FrontEngineDragsters.Org Forum

Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: crider on August 20, 2016, 06:21:53 AM

Title: shifters
Post by: crider on August 20, 2016, 06:21:53 AM
I've started looking at shifters for my build. Just curious as to what some of you guys are using for powerglide shifters?
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: wideopen231 on August 20, 2016, 07:56:43 AM
check Neal & Parks thier tube shifter is pretty cool.I cheated and built my own.I don't suggest that because then you are thief and ripping Parks off even if you will not make one for anyone else.I know this too well.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 20, 2016, 09:25:30 AM
I like the precision shifter myself, but this question is sure to bring as many different responses as there are shifters.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: Pipe Dreams on August 20, 2016, 06:48:06 PM
Hurst quarter stick. Mounted where the pinion snubber used to on the 8 3/4 rearend.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: arush on August 20, 2016, 07:14:50 PM
I am using a Precision Shifter. Can be totally operated with just one hand and is only 3/4" wide.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: Oldschool on August 20, 2016, 07:28:26 PM
Percision shifter for me also. Great for small area's and easy operation.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: Draw 3D on August 20, 2016, 09:29:50 PM
I tried various brands and didn't like any of them, over priced and none of them fit MY needs, so I made my own, it's not that difficult:
(http://racing.conceptsengineering.com/images/FinishedShifter.jpg)
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: PSweeney on August 24, 2016, 05:28:37 AM
check Neal & Parks thier tube shifter is pretty cool.I cheated and built my own.I don't suggest that because then you are thief and ripping Parks off even if you will not make one for anyone else.I know this too well.

I also made my own, it's not as slim or lightweight as theirs but it activates park. It doesn't operate the same as theirs and is hard linked to shifter.  I don't see it as ripping anyone off unless it's for commercial gain and a blatant copy.

The piece N+P make is a nice piece, and I've since seen one in the UK after I made mine, but I simply couldn't afford to buy one when I had the ability to make one to my design and dimensions and which suited my needs, ie operates park, doesn't use a cable and is adjustable to give greater throw in the driven gears.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dusterdave173 on August 24, 2016, 07:05:08 PM
Frameworks is the gold standard--I will post a pic tomorrow--dedicated dragster shifter not made for years now but plenty of them made--it is the one that everybody wants--slim, light, works!
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: rooman on August 25, 2016, 04:43:25 AM
Unless the customer has a specific preference for something else I use the Precision unit in all my builds. Narrow, simple to mount and a quality piece that works.

Roo
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dreracecar on August 25, 2016, 09:28:01 AM
cant use those with a handbrake
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: 225digger on August 25, 2016, 10:53:48 AM
biondo racing sells the outlaw shifters , pretty thin and user friendly

those framework shifters where nice! if you can find one. i had one in the old quay dragster i had
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 25, 2016, 11:45:37 AM
cant use those with a handbrake

Can't use what with a hand brake?
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: Roger on August 25, 2016, 11:54:41 AM
For my new roadster I bought a Quarter Pro shifter. Small, thin, one handed operation, reasonably priced. Biondo and Malave Racing Components sell them. Had a Frameworks shifter in my last car and it worked well but took 2 hands with the reverse lock-out.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dreracecar on August 25, 2016, 12:44:17 PM
cant use those with a handbrake

Can't use what with a hand brake?

 If you run a Nostalgia dragster and use a hand brake , there is no room for a conventinal style shifter no matter how thin, and why I used a ratchet style between the drivers legs
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: Paul New on August 25, 2016, 02:51:04 PM
cant use those with a handbrake

Can't use what with a hand brake?

 If you run a Nostalgia dragster and use a hand brake , there is no room for a conventinal style shifter no matter how thin, and why I used a ratchet style between the drivers legs

I had my shifter mounted very similar to this with two rods attached one to shift the other to activate the reverse lock out when I had a powerglide in my car
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 26, 2016, 12:06:14 PM
cant use those with a handbrake

Can't use what with a hand brake?

 If you run a Nostalgia dragster and use a hand brake , there is no room for a conventinal style shifter no matter how thin, and why I used a ratchet style between the drivers legs

I guess I should tell the customer of mine that's been running a hand brake with a Precision shifter for 13 years, I'm sure he'd like to know.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dreracecar on August 26, 2016, 12:39:42 PM
Maybe your car is wider and your customer thin, My car is narrow and the driver fat
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 26, 2016, 01:56:47 PM
With a 20" hoop and a driver that nobody would describe as skinny it's pretty much a press fit. Right side hand brake and shifter, so nothing goofy going on there. 
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dreracecar on August 26, 2016, 02:50:02 PM
There will always somebody who will figure out a way of doing something, But my response was for the most part generally accepted practice.
  Being that you are so proud of your accomplishment, why dont you post a pic to show others how its done
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 27, 2016, 05:06:37 AM
There will always somebody who will figure out a way of doing something, But my response was for the most part generally accepted practice.
  Being that you are so proud of your accomplishment, why dont you post a pic to show others how its done


It's not so much about somebody figuring out how to do something as much as pointing out that a blanket statement like "can't use those with a hand brake" may lead some people to believe that there's some rule or regulation keeping them from doing what they'd like to do, not just that packaging is difficult.

As far as being proud of my accomplishment, I'm not even sure I'd call it an accomplishment it was so simple. Lot's of things I'm more proud of in my life.

 I'm not the type to "show others how it's done", but since I'll see him at the track this weekend I'll get a picture.

Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dreracecar on August 27, 2016, 09:01:41 AM
Looking forward to the picture
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: Scott Krieger on August 28, 2016, 03:54:48 PM
Precision Shifter here ;)
Same price last 32 years I know of. $200
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 29, 2016, 06:30:04 AM
And here it is.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: dreracecar on August 29, 2016, 09:06:18 AM
Looks good, and if it works for the driver---great
So far, everyone that I have fitted to their car, wanting a hand brake preferred a pull brake instead of a push as they could not get their arm/elbow back enough to gain leverage unless the handle was further forward precisly where the shifter is
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: fuel749 on August 29, 2016, 09:56:12 AM
He seems to like it and was dead set on this combination. Most of the cars I do with a handbrake have the lever pretty much even with the steering wheel. At least 75% of the handbrake cars have come back for a foot brake/right side shifter conversion.
Title: Re: shifters
Post by: PSweeney on September 07, 2016, 05:15:04 AM
really don't like the shift on the same side like that.  After he's fired the car in the lanes, how does he apply the brake when shifting into low, same with reverse on the burnout  I'll bet getting in and out the car is a pain too.

The low to high shift would feel odd to me, the brake handle returning against my hand which then has to move around the returning lever to shift forward into high, would just feel goofy to me