T56 Magnum Shifters

[dontlifttoshift]

What more could you want from a shifter?

[raustinss]

Looks ...price ....quality or is that all included in "awesome"

[dontlifttoshift]

Bah, details.

The stock Magnum shifter works fine, I think. The inability to keep the trans fluid inside the trans is what makes me crazy.

Bonus points to anyone that comes up with a shifter that doesn't leak _and_ has a manual reverse lock out.

[Sieg]

The problem I had was when running the shifter in the front position over the top of the gear. Without a baffle over that gear sealing will be a challenge.



I altered my '69 Camaro stock console to use the rear mount position and that neutralized the leak problems. With my NGR quick release steering hub and the rear shifter position the relationship is ideal for me.



The new generation of Hurst Blackjack shifters utilize this seal which I work with them on as the first shifter leaked like a sieve when mounted in the forward position.

Here's the new shifter seal:


Regarding the shifter itself, I haven't driven a car with better gate/throw shifter. Especially taking into account the length of the shift lever.

I also had an early version of the White Lightning and it leaked worse than the Hurst. It felt similar to the Hurst but I'd still give the Hurst the edge.

[Nitrous]

Do the Hurst and Whilte lightning actually shorten the throw much over the factory tremec shifter? Do they center harder with tighter springs or is it about the same?

Pretty bad these companies have to keep redesigning their shifter because they keep leaking. Figure it out BEFORE you put a product to market.

[raustinss]

I have two shifters ...im lost on how damn hard would it be to mill a small relief or groove around the perimeter to maintain either a gasket or silicone

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Nitrous

Do the Hurst and Whilte lightning actually shorten the throw much over the factory tremec shifter? Do they center harder with tighter springs or is it about the same?

Pretty bad these companies have to keep redesigning their shifter because they keep leaking. Figure it out BEFORE you put a product to market.

Throw is shorter. Reasonably firm spring tension.

The first Hurst was acceptable in the OEM (Tremec) shifter location.

Hurst was great to work with, they could have discontinued the product, personally I'm glad they didn't.

How many auto recalls has there been in the last 5 years?

Originally Posted by raustinss

I have two shifters ...im lost on how damn hard would it be to mill a small relief or groove around the perimeter to maintain either a gasket or silicone

There's so many factors that come into play, getting optimal mechanical function and tactile feel is a very fine line.

The optional forward shifter position over that gear that's slinging ATF with serious velocity really dictates the need for a mechanical baffle in the transmission IMO.

I'm glad I decided to build a shifter access plate as the 3 shifter changes I made would have required R&R of the trans.

[dontlifttoshift]

Originally Posted by raustinss

I have two shifters ...im lost on how damn hard would it be to mill a small relief or groove around the perimeter to maintain either a gasket or silicone

It doesn't leak there. It's the boot under the shifter that gets hard, cracks, and then it leaks through the shifter mechanism. Tremec will warranty at least one.

[Nwl3_21]

Originally Posted by Sieg

The problem I had was when running the shifter in the front position over the top of the gear. Without a baffle over that gear sealing will be a challenge.



I altered my '69 Camaro stock console to use the rear mount position and that neutralized the leak problems. With my NGR quick release steering hub and the rear shifter position the relationship is ideal for me.



The new generation of Hurst Blackjack shifters utilize this seal which I work with them on as the first shifter leaked like a sieve when mounted in the forward position.

Here's the new shifter seal:


Regarding the shifter itself, I haven't driven a car with better gate/throw shifter. Especially taking into account the length of the shift lever.

I also had an early version of the White Lightning and it leaked worse than the Hurst. It felt similar to the Hurst but I'd still give the Hurst the edge.

Looks good! How many more inches back does the shifter come through the tunnel?

[CarlC]

Back from the dead with some $0.02 worth....

I'm on the second set of lower seals (hence second shifter since it is not replaceable) for the T56 Magnum shifter after having made a simple modification that helped a bunch to stop leakage.

The lower seal cracked like every other one I've seen after having been run for a while. However, upon inspection of the new parts the boot is way over stretched to fit on the shifter shaft. This excessive hoop stress in the boot caused it to fail prematurely. The fix? Machine the shifter shaft to accept the boot bore with a more reasonable fit.



After three years the lower boot is still in good shape but a small amount of liquid still ended up above the lower boot but not leaking out of the top boot. With the shifter being rear mounted / not above the gear, I'm attributing this to a possible overpressure condition within the gearcase. So, two things to do: 1) Apply sealant to the bore of the boot and a small bead around the lower edge of the seal-to-shaft interface, and 2) Figure out how best to monitor the gearcase pressure. The as-supplied vent is not kinked, restricted, etc. A better venting system may be needed if on-track pressures are found to rise above atmospheric.

Has anyone tried the Bowler shifter with the Viper lower section?