Currently I have a Hurst Comp performance shifter. I used to have a short stick as well...Kept missing 3rd. Took the short stick off and I think its a little better now. Honestly could the shifter be part of the problem w/ missing 3rd? Would a pro 5.0 be a lot better choice?

I think I got my hurst for like ~60 on ebay.

 

Could be your hand position as well. I swapped from stock Hurst to Pro 5.0 and didn't notice a change. Regardless of the shifter, if I ever missed third it was attributable to me not holding the shifter correctly.

 

When I switched from the stock shifter to the hurst compeition plus( I think it's called) I noticed a huge diffrence. I haven't missed third with the hurst since.

Ive heard similar tales with the pro 5.0

~Jim~

 

Good thread.. Or good first response at least..

I missed third a couple times since the H/C swap and it's made me VERY nervous.. Even with the better valve springs..

Hand position seems to make the most sense.. I was looking into a new shifter, but my trans is still pretty tight from the rebuild, there's a definite gate definition, but I could have been holding the shifter wrong causing my arm to naturally throw it back into first..

Maybe placing your hand on the top of the shifter instead of the right side, like what feels natural, may be the problem.. It's something to try at least.

 

1-2 shift palm facing your thigh
2-3 shift palm facing forward, fingers loose, don't try to steer the shifter let the springs in there do their job. This is the one that's hard because your consious mind wants to push the shifter over and into 3rd instead of letting the shifter work properly on it's own.
3-4 shift palm facing down, elbow away from your body slightly.

 

pick up a 5.0, you wont regret it.

 

So basically during the 2-3 shift their shouldn't be any side pressure coming from the left side of the shifter at all.?? If I just push straight up I know it will go back into 1st. I have been trying to rotate my hand palm after the 1-2 shift by tucking my elbow as far into my side as possible then pushing up. I missed 3rd a couple times and now Im scared as **** to shift into 3rd.

 

Practice in the car without it running.

God's honest truth in the 98SS with a Pro 5.0 or in the 03 'vette with the stock shifter if you do not influence the shifter sideways while shoving straight forward it will land in third.

 

Just pay attention to how your arm and elbow is positioned. You want your forearm to be pointing forward. If your elbow is out than you'll see your forearm developing an angle towards the left. Once you make sure your arm is in the correct position you'll feel what AL is talking about.

 

Ill try it out tonight or tomorrow in my 'test airfield strip'

 

I dont really do any of that stuff. I practice power shifting. Doing to properly is something only 1 out of 20 m6 guys can really do.

When i mean properly i mean where the nose of the car never falls. I still cant do it after having this POS car for 7 yrs.

 

THat works NICE! Using the hand position theory.. A tight transmission would also play a big part.. T56 Rebuilds FTMFW!!!