Short shifter
 

hey guys, im just wondering a few things before i get a short shifter...First which one seems to be better and what are the pros and cons?

2nd...does this mess with the rev match feature?

I have B&M and really like it.
No issues with SRM, and it feels great.

The only two that are currently out (to my knowledge) are the AMS and B&M shifter models. The AMS has the added adjustability built in (three steps), while the B&M is fixed. The B&M does require some modification the last time I heard.

I just completed the installation of a TWM Performance short shift kit. No modifications, just a straight disassembly and install. Of course I tore up my stock shift knob....thanks Nissan. But, I had a friend recover it for me with black suede to match the interior. The entire installation is extremely slick and the shift action is reduced by a claimed 40%. I have to say that the claim is accurate based on my initial test drives.

How involved is the install? What equipment is needed?

I remeber seeing a NISMO shifter here:
Z1 Auto

Supposed to be quiet, you don't have to grind anything to install and it has adjustable throw. I don't have one but it looks like a good option. Maybe a sponsored vendor here sells it or some who has one can comment.

http://www.z1auto.com/images/nismoshortshift350z.jpg
http://www.z1auto.com/images/nismoshifter.jpg

I also have the TWM s-s for about 2 months now. Would'nt go back to stock!

is this where you got your shifters?

Nissan 370Z / Infiniti G37 Short Shifters - TWM Performance

+1, I strongly recommend TWM Performance for a 370z short shifter. I have on in mine and it's my favorite mod so far!

As for the other short shifters there are on the market for the 370, even tough I never tried them personnaly, I've heard very bad things against so this is why I went with TWM the first time around.

It doesn't make the shifting more notchy feeling? I had a Rogue Engineering SS in my G35. The throws were nice and short, but it took away the smoothness of the stock shifter.

Yes.
See my initial thread on the prototype unit:
http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...ter-370-a.html
Cheers,
Phil

To answer the question about the tools needed for the disassembly/install - two hands, 10mm socket/wrench, torque wrench, hammer or good rubber mallet to remove the stock shifter from the socket and install the new shifter into the oem socket (TWM recommends a vise to set the assembly into to knock the stock shifter out of the socket), needle nose pliers, phillips head screwdriver to remove console screws, white lithium grease, a lift or floor jack to access the shift rod to shift linkage connection. I am assuming that you have the shift knob off already. If not, good luck on removing it as the posts about loctite are true.
Does it feel more notchy? It does require more effort than the stock shifter as the pivot point changes. And be prepared to drive a bit to get used to how quickly you go from gear to gear. I would not call it notchy, but a more direct connection.
As far as the installation process - I could probably do the install a second time in less than an hour. The old learning curve kicked in on my first attempt. I had more difficulty reinstalling the rubber boot on the shift linkage/shift rod due to having to use a floor jack/jack stands to access under the car - God only gave me one elbow for each arm).
Bottom line - with basic tools and basic mechanical ability, the whole process is quite easy. The kit is complete and the instructions are fairly accurate - be sure to read thoroughly and look at the photos and notes for the different models before tearing into it.

Regards,
David

i want the ams shifter in the future....just because i see lots of ams products on evo's and gtr's.... seems like its a reliable brand. also you dont need to shave off stuff to shift to reverse.....

Thanks, Sid. +rep

I just had the TWM SS installed and it is nice but has anyone else noticed that putting it in fifth gear is kinda weird, like moving the shifter to the right is alot looser then to the left?

I recently installed my AMS and it was very easy! Feel is great! I am very pleased with it. I got mine from Dustin@Z1. Good luck :tup:

those 2 companies have nothing in common

AMS products for the Evo and GTR are from a US company, in Illinois. The 'other' AMS is based in Canada

Recently installed the TWM SS and the piston knob. Solid feel between shifts. I have more confidence hitting second. But less hitting 3rd it would seem. Overall i prefer the shorter throw. The knob looks decent, but i like the feel of the stock knob better. Ill keep it in for now, unless i find a weighted partial leather wrap replacement that i like. I have a new boot on order, should be here soon.

http://www.the370z.com/members/nitex...iston-knob.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/nitex...iston-knob.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/nitex...iston-knob.jpg

Figured id throw the kick plates in there also.. They really added some bling to my door sils! :icon17:

just thought i'd bump up this thread for some longer-term updates. any of you guys (especially those of you with the TWM SS) have good or bad things to say now that you've had your SS installed awhile?

I'm loving my TWM SS, it's the best SS for the 370z. The quality is excellent & the shifts feel amazing.

TWM SS Follow Up
 

I have had the SS installed for several months now. I must admit that I am quite pleased with the overall effect it has on the shift action.

Having not driven a Z with any other SS, I can not compare it to the others.

The install was straightforward and the throws are reduced (I did not do any before/after measurements, but trust me on this). It does take some time to adjust to the shorter throws with respect to the clutch action. Once you have it down it is amazing!

The trade offs are worth it to me. The effort is increased slightly. I maintained the stock shift knob and do not know if a new weighted knob from TWM would help with the effort. Also, I am experiencing some noise as I hit each gear - not tranny noise, but more of a plastic "pop" from the stock spacer ring that the stock shift boot sits on - not annoying, but present.

The factory shift action is smoother, but I would do this mod again.

Sid :driving:

I installed the AMS shifter this weekend. It was very easy to do. The hardest part was getting the stupid boot on the linkage back on while laying under the car and trying to work above the driveshaft.
What I like best is that with the stock shifter I kept missing shifting down from 5th and landing in 2nd instead of 4th. I have been driving manual forever and just could not get that one little technique down. With the new shifter, I haven't missed yet. I love that.
I did tear up my shift knob so I guess I will be looking for a new one.

Don't feel bad, everyone tears their stock shift knobs up.

Not me ;) Mine came off easy. No crazy tools or anything like that. I still have it if anyone ever needs a replacement :tup:

You got touring pedals? ill buy those off of you if you have them, lol

Can someone elaborate on what modifications you have to do with the B&M one?

I've driven 240s with B&M shifters and they are really solid... I think I would go with one of them mainly because of that. And they've been making shifter for the last like 40 years.

Any help would be great!

you have to modify a part of the shifter housing, save yourself the trouble and get the TWM SS.

I put the B&M in about a month ago and love it. It feels strong and it is diffently a shorter throw. As far as the modification a metal file and about two minutes you will be done. The instructions are very clear. Like everyone else on here the boot linkage is hell trying to get back on. Here is a helpful tip have help from above. I was on my back and had the front of the boot ( the front being towards the front of the car) in place and had my wife use two pairs of pliers grip the ears of the back of the boot and pull it into place while I held the front in place. It popped right into place the first time, this after me fighting with it for about 20 min before she got home. But my experince with the B&M is nothing but good. If feels great IMHO. Also a trick to take off the shift knob without destroying it is to use a oil filter strap (one of those that uses a strap and you use a socket to tighten or loosen it) use some soft shop towels and place the strap low on the knob, about halfway on the metal of the knob and before the ball. Use vice grips below the knob on the shaft to keep from twisting the linkage and apply slow steady force on the socket until it spins freely. You should be able to get it off without damage. Rep points if this helps anyone :hello:

I hate you :shakes head:

:D You had said yours came off easily someplace else, right before I tried to get mine off. You got my hopes up... and Damn was mine a bitch to get off! It didn't even just break loose and then unscrew, it fought me the entire length of the thread. I was waiting for the shifter to snap before the damn knob came off :facepalm:
But it's done now :rofl2:



The only shifters I have found are the AMS, B&M, TWM, and ebay (there are a few I'm not sure if their all the same or not)
I have heard good things about all of them, except the ebay ones which I haven't heard anything about. I wish I could actually sit in a car with each and feel them, that's really the only way to tell but that's probably not an option.

Here are my thoughts on each, I have no personal experience with any of them yet so this is just based on what I have been able to gather on the interwebs. So these theories are open to debate :stirthepot:

1. It may not really matter, but I don't like the fact that you need modify the B&M. The fact that it is easy to do is irrelevant, that tells me it was just adapted to work and not actually made for our application. I haven't seen any details about the bushings or anything though?
2. As far as I can tell the AMS appears to just be a shorter OEM shifter. So that has some obvious benefits, and if you were happy with the stock feel I would guess it would be a good choice. It also has some adjust-ability built in which could be nice, but I would just rather not have the ability to adjust it.
3. The TWM looks good. I like their claims of a superior feel, it has metal bushings and stuff and sounds like an excellent choice. But it's also the most expensive and I am not sure it's that much better.
4. Then there is the ones on ebay, which of course have really no information available. but they look exactly like the B&M, although that could be because they just leached the picture, who knows. Their cheap as hell and could even be worth the gamble, if it didn't mean having to do the install twice. That's more of an issue then the money.

I am leaning towards the TWM but if the B&M has better bushings and stuff them OEM it might be worth getting out the files to save a little money? I wish I could find some information on the ebay ones, or even one person who has one because their like $50-$60 I just don't want to be bothered tearing the car apart twice if it turns out to be junk.

^^ So far I have yet to hear anyone else that did NOT have any problems getting the knob off! I guess the guy who did mine was being lazy that day and forgot to use an entire tube of thread lock like everyone else got :bowrofl:

:roflpuke2: I don't know what they used on that thing, but it is the most powerful thread locker I have ever encountered. It looked like some kind of grease, but grease would make it easier to get off

My knob came off really easy.. idk why... maybe someone had pulled it off before?

Anyway, I think that I'm going to go with the B&M. I've used them in other cars, as well as other Nissans and they work great. I'm fine with having to file something down, as long as the shifter will work for a long time. B&M has been making great shifters for a longggg time and that has to count for something.

Nope, you go the same lazy guy install it like he did mine ;)

Not everyone. :icon17:
+1 Mine came right off without any effort. I literally just twisted the OEM off and installed a Nismo knob.

I've got a question- how long would an average Joe like me take to install this? What do you think the average time for a Nissan tuner shop would be to install?

If I take it in, I just don't want to be raked over the coals for a mod I have never attempted and don't know the install time.

Thanks!

I want to try and get my factory knob off now... LOL...

I literally pulled mine off with one hand.

Now that I think about it... I do have a pretty hardcore grip.

:tup:

Good forearm grip comes from many years of experience in various activities, use it wisely! :icon17:

twm and loving every shift so smooth shorter and comfortable.

:iagree: