There are many companies in the automotive aftermarket that manufacture high-quality pieces for Mustangs. Over the years, the name Hurst has come to define bolt-on gear selectors for cars with manual transmissions. Yes, sticks—including shifters for operating the five- and six-speed trannys found in '83-to-present Mustangs—have been Hurst’s bread-and-butter product for what seems like forever.
We’ve certainly installed several Hurst shifters over the years, each time explaining the benefit of making such an upgrade (shorter throws, solid in-gear feeling, billet construction). This is especially true if you drive your Pony hard on the street or at the track. The all-new Mustangs definitely were designed for flogging. However, despite the introduction of six-speed manual transmissions (Getrag MT-82) in both of the '11-'12 'Stangs, the OEM shifter attached to said tranny takes a lot away from truly enjoying a gear-grabbing driving experience.
Similar to stock shifters of the past, factory units in the newest ’Stangs stand out as parts that are truly compromised. The stamped-aluminum stockers have a general tendency to feel loose (despite being securely bolted to the transmission) as you’re shifting through the gears, and do not offer the positive, solid feeling of engagement that most enthusiasts want from the manually shifted transmissions.
Hurst’s Billet/Plus series has long been the answer for late-model Mustangs' shifter issues, and the tradition continues with the recent release of Hurst’s latest offering, a Billet/Plus (PN 3910204; $357.50) for '11-'12 Ponies. Today’s shifter, officially called Billet/Plus 2, features a billet-aluminum base and spherical pivot ball for firm-but-smooth shifts, and it reduces shift throw by approximately 27 percent. Here in Tech Inspection is the perfect way to introduce it to the Mustang Nation.
Watching Ricardo Topete going through the install motions on Jeff Koenig's new 5.0 harkens back to the old days of bolting Hurst's short-throw to the T-5 gearbox of Fox Mustangs. Only basic tools are necessary; due to minor wiring, this job needs about two hours to finish.
The Hurst Billet/Plus 2 shifter...
The Hurst Billet/Plus 2 shifter system (PN 3910204; $357.50) comes nicely bundled in this compact package. We dig the unit’s simplicity, which makes installation a job that most mechanically adept enthusiasts should be able to do.
After removing the Mustang’s...
After removing the Mustang’s center console, and the stock shifter's boot and insulator pad, Ricardo Topete of GTR High Performance starts this swap effort by unbolting and removing the flimsy factory six-speed shifter. A 10mm socket is required for this, and only three of the four bolts are accessible from the top position. Once the shifter is removed, Ricardo raises the 'Stang and takes out the stock rear shifter support from below. With the support gone, the final shifter-mounting bolt is more accessible and can be removed from below or inside the cabin.
Removal steps are reversed...
Removal steps are reversed when installing the new Hurst piece. (Check out how stout the shifter assembly looks compared to the stocker shown in the previous photo.) However, before setting the shifter in position, its lower pivot ball must be greased (a tube of lubricant is supplied), and the OEM plastic bushing cup for the pivot ball must be installed on the Billet/Plus 2.
A polyurethane rear bushing...
A polyurethane rear bushing replaces the OEM rubber piece. The bushing fits in the stock bracket, and Hurst supplies three small zip-ties to keep it in place when reinstalling the bracket on tunnel studs below the car.
Hurst provides two upper-stick...
Hurst provides two upper-stick handles with the Billet/Plus 2 shifter for '11-'12 Mustangs. The black handle (right) replicates a 'Stang's OEM handle and uses the stock shift knob; the chrome upper stick (left) accepts a classic Hurst ball-style shift knob. We chose the latter for Jeff's Pony. When installing either handle, a rubber isolator is sandwiched between the handle and the lower stick attachment. A pair of Hex screws is used to secure the new shift lever, and a 7⁄32-inch wrench is required for tightening.
The new stick shift's design...
The new stick shift's design warrants the need for a boot support that helps maintain the shifter boot's shape once it is reinstalled around the Hurst handle. The chrome stick also requires removing the OEM boot collar, which actually is a somewhat tedious procedure (Ricardo uses a razor blade to cut it out), so having a good amount of patience is helpful and necessary.
The chrome stick and round...
The chrome stick and round ball combination proved to be a great look in Jeff's Pony. The new shifter transforms shifting from soft to solid in a new 'Stang, as gear engagement is a lot more positive and much, much smoother for both upshifts and downshifts.
Unlike stock MT-82 shifters,...
Unlike stock MT-82 shifters, the Hurst piece doesn’t require drivers to push down on the shift handle in order to access Reverse. While the Reverse position remains to the left of First gear, the Billet/Plus 2 features a spring-loaded, Reverse lock-out function that eliminates the need to push down on the shifter to unlock the Reverse gate.
An LED Reverse-gear warning...
An LED Reverse-gear warning light is included with the kit (wiring is tapped into the 'Stang's Reverse-light circuit; the light can be installed along the A-pillar for easy view), and the light illuminates whenever Reverse is selected.