Shifter options

[derf]

Ok, I'm posting this for two reasons. First is because I haven't really paid attention to what is out there. Second is that it would be nice to have the information in this forum.

I'm going to be dropping my tranny to take care of the first gear synchro (and probably other issues as long as I'm rebuilding it). I figure this is a natural time to put on a good aftermarket shifter.

So. What are my options? What are the pros and cons of each?

[schufflerbot]

ive had 2 shifters...

the stock shifter with the LSS on it and my current B&M.

i loved the LSS on the stock shifter, but it was still 'rubbery' at best. the B&M was a fairly easy install (once i put the beer down and paid attention to what i was doing) and i LOVE the feel of it. very crisp, very tight throws and it has been perfectly reliable for almost 10K miles now.

if youre already dropping the tranny, id suggest something like a GMM rip shifter, though... the only reason i didnt do that is because i didnt want to drop the tranny to put one in.

[Kingsize]

I have the GMM Race and I love it. As said above it is a PITA to put in while the transmission is still in the vehicle. It's doable, that's how mine was done but a pain unless you have a lift like we did. If you are dropping the transmission anyway, I say go for it while you can.

[BumbleBeeGTO]

ive had 2 shifters...

the stock shifter with the LSS on it and my current B&M.

i loved the LSS on the stock shifter, but it was still 'rubbery' at best. the B&M was a fairly easy install (once i put the beer down and paid attention to what i was doing) and i LOVE the feel of it. very crisp, very tight throws and it has been perfectly reliable for almost 10K miles now.

if youre already dropping the tranny, id suggest something like a GMM rip shifter, though... the only reason i didnt do that is because i didnt want to drop the tranny to put one in.
Do you bang gears hard alot? I shift like a gorilla everyday, and I am kind of scared that I will break the B&M.

[Lancer-AM]

afgun recently changed out to a GMM and is loving it. I let him try my Lou's Short Shifter and he is going to change the handle over to that now. From what I have been told the GMM with the LSS is heaven.

[derf]

I have the GMM Race and I love it. As said above it is a PITA to put in while the transmission is still in the vehicle. It's doable, that's how mine was done but a pain unless you have a lift like we did. If you are dropping the transmission anyway, I say go for it while you can.

That's what I'm thinking. When the tranny comes out, the clutch will be replaced (probably LS7) and a new shifter will be put on. May as well as long as it's already out.

[hivoltagedriver]

I have the GMM with SNL's Hurst handle adapter kit. I love it.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2030/3501/30074250093_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2030/3501/30074250103_large.jpg

[Kjhallex]

Billet Pro you will not regret it. It's the best mod that I have done to my car.

[mygto]

Billet Pro you will not regret it. It's the best mod that I have done to my car.

+1

[Trents_goat5.7]

When I do change shifters I think I will be going with a billet pro.

[gage]

LSS on stock linkage presently but the billet sounds like a real nice piece

[dkrowner]

i like the GMM myself,tried a billet but didn't care for it

[Robofuzz]

I've got the GMM. When I got it, there were basically two options - GMM or B&M. At the time people were having all kinds of trouble with the B&M. I'd be interested in trying out the billet installed on someone else's car to compare.

[Poolshark1321]

+1 for GMM Ripshifter...

Street or Race are both good!

Oh and yes its a pita if you have to do it without a lift and with the transmission still in the car. Trust me lol I did it alone in about 5 hours after screwing up and setting the 2nd, 4th and 6th gear wrong. I would say it took me about 3 1/2 hours til I took the first test drive. I went to test drive the car and realized... well damn I cant go into 2nd, 4th or 6th. I still dont regret doing it myself... the instructions did say make sure you set the stops correctly before putting everything together and lowering the car. I didnt see how it was possible for me to test if the gears were engaging though without lowering the car and taking it for a test drive. Its the first mod I did and I have to say its probably the best so far. The T-56 does have internal stops but I didnt feel there was a reason to not use the GMM Ripshifter stops since they are there.

I also replaced 3/4 of the allen bolts with M8x1.25x35mm bolts and lock washers... it made things much easier IMO. Although I had a tough time finding them at Home Depot and Lowes. I eventually went to a little mom and pop hardware store and they had a nice assortment of oddball hardware. Oh and small 13mm ratchet wrench does wonder on those 4 long studs. I didnt have one and did it with a regular 13mm wrench for the front two and a 1/4 inch ratchet w/13mm short socket on the back ones.

You can see one of the longer studs in this picture...

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20987&stc=1

Here is a DIY with pics I used...

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42602&highlight=gmm+install

It really is like night and day compared to the stock shifter and it really shines if you replace your clutch and transmission fluid at the same time. You might also consider dropping the transmission... replacing your slave cylinder, pilot bearing and adding some Stainless Steel Clutch lines *WITH REMOTE BLEEDER*

I ordered mine from JHP and they had it to me in 2 days by DHL all the way from Australia to Houston, Tx. First time I have ever used DHL and I gotta say they rock!

[schufflerbot]

Do you bang gears hard alot? I shift like a gorilla everyday, and I am kind of scared that I will break the B&M.

no, i dont. in fact, i dont understand why people do that... i read all the time about people breaking shifter handles over and over again and i wonder what theyre doing in the car that causes these problems!

not knocking you, but there's no reason to 'gorilla shift' your poor car. even in the heat of a race i will use 4 fingers and a slight wrist movement to shift from the top of the H to the bottom... and its usually just my thumb and a small part of my palm used to push it back toward the front of the car.

gentle, precise movements are just as fast as gorilla shifts.

try this, see if it changes your mind:

next time you need to shift under high RPMs, lets say from 3rd to 4th... when the tach needle gets within 1,000 rpm of your designated shift point, start to put a SMALL amount of pressure on the shifter, in the direction youre going to shift. obviously you dont want to press so hard it slides out of gear, just a little pressure will do... gradually and slightly increase the pressure as the tach rises and when you get to your shift point and press the clutch pedal, the tranny and shifter will move easily and quickly into the gear you want... WITHOUT having to 'gorilla shift' or break any handles. ;)

ive had my B&M, that i bought used, in my car for almost 30,000 miles and it hasnt messed up once.

[PEETYZ]

Seems like there is a good batch of B&M shifters and a bad batch. I had one from the bad batch on my car when i bought it. It didnt center correctly, the centering springs were weak, bolts constantly backed out or broke, and finally I snaped it in half at the track not powershifting it either right where the ball goes into the tranny:confused: I now have a custom MGW that is awsome. It centers correctly and the centering spring are great :cheers: my buddy has the Billet but the prices lately are through the roof! My friend does excellent machine work and has made a few of them. The shifter uses the stock boot . I might be able to work something out for you. PM me if interested.

[oh6 6oh]

I now have a custom MGW that is awsome. It centers correctly and the centering spring are great :cheers: my buddy has the Billet but the prices lately are through the roof! My friend does excellent machine work and has made a few of them. The shifter uses the stock boot . I might be able to work something out for you. PM me if interested.

PM sent!

[PEETYZ]

I have a moded stock knob that is threaded on the inside so you cannot tell anything is different with my MGW. i wish MGW would mass produce it my work was done locally by a friend named Mike attached are some pics of the shifter and the broken b&M. The shifter has a few bits of machine work to it also attached is what it started out as the MGW T45 for yes a MUSTANG!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/tzeller/04-06%20GTO/PetesGTO006.jpg