With so many new cars equipped with automatic transmissions, the performance market is one of the last strongholds for manual-trans loyalists. Fans of the Arrowhead can rejoice in experiencing the thrill of banging gears with the modern T56 six-speed manual transmission in the '04-'06 GTO or late-model Firebirds. Though they have a world-class transmission, the stock shifter was not designed for the performance-minded driver, but rather for leisurely gear shifting.
In order to reduce the likelihood that the shifter might make noise, both the GTO and Firebird shifter handles came packaged in a rubber encasement. The flexible rubber eliminated any potential noise, (thus satisfying the noise/vehicle-harmonics gods), but in the process, created a "spongy-feeling" shifter. Much like a rubber suspension bushing, the rubber encasement breaks down over time, allowing the shifter to deviate even farther from its intended flight path. Combine the spongy shift action with long shifter throws, and one begins to wonder if an old '54 Pontiac sedan with a manual three-on-the-tree might have a more positive shift action.
Here, the aftermarket has stepped up to meet the needs of the performance-minded driver. According to Lou Salzano of LS Concepts, "After purchasing a '98 F-body, I wanted to do something to eliminate the long throw and spongy action of the shifter. Rather than going out and buying an aftermarket shifter, I went about eliminating the two major problems of the stock shifter: the long shifter throws and the spongy action. Dubbed 'Lou's Short Stick,' I designed a shifter stick that would fit in place of the stock shifter handle. Lou's Short Stick (LSS) bolts directly to the stock shifter stem and eliminates the rubber encasement while shortening the handle by 2 inches on the Firebird. The shifter throws were reduced by 20 percent, effectively giving the stock shifter the feel of an aftermarket piece, for $50. Additional models followed to cover applications including popular aftermarket shifters such as the Hurst, Pro 5.0, and SLP models.
"When the GTO was introduced, the factory shifter suffered from the same deficiencies. After examining the factory shift handle, I tested several lengths and bends until arriving at the product that was released. Overall, the GTO shift handle checks in at 5 inches long, or just a bit over 111/42 inches shorter than the factory offering. The LSS was curved slightly more to the driver's side, placing it in the optimal position for short, precise throws. Overall, these shifter throws were reduced by just over 20 percent also. Although the shifter handle is not compatible with the GTO's shift knob, there are myriad shifter-ball choices available to the GTO owner now that the standard Firebird M16x1.50 thread size is used."
Follow along as we install an LSS on an '04 GTO owned by Paul Foster, a senior custom painter at DuSold Designs of Lewisville, Texas. The subject car is stock other than an '05 hood and logs close to 100 miles a day traveling to and from work on the clogged arteries in and around Dallas, Texas. Installation of the shifter was performed by Paul at DuSold Designs.
Conclusion - Owners of late-model GTOs or Firebirds who want to improve the shifting ability of their cars have an alternative in the LSS. Installation was accomplished in less than 30 minutes, and according to Foster, "The shift action of the stock GTO shifter has been significantly improved. Throws are greatly reduced and are equivalent to the aftermarket shifter that I installed in my '00 Formula. Although some hobbyists may want to retain the stock GTO shift knob, I have never been more comfortable shifting than with a classic Hurst white-ball. Trying to shift quickly from Second to Third gear with the stock shifter was very difficult as the key to quick shifts is to get your palm behind the shifter and slam the shifter forward. The stock shift knob is designed to be placed in gear by a hand grip as opposed to the palm, and after a hard shift or two, my stock shifter developed a rattle. Long shifter throws and an annoying rattle are eliminated with the LSS, and the more precise shifter action makes my GTO more pleasurable to drive."
For owners of T56-equipped Goats and Birds who are on a budget, the LSS could be your ticket to smoother more precise gear engagement and possibly some lower e.t.'s.
Recommended Tools: Phillips screwdriver, 10mm wrench, 13mm wrench71/48-inch-deep socket, 71/48-inch wrench or adjustable wrench, Wire cutters or razor blade
Recommended Parts And Supplies: Tie wraps, Thread-locking compound
