I just purchased my 2006 black GTO and I do not like the travel distance with the shifter. Any suggestions on which short throw shifter I should go with? I have found the B&M and the JHP.
Stay away from the B&M! Some have had good luck with theirs, but mine broke! Most have had trouble. GMM seems to be the way to go or Lou's Short Stick replacement handle to keep factory shifter. Nice piece, I have it now. Good luck!
__________________
2005 IBM M6
Weld Prostars
Flowmaster Super 40's
Chris White Guage Changes
HPE Cam Package(S-Cam, AR LT's,Lingenfelter CAI,UD Pulley, X-Pipe, Ported Factory Intake)
BMR Drag Bags
440/396
I've got 20K on my B&M and it has been perfectly fine. Most of the issues with the B&M concern leaking.
However, if you apply the RTV sealant to the opening of the transmission instead of the bottom of the shifter, then drop the shifter into place without repositioning it -- you'll be fine.
The GMM's more difficult to install -- and is quite a bit more expensive. In return, you do get a slightly better mechanical feel. Is it worth the additional money? Nope.
Seriously? If you know what you're doing -- the B&M will be fine as many of the stories about the so-called lousy B&M are from people who didn't install them right or bang through the gears way too hard.
I've got 20K on my B&M and it has been perfectly fine. Most of the issues with the B&M concern leaking.
However, if you apply the RTV sealant to the opening of the transmission instead of the bottom of the shifter, then drop the shifter into place without repositioning it -- you'll be fine.
The GMM's more difficult to install -- and is quite a bit more expensive. In return, you do get a slightly better mechanical feel. Is it worth the additional money? Nope.
Seriously? If you know what you're doing -- the B&M will be fine as many of the stories about the so-called lousy B&M are from people who didn't install them right or bang through the gears way too hard.
I couldn't disagree more.
Yes, the GMM is more difficult to install, but nowhere near as much of a pain in the ass as reinstalling the cheesy B&M four (or more) times. Look at the design- two bolts in the back holds the entire assembly down? What kind of assclown designed that thing? Blame poor installation if you want, but two of my re-installs were due to B&M making incremental hardware revisions in an attempt to band-aid the lousy design.
Yes the GMM is $100 more, but that's chump change when you factor in peace of mind. I had that PoS B&M come off of the tranny in my hand, leaving me to limp home in 2nd gear.
You also give the superior shift action of the GMM short shrift. With a far superior positive action and an all around more solid feel, the GMM unit completely smokes the cheesy B&M.
If anyone insists on giving the B&M a go, I have one that I'll happily send you for $50 + whatever shipping is. Otherwise it sits in my garage as a reminder that saving $100 on a primary control interface is no bargain.
Yes the GMM is $100 more, but that's chump change when you factor in peace of mind. I had that PoS B&M come off of the tranny in my hand, leaving me to limp home in 2nd gear. Except I was in first!
__________________
2005 IBM M6
Weld Prostars
Flowmaster Super 40's
Chris White Guage Changes
HPE Cam Package(S-Cam, AR LT's,Lingenfelter CAI,UD Pulley, X-Pipe, Ported Factory Intake)
BMR Drag Bags
440/396
Yes, the GMM is more difficult to install, but nowhere near as much of a pain in the ass as reinstalling the cheesy B&M four (or more) times. Look at the design- two bolts in the back holds the entire assembly down? What kind of assclown designed that thing? Blame poor installation if you want, but two of my re-installs were due to B&M making incremental hardware revisions in an attempt to band-aid the lousy design.
Yes the GMM is $100 more, but that's chump change when you factor in peace of mind. I had that PoS B&M come off of the tranny in my hand, leaving me to limp home in 2nd gear.
You also give the superior shift action of the GMM short shrift. With a far superior positive action and an all around more solid feel, the GMM unit completely smokes the cheesy B&M.
If anyone insists on giving the B&M a go, I have one that I'll happily send you for $50 + whatever shipping is. Otherwise it sits in my garage as a reminder that saving $100 on a primary control interface is no bargain.
+1
I have the GMM Street combined with Lou's Short Stick (the one that takes the stock knob). The look and feel of this combo is considerably better than stock. I never bothered to try the B&M after reading enough horror stories about it.
In reading about the problems a lot of people have had with the B&M, I've concluded that most of the issues were from improper installation and hamfisted drivers.
The improper installation, in part, is from directions from B&M which are unclear in one or two steps. For example, they say to put the RTV on the shifter base. That's stupid. They also don't tell you to remove all the bolts and Loctite them. That's a huge hole -- as most folks won't think to remove the bolts from the stick and, especially, the bolts on the base. I know B&M didn't Loctite those so people could have the option of installing the centering springs -- but, geez, tell people they have to Loctite them before installing the unit or just put the springs in at the factory and Loctite them there.
Regarding the drivers, a few guys on the other forum say, "damn, I broke the B&M shifting hard. It's a POS. The Hurst in my Trans Am would last a lot longer before it broke." Uh, if you're slamming a shifter around to point where it breaks -- you're not shifting right.
If I had a crappy experience with the B&M, I'd definitely say the GMM is worth the extra dough. I didn't -- and won't. I've also tried both units. The GMM is better -- but not by any order of magnitude. In fact, there have been people out there who have had issues with the GMM --- such as leaking and having the transmission pop out of gear by incorrectly adjusting the stops (which are not necessary as the T-56 has them built in).
It's too bad the B&M has gotten such a crappy reputation with the GTO. Then again, with the poorly written instructions and so-so customer service they probably deserve it. That said, you can't go wrong with the GMM, the B&M if you take care -- or, from what I've been hearing lately, the Lou's Short Stick on either the factory base or the GMM one.
And Groucho, if you have the stick from your old B&M laying around -- I'd love to get it as I'd like to try shortening it to see what it feels like!
In reading about the problems a lot of people have had with the B&M, I've concluded that most of the issues were from improper installation and hamfisted drivers.
Bah. I was gonna go into why you is wrong, but no minds will be changed so I'll save the bandwidth.
Quote:
Originally Posted by b_a_betterperson
And Groucho, if you have the stick from your old B&M laying around -- I'd love to get it as I'd like to try shortening it to see what it feels like!
So far I agree With b_a on this one. He sent me some instructions prior to installing my B&M that were not included with the shifter. It has been fine since instalation. It's like they say, do it right the first time.
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Except I was in first!
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