To shift, or not to berg, that is the Q
 

In the beginning I had plans of going with the Berg shifter because everwhere I read its regarded as the best there is. Now, I'm wondering what makes it (and others) better or worse than another shifter. If all the bushings are new and urethane, the shift rod is straight, and with a short shift kit wouldn't the stock shifter perform quite while? Is the issue that the stock shifter ball gets a little loose and contributes to the sloppines? Does a good shifter just mean a tight shifter in this case? Please show me the way! Comments which direct me to suck it up and just pay money for a berg or similar shifter are also accepted.. :laugh: I obviously don't a lot of experience driving vw's except for my van which every gear feels like neutral.

This is all assuming nobody cares about what their shifter looks like.

I bought a SCAT many moons ago, and consider it the best shifter out there. Short throws and very positive shifts. Berg is just as good (or better), but the Berg shifter have a slightly longer throw than a SCAT.

Lanner

I'm running a HURST and consider it to be the best out there. :p Short throw, tight, solid "notchy" gear engagement. Loved it at first shift!:D

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...9.jpg~original

Never tossed a Berg around.

Hi

Hi

The best cheap shifter is a type 3 stick with a quick shift kit, to fit one to later bugs you need to put a slot the front of the cup in your shift rod.

Berg shifters feel nice, very positive feel, nice short throw, but I can’t understand the reasoning for the T bar handle. Your either encouraged to leave your hand on the shifter or place your hand in the same spot all the time, no matter what gear your selecting.

I personally prefer a shifter a round or golf club shaped knob and use it like this,
1st gear I push it in with the cup of my palm on the rear of the knob
2nd gear I pull it back with the cup of my palm on top of the knob with fingers resting across the front of the knob and my thumb is pointing down.
3rd I push with the cup of palm on the left side of the knob, fingers resting around the front of the knob, thumb pointing to the front of the car, I use the same technique going into 4th but I tighten my finger grip slightly.

Maybe the T handle is a drag racing thing, its useful for drag racing as your only going up the gears and as drag racing has little in common with driving on the street, I prefer my gear knob to be round.

Steve

Thanks for the replies, I've never tried the T-handle but I think I would like the ball better and I think the ball looks better, just one mans opinion! Anyone have a csp shifter? They're looking pretty sweet and I've heard they're in the berg/scat quality range

I Prefer my knob to be round too:D

Yep, it stops your hand from slipping off:D

I have never like a "T" handle shifter or the Berg shifter, but that is me. I like the new CSP shifter and think it is head and sholders above the Berg. It also comes in round or "T" handle as well as straight or angle and 60% or 40% throw.

In my super i have a stock shifter with a aluminum short throw, new rod bushing, and urethane coupler. its nice.

in my baja i have a old scat with a sweet skull shift knob. Worn out rod bushing, and a new rubber coupler. I love it! Solid feel. every gear is firm!

I love shifting to 2 and 4 by grabbing the skull by the eye ball sockets, and 3 or down to 1 at a stop by smacking it in the back of the head!

The only negative comment I heard about the CSP shifters as compared to berg shifter was the boot on the CSP shifter makes it look cheap, which I kinda agree with.
The best mod I ever did to get better shifts was replace the gearbox mounts on my 74 super with earlier rear mounts and cradle. It tightened up incredibly.

Andy

I have run the empi trigger style before and will again, the style with the round ball and lift up ring. I think the main reason I like it is that it is sprung to 3rd/4th. Berg and CSP are certainly tighter but I definitely prefer the empi.
Rich

isnt the Empi trigger just a copy of the Original Hurst Trigger shifter?

I had an OG hurst shifter and I really loved it.... :agree:

That is hilarious... and awesome :laugh: