automatic shifter replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
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From: candler nc
automatic shifter replacement
hi everyone! i hope someone here can help me. the automatic shifter in my 81 has started to get a little sloppy and i want to replace it with an aftermarket unit. i would like to find something that i can use the stock console with or slightly modify to make fit. so if anyone has already done this please let me know some details. or better yet a picture or two would be great!
thank you for reading my post and any replies i may get.
billy
thank you for reading my post and any replies i may get.
billy
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
but thank you anyway. of all the different shifters ive seen, the shifting mechanism is rather large compared to stock. in order to make it "jive", it looks like im going to lose my ashtray. another reason for going aftermarket is the fact it makes it harder to get it out of park. i have a 4 yr old daughter that loves to ride in her "cordevette". right now the way it is, shes definitely smart enough to know to push the button down to move the shifter. oh and well now that i think about it i definitely need to fix that parking brake, too!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
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From: candler nc
for those interested i think i found something that will work without too much modification , a b&m z gate shifter or a b&m pro stick. compared to a hurst , the shifting mechanism is way smaller and doesnt look like it will stick out of the factory console too much. and its about the same width and length as a stock shifter. i will have one put in next week and will post a pic if anyone is interested
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
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the B&M pro stick shifter is most likely the closest shifter dimensionally wise to the stocker.. i believe it will fit with little modification but i would love to find someone who has actually done it, so if you're doing it on your car i am VERY interested for my 76!.. B&M used to make a "street stick" for our cars wayyyy back in the day but it has long since been discontinued. Wonder if we could rally together to get them to bring it back?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
its going to be a week or two before i can tackle the shifter in my car. if anyone here has an aftermarket automatic shifter, please post a pic. surely someone on this forum has done this already.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
its pretty common in C4 and the consoles arent that much different as far as hiding the mechanism goes, with some you need to go to a boot. Some pretty excellent write ups with pictures also. I converted my C4 to a B&M stealth. most of the adapting comes when you mount it to your console and run the cable. almost any version that will work in a camaro will work.. hope this helps. This would be a bit extreme but its a good example of some of the writeups.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...market+shifter
and a mega shifter in a C3
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...r-install.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...market+shifter
and a mega shifter in a C3
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...r-install.html
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Sep 28, 2012 at 03:59 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
for those interested i think i found something that will work without too much modification , a b&m z gate shifter or a b&m pro stick. compared to a hurst , the shifting mechanism is way smaller and doesnt look like it will stick out of the factory console too much. and its about the same width and length as a stock shifter. i will have one put in next week and will post a pic if anyone is interested
Last edited by donnie1956; Sep 28, 2012 at 08:26 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 38
From: springtown Texas
i just put a b&m pro stick with the 4 speed gate in my 82 about 3 weeks ago. it was not an easy install. but i love the way it shifts and was worth the effort. i mounted mine as low as i could without it hitting the console when in 1st or park. i havent taken any pics of it yet. you'll need to do some cutting and fabrication for the install but it wasn't too bad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
i just put a b&m pro stick with the 4 speed gate in my 82 about 3 weeks ago. it was not an easy install. but i love the way it shifts and was worth the effort. i mounted mine as low as i could without it hitting the console when in 1st or park. i havent taken any pics of it yet. you'll need to do some cutting and fabrication for the install but it wasn't too bad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
Nice job. I am leaning more towards the 80683 QuickSilver. Appears to be more compact. Going to the hot rod shop tomorrow and look at it. http://performanceparts.com/part/B-M/80683
Last edited by donnie1956; Sep 30, 2012 at 08:28 AM. Reason: more info.