How does the shifting feel with the new STS? Short and positive? Any improved shifter feel over the stock unit?

The more I drive it, the better (over stock) it feels. Absolutely short and positive. I haven't missed a gear yet and it actually finds 6th easier than the stock unit did.

The only thing that took a bit of getting used to right at first was believing that it was actually in gear because the throw is so short. But that itself makes for a small world of *fun* difference when running through your gears.

Not one complaint yet. I will keep updating as I have some more time on it.

Well, I have to say that I definitely feel an improvement over stock. One thing that I am still in awe of is it's power through the entire band. It's smooth. Coming from a turbo charged car (which was lightweight and had a lot of power running 24 lbs. of boost), I am still getting used to that fact. Instead of the mind blowing surge, it's a gradual one but it's there nontheless.

I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with the gains and you can definitely feel it in the seat of your pants.

Hey KB, great minds think alike (one of my favorite automobiles that I would love to own). PM me if you want me to delete this post.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...Wiesmann-1.jpg

Wiesmann GT MF5 Official Safety Car for 2009 FIA GT Championship

Haha.. I love it!

Update!
 

Just a little update to keep everyone in the mix as to what's happening...

B&M Short Throw shifter- Still working brilliantly! It appears to have lost the reverse lockout function though. You can just shift into reverse without having to first push down on the stick. For me, I could give a crap about this function and it hasn't affected me during even hard driving with 5th or 6th gear shift at speed. But, it is an FYI.

Technosquare oil cooling unit - The oil cooler works absolutely as it should and I have yet to see the oil temp get over 220. Yesterday I drove it quite a bit in some pretty warm outside temps. Both stop and go and freeway driving and the hottest it reached was just a smidge above the 220 mark. If I had to guess, I would call it 222 or something.

As far as the seating of the unit, it hasn't moved or bent the bracket at all. There appears to be no sign of any kind of metal fatigue or anything like that.


I will keep you updated with everything else as time goes...

Hey KB,

Is Technosquare selling their oil cooler kit yet? I couldn't find it.

Thanks,

This is a concern of mine. Although I don't consider myself a newb with shifting, it is still nice to know that you cannot accidentally shift into reverse on accident with the block.

It probably isn't an issue for many, but for a worry wart like me, it certainly is.

That's because they are removing the factory plate with the lockout.

That being said, there is no way you're going to get it into reverse.. it will simply let you know with a nice growling grind. :)

Ooohhh....can someone make a video/sound clip?! (j/k) :eek:

No need.. Mythbusters did it for you. :)

Dailymotion - Mythbusters "Can Shifting to Reverse Stop a Runaway Car" - a Tech & Science video

I want that grinding sound as a new ring tone on my cell phone.

That's true, but KB mentioned it worked at first. Another report has said it also worked, so I am wondering if the spring got detached somehow?

Sorry... been on the boat all day and just got back.

Yes, the lockout was definitely working at first. There's really nowhere for the spring to go so I don't think that's the problem. The "lockout" is really nothing more than a couple of THIN pieces of metal that hit eachother so maybe..? I dunno.

I never tried to shift it into reverse without pushing the stick down with the stock unit. I wonder if it can be done? Someone jump in there car real quick and while parked, just try it a few times and see how foolproof this "lockout" really is. I would be curious to know.

It would be pretty hard to throw in into reverse by accident. It's still situated pretty far to the right considering the 6 gear layout.


Besides, just think of your clutch as a failsafe at that point. If the dash say's "R" instead of "6"... don't let the clutch out!! Haha

By the way I had the same problem on a Nissan Sentra SE-R and that had the factory shifter in it. It's a "design" issue I think, I've come across several 350Z owners that has this issue with reverse lock-out eventually wearing out through use. I had the same issue with my 350Z with the B&M unit. The lock-out worked for about 6 month and then a couple of times it wouldn't work, then eventually gave up. I took apart the shifter to inspect, and it looks like the material of the top cover plate is aluminum and the B&M stick is stainless steel, and the stainless steel actually wore away enough of the aluminum over time. The way the OEM stick sits, the lock-out tab hits the raised opening squarely. With the B&M assembly, the spring underneath the assembly is compressed more and they had to place the "nub" on the shifter just right otherwise the movement of the bottom spring wouldn't be enough to clear the opening.

To solve it on my 350Z I ended up welding a small piece of lead on top of the nub and then filing it down until it clears reverse lock-out. Eventually the aluminum wore away the lead and I just gave up on trying to find a good solution, and just be vigilant on my 5-6 shift.

p.s.: I took the liberty to email this thread to Kenji at B&M.

Thanks Hack. Again, this isn't something that concerns me terribly. If there were a performance issue, then it would be cause for concern but the shifter is working beautifully otherwise.

^^ Spammer bot reported.

Thank You.