boot and stock outer boot. I think those rubber ribs are just getting all bunched up in 2nd and 4th (because of the lean of the original short stick toward the driver -- something that wouldn't happen with the straight version). It doesn't do it after the drivetrain warms up to operating temp, and the boot rubber becomes more flexible. ... Someone suggested cutting some small slits in the outer boot to relieve some of the tension, which I haven't tried yet ... I've just gotten used to keeping my hand on the shifter when accelerating in those two gears.

[Dominic]

Funny, I never had any problems with my &lt;shameles splug&gt; B&M RIPPER &lt;/shameless plug&gt;

:D

It fit fine, the boot went over it no problemo, and its been good to me since day 1. Also its short enough too [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Banks_2003]

what is better? B&M or Hurst?

[good2Bking]

I personally wanted a really short shifter stick, so I went with the Hurst, because you can replace the Hurst stick with Lou's Short Stick. I read that the LSS would not fit the B&M model. Both shifters are of reputed high quality, so I guess an answer to "which is better" is just a matter of opinion or preference. In light of the problems fitting the factory outer boot over the Hurst shifter boot, I'd say go with the B&M (everyone who has this stick apparently just loves it.) ... unless you want the really short stick that Lou offers.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Hurst and Lou's setup, but that dang boot problem angers me!

[RED RUM]

i installed the hurst billet plus/lou's short stick combo about 6 months ago, and i think it's definately a great mod. i haven't had a single problem with it, except i get a little confused sometimes after driving my cobra with a stock shifter. it's just so much shorter, such a short throw, doesn't feel right ;)

good luck with yours

[99CamaroBullet]

Alright I finally installed this combo Sunday morning. Install was fairly simple. My first test drive I was fairly impressed with the short throws, but its really stiff. Really throwing it into gears, seems like it should be easier to shift gears. I feel like I am slamming into gears. I think it is the lack of space between boots. Question why the heck do I need 3 boots for?
good2Bking- Did that slit Idea work? I am not having any problem with gears slipping, but definiate space problems.

[good2Bking]

I don't think it's the tight fit between the two boots that causes the stiff-feeling shift, I think that's just a characteristic of the shifter ... I remember mine feeling really firm and stiff when I first started driving it, but after I got used to it, it felt natural.

I still haven't cut any slits in the outer boot to see if that would alleviate my problem. It actually hasn't done it in a few weeks, maybe the warmer weather has softened the boot rubber up a bit and made it more flexible. Plus I just got used to keeping my hand on the stick in 2nd and 4th gears.

What do you mean by three boots? Are you counting the leather wrap on the console? Without that outer factory boot I think you'd get a lot of road junk up underneath your console.