B&M and clone short shifter 2nd gen eBay Megan [Merged 3-7]

[Defiant]

I'm also interested in the knockoffs -(pacesetter and obx). Defiant recommended something similar in a DIFFERENT B&M post ! but I never saw a conclusion as to whether the quality is up to par or not.

Apparently they are. I don't know if they're still around or not, but they were cookie-cutter clones. I'd have bought one if I'd not already popped the $150 for the real B&M. Dammit.

 

[DSMunknown]

i bought a b&m this week. hopfully it'll be here today, but i have fallen for one of their ads. u know the one. it goes something like this (im trying my best to copy it out of a modified issue)

Yeah, We Cost More...

Because We're The Last Shifter You're Ever Gonna Need!​

​

Tell THAT to the geniuses who bought a cheap shifter off Ebay, and who're now off the road because their cars are in the shop for a tranny rebuild. Anybody with a garage and a couple of machines can rip-off a shifter desighn. It actaully takes shifter design know-how and racing exterience to creat a shifter design reputation that's recognized worl-wide.... a design superior to even manufacturer's specs.

• B&M Precision Sport Shifters give you the control u demand!
  
• All B&M shifters are CAD-designed, direct bolt-in replacement shifters.
  
• All B&M shifters have a lifetime warranty!
  
• etc.............. u get the idea

​

i just think that with b&m, im gonna get the quality that i pay for.

 

[Nayr747]

i just think that with b&m, im gonna get the quality that i pay for.

Well, you're definitely getting the NAME you payed for (that no one will be able to see). Ever bought a generic drug? Guess what, it was just copied from another company's drug that did all the R&D. And you pay a hell of a lot less for it. And you would think the original must be better or that they did all the R&D and so they deserve it. But that's just not true. The company only spends a small percentage on R&D; Most of the $ is spent on advertising. In the end the original company's bloated price is just pure profit. This whole thing also applies to store brands of products, which I'm sure you have bought. It's the same thing.

If the shifter design is EXACTLY like the B$M then how could it possibly be different? Maybe it's not exactly the same. That's why I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. Maybe some comparisons.

eclipse13, yeah post some pics if you can. I got a Megan DP and it looks really good.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

people like to have that peace of mind.. knowing the product they got has been used successfully by many other owners.. and they arent going to be the test dummys..

yes a knock off might be a 1:1 copy.. but that wont stop people from thinking the negative.. they want to go with whats proven and wahts worked successfully for years..

if u get enough people buying the knockoffs to a point where it gets a good enough rep.. and compares exactly like the brand name or even better.. then people wont be afraid to use it or be embarassed to say they own it..

i have the B&M.. whyed i get this instead of the knockoffs or even the findanza one? because as i s tated above.. testimonials and experiences through the years from DSM owners..

that knockoff definitely looks quality and exactly the B&m.. it would be nice for someone who had both to make a thorough direct comparison.. price.. quality.. performance.. etc..

 

[eclipse13]

if u get enough people buying the knockoffs to a point where it gets a good enough rep.. and compares exactly like the brand name or even better.. then people wont be afraid to use it or be embarassed to say they own it..

This is part of the reason I am not afraid to say that I have megan racing parts. Everything I have from them has been good quality and I believe that in a few years, they will be a well known and respected company.

P.S.
I will try to get pics tomorow.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

This is part of the reason I am not afraid to say that I have megan racing parts. Everything I have from them has been good quality and I believe that in a few years, they will be a well known and respected company.

P.S.
I will try to get pics tomorow.

yes notice how a lot of people have been purchasing megan exhaust parts..

 

[Defiant]

Yeah, We Cost More...

Because We're The Last Shifter You're Ever Gonna Need!​

​

​

And we can charge whatever price we want when we're the only ones making the part.

Tell THAT to the geniuses who bought a cheap shifter off Ebay, .

Tellya what. Get one of the eBay B&M clones in your hand, and put it next to the "original". Find a difference, then come back and tell us about it.
The B&M is an excellent part. I have one. There's no reason in hell they should cost that much. You could have a shop dupe it from scratch for what they charge. I just wish the alternative was around when I was shopping. I'm glad my fake K&N was.​

 

[DSMunknown]

installed my short shifter in this week and here is my experience. i dont know what the statistical numbers are (even thou the company claims that what i sent it at is 35%) but this is what it FEELS LIKE:

first: 50% reduction
second: 5%
third: 40%
fourth: no change
fifth: 5-10%

i wasnt as impressed as i thought i would be, but thats probably cuz i still have to upgrade the clutch/flywheel, shifter cables, and bushings. we'll see...

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Anyway that I can get that stupid double-threaded bolt from somewhere? I lost mine so I cant install the stupid thing. Now if someone had all the dimensions of the threads, how long the bolt is, how long the non-threaded part is I would be able to do it myself, but since I dont have it, im ####ed.

 

[Devicex]

My ebay short shifter came in the mail today, I have yet to install it but will do so shortly.
The seller was 4caroption which was mentioned in the other (closed) shifter thread, $34.95 + s/h. The stock shifter knob does fit, and it has bearings just as the B&M model does not to mention it looks exactly the same. When I get it installed I'll let you know more.

Edit: Got it installed and used the B&M install instructions off of RRE's webpage. Seems my kit was missing 1 nylon washer and a c-clip but I managed. Works well so far

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[Nayr747]

I've been looking at some pics of the ebay shifters and it looks to me like they're welded in the middle. Can anyone that has the shifter tell if it is?

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And here's the one from 4caroption.

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[miden]

I've been looking at some pics of the ebay shifters and it looks to me like they're welded in the middle. Can anyone that has the shifter tell if it is?

I just got the 4caroption one. If they're welded, they're the nicest welds I've ever seen. The stock shift knob did indeed fit and the kit included everything but loctite. I've got mine on the 50% reduction and it's great. No problem knowing which gear I'm in. A little rough at first, but by the end of the test drive it was gone. Or I was used to it.

for $50 to my door? Highly recommended.

-M

 

[Defiant]

I've been looking at some pics of the ebay shifters and it looks to me like they're welded in the middle. Can anyone that has the shifter tell if it is?

The B&M is also welded, looking more like the second picture.

 

[this_tsi_8urV8]

Since theres talking of different types of short shifters, How about these....
FIDANZA short shifter($76)? AROSPEED short shifter($102)? How about compared to the B&M? Have not found B&M for a 1g. Would you guys/gals know where to find some?
Thanks!

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

I'm being given an OBX short shifter, but I really want a B&M. I've read from the moderators that the OBX sucks, but the only reason I can find is that it could possibly break... Is there another reason this shifter sucks? Would it be horrible to have this on my car until I can get a B&M? Or does the OBX run the risk of damaging my transmission?

 

[Tsi_User]

the only reason I can find is that it could possibly break... Is there another reason this shifter sucks?

it would seem that would be enough of a reason to stay away from the OBX short throw shifter.

I would either save up your money and just wait to get the B&M, or you could to the custom short throw mod they explain on vfaq.com

 

[KRAZYKOREAN]

obx=sucks. Just cuz you got it doesnt mean you have to use it, obx products arent the greatest and I have seen people break them. JUst save up for a b&m or you can buy mine.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Alright, I guess I'll wait for my B&M... How much do you want for yours?

 

[Defiant]

The $40 eBay clone is highly recommended.
The OBX doesn't have shift stops, and puts the shift forks in the gearbox at peril. And from here we'll refer to existing threads.

 

[-silencer-]

Do the B&M Short Shifters have some kind of distinguishing logo? The GSX I just bought has one that LOOKS like a B&M (stainless shaft with anodized blue middle) but no brand markings.. if needed I could take some pics..

 

[Shane916]

I bought the B&M brand new from a dealer and it had a purple andonized piece, similar to this one. But it did not have any markings that I recall.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/parts/bm/bnmshifter.jpg

 

[-silencer-]

Yeah that's what it looks like.. I pulled apart the console because I heard a grinding coming from the shifter in 5th and reverse. The end of the pin at the bottom of the shifter (the pin that holds the right shifter cable) was grinding against the left shifter cable. It's not much so I'll just grind about 1/3 of the tip of the pin off to make the clearance. Anyone else have this problem? Wish the couple mods the car has weren't put on in the first place. Crappy wiring job for the a/f meter & generic turbo timer. Very flimsy instrument bezel (no way could this be Autometer's). And some odd wiring done in the engine bay - I'm sure I'll have questions on that later.

 

[Defiant]

The clone is just about exact. I doubt you could tell them apart, side-by-side.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154328

 

[-silencer-]

Hmm.. I pulled the shifter and it appears to be of high quality, but I'm a little concerned about whoever installed it. Is the bolt that holds the assembly to the short shifter supposed to be welded on? There's a washer on the inside that is too thick which causes the whole shifter assembly to be too far to the left - that was causing the pin at the bottom of the shifter to hit the left shifter cable in 5th and reverse..

You can see the gap between the shifter and the assembly that the washer on the welded bolt causes.. I take it that it's not supposed to be like this..

Edit: Nevermind - just had to grind about 1/10mm off the top of the shifter assembly for the short shifter to completely slide on. Problem fixed.

 

[bob123131]

Yeah they are about the same i have owned both but why not jsut go with B&M it has been prooven over and over. When it comes to your car why go cheap. Then again i have 2 couplers with holes in them that i surround with duck tape . Also watch for what cloneu get i seen some with crappy welds and i did notice a smoother throw with my B&M when i installed my shift kit than with clone.