[Z06] Stiff Breathless shifter fix?
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 81
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From: South Elgin IL
Stiff Breathless shifter fix?
Anybody else out there have a Breathless Performance Products shifter that's super stiff? I just installed one that I picked up at Bloomington Gold and I love the short, precise throws, but even with the softest (black) springs in it, it's really hard to get up into first and reverse. I've read of similar problems with Hursts and B&M shifters. Is that just the nature of a high-performance shifter? Or will it loosen up over time? I don't want to wimp out and go to mushy springs, although BPP said they'd get some from their spring supplier if I wanted.
2002 Black Z06, lowered, BPP shifter.
2002 Black Z06, lowered, BPP shifter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 764
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From: South Florida
I took mine appart after 4 months and messed around with a pair of pliers and the springs. Then I greased the interior body real well and now my wife can drive it!!!!!!!!!!!
I also did put a delrin shift ****, much better to hold and control.
Hope this helps.
Tony
I also did put a delrin shift ****, much better to hold and control.
Hope this helps.
Tony
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I went to the soft springs and find them too hard also. One thing that may be causing the problem is the stock rubber boot that is supposed to fit around the shifter base. When I reversed mine it would not fit over the BPP base and the stiff portion of the boot that fits around the stock shifter interferes with the movement of the shifter. I have been thinking of removing the springs altogether but I hate the rattle coming from the shifter everytime I am on hard on the throttle so I may just go back to the stock shifter which seems to be a better mechanism all the way around.
By the way it is just as hard to move back and forth as it was when I put it in last year. They do not loosen up. I missed 1st gear three times today because of the amount of force it takes to move the lever to the left.
Bill
By the way it is just as hard to move back and forth as it was when I put it in last year. They do not loosen up. I missed 1st gear three times today because of the amount of force it takes to move the lever to the left.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Jul 29, 2004 at 01:02 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Elgin IL
stiff breathless
Thanks for the replies, guys. But what scares me now is the thread by somebody who just had $3000 worth of warranty work done, because just today my shifter started acting up - I can't get it into 1st or 3rd without forcing it, and it won't go into 5th, 6th or reverse at all - something must have come loose in there and is jamming the shifter. Can't hardly wait to get home and take it apart and see what fell/broke off.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
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From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by Editor
Thanks for the replies, guys. But what scares me now is the thread by somebody who just had $3000 worth of warranty work done, because just today my shifter started acting up - I can't get it into 1st or 3rd without forcing it, and it won't go into 5th, 6th or reverse at all - something must have come loose in there and is jamming the shifter. Can't hardly wait to get home and take it apart and see what fell/broke off.
Good luck on finding the culprit! Let us know what happens.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 81
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From: South Elgin IL
This morning I changed to the white springs, which are actually supposed to be stiffer than the black ones, but feel just a tad softer. Also, the problem I had with it suddenly not shifting into several gears? Turned out to be a nut and washer from the handle that had fallen off - as I hoped and suspected.
One word to solve that and most other problems: Locktite!
One word to solve that and most other problems: Locktite!
