there is a huge difference between the cheap factory shifter and the factory installed Hurst, although they use the same stick which has a rubbber bushing in the base and that makes it very sloppy...but a short stick eliminates this making the shifter very solid. i have some pics on my webpage.

the pro5.0 is very stiff and quite solid. i test drove a car with it and actually didn't like it. it was actually too stiff, hard to get into gear. after driving an M6 for over 2 years with a hurst/short stick combo i was having trouble finding gears with the pro5.0

 

Pro 5.O with 'Lou's Short Stick'

 

I guarantee that if this thread keeps going like all of the other "what is the best shifter" threads, the general consensus will be that the Pro 5.0 is the best.

 

I agree. FWIW i have the Pro 5.0 and wouldn't take anything else. I've driven with stock, hurst, B&M, and some with a short stick. The Pro 5.0 is the only real shifter out there IMO. Real solid and i've never had to hunt for gears under any situation. And i've been beating the crap out of it and it's still as solid as the day i got it.

 

i'm about to buy a 99 SS, and it's a M6, is there any way to tell if there is a diff shifter in it? I think it's stock, (Bent above the boot, and round handle) but is there any way to tell for sure, or does this sound like the stock one?

 

that sounds like stock, i think the hurst equipped units came with the hurst shift ****.

to tell for sure, pull the consol and remove the small rubber boot along the base, if the base of the shifter that bolts to the trans is stamped steel it's stock, if it is 1/8th inch plate steel it's the hurst