For the benefit of the many people that have asked in the recent past, we finally finished our 350Z short shifter prototype.

Not all was lost in the months that have past...we've actually made some changes to our original design concept based on feedback on the factory lever.

What you see here is a functional prototype, with the ability to isolate more vibration than even the factory lever. Like our current BMW shifters, our goal is to have short shifters to feel as smooth and isolate the transmission vibrations as much as possible. Whereas others may taut "racecar-like" shifting action, we feel that in most street driven applications that this is a negative aspect of a short shifter.

Currently, the production plans for the shifter is to be made from 303 Stainless Steel (upper and lower sections). The rubber insert used will be crutial in dampening vibration. Our evaluation of the factory lever shows that they actually use less dampening material than even our prototype. There are no plans to offer an aluminum or titanium shifter option.

As pictured, the shifter will include its own pivot bushings so the need to reuse the factory lever parts will not be necessary.

More information will be posted once we've sufficently tested the prototypes.

We do not yet have tenative pricing.

Many thanks for your patience and continuous inquiries. Comments and suggestions welcome and encouraged.

 

Will this also be applicable to the G35 Coupe's 6spd? How much are these going to cost? Thx

 

I haven't personally done the part number cross referrence, but I'm told that the G35 Coupe's 6-spd lever is supposed to be the same.

Hopefully it is!

I should have a better idea on pricing by next week.

 

looks great, I'd love a shorter throw... how much shorter is the throw with this compared to stock?

 

Shift throw reduction is approximately 31-33%, depending on specific dimensions on the shifter. Again, in production it may vary slightly, but we'd like to see between 30-35%.

 

What if we want harder bushings for a more precise feel even if you don't think that is what we should have? Will you offer them or am I forced to keep the factory shifter so the feel is not dumbed down even more. I want it to feel as precise as possible not just short throw.

 

on occasion, we get asked for unique requests such as these. granted not often, but we do get asked.

simply, we could custom build you a shifter using much harder internal material. how much harder would be entirely up to you. we could give you some recommendations, based on your desired goals, but ultimately, it would be completely custom.

 

If you want a short shifter with more feedback try Dweeb's Q-Shifter. He has it in stainless or titanium.

 

Hey Ben, nice to see you guys got it done. I've been waiting for it since you PMed me a while back saying that it was in development.

I look forward to seeing the price.

Victor

 

Yeah I remember his, I was excited when he said he was thinking of making them. However, I have read about some people having post install problems with it and I was sort of waiting for more option to become available.

What sort of premium are we talking about for a "custom" shifter? I mean, bushings are available aftermarket to simply replace the stock ones for a harder feel. Why would you have to custom make an entire new shifter? Seems a little extreme to me...

 

Is there any sort of 'stop' that is going to be incorporated into this shifter? I could just see people shifting hard and bending shift forks or something like that that unless there are built in stops in the transmission?

My last car had stops built into the shifter, but the shifter also was bolted DIRECTLY to the transmission unlike the Z's/G.

 

If it's less than $200 (better yet, $100) count me in.

 

Potato Head - Since we assembly all the current BMW shifters in house, it would not be any additional work to substitute a harder dampening material. When the production shifters are finally in stock, and you still want a "firmer" feeling shifter (you'd have to be specific), it would only take a few days to produce it. Wouldn't necessarily cost any more (probably the same), but you'd have to be patient.

cbsuper - I can almost guarentee that it won't be $100...definitely more.

One of the test cars comes in tomorrow...I'll keep you posted on the results.

 

OK, novice question here, what does this thing do besides make your shifting travel less?? Would the difference be obivous, and how difficult is the install, can you do it yourself or do you have to get someone else to do it??

 

If you can make the shifter as short and precise and feel, as close if not better than whats offered in the S2000, then that would be awesome. I know thats how i want mine to feel.

 

Basically, it only reduces the throws of the shifter. It does require access under the vehicle.

Unfortunately, an S2000 is completely different. The only way to get the car to shift like an S2000....is to get one! Seriously, apples and oranges.

 

Is it going to be expensive because of the man hours going into it? Or is it because the supply is going to be so small at first?

Wait a minute, don't bother answering those questions. I'm an economist, I should already know the answers.

 

expensive, is of course, completely subjective. we're not talking about the governement buying carbon fiber toilet seats expensive.

the factory shifter lever retails for around $100. Of course, their part starts as a casting, and then is machined.

Our part will be completely CNC'd from complete solid stock (round stock). Generally, CNC turning times are quick, but the CNC milling times take a while.

Add in some delrin bushings, steel sleeve, and modest production figures (100 - 200 pcs. quantity runs), and you still have an expensive part (if you mean more than $100).

 

I don't understand this comment, I have not been in a S2000 but I had a S2000 owner sit in my car and play with the shifter and loved it and commented on how short the shifting was.

 

Well I am not sure how honda did it(maybe this can be explained by a pro) but the shifter to me feels shorter to me and a little less rubbery feeling. Not sure if that makes sense. If you go try one out you would know what I mean. It just feels more connected than our stock set up. However if these short shifters feel similar or at least have as short of a shift then that be awesome.