B&M Short Shifter

[koolzero]

I have a B&M short shifter and I'm hesitant to install it because I've read some stories of it rattling. I was wondering if anyone has one and how they like it.

[palmerwmd]

Hi Kool!

I have a B&M SS in my 350Z.
Mechanically its awesome.

Shifts are not just shorter, but also easier and at the same time somehow more direct and defined.
This <Really> improved the feel of the entire tranny.

As for noise, I had a terrible rattle at first.

It got tracked down to a loose attachment washer/bolt.

Now it still rattles, but only a little bit and only above 4000 rpm.

Not all that noticable at all.

I am gladly keeping the B&M in the car.!

Fred... http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[koolzero]

Are you using the stock shift knob? I read that changing to a different shifter can help. Also the part of the directions that has you grind part of the shifter housing has me a little scared. You don't happen to have any directions for installing this do you? The B&M directions are a little too black and white http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[The_HACK]

The grinding off part isn't too bad, it's actually more "filing" off a small notch to accomodate the longer fulcrum below.

As for the "rattling", it is a mechanical shifter, as in the way Nissan designed the shifter for the 350Z it is not using a cable design but a mechanical linkage. Therefore, gear noises are a fact of life. What Nissan does is use a lot of rubber and urethane parts to isolate and buffer the noise, but unfortunately rubber and urethane parts lead to sloppyness in shifter feel.

Short, direct shifting feel is mutually exclusive with quiet and smooth operation of the shifter. Pick one or the other.

If you're in the So. Cal area, I'd be happy to demonstrate to you what the B&M short shifter feels like and how much "rattling" it does.

[koolzero]

Unfortunately I live in Kansas... I wish I could take you up on that offer and see how it is. But as far as your opinion is on it would you say it's a worthwhile mod? Are you saying that the B&M improves shifter feel and reduces sloppyness?

Thanks a lot for your feedback!

[palmerwmd]

Definetly reduces sloppiness and really improves feel

[The_HACK]

Unfortunately I live in Kansas... I wish I could take you up on that offer and see how it is. But as far as your opinion is on it would you say it's a worthwhile mod? Are you saying that the B&M improves shifter feel and reduces sloppyness?

Thanks a lot for your feedback!



I feel that the trade-offs are well worth it. The shift feel is incredibly direct, almost feel like you're shifting a Ferrari with shift gates. It goes "click" when it engages the gear, and although the shifter now requires more force to engage, it's not significant enough were you won't adapt to it in 5 minutes and the shorter throw really makes spirited driving more enjoyable.

When I had the stock shifter in, I'm not always 100% certain that the gear has fully engaged, and in fact it wasn't once and the gear lever poped out of gear and scared the crap out of me and my passenger. So far with the B&M kit I have had no such problem because I know every time, at all times, what gear I'm in and if it's fully engaged. Almost all of the sloppyness in the original OEM kit is gone, you can move the shifter once it's in gear by about 1/8" either way, unlike the OEM shifter where once the gear is engaged, you can still easily move the shifter up to 1/4".

The "rattle" noise only comes when you are GUNNING it like there's no tomorrow, and only comes at a certain RPM range (3,500 rpm-7,000 rpm on mine) at full throttle. So yes, it makes a noticeable rattle when I'm driving at the local tracks. But on the street, unless I'm in the mood to scare my passengers, the rattle doesn't show up.

Installation is easy too, if you have a lift. It took me a total of approximately 30 minutes to install, and that includes operating a very slow lift. Funny story...When I was installing it at B&M's facility, someone was there to document the process. Unfortunately I did the work so quickly they didn't have a chance to capture half the process/procedure.

Installation is very simple and B&M includes a very detailed instruction book with the kit. I'll just go over the basics:

1) Remove knob by turning it counterclockwise.
2) Remmove boot by pinching the side of the black plastic console piece that includes the climate control, wrap felt tape on the tip of a flat head screwdriver, pop off the base of the console piece from behind the shifter. Disconnect the wiring harness and remove boot.
3) Unbolt all necessary hardware, including the metal plate covering the shifter assembly. Remove rubber boot. There should be 4 bolts holding the metal plate, and 3 bolts holding the shifter assembly.
4) lift car, and disconnect the shifter from the selector rod from underneath the car. It's held by a bolt and a nut. Be sure to keep any bushings or washers if they exist. Remember which way the bolt is inserted, because you need to insert the nut in the same direction when installing.
5) Remove shifter assembly. Use a large metal file, file off a 3/8" notch on the passenger side of the aluminum "cup" where the shifter sits near the front. Install new B&M shifter. Lubricate where necessary.

This is all from memory so if I'm missing any steps or details, I apologize in advance.