Short shifter vs warranty...
 

I'm interested in installing a short shifter for my Z. Seems like B&M is the only one available now. I don't know much about the the hardware and how it connects to the transmission, so my question may seem a little dumb. I want a install this but I'm afraid of it's effect on the transmission or clutch. Will this do anything that can damage the drivetrain? It changes the distance of the throw, but if it breaks, other than replacing it with another unit, will it affect anything else in the drivetrain?

ThanX

Well, it could. Technically you are speeding up the shift. This could result in the syncros not coming up to speed in time for the next shift engagement and could result in accelerated wear on them. Grinding on engagement could be the result and could void the warranty on the transmission...Just a thought..

Seen it happen on other cars..

Short shifters will not harm the internals of the transmission as long as you engage the gears properly. People with older Z32's found that when they upgraded to short throw shifters, that if they shifted faster, then they could potentially grind a gear when up shifting/down shifting.

Installing a short throw shifter is very straight forward and can be reverted back to stock at any point in time. On a 370Z in particular, you really only need a 10mm socket, 12mm socket, a ratchet, about a 3" extension and a little bit of patience. Aside from these basic hand tools, a good set of ramps is also needed. To unbolt the shifter from the linkage on the transmission, you must do so under the car. There is plenty of room in the transmission tunnel once you get under there. The reason you cannot access this 12mm bolt from the top is that the cut out in the trans tunnel is too small to fit your hands around the linkage.

I just got done installing the AMS Adjustable Short Throw that we offer onto our Project 370Z here in the shop. From start to finish it took me about about 30 minutes. The biggest pain for the entire project would be unscrewing the factory shifter, but we . These things are a pain to remove, but can be done so without damaging the shifter itself, again you will have to exercise patience.

The AMS Adjustable Short Throw that we have installed on our car can be found here on our website:

AMS 370Z Adjustable Short Throw Shifter

Now I have to ask, does it rattle at any point all the way up to 7500 as the B&M does?

Not at all. The shifter is constructed similar to the Nissan OE shifter that came in the car with the exception that it adjustable. We ve done dyno pulls are various trips ranging in speed and "driving style" and have not had any complaints thus far.

So once you have installed it, you have to shift it slower? And what do you mean by "engage the gears properly"?

No, not necesarily. It really only happens when you attempt to drag race a car. At that point you are banging through the gears so fast, shifting from one gear to the other, then it become more likely.

Under even spirited driving conditions, it is not likely. But it is possible.

Is it really that bad..?
I have yet to install mine and have recently heard negative things about it.
:confused:

Tough call on, "how bad," it does not ever happen during daily driving. Even some spirited driving it might not happen, today on my way home from work I was shifting in the 4k range (no traffic :D) and had no rattle. Yet other days I can be in third and shift at 4200 and I have a rattle.

Now with the time I have spent with it I think I am narrowing it down to third gear might be the only gear that rattles. Meaning if it rattles in 3rd it will rattle a little in 4th and some in 5th. Yet if none in 3rd I do not have the problem, this theory is not 100% proven yet, and I need to spend some more time recording when it happens.

Do you have the stock knob?

No, I am currently using a TWM big R (or similar), I used stock and got a slightly similar sound but I only kept stock for a few days so not much data to compare with.