Car Product Reviews: Hurst Short Shifter for the Acura Integra

There are many rewards that coming with driving a manual transmission car. Of course, one of the most recognizable is the feeling of coming up on a winding country road and throwing the car up and down through the gears; navigating corners and straight-aways with expertise and skill. Of course, there are other reasons that many choose to drive a manual. Some may like the increased gas mileage, better control, or the increased efficiency while driving. However, for whatever reason, those who drive manual cars are often hooked by them, and will prefer them infinitely over an automatic. With that in mind, there are several products on the market that are designed to make driving stick an even more enjoyable experience, and certainly one of the best out there is the Hurst Short Shifter, designed for the Acura Integra.

Anyone who has ever driven a Honda or Acura is probably aware that the manual transmission already have a great feel to them. Thus, to say that a product really does make a great difference in shifting and control is certainly a compliment. Of course, there are no shortage of short shift products available for the Integra, and it is important to analyze the Hurst unit in this context.

Right away, the thing that many will like about the Hurst is the fact that it falls directly in the middle in terms of price. There are units of virtually every price available for the Integra, ranging from ten dollar eBay specials all the way up to "specialized" units in excess of $150. However, often times in the automotive world, price equates with quality, and while it is not necessary to overspend, when it comes to something as important as your transmission, it is important that the best product available be purchased. Even though the Hurst model may not be at the top of the price range, it falls right in line along several of the more expensive units, and cuts the shift distance roughly the same amount as units costing twice the price.

With that in mind, let us consider how the Hurst shifter actually feels when it has been installed. It should be mentioned that installation itself is a breeze, and the Hurst goes in without any struggle or frustration. Of course, like many units out there, the Hurst does not actually lower the height of the shifter, and the best bet for this is either hacking off the lever (not recommended) or purchasing a shift lever adjuster (which can be a major headache). Regardless of height though, one can really feel the difference after the shifter has been installed.

The test model Integra, a 1998 GS-R, already had a snappy shift when the Hurst was installed, but the product did nothing but improve the driving experience in almost every way. The distance between every gear has been greatly reduced. The car absolutely flies from third to fourth, and the feel of the shifter is just incredible. The shifting feels much firmer and much more precise. While the better feel alone would be worth the price, the incredible (40%!) reduction in shift distance makes the Hurst short shifter a product that can barely be avoided.

For those who own a third generation Acura Integra, whether it be a RS, GS, or GS-R, and are looking for a short shifter that fits their car and does it job without costing an arm and a leg, the Hurst may very well be one of the best and most accessible products out there. It is highly recommended and is sure to increase the performance and enjoyability of any stick shift Acura.