My shift pattern is wrong

[jjorgensen52]

So the GT currently has a standard Vette gearshift insert, which is 6 speed with reverse in the upper right. I need it to be a 5 speed with lower right reverse.

Any ideas on how I can change the pattern over? The insert has the letters actually cast into it (but flush with the surface). Can I just use a decal of some sort? I was thinking of having the insert engraved with the right pattern and then recoloring it (or potentially use the automatic button for the same thing). The other option is that they make aluminum insert cover plates, I am going to find out if they could do one for my 5 speed. Yeah :lol:

 

[AUSyTyIN]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Leave it like it is to confuse people.

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Leave it like it is to confuse people.

I don't need anyone trying to shift my truck into 6th on the highway... I really can't afford two tranny grenading monsters :lol:

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

buy the correct knob cheap ass

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

buy the correct knob cheap ass

Find me a 5 speed 1992 corvette shift knob and I'll buy it ... I looked for about 3 weeks with no luck. The knob doesn't matter anyway it's only the pattern insert

 

[hatrik8]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Can't adapt a 5 speed shift knob? I had a s10 w/ a 5 speed knowb

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Can't adapt a 5 speed shift knob? I had a s10 w/ a 5 speed knowb

I suppose I should have mentioned, I'm trying to stay with what would be the correct knob if the trucks had ever come like this. It has a leather wrapped C4 knob identical to the automatic installed on it. I suppose I could pull the pattern out of the 5 speed knob which I have laying around someplace.

 

[George Blake]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Can you use something like this and mod it? It was the first site I came to:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/pro...alse&mscssid=C4DECCBC7288402CB7B11715FDBB6D57
Call them. I bet they can find something for you.

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

That is what I had intended to do, but I purchased the cover and the reverse is actually on the upper right, for what reason I do not know
I purchased Eckler's part A7730, which shows this

But is actually this

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

put a 6 speed into it, or get a hurst knob

 

[George Blake]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

I called the people in the link I posted and they said that the shift pattern on the one you got is WRONG. They do not shift that way. The pic on their website is how it's supposed to be and how it will come with R DOWN on the right. Ecklers should not be selling those like that. I'd send it back and get a refund. The guy would not tell me who they were using to make those buttons. They are aftermarket. Now if you want something neat, send Ecklers the messed up one back and order the one from Zip and then have the gentleman on here that is forming the cladding and have him form you up a button and block off the 6 . His process is a PERFECT cast process and the piece is small so it may be no big deal for him to do. Do a search in projects for cladding and you'll see some examples of what he did. Corvette never came with a 5 speed and that kind of shifter so what you have is very unique. Pretty cool. If you ask some F body guys, there may be more people that want the buttons and it may be something worth having him make several of.

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

I am going to contact Eckler's concerning the pattern... those things aren't cheap. I think what I might do next is try my hand at making a custom insert using the correct pattern and the broken auto button from the GT as a template. I'm going to continue mulling it over in the meantime, so any more suggestions are welcome :tup:

Oh, and Ken, if I wasn't trying to get the factory look I would have used the s10 knob and called it a day :lol:

EDIT:

Either just doing one in this style

Or a little more custom

I have some experience using a 2 layer polyster casting process, and that's what I was thinking of doing, so I can just use either a printed pattern, something simple, and then cast it under a 1/16" layer of acrylic in the insert itself. If I can figure out a feasible mold method that is what I'll try next

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Well, good news is that Eckler's is going to send me the right part free of charge, but it is backordered for a week. Oh well, the truck won't be moving for a while anyway. So now it's just a matter of covering up the 6 and I am all good.

 

[fronzo]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Looks good, is that a custom console or did SGTs come with a stick? I was thinking of doing something similar with my S10's T56.

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

Looks good, is that a custom console or did SGTs come with a stick? I was thinking of doing something similar with my S10's T56.

None of the SyTySoGT's were ever equipped with stick. My goal with this project (aside from having a stick shift to drive :lol: ) was to make as close to what it would have been if they ever had made one. So that is an original modified console plate and I used a standard front console bracket from an S10 to secure the console in place. The shifter is custom made from an S10 T-5 shifter, and the tranny itself (to get the shifter in the right place) is a T-5 with an f-body tail housing and custom tranny mount. The knob and boot (and the shift pattern which is the subject of the thread) are all off the shelf C4 parts

I believe that your T56 shifter (depending on what it came out of) will be roughly 1 - 2" further back than the T-5's is. If you have the earlier LT1 T56, you could make a custon shifter to fit but for the LS1 T56 I don't think you can use a console without modding the tranny (Like Rob Lone's truck)

Essentially, this is what I am going to end up with when they get me the right part

 

[SY2455]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

:rotf: All this work and you plan on selling at the end of summer, You're nuts. :rotf: How is the truck running with the lighter flywheel? The reason I asking is this. My daughter is getting a 88 S-10 4.3 with the lighter flywheel and I thinking of changing it out for the heavy flywheel, but would rather leave the lighter flywheel in.:dunno:

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: My shift pattern is wrong

I haven't driven the truck yet, but I have run it and she runs real smooth. Hopefully I will be able to take it for a spin around the street this weekend, and I can have more insight on that.

As for the work... this is nothing compared to the Ty.... heck, I haven't even owned this truck 6 months yet and it's already 3/4 done ... We'll see about selling it, but that is the plan right now