16 replies to this topic

[Hemi57]

When I first got my Challenger back in Dec of 2010 I had not driven a std transmission car in years. But, in a matter of a few weeks I was back in the saddle. I never really liked a pistol grip shifter stick and soon swapped it out for a MOPAR version.

Stock



MOPAR



Install took 20 mins tops. Just pop off the boot bezel, take out 2 bolts, swap the shifter sticks in boot with a new tie wrap, bolt in back in and snap the bezel in. The shorter throw was OK but the whole shifter was still sloppy.

Next came the Hurst. I read a lot about and thought it is was way over priced especially when you had to add Larry's mod. But, I was able to pick up one off the net that was hardly used and saved a few $$. I sent it to Larry for the upgrade as I didn't want to install it more than once. So, I never got to evaluate the non mod'd version. The install took a couple of hours as you have to disassemble the console. Not a real big deal, just takes a little time. The shifter comes out with a 10mm and 13mm wrench, plus a couple of pins. After you look at the stock and the Hurst there is an obvious difference.

Stock/Hurst





After the install I was not real please with the over all feel. It was noisy, transmitted every sound made in the tranny to inside of the car, vibrated etc. I looked at all the fixes that were floating around the web and said to my self... Self it ain't worth tearing it apart to add Dynamat, rubber washers, the stock rubber rear mount and silicone to the shifter ball. One other thing was the long shifter stick. I was used to the short MOPAR version and decided to install the HURST version.



Long



Short



I drove it this was for about 3 years. I just got use to the noise and other things. But, when the Barton came I heard good reviews and how well built it was. So, when one came up for sale I jumped on it. Mine came with the Barton Flat Stick and a set BALLS (1 white and 1 black). Again the install was just a repeat of the Hurst install.

Hurst parts removed



Barton parts installed





Note - The rear support block is on backwards (mock up for photos)







The stick is adjustable left and right depending personal tastes. The stick is spring loaded so it returns to center when pulled out of gear. So, it takes a bit of getting use to for 1st/2nd and 5th/6th. Other than that it is quiet and mine shifts like butter.

[Knownman]

Nice write up.

How do you feel about the height now? Pics look like its taller than the long hurst was.

[Hemi57]

The height of thr shifter is about the same as the short Hurst. I like it.

[TA340]

Nice write up. Ordered the Barton today. Should have it installed this weekend. Maybe now I will be able to speed shift with more confidence.

[KeavDog]

Man that looks beefy. 

I loved the hurst upgrade - that stock shifter is like a dildo compared to the hurst.  If I still had my challenger I'd give that barton a try.

Looks really nice.  That tail support will help a lot on road course stuff in finding the right gear when the suspension is all bound up.

[us1champ]

i also have a barton and i used the mopar short throw shifter like you have pictured.  works real nice

[Kyle M]

Dale - I am glad you finally got around to installing the Barton.  "Came with a set of Balls"  LMFAO.  Glad it is also meeting all of your expectations.  It really is an awesome piece of equipment. 

[Knownman]

I'm getting used to mine now.

I think the height is 1" taller than the Hurst thou. Barton sent me a new blade shifter, which is pretty kind of them, but I have yet to install it. I'm hand polishing it but wanted to take down the tooling marks first.

I'm thinking about removing 3/4" from the post to keep it as low as possible. Right now the shift knob is pretty parallel with my arm when I'm seated and resting on the arm rest. I'll shoot some pics if I ever wrap it up.

[Sickrbpcp]

Still glad for new options but that said still would probably go with Hurst/short handle/Larry's mod for three reasons, height weight and speed of shifts, hopefully someone will bring a Barton's installed car to LSMF4 and we can do a "shift off",just get them together and have someone say "go" see who gets thru 1-2-3-4 fastest my money is on my Hurst, so bring your balls and we will compare balls/shafts and times. This is the one time it will pay to come....err go off faster, !

[Hemi57]

Updates.....

 

1) I had a small fitment problem with the rubber gasket  that fits in the metal trans tunnel cover. So, before posting any info I decided to call Barton. I talked to Joe and here is what he had to say.

 

I have the early version of the shifter. In order to get the shifter stick centered like the stock version or the Hurst version with their design they had cant the center section towards the drivers side. This coupled with the slight offset in the rear mount only allowed about 1/4" between the shifter and the tunnel cover. Now if I reverse the rear mount I will gain some room as it will move the shifter to the right. I was able to mod the rubber seal to make it work. So, for now it stays as is. Joe, said if I wanted to fixed he would send a new rubber gasket. Pretty cool considering I am the 2nd owner.

 

2) Well I went out and did a bit of measuring. Barton has bigger BALLS the Hurst. The Barton shifter ball is 2" in diameter and the Hurst is just a shade over 1.75". The Hurst short stick with the ball attached is 7.5" tall from the bottom of mounting holes. The Barton is 6.5" from the base to the ball. But, the Hurst mounts to the side of the center section, where as the Barton Flat stick mounts above the center section. Now if you use the MOPAR stick on the Barton you about equal to the Hurst. Technically you can use the stock pistol grip or the MOPAR stick in the Hurst. But, I when I tried it the MOPAR stick was to thick to fit in the slot on the Hurst. Therefore I would have had to put on the grinder to make it fit. The Barton has some adjustablity to cant the stick left or right, where as the Hurst you have to physically move it to the opposite side of the center section to change position.

[Knownman]

Good info.

I have the Mopar short throw in mine both with the Barton now, and before with the Hurst. That's how I know the height is different.

The blades are definitely different lengths from the two manufacturers. It's the spring loaded mechanism on the Barton which is physically taller from the console than the Hurst.

I never trusted the side mounting option with the pistol grip. And I did remove some meat on the short throw to fit the Hurst.

[Knownman]

SO maybe I won't be shortening the length of this!

 

Guess I understand why it is a 75$ upgrade....

 

 

[Sickrbpcp]

SO maybe I won't be shortening the length of this!

Guess I understand why it is a 75$ upgrade....

First-I am/was nicknamed Sicki because they couldn't remember my real name Mark, and have a real 180* to "normal" sence of humor. That said the sight of Uhh-Orings in this unit have made me almost bust a gut in laughter, CYA!!!

[TA340]

Got the Barton installed tonight. Very nice shifter and was a piece of cake to install. Can't wait to speed shift this bad boy now.

[El Diablo]

Anyone have a link to where they bought their Barton shifter ?

 

After doing numerous searches I found nothing, of course right after I posted the above I found the link the very next try.

[Hemi57]

Kenny, I got mine from forum member.

[Sickrbpcp]

Bartonindustries.com is their site, they have $25 off sale going on now for both options, NP.