Hurst Automatic Shifter

Shifting Your Ride Into Performance Heaven

The Hurst Automatic Shifter is an iconic aftermarket shifting solution that can transform the driving experience in your muscle car, hot rod, or even daily driver. This legendary shifter has been around since the early days of drag racing in the 1960s and continues to be a top choice for automotive enthusiasts seeking crisp, precise shifting feel.

If you’re looking to upgrade from your stock shifter or just want to add the signature Hurst look to your ride, this buying guide will tell you everything you need to know. We’ll break down key features, compatibility, installation, pricing, comparisons to other brands, and even tips for care and maintenance. After reading, you’ll be shifting like a pro in no time!

Features of the Hurst Automatic Shifter

The Hurst shifter is packed with features designed to improve shifting performance:

• All metal internal components – The shifter features sturdy steel parts that can withstand vigorous driving. Plastic parts found in stock shifters can flex and lead to sloppy shifting.
• Short throw shifting – With a shorter throw between gears, you can snap off quick, precise shifts ideal for racing. Less movement is required compared to stock shifters.
• Positive stop mechanism – This ensures you find each gear accurately without the risk of slipping into neutral when shifting hard.
• Adjustable shift knob – Allows you to customize the height and distance of the knob for your ideal shifting position.
• Neutral safety switch – This important safety feature prevents the vehicle from starting unless the shifter is securely in Park or Neutral.
• Multiple mounting options – Hurst shifters can be mounted directly to the transmission or floor, depending on your vehicle.
• Manual valve control – Gives you full control over gear shifts for consistent performance.
• Customizable shift patterns – Choose from popular Hurst stick shift patterns like pistol grip, in-line, or one of many custom options.

Installation of the Shifter

One great benefit of the Hurst shifter is how straightforward installation tends to be. There are two main methods:

Transmission Mount

This directly mounts the shifter to the transmission using existing bolts. It is the simplest and most common installation method. Here are the basic steps:

1. Disconnect negative battery cable and raise vehicle if needed.
2. Remove stock shifter mechanism by unbolting it from the transmission.
3. Install new shifter mechanism in place of the stock unit and tighten bolts securely.
4. Reconnect battery cable and lower vehicle.
5. Attach included shifter handle and knob. Adjust to your preferred position.
6. Check for proper engagement in all gears before driving.

Floor Mount

Some vehicles require mounting the shifter to the floor pan rather than the transmission:

1. Drill holes in floor pan matching the mounting holes on the base of the shifter.
2. Bolt the mechanism securely through the floor to the underside. Use washers to reinforce it.
3. Fasten included shifter tower to the top side of the floor.
4. Complete the rest of steps 3-6 above to finish installation.

Be sure to follow all instructions in the product manual for your specific vehicle. Having a second set of hands can be helpful during the mounting process as well.

Vehicle Compatibility

Key aspects that determine compatibility are:

• Transmission type – Hurst shifters work with most GM, Chrysler, and Ford automatic transmissions including TH350, TH400, 700R4, C4, C6, Torqueflite 727, and more. They do not work with manual transmissions.
• Shifter location – Floor or transmission mount. Measure to ensure the shifter will fit properly.
• Vehicle clearance – Check for clearance between the shifter and center console, parking brake, bucket seats, etc.

The product listing or Hurst’s website have specific compatibility details. If unsure, contact their customer service who can verify fitment. Calling your mechanic for advice is also wise.

Where to Buy a Hurst Shifter

As a popular aftermarket product, Hurst shifters are carried by many major retailers online and in-store:

• Auto parts stores – O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, and AutoZone all typically carry Hurst shifters or can order them for you. Support your local store!
• Amazon – A wide selection of Hurst shifters and accessories with benefits like fast shipping and reviews.
• JEGS – Trusted retailer of performance automotive parts with knowledgeable staff.
• Summit Racing – Large selection of racing and performance parts with great customer service.
• Hurst’s website – Order direct from the manufacturer.

Check product listings closely for the specific shifter model recommended for your vehicle. Price match if you find a lower price elsewhere on an identical item.

Cost Breakdown

Pricing for Hurst shifters ranges from around $120 into the $500 range:

• Budget models – Basic shifters start around $120-$250. These have simple mechanisms without extra performance features.
• Mid-range shifters – Step up to $250-$400 models to get enhancements like short throw shifting, special coatings, and pro-quality parts. This is the sweet spot for most.
• Premium race models – High-performance shifters designed for racing can cost $400+. These offer fully adjustable and customizable pro-level parts.
• Custom shifters – A unique personalized shifter with special patterns, materials, or appearance upgrades can cost $500 and beyond.

Installation costs depend on the shop hourly rate if not doing it yourself. Expect to spend around $100-300 for professional installation.

How Hurst Compares to Other Brands

Some other top automatic shifter brands on the market include:

• B&M – Very similar performance to Hurst at a comparable or slightly lower cost on some models.
• TREMEC – High-end racing-specific shifters with maximum adjustability. Premium priced.
• Barton – Budget-friendly basic shifters starting around $100.
• Lokar – Known for sleek custom floor mount shifters with stylish looks.
• Steeda – Specializes in Ford Mustang shifters including short throw and tri-axis models.
• MGW – Leading brand offering short throw stick shifters for GM, Chrysler, and Ford vehicles.

Hurst strikes an ideal balance of strong performance, quality, and reasonable pricing suitable for most muscle car builds. The trusted Hurst name also carries decades of racing heritage.

Materials Used

Hurst utilizes heavy-duty metals to form the rugged foundation of their shifters:

• Stainless steel – Used for components like the shift lever and arms for corrosion resistance. Provides smooth shifting motion.
• Anodized aluminum – Coats exterior parts like the base and tower for appearance and durability. Lightweight.
• Steel – Internal shifter mechanisms utilize hardened steel for added strength to support aggressive shifting.
• Brass – Bushings, inserts, and pins to rotate smoothly with low friction during shifts. More resistant to wear than plastic.

High standards of machining and fitment allow these metals to operate seamlessly together for precise shift timing. The materials hold up well under demanding driving conditions.

Caring for Your Hurst Shifter

Like other performance parts, proper care ensures your shifter enjoys a long life:

• Regular cleaning – Use a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner to remove grime buildup on the exterior and around moving joints.
• Shift boot maintenance – Condition the shift boot with protectants to prevent cracking. Replace it when worn out.
• Transmission servicing – Change fluid and filters per manufacturer intervals to prevent contaminants in the transmission that could lead to sticky shifter operation.
• Check mounting – Periodically check that all shifter mounting hardware is tight. Snug up any bolts that have loosened from vibration.
• Moving part lubrication – Lubricate bushings, linkage, and ball joints with a dry Teflon-based spray lube to prevent binding.
• Protect chrome/polish aluminum – Use appropriate cleaners and polishes to maintain any shiny chrome or aluminum finish pieces.

Taking good care of your Hurst shifter will keep it performing crisply and looking great mile after mile.

The Benefits of Using a Hurst Shifter

Upgrading to a Hurst shifter offers some excellent benefits:

• Faster shifting – The short throw mechanism allows you to snap off lightning-quick shifts.
• Precise shifting feel – Moving between gears feels smooth and mechanical with crisp engagement.
• Customizability – Choose from various shifter sticks and knobs to match your interior style.
• Race-ready performance – Pro-level shift timing and response for improved track lap times.
• Better control – The shape and weight of the shift knob gives you superior control over shifts.
• Enhanced driving experience – More responsive shifting simply makes driving more fun, especially in a performance vehicle.
• Iconic styling – The unique Hurst stick shifter design is instantly recognizable.
• Safety – Lockout features help prevent accidental shifting into Reverse or Park during driving.

Models and Variants

Hurst offers shifters engineered for different types of vehicles:

• Drag racing – Quick adjustable models like the Quarter Stick provide maximum race performance.
• Muscle cars – Versions designed for classic GM, Ford, and Mopar muscle with the proper shapes and mounts.
• Compact cars – Low profile shifters clear tight spaces in smaller sport compacts and subcompacts.
• Full-size cars/trucks – Various options match these larger vehicle interiors and transmissions.
• Special edition – Unique collaborations, vintage throwback editions, special coatings, and more.

Within each type are different variations including standard, short throw, tri-axis, dual-action, and ratchet options to match your shifting needs. They also offer many shifter knob designs to consider.

Customer Reviews

In addition to its long history and reputation, Hurst shifters are consistently rated very well by buyers:

• Precise, quality feel – Many describe the tight crisp shifts and sturdy metal construction.
• Easy to install – Most found the bolt-on installation straightforward following the instructions.
• Improves driving experience – Owners mention the shifter gives much better control and quicker response.
• Excellent customer service – Hurst is praised for knowledgeable and friendly customer support.
• Great value – Most feel the performance and quality exceeds the reasonable price points.

A few buyers received products with manufacturing defects or incompatible parts which Hurst quickly resolved. Issues seem rare overall.

Does It Improve Shifting Performance?

Absolutely! Here are some of the measurable performance gains you can expect from the Hurst shifter:

• Faster shifts – Shave 0.1-0.5 seconds off the time between gears with the short throw mechanism. Those tenths add up on the racetrack!
• Quicker acceleration – Achieve consistently faster 0-60 mph times thanks to seamless shifting under power.
• Higher top speeds – Reach your car’s maximum speed potential quicker with lightning-fast shifts.
• Better throttle response – Crisp shifts into each gear allow immediate power delivery upon acceleration.
• Extended component life – Smoother shifting motion reduces wear on transmission gears and synchronizers.

Professional racers regularly use Hurst shifters because they know every bit of enhanced shifting performance gives them a competitive edge.

Warranty Coverage

All Hurst shifters are protected by a 12-month limited warranty covering defects in materials and craftsmanship. According to the terms, Hurst may elect to repair or replace covered parts at no charge during the warranty period.

Labor costs for removal and re-installation are not included if required. The warranty is limited specifically to the original purchaser only.

As with any aftermarket auto part, retain your receipt as proof of purchase. Contact Hurst customer service for full warranty claim details.

Customization Options

A major benefit of Hurst is the wide range of customization available:

• Shift knobs – Select from hundreds of shift knob designs in various shapes, colors, and materials.
• Shift sticks – Straight, offset, or angled sticks in multiple lengths and finishes.
• Shift arms – Change the angle, radius, and height of the arm.
• Patterns – Arrange shifting gates in popular patterns like pistol grip or in-line.
• Coatings – Upgrade to anodized or chrome plating over standard finishes.
• Lighting – Add LED light accents that activate when shifting.
• Engraving – Engrave text or designs into metal shift parts.
• Leather – Upgrade to leather shift boots, handles, and boot rings.

The options are nearly endless to create a shifter that matches your style and performance needs.

Necessary Installation Tools

To complete a Hurst shifter installation yourself, you’ll need some common automotive tools:

• Basic hand tools – Ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. SAE and metric sizes.
• Floor jack – Used with jack stands for raising the vehicle safely.
• Jack stands – Support the car weight once lifted.
• Creeper – Allows easier access when working underneath.
• Light source – Flashlight, shop light, or headlamp to brighten the workspace.
• Thread lock – Prevents shifter bolts from loosening.
• Trim panel tools – Plastic pry bars and clips for interior trims.
• Transmission jack (optional) – Allows removing the transmission safely if needed.
• Multimeter – Tests wiring connections and the neutral safety switch.

Having an advanced toolkit for automotive work makes the installation job much easier.

Is Professional Installation Better?

Installing a shifter is reasonably straightforward for anyone comfortable working on vehicles. Paying a professional for installation is advisable if:

• You don’t have access to automotive lift tools to safely raise the vehicle.
• The shifter mounting requires drilling or welding that you aren’t equipped for.
• Your vehicle has complicated trim or tight clearances that are tricky to navigate.
• You lack some specialized tools that mechanics have available.
• You want the peace of mind of zero installation hassles.
• Your time is limited. Professional techs can complete the job much quicker.

If you commonly work on your own car repairs and modifications, tackling a new shifter install is very achievable. But for many, the cost of professional installation provides convenience and assurance.

Keeping Your Shifter Clean

Regular cleaning is important for both appearance and function:

• Wipe down – Frequently wipe off the shifter exterior with a microfiber cloth to remove grease and normal wear.
• Interior cleaner – Use an interior plastic and vinyl cleaner to lift away grime and shine the finish. Avoid harsh chemicals.
• Toothbrush – Gently scrub intricate metal parts like filigree or engraving with a toothbrush.
• Cotton swabs – Reach tight crevices around details and trim sections.
• Leather cleaner – Condition leather boots and handles to prevent cracking and drying.
• Degreaser – Foaming degreasers help lift away oily residue from the mechanisms and shifter base.
• Compressed air – Blow out dust and debris in gaps around moving parts that are hard to reach.

Proper cleaning reduces wear and keeps your shifter operating smoothly for miles to come.

History of Hurst

Engineer George Hurst founded Hurst Performance in 1958 as one of the original companies designing aftermarket performance parts for cars. Through the 1960s, Hurst was an instrumental pioneer of specialty auto components like shifters, wheels, and more.

The patented Hurst Dual-Gate shifter introduced in 1964 became an instant iconic muscle car part. In 1968, Hurst was responsible for the legendary Hurst Hemi Under Glass race cars.

Throughout decades of automotive trends, Hurst has continued making high-quality specialty parts that capture the spirit of racing and passion for cars. Today you can find Hurst components on all types of vehicles ranging from classic hot rods to modern sports cars.

Potential Issues

As with any mechanical part, occasional issues can arise with the Hurst shifter:

• Loose mounting – Normal vibration may loosen shifter mounting bolts over time, requiring re-tightening.
• Worn shift cable – Cables can wear out from high mileage use, causing sloppy shifter engagement.
• Leaky transmission – Fluid leaks in the transmission itself make for sticky shifting action.
• Faulty transmission – Problems inside the transmission like worn synchronizers can affect shifting, not the shifter itself.
• Broken connections – Linkage or lever attachments can break from age or damage, but are repairable.
• Defective components – Rare manufacturing defects are covered under warranty if they occur.

Overall, Hurst shifters are very durable when installed and maintained properly. Any issues that do appear are usually fixable.

Factory-Equipped Vehicles

Some high-performance vehicles come equipped with a Hurst shifter straight from the factory:

• Pontiac GTO Judge (1969-70) – Optional Hurst Dual-Gate shifter.
• Oldsmobile 442 (1968-1971) – Hurst Lightning Rods shifter.
• AMC SC/Rambler (1969) – First mass production car with a Hurst shifter.
• Ford Lightning (1999-2004) – Short-throw Hurst shifter available.
• Chrysler 300 SRT8 (2005-2010) – Hurst shifters on 6-speed manual models.
• Shelby GT500KR (2008) – Ford special edition with Hurst shifter.

Having a Hurst OEM shifter adds more collectibility to already desirable performance models. Even factory-tuned cars benefit from Hurst’s legendary precision shifting.

Wrapping Up

From its proven racing heritage to its instantly recognizable stick shifters, the Hurst Automatic Shifter is an aftermarket icon. This buying guide provided key information on Hurst’s features, fitment, comparisons, customizations, and more to help you choose the perfect shifter to shift your ride to the next level.

The quality, performance, and renowned history of Hurst ensure you’ll be enjoying quick, smooth shifts for miles down the road. With the right shifter matched to your driving style and vehicle, every shift becomes a joy. Enjoy the acceleration!