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

[xRichieRich07x]

I want to install a short shifter on my 90 N/T eclipse...ill admit im a big newb mechanic but I've been learning...from just messing around and watching my friends...but yeah i was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is an easy job or if I should get someone else to do it..

 

[Mike1992]

Nobody offers a drop in short shifter for 1990 dsm's

 

[AndrewD5418]

Nobody offers a drop in short shifter for 1990 dsm's

They don't even offer one that works right for any 1g. .. Fidanza's requires some modification drilling, and the other one is really hard to find and costs about 150 bucks.

Forgot, fidanza's can also screw up your tranny since it doesnt have a stopper?

 

[tigersurvival]

I was doing some research for my 2g and was thinking about getting a Fidanza. I came across this older (but still relatively new) thread.

http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226887&highlight=short+shifter

The newer manufactured shifters from Fidanza apparently come with the stoppers. I'm combing through a few Fidanza listings on Ebay and really can't tell if the "retail" world reflects whether there are stoppers or not.

 

[Newlogics]

I have been runnig fidanza shifter for 3 years now. It was a 'drop-in' no mods needed. Works perfect by itself, although shifter plate bushings are highly recommended.

On a '90, however, pivot bolt is larger in diameter, and requires you to drill a bigger hole in a shifter. the key here is to be precise, or you'll end up with a wobbly shifter. Everything else fits fine. We actually have one on our '90 shop car working perfectly.

 

[b4christ15]

Well, after some extensive searching and research, I've come to the conclusion that the majority of reviews on the ebay style short shifters are pretty good. Most posts I've found about them state that as long as you get the B&M knock-off and not the old Fidanza's (new ones have a stop in it) or OBX version, its a pretty solid piece. However, all the links to the B&M knock-offs are expired ebay adds and I'm not sure which one I should be getting. Can someone post a link to the ones that are praised in past threads so I know I'm orderering the right one? Thanx a bunch

 

[PieEyedPiper]

hey man,
I'm gonna buy an ebay jobby too in the next day or so.

It looks to me that the ones we'd want are any of the auctions that have thet bright purple anodized piece. Most of those auctions are anywhere from $25 to $35 with at least $15 shipping. Thye also include an ugly chrome shift knob. Some show a nice black one, but don't be fooled they are chrome, I've looked in to it.
The threads on these shifters are funny too, no idea hwat size they are but I know that stock won't work.

If you or I get ours installed soon please update this thread with your findings!

 

[Killa_dsm]

Ebay short shifters work pretty good.

Here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-9...0QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33736QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-9...6QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33736QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Defiant]

The threads on these shifters are funny too, no idea hwat size they are but I know that stock won't work.

Mitsubishi shifter threads are the "funny" ones. My bet is that you'll find the knockoffs use the same thread as Honda, Mazda and Nissan, greatly expanding your choices in aftermarket real-thread-on-no-cheezy-plastic-adapters-held-loosely-with-tiny-Allen-screws stuff.

 

[b4christ15]

Ebay short shifters work pretty good.

Here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-9...0QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33736QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-9...6QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33736QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sweet, thanx for the link. I decided on the first link you provided. It doesnt come with a knob, but I already have an aftermarket one so I'm good there. I'll be sure to make a little review once I get it installed and test it out. Thanx again.

 

[RavenX]

I just got the ebay one. Whats funny is the threads on the silver shifter do not fit well with the short shifter. I used the stock one and it went in like stock so am using that again. Also am using 50% reduction and i think its a little too much so am going down to 35% reduction.

 

[b4christ15]

I just got the ebay one. Whats funny is the threads on the silver shifter do not fit well with the short shifter. I used the stock one and it went in like stock so am using that again. Also am using 50% reduction and i think its a little too much so am going down to 35% reduction.

How do you like it? Any concerns? How was installation?

 

[DGajre777]

I bought a Fidanza short shifter, the new ones have a stop in it, so no problems there. www.ultrarev.com was cheaper than ebay. I love it.

 

[b4christ15]

I bought a Fidanza short shifter, the new ones have a stop in it, so no problems there. www.ultrarev.com was cheaper than ebay. I love it.

Thanx for the info. I edited my first post to exclude the newer Fidanza's.

 

[Ultimatedsm]

I would like to warn you that those knock off shifters are not very reliable. Just imagine you doing a semi-hard shift (Drag racing) and suddenly the shifter breaks and is in your hand, now you can use it as an ass scratcher or something .

 

[b4christ15]

I would like to warn you that those knock off shifters are not very reliable. Just imagine you doing a semi-hard shift (Drag racing) and suddenly the shifter breaks and is in your hand, now you can use it as an ass scratcher or something .

Well, it's a little too late for a warning since I ordered one this morning. However, thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to put it through some hard shift testing once I get it in and post up the results.

 

[RavenX]

How do you like it? Any concerns? How was installation?

Installation was pretty straight forward once i found pics of the installation from a website with the real B&M. No concerns as of yet every gear goes in smooth. The only thing i don't like is the 50% reduction might be too much for my taste so am going to try the 35% and see how that feels.

I would like to warn you that those knock off shifters are not very reliable. Just imagine you doing a semi-hard shift (Drag racing) and suddenly the shifter breaks and is in your hand, now you can use it as an ass scratcher or something .

Considering i have seen both the real B&M and the knock off theres nothing to worry about. They both look exactly the same and the knock looks like it has the same build quality.

 

[Killa_dsm]

I would like to warn you that those knock off shifters are not very reliable. Just imagine you doing a semi-hard shift (Drag racing) and suddenly the shifter breaks and is in your hand, now you can use it as an ass scratcher or something .

Well I have shifted my knock off B&M short shifter hard many times, and it hasnt broken in my hand yet. I wouldnt worry about it breaking.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Well I have shifted my knock off B&M short shifter hard many times, and it hasnt broken in my hand yet. I wouldnt worry about it breaking.

Agreed, there is only 2 moving parts and both of them are solid aluminium.

 

[Defiant]

I would like to warn you that those knock off shifters are not very reliable. Just imagine you doing a semi-hard shift (Drag racing) and suddenly the shifter breaks and is in your hand, now you can use it as an ass scratcher or something .

Please explain to us the part that might be susceptible to breaking, or show us one that has. Or were you speaking out of next to where you use that scratcher?

You could pick the car up with one of those shifters.

 

[DGajre777]

You could pick the car up with one of those shifters.

 

[Nanan]

I have been using my B&M knockoff for nearly 2 years and it is starting to develop some play where the bearing block attaches to the baceplate. The bearing block is starting to mushroom a bit thus giving a bit of slop forward/backward. The knockoff B&M shifter bace seems to be made of a softer aluminum then the true B&M one.

Snap the shifter? I doubt it, I have seen the bolt on OEM the shifter bace break its weld before but the actual shifter is well almost fool proof.

 

[daren_p]

I have been using my B&M knockoff for nearly 2 years and it is starting to develop some play where the bearing block attaches to the baceplate. The bearing block is starting to mushroom a bit thus giving a bit of slop forward/backward. The knockoff B&M shifter bace seems to be made of a softer aluminum then the true B&M one.

Snap the shifter? I doubt it, I have seen the bolt on OEM the shifter bace break its weld before but the actual shifter is well almost fool proof.

I have heard others mention this slop as well on the knock off shifters. I've had my true B&M for 3 years and its still shifts the same way it did when new, I don't regret spending the extra money for the real deal.

 

[Nanan]

I had just dumped over 2Gs on a TRE built tranny, the $40 I spent on the shifter was about all I could afford at the time.

I think I will go with a real B&M next time aka when the fake gets to sloppy for me to take.

 

[b4christ15]

Well, the short shifter came in the mail today. I ordered it on the 8th, so I'm pretty happy with the time it took to get here. It looks like a very solid piece. My car is still in the shop but once I get it back I'll be sure to install this right away and let everyone know how it holds up.