Details please! What didn't work or why didn't it fit??CMNTMXR57 said:They tried at Speed Inc yesterday while doing my clutch to put on an aftermarket shifter and it didn't work.
Any update on how the fitting for the Hurst shifter went? Also, any idea when they might be producing a shifter for the GTO?mistermike said:CMNT, I'm taking my car into Hurst this coming Thursday for a fitting. (Living in Cleveland, on rare occasions, has its advantages.) Will keep you posted as to results. Also, conversations with a few Aussies HERE are self explanatory. Apparently how they do the pivot lends itself to easy modification. I'm still trying to sort out the finer points of dissasembly. If you have any tips, please PM or post. THX
Thanks very much for the comprehensive update. I agree with you that it should be offered both ways. I'm not sure right now which way I would prefer to go - I want to keep the car stock-looking, but the traditional Hurst lever/ball is also appealing from the "nostalgia" standpoint...look forward to future developments. Thanks again.mistermike said:They've had the car, removed the stock shifter and analyzed it, photographed it, and took a lot of measurements. The product manager I deal with was out to the Winter Nationals this week, so I haven't heard back from him yet. The shifter will have to be built from scratch. There is nothing in the current Hurst parts bin that will work on this car. What I wind up with will likely be a hand built prototype. There are some marketing considerations to be worked out, such as whether to supply an upper stick/boot/knob as standard fare or option. The GTO has a 2 piece stick. The upper stick/boot/knob can basically be treated as a single assembly. They don't really come apart without destroying something. I'm sure some will want to retain the original knob and leather boot, as I'm sure others might want a T handle, or traditional Hurst ball. I suggested to them that they offer it both ways. Maybe a survey is in order.
Anyhow, once the details are finalized, then it will be scheduled for production at their manufacturing facility. I have no details on a timetable at present. I am considering bringing up the topic of a group purchase with them. I'm not sure if they would go for that idea since they are not in the direct sales business and would likely anger their dealer network with such a move, but I'll ask anyhow. Or perhaps a special purchase through one of their retailers for LS1GTO members. When the time gets close, DY might consider polling our advertisers on something along these lines.
I will certainly keep everyone posted as things develop.
I wasn't there in the flesh when they took it apart. Basically, he told me that the shifter is much further back than where it is on the f-body. Makes sense, since the motor is much farther forward. They make shifters for fbod, vette, and I'm not sure what else that uses the T-56, and were not able to easily adapt anything. An interesting twist is that, since they're starting from scratch, they're considering having 2 user-selectable pivot points, trading off throw for effort.CMNTMXR57 said:What about the base that bolts to the trans. That should be relatively the same as it's the same T56 used elsewhere. It'd either use the Viper or F-Body shifter point. From there, I knew the stick itself was different and not a simple design like the F-Body.![]()
There are two boxes (or points) on the T56 for shifter placement. One midway on the trans. This is the Viper point for a shifter mount. A block off plate is installed over the back one to keep it sealed. The is other point is at the back of the trans just to the left and above the output shaft of the trans. This is where F-Body's mount their shifters (and subsequently the Viper point has the block off plate).mistermike said:I wasn't there in the flesh when they took it apart. Basically, he told me that the shifter is much further back than where it is on the f-body. Makes sense, since the motor is much farther forward. They make shifters for fbod, vette, and I'm not sure what else that uses the T-56, and were not able to easily adapt anything. An interesting twist is that, since they're starting from scratch, they're considering having 2 user-selectable pivot points, trading off throw for effort.