Ordered a B&M shift kit from GTODEALER and, with the help of my Dad, installed the unit today after the Indy 500. Thanks, Pop!
Overall Installation Impression: Not too bad -- but getting to one of the bolts that holds the shifter boot in place from underneath the car is a total pain. The instructions with the kit were good -- but there were little bits and pieces of info missing that could've been a little clearer -- but it really wasn't that big of a deal. Be sure to take your time and get the car elevated properly -- as you will be flat on your back futzing with those boot bolts for some time. Used two jacks to get the car up and onto four jack stands.
Overall Shifter Impression: Installed the centering springs, by the way. Can't believe how much the ratios have closed up from side-to-side. Incredible. The overall feel is much more mechanical -- which I happen to like. Slight bit more transmission noise in the cockpit -- particularly when the car is at rest and in neutral. No big deal. If you have the radio on with any volume at all -- you'll never notice it.
As for the feel when being used, the throws are nice and short. I'd say a good 40% percent shorter than the factory unit. All that awful rubbery, flubbery feel is gone, too. There's a very nice snick into the mid-gate and another nice snick into gear. Awesome! It's almost telepathic how fast you go from gear to gear.
As for missing shifts -- I took things really easy on the first run to get used to the feel -- as it's so much more precise than the factory unit -- and did find 2nd instead of 4th once or twice -- but really don't anticipate that happening again.
Dollar for dollar, can't think of a better way to improve the experience of driving your manual GTO. FYI. Enjoy your holiday weekend, everyone!
Overall Installation Impression: Not too bad -- but getting to one of the bolts that holds the shifter boot in place from underneath the car is a total pain. The instructions with the kit were good -- but there were little bits and pieces of info missing that could've been a little clearer -- but it really wasn't that big of a deal. Be sure to take your time and get the car elevated properly -- as you will be flat on your back futzing with those boot bolts for some time. Used two jacks to get the car up and onto four jack stands.
Overall Shifter Impression: Installed the centering springs, by the way. Can't believe how much the ratios have closed up from side-to-side. Incredible. The overall feel is much more mechanical -- which I happen to like. Slight bit more transmission noise in the cockpit -- particularly when the car is at rest and in neutral. No big deal. If you have the radio on with any volume at all -- you'll never notice it.
As for the feel when being used, the throws are nice and short. I'd say a good 40% percent shorter than the factory unit. All that awful rubbery, flubbery feel is gone, too. There's a very nice snick into the mid-gate and another nice snick into gear. Awesome! It's almost telepathic how fast you go from gear to gear.
As for missing shifts -- I took things really easy on the first run to get used to the feel -- as it's so much more precise than the factory unit -- and did find 2nd instead of 4th once or twice -- but really don't anticipate that happening again.
Dollar for dollar, can't think of a better way to improve the experience of driving your manual GTO. FYI. Enjoy your holiday weekend, everyone!