Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

imag · 11-12-2009, 03:10 AM

I have the B&M kit. It has no effect on SRM. If you look at a diagram of the SRM box location, you'll see why. The sensors are right at the transmission.

As far as the short shift kit - I'm not sure I'd recommend it, and I *love* notchy shifters. There are four main effects of the B&M kit:

1. Replacing rubber/plastic with metal fittings means a more mechanical feel. This part is great.

2. Shorter throw on the shift due to changed shift fulcrum: while I generally like shorter throws, especially on the Miata and S2K transmissions (the two best ever, as far as I'm concerned), I'm not completely convinced that the increased shift effort matches this transmission. Initially, the fact that I really needed to pull on it to get it out of gear (especially when the tranny is cold) actually lowered my shift accuracy as far as timing.

3. Shortened gearshift shaft: This part sucks, IMHO. The shift lever is way too short on the kit. Not only is the fulcrum lowered for a shorter throw but the knob is way low. This means that the knob is further from the wheel (not good), the shift effort is way too high for smooth shifting around town, and, a minor quibble, the ergonomics felt way worse to me. I actually added parts to the shifter to bring the knob up to where it was before. The throws are shorter due to #2, but the shifter length is like stock, which brings shift effort back to a reasonable level and returns the ergonomics to what I like.

4. Taking off the stock shift knob is almost impossible to do without destroying it. Unfortunately, the way the shift boot is set up, it's designed to clip to the knob, so it's hard to get a good look after the kit is installed (unless you managed to save the stock knob, which a few people have gotten away with). Even if you do keep the stock knob, then you can't adjust it easily back to stock height (see #3).

Honestly, I almost wish I hadn't changed the shifter. I thought the stock feel was a bit rubbery, but I got used to it, and I was pretty damned smooth. I am near there again on smoothness into and out of each gear, but I still haven't dealt with the shift boot that doesn't interface with the knob. I actually want to get a new stock knob, but then I'll also have to figure out some way to get the height back up to stock with those threads. I'll do it one of these days.

My $0.02. My guess is that most of these issues, but maybe not all, apply to the AMS kit as well. Some people love both though, so they should weigh in...

11-12-2009, 03:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	I have the B&M kit. It has no effect on SRM. If you look at a diagram of the SRM box location, you'll see why. The sensors are right at the transmission. As far as the short shift kit - I'm not sure I'd recommend it, and I love notchy shifters. There are four main effects of the B&M kit: 1. Replacing rubber/plastic with metal fittings means a more mechanical feel. This part is great. 2. Shorter throw on the shift due to changed shift fulcrum: while I generally like shorter throws, especially on the Miata and S2K transmissions (the two best ever, as far as I'm concerned), I'm not completely convinced that the increased shift effort matches this transmission. Initially, the fact that I really needed to pull on it to get it out of gear (especially when the tranny is cold) actually lowered my shift accuracy as far as timing. 3. Shortened gearshift shaft: This part sucks, IMHO. The shift lever is way too short on the kit. Not only is the fulcrum lowered for a shorter throw but the knob is way low. This means that the knob is further from the wheel (not good), the shift effort is way too high for smooth shifting around town, and, a minor quibble, the ergonomics felt way worse to me. I actually added parts to the shifter to bring the knob up to where it was before. The throws are shorter due to #2, but the shifter length is like stock, which brings shift effort back to a reasonable level and returns the ergonomics to what I like. 4. Taking off the stock shift knob is almost impossible to do without destroying it. Unfortunately, the way the shift boot is set up, it's designed to clip to the knob, so it's hard to get a good look after the kit is installed (unless you managed to save the stock knob, which a few people have gotten away with). Even if you do keep the stock knob, then you can't adjust it easily back to stock height (see #3). Honestly, I almost wish I hadn't changed the shifter. I thought the stock feel was a bit rubbery, but I got used to it, and I was pretty damned smooth. I am near there again on smoothness into and out of each gear, but I still haven't dealt with the shift boot that doesn't interface with the knob. I actually want to get a new stock knob, but then I'll also have to figure out some way to get the height back up to stock with those threads. I'll do it one of these days. My $0.02. My guess is that most of these issues, but maybe not all, apply to the AMS kit as well. Some people love both though, so they should weigh in... Last edited by imag; 11-12-2009 at 03:14 AM.