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X2 on the Pro 5.0, I loved mine too....but there is more to it than "I love it".
*If you're going for FEEL/fun, experience, get a good short throw shifter. It makes the driving experience way better.
*If you're going for "better"/FASTER shifting (i.e. making drag strip passes), the stock shifter is actually better b/c it gives you better leverage or mechanical advantage to the resistance of the synchros. You can shift FASTER, with the stock shifter.
x3... Pro 5.0 and short stick too
Adjustable stops, you can just move it forward (open palm) from 2nd to 3rd) it centers / finds the right spot and does it quick
*If you're going for FEEL/fun, experience, get a good short throw shifter. It makes the driving experience way better.
*If you're going for "better"/FASTER shifting (i.e. making drag strip passes), the stock shifter is actually better b/c it gives you better leverage or mechanical advantage to the resistance of the synchros. You can shift FASTER, with the stock shifter.
If the synchros are slowing you down........I think you have bigger problems. I've had plenty of t5's and t56's, and I've never had any problem with any gear assuming the transmission was operating properly. Good fluid, operating at temperature...I mean I just don't see what resistance you're talking about. ...and the OP has a t5, which is about as buttery smooth as it gets!
If the synchros are slowing you down........I think you have bigger problems. I've had plenty of t5's and t56's, and I've never had any problem with any gear assuming the transmission was operating properly. Good fluid, operating at temperature...I mean I just don't see what resistance you're talking about. ...and the OP has a t5, which is about as buttery smooth as it gets!
Nope. The synchros provide resistance to any shift (especially a FAST shift)....that is the very nature of their purpose and function; not allow the gear to engage until the RPM of both shafts is matched....which that part? Takes time.
I"ve had plenty of T5's and T56's (not sure how T56's got into the convo??) too, bud. AND better trans' to compare those both, to.
Nope. The synchros provide resistance to any shift (especially a FAST shift)....that is the very nature of their purpose and function; not allow the gear to engage until the RPM of both shafts is matched....which that part? Takes time.
I"ve had plenty of T5's and T56's (not sure how T56's got into the convo??) too, bud. AND better trans' to compare those both, to.
Maybe my transmissions have been in better shape? Maybe I'm just stronger? I joke, just kidding, but I have never heard of someone needing the extra leverage of a stock, longer, shifter to make faster shifts. And I DO follow the physics/logic of your statement. I do, but I don't agree with it in a real world application. ....and by your logic, why wouldn't you get an aftermarket shifter with a stock length? .....or why not longer?
Get ready for: A novel -Thoughts, Musings and History of the shift lever.
Originally Posted by Abubaca
I have never heard of someone needing the extra leverage of a stock, longer, shifter to make faster shifts.
Yep, I totally agree. No one ever talks about it....ALL "short shifter" marketing (of course), doesn't mention that at all (why would it/they??)....and then all the feed back you get from folks who've installed shifters, is positive for two understandable and pretty undebatable reasons:
1. They spent the money and did the work to install a shifter...they want/expect it to "be better" so that's what they'll report....just like people who advocate PROLONG et al
2. Any decent aftermarket shifter most certainly WILL, feel better, immediately and for all of time....in casual/typical driving. A good aftermarket shifter will enhance the driving experience...no doubt about that. It FEELS better.
So...."It's WAY better!" -Thus, the reviews we all post and read. Understandable.
Originally Posted by Abubaca
And I DO follow the physics/logic of your statement. I do, but I don't agree with it in a real world application. ....and by your logic, why wouldn't you get an aftermarket shifter with a stock length? .....or why not longer?
Great question. *I* would actually prefer/buy/LOVE to see an aftermarket quality shifter (w/adjustable shift stops)...that maintains the stock ratio. Give me the "rifle bolt" shift feel/experience, but w/the stock ratio/leverage....yes please! Doesn't exist, other than ZFDoc will do one for a ZF6 trans. Every other aftermarket shifter that I've ever seen is shorter throws and physically shorter, because that's "cool" and desirable in regular driving -it's what people want. As for "longer"? I guess that'd be personal choice but some ARE longer. Look at a shift lever in a NASCAR, or a WRC car, for examples of LONG shifters in sporty cars.
I think that the stock shifters in 80's F-bod's strike a good balance to do what's required: they are long enough for a good ratio/leverage and tall enough to get the shift **** close to the steering wheel, which is desirable to *me* for track days and autocross (not really relevant for drag racing). Look at the shift lever in the C5 (long, tall) and then in the C6. Which is "cooler"? The C6! It's shorter, looks better, has shorter throws...that's what people want. I did, when I bought my C6, back in 06. I missed more shifts going down the track in that car than any other car I've owned and drag tracked. It was ridiculous, the percentage of drag track passes that were wrecked by missed shifts in that car. "Fighting the synchros" was 85% of "winning" a good pass in that car. (the other 15% was getting a launch w/o WHEEL HOP).
Anyway, I've installed a few short shifters and right away, thought they were the shiznits. BUT, I have made many, many, many passes down the drag track and in that application....where I want to shift REALLYFAST, the aftermarket shifters yielded more rejected/denied/missed shifts than stock shifters have. When shifting fast, fast, FAST (I have shifts recorded at 0.2 sec), the reduced mechanical advantage hurts the process and has resulted in more missed shifts. This has happened for me on both T5's and yes, T56's. Because "everyone knows" that short shifters are better, (including me, back then!)...it took me quite a while (years) to figure out that my "problem" with missed shifts at the drag track wasn't me or my driving; it was that I had hurt the geometry (shifter ratio) by installing a short throw shifter.
I only posted that INCASE, the OP is a serious drag-track user. The vast majority of people are not and for most everyone, a good aftermarket shifter is a great mod and a welcome improvement in shift feel and driving experience. I probably shouldn't have even posted about that, but I wish *I* had been able to read this type of feed back, 20+ years ago when I was putting shifters into my cars of that period, then having a marked increase in missed shifts (and frustration) at the drag track....and not understanding why. HERE is an article that echo's the points made in this post, and in THIS THREAD, some folks agreed with these points as well.... for further reading, if interested.
Last edited by Tom 400 CFI; Feb 27, 2025 at 10:06 AM.
For what it's worth, I too actually DO prefer a longer shift lever. I also think the mechanical advantage does help with better shifts in most applications. All my thirdgens have had Pro 5.0's with a longer Hurst lever. I have never related that preference to being FASTER in a drag racing application, though I completely agree it helps reduce missed shifts. Anyhow, I get what you're saying. Maybe it was just how you initially worded it. In the 2000's, during the heyday of the 4th generation, I remember guys would cut that level down so short it was barely above the console. For ME.....the solid feel of a lever with no flex, and a positive stop, is worth the world. The ratio and actual length of lever I'd say would be more personal.
I have never related that preference to being FASTER in a drag racing application, though I completely agree it helps reduce missed shifts.
Yep, so the "solution" to fixing missing shifts or rejected shifts, is to? Slow down the shift process in order to reliably hit all the shifts. So I guess another way to put it is that a shifter that provides better mechanical ratio, makes FAST shifting more attainable?
Putting the Hurst lever (or any longer lever) on the Pro5.0 shifter base is a killer and innovative idea. I'm glad that you posted it....that's going in "the bank"! Thanks!
