Just got a "Hurst" shifter for my '88 Formula and installed it tonight. Whaddya think?

So, you say you've never seen a Husrt shifter for a Fiero before? Well, neither had I.... until I made one.
It's a Rodney Dickman Sport OEM shifter and a leather Hurst shift knob from SLP for a WS-6 Firebird.
Betchya didn't know the new Hurst shifters in the F-body have the exact same threads as a stock Fiero shifter, did ya?
Well, now you do.

It's slightly taller than the homemade cut down shifter I had (and shorter than a stock shifter), but it sticks straight up instead of angeling back. It also has a shorter throw than even my cut down shifter due to Rodney's design of the lower part of the shifter lever.

Well, gonna go for a drive to properly "break-in" my new "Hurst/Rodney" shifter.

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Looks good!
Ill post some pics of my own design in the next couple of days.

Thanks for the tip.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Betchya didn't know the new Hurst shifters in the F-body have the exact same threads as a stock Fiero shifter, did ya? Well, now you do.

Oh, the Hurst shift knob feels SOOO much better than the OEM leather one. It's bigger, plus it's contoured for a better feel. (ribbed for your pleasure?!?!? )

The gray one I got perfectly matches the gray leather OEM shift knob, but the guy I bought mine from on eBay said they don't sell the gray ones anymore. I actually had to argue with him because he was going to ship me a black one when the gray one was advertised in the auction. Anyway, the black ones are readily available. FYI.

And for anyone who needs to know, the thread size is M16x1.5

It's taking some getting used to on this new shifter. Since it sticks straight up and doesn't angle back like my homemade one, I have to reach farther forward than I'm used to... but even so the shifting action does feel smoother. Guess it's just long enough to give enough leverage for an easy shift while not being so long as the OEM one that makes you feel like you're rowing a canoe.

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[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 02-05-2004).]

That looks sweet.

Archie

Looks sweet.... Aren't you suppost to working on some computers or something?

quote Originally posted by Archie: That looks sweet. Archie

Thanks, Archie. I like it because it gives a little "Old School" touch, yet still has that "OEM Believability" that makes you think the factory might have actually offered a Hurst shifter.

Now, if I could figure out how to get the "Hurst" logo on the side of the shifter....

Friend had a hurst shifter in his red '85GT, but he used the Hurst shift plate too instead of the factory boot. Looked god, I don't have any pictures of it, but MonkeyMan bought the car from him, so maybe he has some old pictures of it somewhere.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Now, if I could figure out how to get the "Hurst" logo on the side of the shifter....

HOLY $#!+!!! That looks GREAT!!!

Are you talking about a logo on the side of the shifter arm, or on the side of the shifter grip itself? Would computer-cut vinyl graphics do the trick? See, I know this guy...

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com -- 1988 Red Fiero Formula
- 1st Place - Stock Coupe - FOCOSEVA 2000
- 3rd Place - Stock Formula - FOCOA Nat'l 2001
- Class Winner - 1982 to Present - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2001
- Class Winner - Fiero: All Years - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2002
- Class Winner - Fiero: All Years - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2003
(working on an Automoda convertible conversion...)

Well for true OEM Believability, it would have to be a stamped logo, like this:

But I'm open to suggestions.

now all you need is a short shifter kit, then that thing would definately be banging.

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quote Originally posted by KRuzn MAchines: now all you need is a short shifter kit, then that thing would definately be banging.

You mean Rodney's Getrag Shift Kit? It's on the "to do" list.

The outside edge of the 'oval' (just the silver, not the white) is 5/32" wide x 1-1/4" tall... will that fit on the exposed part of your shifter? (I went with the shaft dia. of 16mm.)

[This message has been edited by LZeitgeist (edited 02-06-2004).]

For real old school "Hurst". This Hurst was made for flat shifting "GTO's" . I decided to put it on my "Little Fiero. "OMG" you can't imagine what this feels like. I'm sure I'm not the first. Underneath is a Rodney shifter. And nope, it did'nt screw right on.

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[This message has been edited by fiero86SE28 (edited 02-06-2004).]

Looks good! I went with this one because I prefer a knob to a T-handle, plus I like the feel of the leather vs. a metal sifter. It just happens to be convenient that there's a Hurst shift knob that fits the factory Fiero shifter. That's why I had to find a Rodney Sport OEM shifter so I could get the polished shaft with the OEM threads.

It does sit a little too far forward, though. My old homemade shifter angled back too far. If I could somehow do something half-way in between, it would be perfect. As it is, in 2nd gear, the shifter feels like it should be in neutral... and 5th is a bit of a reach. Not too bad, though, I just prefer the shifter to be about even with the steering wheel.

If I were ever to do a custom interior (Fbody, etc.) then I'd move the entire shifter back an inch or 2 so it would be even with the wheel, and still straight up. That would be about perfect.

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quote Originally posted by Rainman: Friend had a hurst shifter in his red '85GT, but he used the Hurst shift plate too instead of the factory boot. Looked god, I don't have any pictures of it, but MonkeyMan bought the car from him, so maybe he has some old pictures of it somewhere.

Wasn't a Hurst shifter, just the shifter boot. Stock shifter.

Dave

thats Nice iam making my own shifter outta alliminum on a lave hopefuly it turns out nice when i get it done ill post pics of it...

How much was the shift knob and where did you buy it?

quote Originally posted by Bruce: How much was the shift knob and where did you buy it?

I got it off of eBay for about $31, brand new. The guy said he gets them from SLP, so you may be able to get them from SLP cheaper. They were available in gray (what I have) and black. My seller told me I got the last gray one available and they are only available in black now. Not a big deal, but I do love that the gray perfectly matches the gray used on the Fiero leather shift knob.

How about this one

quote Originally posted by Fiero38SC: How about this one

But it's an automatic? Where's the fun in THAT?

quote Originally posted by Formula88: But it's an automatic? Where's the fun in THAT?

When it's a convertible Fiero it's lots of Fun.

Me likey both hurst shifters......
The t-top one reminds me of my hubby's old Gto......same knob on his shifter...
Ah.....the good ole days.....

The last one's a B&M.