C5 Corvette Shifter Install - Shifting Into A Higher Gear

After disconnecting the electronic traction-control switch and faceplate, you can take out the forward console cover.

Now the job gets easier. Remove the four fasteners holding down the OEM shifter and lift the offending unit straight up and out.

Here's a detail shot of an important piece. This cup bushing comes on the OEM unit and must be used on the Hurst model. Make sure it is greased liberally so it can provide you with a long life of shifting.

OEM shifters come with the white-color hex fasteners. Hurst provides you with four socket head screws to secure the shifter to the shifter housing.

With the cup bushing snapped into place...

...lower the shifter straight down into the tranny, making sure everything goes together smoothly.

There's the new Hurst shifter in place. It's too bad it's going to be hidden by the boot.

If you are going to be racing, the next two photos pertain to you. The install kit comes with the springs to adjust side-to-side play, tension, and gear stops. The instructions tell how to make the adjustments.

After installing the adjustment springs, you'll need to adjust them with an open end and an Allen wrench. Again, these adjustments are sensitive, so follow the directions.

Now return the cover to the shifter and you're almost home. From this point, just reverse the shifter-removal process, and the job is complete.

Here's proof that anyone can get bitten during an install. The plastic tabs that hold the boot in place are easy to break, so be careful.

The OEM and Hurst shifters both use the metal T-retainer to hold the knob in place, so don't toss it when you first take it out. You'll use it regardless of what knob you want to run. The directions have a good tip about reusing it when the fit of what is essentially a wedge gets sloppy. They say to peen it over with a hammer.

If you want to maintain a stealth look, the OEM knob can be retained.

For traditionalists, Hurst offers a wide selection of Hurst shift knobs.