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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:57 pm    Post subject: Shifter Opinions. Reply with quote

What do you guys think of this? My shifter has no reverse lockout. Looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=922787
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bartman
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're gonna get a lot of hate about EMPI shifters. The internals aren't heat treated which usually ends up with the reverse lockout not working eventually.

I had an EMPI t-handle trigger shifter that wore out the lockout in about 25,000 miles. I'm presently running an EMPI fake Hurst that's working great after about 10,000 miles.

For that kind of money? eh, maybe. You'll probably get 50 dollars worth. Come up with another 75-100 and you can get a real Hurst. Then when you finally scrap that car you can install it into your new one

What are you running now? Stock shifter lockout plate is only a few bucks
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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a "INDY" shifter. Never heard of them and I don't believe it ever had reverse lockout. Love the action and short through but nothing is wors than missing second on a downshift and hitting reverse! Shocked
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

larryvance66 wrote:
nothing is wors than missing second on a downshift and hitting reverse! Shocked


OWWW Embarassed
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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Come on now, I'm seeing lots of hits but only one opinion. All I want to know is weather this is a junk Empi part or an OK one? Anxious
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baja5
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have the equivalent t shifter but it's Bugpack one. It works well. Nothing special but in an offroad car it's hard to poy up the big bucks for a Berg shifter. You should be fine as long as you get the plate and shifter adjusted properly.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

baja5 wrote:
I have the equivalent t shifter but it's Bugpack one. It works well. Nothing special but in an offroad car it's hard to poy up the big bucks for a Berg shifter. You should be fine as long as you get the plate and shifter adjusted properly.
i had the same bugpack in my ghia and it was decent. My berg in my baja has been around awhile and it still is a joy to drive. in particular shifting to reverse is easier than with the bug pack but never a miss shift. a stock shifter with a short shifter plate works nearly as good as the bugpack.
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bartman
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What kind of reverse lockout life y'all getting from those Bugpacks?

BTW, the Indy's made by Hurst
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Indy does indeed have a reverse stop to adjust, sounds like you are shifting it too hard.

I have had two of the EMPI shifters like your choice, and they do wear out quicker than expected. For a low buck up grade, I would pick the Bugpack Hurst rip-off shifter. I does have hardened steel lock peices and is only about $ 10.00 more than the EMPI tee handle.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i've got the same empi one in my car and it works fine. as long as you spend the time adjusting it, it is great. don't just slap it in and expect it to be perfect right off the bat. i drive my car every day and have had it for the past 2 years and i'm still using the same shifter i bought when i first built my car. only thing i've ever done is lube the pivoting part and re-polish it. works great
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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Indy shifter has no trigger and does not move up and down like a stock shifter. If it had a lockout how would it have worked? Could I possibly just need to adjust it or get a new shift plate?
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scat Dragfast,,love mine
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

larryvance66 wrote:
My Indy shifter has no trigger and does not move up and down like a stock shifter. If it had a lockout how would it have worked? Could I possibly just need to adjust it or get a new shift plate?


They have a heavy spring loaded bolt that prevents the shifter from coming to far over to the left engaging reverse. The shifter has to be shoved to the left to get far enough over to engage reverse. Either the spring loaded bolt needs adjusted to keep the shifter from coming over too far or you are useing too much force and overcoming the spring.

Even in road racing, fingertip pressure is all that is needed to shift a VW tranny quickly up or down through the gears if the tranny is in decent shape, the shift rod bushing is good and coupler is good. The shifter should never be gripped in a vice-like grip and strong armed into a gear.
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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the replys! Looks like I can't go wrong considering the cost. I'll take a closer look at my shifter first and see if it can be repaired. There is NO spring tension keeping it from reverse! Crying or Very sad
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tanner_122
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i have that cheapo bugpack t handle shifter i love it
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special-k
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you think you could post a pic of your Indy shifter? I have one that works the same way and I'm curious what the Hurst looks like.
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STOICH
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bartman wrote:
You're gonna get a lot of hate about EMPI shifters. The internals aren't heat treated which usually ends up with the reverse lockout not working eventually.

I had an EMPI t-handle trigger shifter that wore out the lockout in about 25,000 miles. I'm presently running an EMPI fake Hurst that's working great after about 10,000 miles.

For that kind of money? eh, maybe. You'll probably get 50 dollars worth. Come up with another 75-100 and you can get a real Hurst. Then when you finally scrap that car you can install it into your new one

What are you running now? Stock shifter lockout plate is only a few bucks


I have the expensive Gene Berg shifter (came with the car)... Have had many of the Empi shifters in the past... Cannot say that the Berg shifter is any better than the Empi shifters... have always had good enough luck with the empi/bugpack shifters... The thumb trigger shifters are difficult to install, but stay tuned for long periods of time. I have found the scat/empt trigger shifters are much easier to install, however the reverse lock-out nub will eventually wear off, allowing mis-shifting from 3rd to reverse. I have been able to drill this nub out, and replace with a 10mm bolt as a fix tho... just my 0.02$ For the $$ I would probably go with the Trigger shifter again due to ease of install
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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Update: Took a hard look at the shifter with out the boot and realized there is an adjustment bolt for reverse lockout. Shocked Made the adjustment and it works like new. Laughing There is NO wear on the lockout mechanism making me think the PO never had it right for the life of the shifter.
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad you found it and got it fixed!
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larryvance66
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, Joe, your advice was nutz on! Thank You! I'm stoked to be able to downshift with confidence. Laughing
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