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Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:06 pm

I've like to have a shorter and more positive shift. I need recommendations on which shifter to buy. I've researched Empi, Bugpack, and Gene Berg. Really like the Berg, but $200+ is kinda steep for this desire. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

TIA

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:08 pm

stock with a short throw of hurst

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:11 pm

Get a Berg and be done with it.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:12 pm

I liked my Hurst. Didn't miss a shift.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:13 pm

Get a Berg, look for the older one's they seem to work better for some reason. I see them on the samba for 150.00 often. I bought a nice older used one for 125. recently.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:16 pm

I have an eliminator shifter. It has a flat chrome shaft and a wooden T handle. I got it off Ebay for 70 bones from a guy in cali. I love it. I wish they made one that would fit in my bay.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:19 pm

Berg!

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:28 pm

Oh and mine is a repro one. I dont care to pay 300+ for a name like EMPI. :roll:

Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:28 pm

A stocker with a short throw kit, new rod bushing, and a urathane coupler can't be beat for the money.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:30 pm

After using several brands over the years in my drag bug, I will never again buy anything other than a BERG. By far the best shifter on the market and worth the money.

check out DEC 2001 Hot VW's page 63

Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:32 pm

a scat is not expensive and it has a very short shift pattern to get it into gear, i'd just suggest teh scat shifter

Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:36 pm

Berg,deano dynosoars or 30 year old hurst.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:58 pm

Gene Berg! If you do not have the money now how about one of those inexpensive quick shift kits (about $10) until you can save for a Gene Berg.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:37 pm

Miguel Arroyo wrote: Gene Berg! If you do not have the money now how about one of those inexpensive quick shift kits (about $10) until you can save for a Gene Berg.

And if you don't have the money now, it'll be even worse in a few years. Berg products (especially the shifter) seem to be appreciating in value just like to OG EMPI parts of yester-year. Berg locking shifter back in '95 retailed for $279, today's price is slightly over $400+ ouch!

Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:44 pm

I have a $50 EMPI shifter with the black ball and reverse lock out pull lever. For a street car it works like a dream. Replaced all the bushings with the stock shifter and it helped, but was still sloppy. Switched to the EMPI and for the type of driving I do could not ask for more. Don Jackson

Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:49 pm

Glenn, didn't you run a Hurst for over 450,000 miles? Must have been good enough for you then!
My preference is the Hurst Saf-T-Trigger shifter. One sold on eBay a couple of days ago for $62.
You can tighten up the slop in the Hurst (or the Tiawan copies) to improve their accuracy.
I've driven cars with Berg shifters and felt they were a bit too vague, so I modified a Hurst to work with a Berg 5 transmission. A friend of mine who has had a Berg shifter in his car for almost 10 years wants a Hurst 5 too. I know of a 3rd car getting a H5 shifter too.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:54 pm

Bruce wrote: Glenn, didn't you run a Hurst for over 450,000 miles? Must have been good enough for you then!

I ran a real Hurst shifter from 1980 to 1997, some 350,000 miles and it was great. When I got a Berg 5 tranny I had to use a Berg 5 shifter. Now with 16,000 miles with the Berg I can say is far superior.

Will I sell my old Hurst.... no way. I'll save it for a future project.

If money is an issue, stick with the stock or search the swaps for a real Hurst or Berg.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:23 pm

Monsterbeetle wrote: A stocker with a short throw kit, new rod bushing, and a urathane coupler can't be beat for the money.

amen!

Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:32 pm

Berg! Although as said above, a 30 year old Hurst is hard to beat.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:23 pm

i use my old hurst every day.. i sent my 60% berg to my son for his lummis tube chassis car. it has been in 7 beetles. :D