Okay, it's for my '57 & TH400 (but perhaps some third gen'r is running w/o console, so could benefit from your ideas as well).

I'd like a ratchet shifter for the track, which will be the primary use. It's still full automatic, so street shifting won't be much of an issue. But, the sloppy column shift has got to go.

What I am considering:
B&M - Megashifter or QuickSilver
Hurst - V-Matic 2

All have neutral safety switch, which I need, and lighted gear indicator, which I like.

What I like about the Hurst is it is either standard gate or ratchet. It's also the highest priced.

If I go with the Megashifter, I'd probably get the light truck version, since you sit up a little higher from the floor in a '57. Wouldn't want to hunch over to reach the shifter while going down the track, would we? It's ratchet only, from what I gather.

The QuickSilver is the least expensive. I thought I read someplace that it can be operated in either standard or ratchet mode, but the Summit catalog doesn't say anything about that.

The B&M's would also fit a TH700, if I go that route some day. Hurst doesn't indicate it'd work for 4-speed.

Any thoughts/advice on these pieces would be appreciated.

Note: the Z-Gate, Starshifter, & Pro-Matic are all less expensive, but are not ratchet, correct?

------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, TBD heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

 

5.7 it's not even a question hurst quarter stick, can't miss a shift and it way easier than a ratchet

------------------
ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

Hmmmm, I didn't even consider that one because: 1) It looks kinda short (remember my "high chair" situation); 2) No neutral safety switch; and 3) It looks kinda ugly....

Also, TH700 isn't listed, but I was already discounting that with the V-Matic.

Price looks decent, though. Think you can convince me?

 

unless something has changed the quarter stick has a safety switch, mine does. yeah it is sort of ugly, it's sort of a preformance no frills shifter, but very effective.

------------------
ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

Hurst used to make a bolt-in console version of the Quarter Stick for thirdgens, you might be able to find one still.

 

Console isn't the issue, it's for the Shoebox.

If it has the safety switch, then it's an option. I don't have a monopoly on ugly, but a pretty good corner on the market. There are uglier shifters, for sure. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll call Summit about the switch.

I assume it can be mounted anywhere, so perhaps a box/bracket to get it up where it can be reached.

 

Sorry, didn't read that close enough. New ones come with a neutral safety switch and the switch is available separately for older ones.

 

hey man my dad uses a light truck mega shifter in his 55. its the only one that clears the seat enough to actualy shift when driving. And please tell me you arent the jerk that cut me off in a black and white 57
on I70 last friday. JK

------------------
85 Camaro RS 350/350 stealth intake, holley street avenger 670
true dual exhaust. "ButtStang killer"
82 firebird 305 all original - the cat and smog crap."All show No go"

 

That's why I was considering that shifter. .

As for cutting people off:
1) I don't drive like a jerk.
2) My '57 is Red/White.
3) It's been levitated 18" off the garage floor since early February for tranny rebuild/half a dozen other things to get fixed before Bandimere starts up next month.