Generally an easy install but did find a few issues.

Removing the center console is fairly straight forward, but found disconnecting the 6 wiring connectors somewhat tedious. Reinstalling.. piece of cake.

Found my first production flaw on the car...whoever installed the gear shift **** cross threaded the retaining torx screw...was a PITA to remove this one little screw...had to destroy it to get it out..no big deal since you do not reuse. And if this is the only production flaw on the car this is great...

Found the B&M directions a bit lacking...they do not show all the details of the OEM configuration in the center console area and the removal of the old bushings and installing new ones on the shifter base needs more detail. Found two errors...on my C6 the torx screw holding retaining the gear shift **** was a Torx T25 not T20 as indicated in the instructions...also new bolts that replace the OEM bolts that hold down the shifter are 7/16" not 3/8" as instructs note.

I would preferred to see torque specs for the various nuts and bolts...did by feel but since there is aluminum involved always like torqueing by the numbers not by feel.

And finally the OEM **** does NOT fit the B&M shifter without a bit of modification to the B&M shifter shaft...this was reported earlier by SickRick

Now to a few pics>>>
OEM shifter compared to the B&M shifter


And... here is a close up of the shafts so you can see the difference between the OEM and B&M... I did not knotch the shaft like the OEM shaft has but rather just created a flatted area



The mod to the shifter was very easy...just ground a flat area on shaft on the opposite side where the shaft slot is located>>>



Here is another view of the flatten area...I wrapped the entire shifter in painters take just to protect it from any grit etc from the grinding process (which took a total of 5 minutes to do...make sure you let the shaft cool before placing **** on it (thanks again SickRick)



Here is the B&M shifter installed (BTW since I had the console removed I went ahead and added some 'heat tape' in the area where the cup holder is located (the silver looking tape to the right of the shifter)



Here is a the thick insulating pad reinstalled (this item is not shown in the B&M instructs)>>>


I do not want to suggest this was a tough install...just a few minor hiccups at best. The B&M shifter is a fine piece...nicely machined. The shifter now imparts not only a shorter throw but a much more precise feel. I like it...

Michael

 

Nice write-up! I'm getting my B&M shifter and Corsa exhaust installed this Tuesday. Mind if I borrow your instructions to give to my installer?

 

Nice writeup.

I left the stock bushings in, as the replacement ones are a little harder, and the car is brand new, so the original ones aren't "shot out" yet. The harder bushings will tend to impart more transmission of vibration to the shifter, so I went with the original ones...

Rick

 

I wish someone would build a replacement short shifter with a bend in the shaft away from the center stack like the stock one.Its already close enough to the air con. ***** to make it uncomfortable.Too bad we couldn't subsitute the stock part of the shaft that has the bend (The black part), then the shift **** would fit perfectly and it wouldn't be so close to the center stack console.

 

what was accomplished

 

If you are referring to the B&M SS install, as I stated "The shifter now imparts not only a shorter throw but a much more precise feel."

+++++++++++++++++
stlthxlr8r...you may use any of my posts as you wish...I post for information and use...

Michael

 

Michael,

Do you know what size the thread is for the ****? I might go with an aftermarket one.

Great write-up! I'm printing it out now!

Thanks!
J

 

Damn..the one thing I did not measure (thread type) BUT.. it is a 9/16" shaft with a 'course thread' and I suspect that is pretty much a standard shift **** size and thread type. The B&M manual did not give specs that I could answer your question based on those.
Michael

 

The B&M (or others) shorten the throw enough, so that unless you have "Herman Munster Hands", you should miss the A/C button...

Rick

 

Great write up..Now do mine!

 

Thanks for the info ,that makes sense.Why don't they angle it back a bit,I still feel it would be more comfortable?

 

I will give it a couple days of driving BUT on first pass that due to it being a Short Shifter and thus reducing throw (I would say by about a 1/4) it actually feels very natural and more agile... very little movement needed to accomplish the same thing that the OEM shifter does with about 1/4 less movement..now more like a 'snick snick snick' with the hand/wrist action as oppose to moving entire arm
Michael

 

It would probably be LESS ergonomic, if it was located further back - plus you'd be pushing UP instead of forward.

Rick

 

I guess thats true,my s2000 shifter was straight up and it felt great.Is there a way you could tap threads into the stock shift **** so it could screw on?

 

Michael, Thanks for the excellent write up.

 

Don't think so. The hole in the **** is larger then the diameter of the shifter. You could probably put a threaded insert in the ****, but unless you use a setscrew to secure it, it'll likely turn. The shifter-shaft mod allows the stock **** to be used without mod'ing IT, but for those weak-@-heart, I'd advise calling B&M and seeing what they have in the works to resolve this issue.

Rick

 

Think I'll wait for the upgraded version they said they are doing.Thanks for all your help.

 

i didn't no i had to sand it down! i thought i just had to make a 45 degree bevel cut like on the stock shaft?

 

Actually the notch serves no purpose for the OEM ****...inside the **** housing one side of the 'tube' is flatten so as to keep the **** in the correct orientation (e.g. won't turn on its axis). Look at this pic and you can see the OEM shaft is flatten on one side...I guess the notch is for some other application but does nothing in this case>>


Michael

 

YES YOU CAN, that is exactly what I did and it worked great. I like the Hurst better than the B&M. I have them both and the B&M is quieter but, it is also less aggressive than the Hurst and I think the Hurst has a more positive shorter throw than the B&M as well as the Hurst has some adjustability to it to customize to your liking. They are both huge improvements over stock and you really cannot go wrong with either one.