69 Z shifter

[jdv69z]

Received it today, and it's just like the picture, levers already attached to the rods, shifter and ball installed, and no as bushings, as you guessed. I was surprised to see it's already half assembled. I can't believe $100 justifies bushings and rods that are probably 1/16" to 1/8" larger diameter, if they are different? I like what I see so far.

[X33RS]

That says a lot and explains why there is a price difference.  Now we know.  I appreciate the feedback.  If you're happy I may go with it.  Please let me know after install how you like it.

[jdv69z]

The rods do use use nylon bushing where they attach to the shift body levers, just like the competition plus. But not on the levers attached to the trans. Not sure if this is identical to competition plus?

[X33RS]

The other Comp Plus' that I have here all use bushings on both ends.  They come with plastic but I always switch those out for bronze.   So it does sound like there is a difference.  Odd that they charge another $100 just for that.

I'm willing to bet you can drill the levers for the trans to accept the outside diameter of the bushings.  The inside diameter already slides onto the rods, they just don't fit into the levers on the trans without drilling.  That's how the original OEM shifter is on my Z.   I'm just reluctant to drill on the factory stuff.  But I wouldn't hesitate to drill on the aftermarket kit     So even though they don't have bushings on the trans levers, it wouldn't take 5 minutes to correct that and saves $100 from buying the other Comp Plus....Just a thought.

I hope that explanation above made sense.
  Just to add to this, I'm sure you're aware, the factory OEM doesn't use any bushings on either end.  The shifter housing end has impregnated rubber for the rods which even when in good shape will still give a mushy feel.  That's part of what my wife is complaining about.   Even modifying bushings to fit the OEM shifter without modifying the shifter in any way was a lost cause.

[JoeC]

I wonder if the cheep rods are heat treated
The Hurst rods are heat treated (toughened) to resist bending

[Kelley W King]

I have drilled a lever for a back up switch. If they are like mine was they do not drill well.

[BillOhio]

I think I read the made in China reverse rods are not heat treated

[Stingr69]

Comp plus rods are lighter in weight than GM OEM rods.  They worked fine in many cars for many years.

None of the Hurst parts are easy to drill. Very hard stuff.

[X33RS]

Yeah it's hard stuff.  I wasn't drilling my OEM stuff though.  What I was doing was taking bronze bushings and sticking them on the lathe to widdle the OD down to fit the OEM size holes in the levers. They fit the rods fine.  Problem was that they get pretty thin, plus you're still dealing with impregnated rubber at the shifter body, so it turned into being a lot of effort with little gain.  Not to mention there still isn't stop bolts.   

This is what got me onto those 2 shifters offered earlier in this thread.  I got lucky that it just so happens Jimmy is trying one.

[jdv69z]

I am revising my info on the repro Hurst shifter. There are bushings between the linkage rods and the levers which mount to the trans, and they are metal. The levers are plated as are the bushings, so I missed them initially.

[X33RS]

Jimmy, different thread, lol, but I really appreciate the feedback on that shifter.  Please keep me posted when installed, I'd love to hear your feedback on shifter feel, tightness, precision etc...  Thanks.

[jdv69z]

I would think they would be heat treated for hardness and thus wear resistance. That's why you have such a tough time drilling them. Not sure have much increased bending strength heat treating adds?

[BULLITT65]

Heat treating can make a big difference in both. Also they may not use tool steel for the Chinese rods, but I bet Hurst is. It takes quite a bit to bend/drill tool steel.
But remember you can always use more heat to get the bend you want/need.

[jdv69z]

I am revising my info on the repro Hurst shifter. There are bushings between the linkage rods and the levers which mount to the trans, and they are metal. The levers are plated as are the bushings, so I missed them initially.

Oops! Wrong again. No bushings, they are flat washers. I took them apart to grease them. The clearances are pretty tight though.

[JoeC]

do they have round holes in the forward levers or the notched hole ?

The original levers have a notched hole to accept the molded on rubber bushing.

From what I have seen some original levers have the rubber and some don't but all had a notched hole to accept the molded on rubber bushing.