B & M Shifter Experience ???

[NC-LT4]

Hello,

Installed a B & M shifter in my CE. Since then I have noticed more transmission noise and somewhat of a whine since the install. It doesn't have the rubber insulater on the shifter as the stock one does. At first I thought it was the 4.10's that I installed but the pattern on the Ring and Pinion is near perfect.

The shifter definitely has a unique feel in the ZF tranny. A bit on the notchy side but the shifts are crisp and solid.

I'd certainly appreciate hearing about any forum member's experience with their B & M shifter in a 6 speed.

Thanks

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hello,

Installed a B & M shifter in my CE. Since then I have noticed more transmission noise and somewhat of a whine since the install. It doesn't have the rubber insulater on the shifter as the stock one does. At first I thought it was the 4.10's that I installed but the pattern on the Ring and Pinion is near perfect.

The shifter definitely has a unique feel in the ZF tranny. A bit on the notchy side but the shifts are crisp and solid.

I'd certainly appreciate hearing about any forum member's experience with their B & M shifter in a 6 speed.

Thanks

You are correct. The B&M lacks the rubber isolation coupler in the stock shift lever. When you remove the coupler, there is an improvement in shift feel (more precise) but there is a noticeable increase in noise transmitted into the interior from the trans.

I prefer the Hurst for the ZF and that's what I have in my 95, however, I have driven 89-96 C4s with the B&M and like other of B&M's "Ripper" shifters, it's throw is too short and it's effort is too high for any application other than hard core racing. The Hurst's effort is a compromise between stock and that of the B&M. Also, I find the Hurst easier to drive in other than racing environments becuase it's not so close-gated.

If you find the effort is too high but you insist on the short throw and narrow gates, if you're using the GM trans. lubricant, you might be able to somewhat reduce effort by changing lubricants. Red Line MTL is a good choice.

 

[NC-LT4]

Thanks for the quick reply Hib.
Also, thanks for suggesting Red Line. I checked the fluid today and it appeared to be light both in weight and color. I assume that it is the original fluid that the General put in it at the factory. I had planned to change it in the next few weeks but that task just climbed to the top of the list.
I put the B & M in my Corvette because I enjoyed having it in my F-body car. Obviously different transmissions and very different feeling shifters.
Regards...........
.