Traditional Location Shift Stick/Lever Option

[BrewCityCobra]

So as my build progresses one of the items I've had a bit of difficulty trying to source is the shift stick/lever. I'm not particularly enthralled by the FFR option so I'm trying to find a different option that will fit.

For a bit of background, I have a 427W with TKX transmission with the input set to the "rear-most" position. I'm certainly open to flipping the rear cover to place the input at the "close/rear" position if that would help accommodate different designs.

In short - I'm having difficulty finding a shifter that will fit the bill that has little to no side-to-side offset. A friend of mine has a cobra with the ********** Accessories 427 T5 handle - and while gorgeous - I didn't like the feel and clearance provided by the large left-hand offset. I really like the Hurst Chrome Competition sticks but am not sure if any of the designs would fit.

So....question to the group....what shifter stick/lever is everybody using for transmissions having a rear or traditional input location? Photos appreciated if possible.

[KDubU]

I had the ********** one in mine and it was installed in the rear most position. I found it very comfortable and easy to use but to each their own.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

If you are using the forward transmission shifter position take a look at the Hurst stick for a 1967 Corvette. Its straight but had a reasonable length so you maintained leverage over the shifts.

FWIW I use the traditional ********** 427 stick & have no issues with it.

[BrewCityCobra]

I had the ********** one in mine and it was installed in the rear most position. I found it very comfortable and easy to use but to each their own.

Yeah, I love the look of the ********** shfiter and I like the ball location, the killer for me is I naturally pull into the shifter itself toward the base instead of straight back (my own issue - I know). So I was going to see if I could get away with an equivalent without the offset.

Quick question - do you happen to know what the dimensions of the ********** are? Like how far forward and how tall the shift ball is located relative to the transmission input?

[Rdone585]

At least with the T5, I believe you can mount the shifter on the right or left of the tranny mounting point. That might get you what your looking for, if I interpret your description correctly. If not, or if it's not enough, you could bend your shift handle to the position desired by heating with a torch. If it's chrome plated, the finish could suffer. But, much of the shifter can be covered by a properly designed leather boot. Or, you can build a complete custom shifter using one of the many balls or handles available. Reach out (I'm not far from you) if you want to look into options other than what you're able to purchase off the shelf.

[Nigel Allen]

Taking a round file to the holes on the shifter and elongating them will give some fore/aft /height adjustment.

My shifter is stainless steel and is not going to bend without excessive force. Sounds like you have the same issue. Just a thought, could you cut out a wedge of the lowest section of the shaft (where it would be covered by the shifter boot) that would allow you to bend the shifter into your desired location? It would then only require a stitch or two with an electric welder to make the shifter strong again. There wouldn't be enough heat imparted to burn the chrome or discolour the stainless beyond the boot covering.

Sorry if it sounds like I have my blue and white striped apron on, but I think this bit of butchery might just get the job done.

I certainly understand your desire to get the shifter in just the right position. I messed around with mine for quite a while to get it where I felt most comfortable.

Best of luck,

Nigel

[BrewCityCobra]

At least with the T5, I believe you can mount the shifter on the right or left of the tranny mounting point. That might get you what your looking for, if I interpret your description correctly. If not, or if it's not enough, you could bend your shift handle to the position desired by heating with a torch. If it's chrome plated, the finish could suffer. But, much of the shifter can be covered by a properly designed leather boot. Or, you can build a complete custom shifter using one of the many balls or handles available. Reach out (I'm not far from you) if you want to look into options other than what you're able to purchase off the shelf.

That is a good point and I have to think would buy me close to an inch or so mounting it to the far side of the input lever. I'll have to consider that. I have considered the "custom" route but am trying to exhaust the commercially available options first. I'll certainly reach out if it comes to that (and the idea of being able to perfectly fit something is certainly enticing).

[CraigS]

In addition to ovalling the holes you can also stick washers between the shifter and the short little trans piece that it bolts to. Use a different amount of washers top vs bottom can give you a significant change in it's angle when you look at from front or rear. I think washers could move it 1.5 inches left or right for a total of 3 inches. And oval holes could probably do about the same so you have a box at least 3 in x 3 in that you can locate the ball in. I'd mess around with to see what helps. Say you like it's new position best full right and full back. Now you can go back, heat and bend it, to move it that way. but you still have your oval holes and washers which will let you move it even further from it's new start position. This is the boot I used on mine.
http://www.replicaparts.com/shift%20boot%20page.htm
as you can see the bottom 2 inches or so of the lever is covered so you can butcher it til you get the position you want and the boot hides the ugly. Also anyone w/ a bit of sewing machine skill and some leatherette from Joanes Fabric can make a longer one.

[Nigel Allen]

Craig makes a good point. Just doing something temporary with the shifter until you get the car on the road and drive it for a bit might be a good idea. I found as I got near the end of the build sometimes I would stare at the car too much, read into people's comments too much and frett about certain things, but once I got on the road and got a few thousand km on it, the concerns went away. Then again, there were a few things, power steering comes to mind, that I wish I had definitely done before I finished the car.

At least the shifter is a quick bolt-on with easy access.

[BrewCityCobra]

Craig makes a good point. Just doing something temporary with the shifter until you get the car on the road and drive it for a bit might be a good idea. I found as I got near the end of the build sometimes I would stare at the car too much, read into people's comments too much and frett about certain things, but once I got on the road and got a few thousand km on it, the concerns went away. Then again, there were a few things, power steering comes to mind, that I wish I had definitely done before I finished the car.

At least the shifter is a quick bolt-on with easy access.

An excellent point. As far as "easy to modify / swap out" goes this is probably about as easy at it goes. I'll probably mock up a few options (both commercial and otherwise) - and see if I can get something to fit, I can certainly stick with the FFR option for now and swap it out later.

[CDXXVII]

This is on a TKO600. Rear shift location but turned around 180 degrees. This moves the shifter forward approx. 2.5”. The pictures are with the transmission in 1rst gear. Shifter is mounted on the passenger side of the transmission shift stub. Boot ends up on center.

I’m 6’ tall with the seat all the way to the rear bulkhead. The shifter feels completely natural to me. Also love the look.


https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=176626&d=1670788082

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=176625&d=1670788082

[BrewCityCobra]

This is on a TKO600. Rear shift location but turned around 180 degrees. This moves the shifter forward approx. 2.5”. The pictures are with the transmission in 1rst gear. Shifter is mounted on the passenger side of the transmission shift stub. Boot ends up on center.

I’m 6’ tall with the seat all the way to the rear bulkhead. The shifter feels completely natural to me. Also love the look.


https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=176626&d=1670788082

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=176625&d=1670788082

Much appreciated - and I do love that look. I'll have to play around with the 180 forward vs. fully back positions as I do like the look of yours.

A quick favor if I can ask - what is the offset distance between the input and the ball (e.g., forward length) and the height (e.g., from the ball to the top of the transmission hump). I'm trying to get a sense of scale before I purchase anything and only have the FFR unit to go off of. The dimensions would generally correspond with the 5.5 and 10 inch dimensions shown below.

176743