I actually prefer the bent look. I emailed that guy with that lot of assorted parts, can't go wrong for $10. I think I may try it just on the stock shifter, just for the appearance.

Hell, if it doesnt fit, I only blew $20, and its on stuff I could clean up nice and decorate my room with.

I saw StangNet's tech article on swapping a triax into a Bullitt and saw that the stock shifter allso has those two bolts for ths shift handle. It can't be too hard to make that chrome stick work, right?

 

Looks great.

 

Correct....if you look around on the Martel Bros site, you'll find a pretty good variety of sticks. I knew what I wanted and about how long (tall) and how much bend it would need. I wrote down the dimensions from the shortest sticks they had and made up a couple of cardboard sticks to check how they'd fit. I ordered the stick in the previous link after deciding that it would be the closest to what I was after. When I went to put it on, I ended up cutting some off the end (removed at least enough meat to do away with the lower bolt hole) and, IIRC, I even ground on the attachment side to angle the stick back just a bit. Any stick over eight inches or so, which includes most of them, will put your shift **** up pretty darn high, at least for my tastes. I built and raced '65 and '66 GTO Ponchos back in the early '70s and always loved the short straight stick Hursts in those cars, and I was trying to capture that feel in my GT. I'm sure I did it the hard way, but I got exactly what I was after, so it was all good.

Now I just wish someone would make a decent automatic shifter for my '05! I kept waiting for B&M to finally come out with one, but IMO it looks liek it belongs on a forklift, so.......maybe I'll have to make my own again!

 

. . . I think you'd be happy leaving it stock until you decide. That's just my opinion. From what I remember if you tried to bolt the Hurst stick to the stock shifter you'd have a REAL long throw. Maybe I'll go out in the garage later to find my old stock shifter and measure.

 

All the more reason to motivate myself to get a short throw shifter afterwards

You may be right though. I think what i'll do, is get the stick, try it on the stocker, and if it doesnt work out, save the stick for when I do get a tri-ax or some such. I may still use that T-handle though, if I like it. A few people I know have been telling my it's not a good idea on a 5 speed or on a newer car, or even on a manual at all. I really need to try it out first, before I can make a decision

 

Those sound like good people to not listen to. It's strictly personal preference.....that's like saying that a white ball **** isn't good but a black one is. I've always preferred T-handles.....I've had one on every stick car I've ever owned, back to 1970, and I've still got a couple in my tool box, waiting for my next stick car.

 

That's what I figured. When it comes to automotive preference, I'm not exactly running with the norm anyway

I loved the feel of the big ole T in my Megashifter in the II, only this time I'll be having alot more interaction with it

 

The handle one on the picture i posted actually has a bend, but the bend is below the boot, so you can't see it. It's bolted into the stock shifter.
I believe this is the one I got for him:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

You guys know your stuff about the shifters, so I'll ask you to help me out. Does Hurst (now B & M) make a complete shifter like MGW? I like the Hurst lever, but I wouldn't want just the lever on a stock shifter. I want something that will have a fairly short throw and not be notchy going into gear. My sister had an old GTO with a Hurst shifter, and that car was slick to shift. I've heard such good things about MGW from another thread, that I would like input from anyone willing to help me decide which way to go. Thanks!

 

They do make hurst shifters for the newer stangs

for the T-45 (1999-early 2001)
http://www.ninosport.com/Hurst-Bille...=2&category=62

for the TR3650 (Later 2001-2004)
http://www.ninosport.com/Hurst-Bille...=2&category=62

I'm not sure how to tell the differences between trannies though :-\

The other issue is neither of these have the cool chrome stick. The only way to get one of those on that I can see is bolt it onto another aftermarket shifter that has a removable arm.

 

Hi Future9er24: Thanks for the info. There is an information plate on the driver's door that lists info about the car. On the '01, a transmission code of K indicates that the car has the 3650 transmission. I checked the plate and I have the 3650.

Many of the guys have raved about the MGW shifter, so I'm between that one and the Hurst. Both the Hurst and the MGW are just under $200. If I leave the stock boot, there would be no difference in appearance - it would only be the mechanical difference between the 2 shifting units themselves. If I did get the Hurst, I'd want a chrome lever and the white Hurst ball, for sure.

 

The bad news is that a rail-shifted trans like the 3650 or T5 or any of the modern transmissions will never shift like the Muncie in your sister's old GTO. Compared to an old Muncie or Toploader or T-10, all the rail-shifted trans, even with aftermarket shifters, will still be notchy to some degree. Aftermarket shifters help a lot, but the inherent design of the transmission makes it a case of apples and oranges.

I powershifted my old GTOs and GS Buicks endlessly.....I've never felt confident enough with the modern trans to beat on them like I did 35 years ago.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark. I've had Toyotas and Hondas since the '80s and just got back to Mustangs last August. Now I know not to expect a retro experience with my transmission. Now the question is: Which shifter to get?

 

i love the pro50 i had in my 92 and now in my 98 cobra. i dont have a hurst stick. but i do have the hurst t-handle in my 98. i need to get some pics up soon.

 

I had a TriAx in mine and it worked about as well as any I tried....they were all about the same, but that was five years ago. Personally,if I was buying one now, I'd hang out on the hardcore racer boards and see what the guys there like. If it works on the track, it'll work on the street.

Mark

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm going to check the local speed shops, too. "Street Legal" is organized by the San Diego police for safe 1/8 mile drag races at Quaalcom Stadium on Friday and Saturday evenings (alternative to drag racing on the city streets). I'll hang out there and talk to some of the Mustang owners. Maybe I could shift some guys' car in the parking area to feel the different aftermarket shifters for myself. I'll keep you posted when I buy one.