[Z06] Breathless Performance Shifter feedback wanted
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 201
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
Breathless Performance Shifter feedback wanted
I would love to hear some feedback on the Breathless Performance shifter from those who have it. I am thinking about replacing my current shifter with that one since it is adjustable. I already have their driving lamps and think the quality is second to none.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi wiles222 -
I really like mine - I was able to adjust it to fit my drving position perfectly -
It is a top notch shifter - like you said, second to none, and the wide ranges of adjustability takes it over the top -
To me, nothing else compares.
I used an Epco 2 1/8" billiard ball **** on mine.
best regards -
mqqn
I really like mine - I was able to adjust it to fit my drving position perfectly -
It is a top notch shifter - like you said, second to none, and the wide ranges of adjustability takes it over the top -
To me, nothing else compares.
I used an Epco 2 1/8" billiard ball **** on mine.
best regards -
mqqn
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,826
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I suffered with mine for over a year and then went back to stock. I even had the BPP guys look it over at Carlisle to see if it was installed correctly. My complaints: Terrible rattle, the stock rubber shifter boot that closes off the passenger compartment from the bottom of the car will not fit over the shifter base, high shift effort even with the light duty springs, the metal shims that isolate the shifter's springs from the metal stick coming out of the side of the shifter wore quickly (mine weren't greased from the factory as they should have been). The shift effort was so high I had trouble getting it into first when approaching traffic lites or shifting into 5th. Reverse was a real PIA. Great stick if all you want to do is shift from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th. Not so great if you want to use 5th and 6th or downshift from the 3-4 gate into the 1-2 gate.
My wife hated it.
I drive my car in HPDEs and I found it difficult to shift unless I was on a 3rd and 4th gear only track. If I wanted to use 5th I had to pay too much attention to the shift to make it worth while. The stock shifter just lets you put your hand on the shifter and toss it from 4th to 5th. Nice and easy/quick not so with the BPP.
Bill
My wife hated it.
I drive my car in HPDEs and I found it difficult to shift unless I was on a 3rd and 4th gear only track. If I wanted to use 5th I had to pay too much attention to the shift to make it worth while. The stock shifter just lets you put your hand on the shifter and toss it from 4th to 5th. Nice and easy/quick not so with the BPP.
Bill
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 592
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From: St Aug, FL
I had it on my car for about 2 weeks and had to pull it off.
I had the light springs in it and it was tearing up my shoulder and rotator cuff trying to shift it. It rattled like crazy and let a bunch of noise in since the rubber boot wouldn't fit over it correctly.
I went back to the stock shfter then ended up with the redesigned B&M shifter.... I couldn't be happier.
I had the light springs in it and it was tearing up my shoulder and rotator cuff trying to shift it. It rattled like crazy and let a bunch of noise in since the rubber boot wouldn't fit over it correctly.
I went back to the stock shfter then ended up with the redesigned B&M shifter.... I couldn't be happier.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Guys -
Just to try to clarify a little -
The billet shifters (machined from a solid chunk of aluminum) transmit transmission mechanical noise up into the cabin, and as stated, they will "rattle" at higher rpms - mine does not make any undue noise below 4000 rpm.
I turned the rubber isolator upside down and put it on mine, so I still have the isolator in place under the shift boot - that probably makes my setup less noisy than your experiences.
I concur that the shorter throw shifter will be more difficult in terms of the amount of effort required to shift it.
Short throw shifters are not for everyone, but if you are thinking about a billet short-throw, you just cannot beat the adjustability of this unit.
I have not had any wear issues or durability problems with my unit, and I bought it used.
I cannot imagine having to go back to the stock shifter - I found it comical the distance the stocker travels after driving a few miles with the BPP unit.
best regards -
mqqn
Just to try to clarify a little -
The billet shifters (machined from a solid chunk of aluminum) transmit transmission mechanical noise up into the cabin, and as stated, they will "rattle" at higher rpms - mine does not make any undue noise below 4000 rpm.
I turned the rubber isolator upside down and put it on mine, so I still have the isolator in place under the shift boot - that probably makes my setup less noisy than your experiences.
I concur that the shorter throw shifter will be more difficult in terms of the amount of effort required to shift it.
Short throw shifters are not for everyone, but if you are thinking about a billet short-throw, you just cannot beat the adjustability of this unit.
I have not had any wear issues or durability problems with my unit, and I bought it used.
I cannot imagine having to go back to the stock shifter - I found it comical the distance the stocker travels after driving a few miles with the BPP unit.
best regards -
mqqn
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
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Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
I did this also since I wanted to keep the isolator in place but when it is upside down it forms a very stiff ring around the shifter handle and probably contributed to the increased shift effort I felt when moving the shifer sideways. Going back to stock was like being released from slavery.
Bill
Bill
- good one! I never though about that ring on the isolator being why it is so hard to put it in reverse - you are probably right.
Others have used pipe plug gaskets from Lowes or Menards etc to replace the isolator.
I may try that -
I also noticed that the rattling starts at just over 3k rpm on my Z -
They do represent some compromises over the stock setup.
best regards -
mqqn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
I had the BPP shifter in my 04Z and had mixed feelings about it. The shifts were crisp and clean, but the side to side effort was a bit stiff. It came with several choices of springs and I had the lightest ones in. I tried it with no spring at all but that wasn't good either. The stiffness was something I could swallow... the thing that bothered me most was the noise. The thing really rattled under hard throttle application and that drove me nuts.
I now have a B&M shifter in my current Vette. This is the one with the noise islolation on it like the stock shifter has and I wish I had installed this one in my Z. I love it. The side to side pressure is just fine and the shifts are every bit as crisp as the BPP unit was.
I would strongly reccomend that you take a look at it. It is model #45044.
I now have a B&M shifter in my current Vette. This is the one with the noise islolation on it like the stock shifter has and I wish I had installed this one in my Z. I love it. The side to side pressure is just fine and the shifts are every bit as crisp as the BPP unit was.
I would strongly reccomend that you take a look at it. It is model #45044.