Todays Mod/Hack;B & M Clone SSK
 

Well I decide to give it a shot,the B & M clone Short Shifter Kit. It took me about 4.5 hours because I go slow to make sure everything is done right and I detailed the center console since it was out. Alright my observations about the install;

~Top Speed the company that basically stole B & M's design, installed the shaft backwards. Simple fix,just remove the nut and flip it and TADA it's the same as B & M!

~It came with an extra nut and screw that are useless,it can even make the install harder. If you tighten both sets of nuts and screws you can end up putting the threads for the washer impossible to reach,so just put one set to the side at install.(The B & M instruction manual only uses one set as seen in their installation manual) I had one heck of time trying to loosen and remove the extra nut resulting in me scratching and scraping up the shifter,but it's metal so scratches don't do anything to it.

~It's pretty straight forward,no special tools are needed.

Thoughts about the feel/driveability;

~I was told the throws are reduced by only 30-35% but it feels like 50-75%. When I first started driving and I went to shift I thought it put it in nuetral but it was second,that's how far it is reduced.

~Some say it feels "notchy" and that is true,it also feels like the gearshift hits a wall when you hit the gear you are going for. I only find it notchy in 1st-2nd & 2nd-3rd all the other shifts feel really smooth like the stock shifter. I noticed that it's a little more of a pain to get into reverse.

~AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING NONE OF THAT MATTERED I STARTED TO ADJUST TO IT AND I LOVE IT! IT GROWS ON YOU QUICK! :D

I will be sure to take it out again and see if I have the same opinoin but I'm sure I will.

Here are some pictures,1.the SSK on arrival,2. removed the center console about to remove the stock shifter assembly & 3. is a combination of my lunch and the new shifter ready for install

How did you like busting the plastic bushing out? It was a good time huh

Oh gosh,I gave up the box cutter idea. I just took a small flathead and a small hammer and gave it a good wack and they went flying(no joke they are all over my kitchen now).

blinkwatt,

Any chance you want to let go of the little plastic cube that comes off the stock shifter? I went back to stock and don't have the cube :(

Do you mind posting a picture of the part you are speaking of?

Here you go.

@ John V,

I can't seem to get the darn part off,sorry I wont be able to give you the whole shifter assembly.

QUICK UPDATE; I just took the car around town,mostly streets so I would have to shift often. I keep my statement as the SSK taking a few minutes to adjust to,that's it just a couple of minutes. I didn't have a single issue with it driving around in traffic,or while I was getting mildy sporty. I won't even consider going back to the stock now,heck no techno!

blinkwatt,

It should come off, just give it a good twist with a pliers.

Can you try again, please? I am in pretty desparate need of this part.

When sitting in the car, which way "should" the shifter be leaning to match the B&M? The way the TS SSK was sent to me, it's leaning towards the left. And, the stock shifter coming out is leaning towards the right. So I swapped the TS SSK to match.

What kind of lube should I use when reassembling?

not seeing any pics in this thread.?.?

The pics were in posts from over five years ago, probably long gone.

Appears to be white lithium grease.

Also, when removing that green inner floor plate, I don't see any references to replace it. And, the shifter linkage keeps binding on it. So I'm guessing it doesn't go back in?

The little green "T" does not go back in. I tried to put it back in when I installed my short shift kit but it interfered.

Wow...talk about a zombie thread back from the dead.

I try to search for threads that have already been started versus starting a whole new thread... :)

This one wasn't too bad. On Pelican, I found a thread that was 12 years old! Last post was something like 2001. I almost replied to that one, but then found one a lot more recent, and replied to that one instead.

Okay, thanks. I removed mine and it shifts fine now. Just wanted to confirm that this was normal. Thanks!

I also put flat washers to raise the shifter base so I don't have any interference.

Van