[big matt]

In my 73 grand am, i have an inland tool
Shifter. Its sloppy and not worth a rebuild. Anybody know if its a direct swap to a hurst competition plus? Thanks.

[unruhjonny]

I am genuinely surprices that you have an ITM shifter.

I wonder if it was swapped out, because Pontiac was still using Hurst shifters at that time.

I would guess that it should be the exact shifter that a 1973 GTO or 1973-1975(?) Lemans would get.

Maybe put it out to the proper sub-forum;
I would guess that the A-body still used a different shifter assembly than the F-body - but if they were the same, you've got it made!

[Goatracer1]

Contact the shifter company directly and ask. I did that and they told me exactly what to use and it fit my console perfectly.

[unruhjonny]

I wouldn't advise that.

I contacted them directly ages ago when looking for the correct shifter bracket for my car.
They told me they had exactly what I needed - and I was excited about it;
Unfortunately what I ended up with was a useless paperweight.

This is what I paid for and had shipped:



At the time, I was not given any image of what they were selling, I was only given assurance that what they had "was exactly what you need".

Recently I realized that what they sold me is actually one part of a kit to convert a column shift to a floor shift, when there are no provisions for a shifter mount... generally marketed for an older three-on-the-tree truck. :/

I now know that what I needed would have been likely filed under working for a 1970 Z28 (as an example).

This is what I needed:



My experience taught me that they are only interested in selling.

It IS great that 'goatracer' got something that worked for him, but don't count on it working for you - and odds are they are only going to want to give you information pertaining to items t hey currently manufacture for sale.

[big matt]

I have read many '73 models used the inland shifter, with no option for a hurst. But in 74 went back to the hurst.

['ol Pinion head]

Start watching for a bare OEM Hurst 4 speed shifter from a '68, 69, 70-72, or '73 GTO.
Will need shifter rods & small levers from a '70-72 GTO or '70-74 Firebird Munce 4 speed.
These thicker style rods & levers are also reproduced (Inline Tube)

Last, remove the squigly chrome shift lever from your '73 Grand Am's Inland shifter & pop it into the OEM Hurst shifter asm. Will need an oem Pontiac A-body shifter mtg plate for '71-73 Pontiac A body.w Hurst 4speed. Shifter will need to be lubed & adjusted, instructions are in Pontiac Service manual.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by big matt

I have read many '73 models used the inland shifter, with no option for a hurst. But in 74 went back to the hurst.

oh - really!?

I am a member of 'Canadian Poncho' and I believe a member there has a very original (albeit restored?) 1973 GTO;
If no one here can help, maybe look up that forum.

Here's a link to his profile: LINK

[big matt]

This is one thread i read. https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...ht=Inland+tool

Kinda a bummer. I was hoping there would be a whole set i could buy as a one stop shop and install.

[Stuart]

I did some searching on the Hurst website as well as the Summit Racing website, and couldn't find a shifter application for a 1973 Grand Am. However, I was able to find a Competition Plus shifter application for a 1973 Chevelle, which used the same basic body shell and I assume the same transmission. It may be the case that the Grand Am was unusual enough that they don't list it, but it would be the same application as the Chevelle. Hurst has a technical support line at 1-866-464-6553, you could give them a call to discuss.

It's a totally different animal but I was able to get a Competition Plus shifter for my 1961 Bonneville, it was in stock at Summit and it fit perfectly. If they can provide a shifter for an oddball car like mine I'd think they would be able to do the same for yours.

[big matt]

Thank your Stuart. I will check it out

[unruhjonny]

what seems to confuse things, is that it appears the console had a role in the shifter used.

I recently came to realize that the 1968(?)-1972 Cutlass used the shame shifter body as the second gen Firebird (yup, you read that right);
This is a different shifter mechanism than the one used on the Pontiac A-bodies(!) - so even though these cars use the same floors, and the same transmissions, the shifters are different!
(I say that so that a Chevelle part isn't assumed to be correct - which doesn't mean it may work, but it also might not.)
The Cutlass/Firebird used a shifter mechanism which angled the shifter stick (chrome part), while the Pontiac A-body shifter mechanism has a straight section which accepts the shifter stick.

@ Matt;
Can you post pictures of the ITM shifter mechanism used on 1973-1974 Pontiac A-bodies?

Another issue is that the ITM chrome stick will not fit inside a factory Hurst shifter;
The ITM stick is (iirc) fatter than the sticks used in factory Hurst shifters.

I have an ITM second gen Firebird 3spd shifter here that I got off a member a number of years ago;
This would be the same stick used in ITM 4 speed shifters.
(I also have a stick (and rods, and I think levers) from a 3 speed "Iraqi-taxi" - if my memory serves me, the two ITM chrome stick bases are the same.)

[big matt]

Yep. When i get back to my shop in a couple days i can post some pics

[unruhjonny]

I found pictures, it looks like the GTO shifter is straight up like a 68-72 GTO shifter might be:

(you will probably need to have a facebook account to open the link properly)

LINK

From the ad:

Very rare 1973 Pontiac GTO factory ITM 4 speed shifter, Chrome "Console" shift handle, RARE "LIFT" for reverse knob, shifter mount plate and 1-2, 3-4 and R rods and lock-out reverse rod.
Handle is very rare 1973-74 Pontiac A-body Console only and has been triple show chromed.
Factory ITM 4 speed shifter has been totally rebuilt and lightly lubed. It has been professionally re-plated as new.
Muncie 4 speed transmission shifter rods 1-2, 3-4 and Reverse and lockout rods included. Shifter mount plate for Muncie 4 speed is also included.
I have TWO for sale. One has the original chrome shift handle the outer one does NOT include handle.
All show room fresh and ready to mount.
Price $950.00 and $700.00 respectively.