Aftermarket Product ReviewProvide questions and answers about aftermarket parts for the Third Generation F-Body.
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i agree with it being all in the detent cable, mine was hard and it loosened up a little after a some use but once i got my manual valve body and no longer used the detent it was much easier. i did not see it to be very difficult in the first place though, it is a very nice shifter and a good investment if you plan on racing.
I actually just installed mine yesterday and it went smoothly. The shifter functions awesome. I purchased mine from an ebay store new for 180 bucks and it came with the relay for the necessary relay. I'm very happy with it.
Just got a used BM megashifter in the mail from a guy off nastyz28. Its th 82 92 style. Apparently it was modified to use a stock third gen shifter cable because it has a home made cable bracket at the front of the shifter and came with a stock cable
Need a new boot and indicator cable however. Damn those replacement parts sure are expensive. Probably to try and discourage owners from trying to fix them up and just buy new instead
I need help I bolted my megashifter straight down to the floor of my car it is secure the cable is run in a loop ontop of the shifter with no kinks but i can't get the adjustment right. When i put my shift lever on the trans to park and my shifter is in park i shift to reverse and it won't go back into park.What do i do, have i messed up the lever that is connected to the tranny it could be i over tightened it the first time i put it on but i can manually move the lever.
from what you are saying i take it to mean the shifter goes into park but not the car, right? if this is the case then you have to adjust your linkage. if this is not the case then go back over the instructions of installation to see what you missed. just in case the shifter is locking out in reverse. i would try dropping into drive then push into park. mine is like second nature as i have been playing with it for over a year now.
__________________ L8TER,
Mikey
Check out my vBGarage for Details of BOTH cars!!!!!
That is exactly what is happening the shifter goes into park but not the transmission.I have adjusted it many different ways but I didn't notice any differences just only on the lowest gear. I think I will get someone sitting in my car shifting so I can see which ways to adjust it.
That is exactly what is happening the shifter goes into park but not the transmission.I have adjusted it many different ways but I didn't notice any differences just only on the lowest gear. I think I will get someone sitting in my car shifting so I can see which ways to adjust it.
exactly what i did had the wife in the car while it was on the ramps and told her to use two hands. also make sure you have the cable holder in the right hole, cause even though i read through the directions 29cagillion times. i still wanted to put it else where. but yeah just keep adjusting it out till it goes into park from the drivers seat. you will get it. i think mine was a little easier though because i ordered the 3ft. cable to go with it and keep the 5ft. one in the closet in case of an emergency. good luck let me know whaen you finally fix it.
That is exactly what is happening the shifter goes into park but not the transmission.I have adjusted it many different ways but I didn't notice any differences just only on the lowest gear. I think I will get someone sitting in my car shifting so I can see which ways to adjust it.
My car was doing that. When they put the new transmission in it turned out that the stupid kid that put the last one in forgot the clips for the stock shifter cable and the damn thig was moving around freely on the transmission and under the console. Had to apply the e brake or else it would go backwards in park
I got a used megashifter and am getting a new boot and indicator cable from ebay. It was modified to use the stock oem camaro cable. The guy included an original cable from a camaro with it. He said it shifted fine when installed in the car. Anyone think I might have a problem with this?
the whole reason i switched to the megashifter was because i had too many problems with the stock shift cable. kept breaking the plastic clips. and yes i was being easy on it. i like the fact that the b&m ones are metal ends.
hey bbj the only thing i forsee in your future is a 50/50 chance with the cable. are you able to use the b&m one on the shifter or did he REALLY mod it in a bad way? if the b&m cable is still able to be used i would say order one you can get the 5ft like they send you with the kit or do like i did and order the 3ft and keep it put away just in case the stock one breaks then you wont have that much down time waiting for parts to come in the mail.
__________________ L8TER,
Mikey
Check out my vBGarage for Details of BOTH cars!!!!!
Id rather not. Ive already spent $60 on the shifter and $60 on new boot and indicator cable. Itll cost atleast $70 for a new cable and brackets. Add that all up and Im at the price of a whole new shifter
Im a jew
i here ya! just wait and see. i mean there is a good chance the cable will last. i just dont trust the stock cables anymore i went through like 4 in less than a year. but give it a shot, and have fun with the shifter.
I just installed mine yesterday. at first it was a little stiff so I started looking at the cable routing and found everything O.K. so I thought . turns out that something as simple as the rubber gromment in the floor board had a spot where the stock cable had pushed it down and created a saddle if you will , and I wasnt in it . this caused a small kink in the cable . now it works great. one thing there very clear on in the instructions is DONT FORCE IT . You've most likly bent something ever so slightly causing stiffness. I would use it for a while to see if it "breaks in" but you probably need a new one.
i bought mine brand new from a guy of craigs list for 40. i dont think he knew what he had. but i love mine and as far as the cable goes everyone on here says u have to loop it over the tranny to get it to work right. mines looped back by the tail housing and i zipped tied it to the fuel lines and it works perfect.and as far as the electronics go im not hookin up the break lights and im gonna put the nuetral safety switch on a toggle switch
My shifter is finally hitting the right gears and going into park so happy I figured it out just gotta finish the shifter plate get the car off the jacks and test it the right way on the road that is.
Okay. Quick ?. If I want to swap my 700r4 to a th350, I got my used shifter without the blocking plate on there to use it for a th350. Do I need to make a plate that keeps it from going to the 3, 2, 1 positions or what?
(or if anyone has one they dont see themselves needing that would be cool )
Just got the new boot and shift indicator cable in today and am going to dremel a spare shifter plate I got
I just installed mine not too long ago, so I can look around and see if I have these brackets, but I'm not too hopeful.
I have a few problems with my shifter:
1. The shift indicator is broken.
2. Even with thread locker, the damn T-handle doesn't stay secure. I even stripped some threads on the handle and shifter from trying to tighten the lock nut too hard.
3. It is very hard to downshift from overdrive. I don't have problems with reverse to overdrive or neutral though...
Overall, with all the stuff that's gone wrong and how much of a PITA it is to install (drilling holes? trips to radio shack? wtf?) I would definitely not consider it worth the $200.
What happens if you don't install the relay? In the instructions it says its optional and I can't find one up here in Canada. I went to the source (used to be radio shack) and they said they are discontinued.
idk what happens but i didnt hook nothin up on mine and i have no problems with ut. im still usin the factory NSS i just tucked in under my console
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oh on the shifter plate all u do is put a bolt in it to make it only a 3 speed and u take it out to make it a 4 speed
Last edited by BiggTrav; 06-08-2008 at 01:04 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
What happens if you don't install the relay? In the instructions it says its optional and I can't find one up here in Canada. I went to the source (used to be radio shack) and they said they are discontinued.
you can hook it up without the relay. been running without it for a while now. matter of fact, the only thing i currently have hooked up is the backup light switch.
I love my Megashifter, however i will be swapping to a 6-speed soon. i have used my shifter for about 5 years now after i got tired of factory cables breaking and haven't had any problems.
when and if my relay ever blows then i will rewire my factory one to the switches since the steering lock cable isnt used that is how the factory relay knew what gear you were in.
I love my Megashifter, however i will be swapping to a 6-speed soon. i have used my shifter for about 5 years now after i got tired of factory cables breaking and haven't had any problems.
i am looking to get one soon.
if yours is in good condition, i can offer it a car to go into.
pm me if you are interested in selling it.
I had some trouble getting it in and out of park. What I actually did (call me a junkyard mechanic if you wish) I just made a new bracket to the tranny. I made one that lowers the hole that you are supposed to mount it in. It gives it more mechanical advantage. Like having a longer handle on a ratchet.
have had mine in for the last 17 years, works fantastic.
take the time to do all the back up lights and lock outs.
I did not Cut anything for the new shifter just made a new Pin set and plugged it in the the Factry hook up.
works smooth has Glass and every thing works Right
have all the goodys installed on it also, Line lock. Nos.
You know the standard stuff.
if it's new out of the Box.. should work 100%
17 years and going strong B&M
I'm going to have my transmission rebuilt soon and one of the things I'm having the mechanics do once they're done rebuilding my tranny is to install a B&M shift kit. The Megashifter is the one I'm getting but even after reading this thread I will still go buy it. I have a hard hand so I'll be able to pull it back.
Loved mine in the last car, but definitely took a little breaking in to get the action smoothed out. shift cable adjustment is incredibly important (as i discovered when a "mechanic" adjusted mine and i backed into traffic and couldn't shift into drive...). may try to find a way to rig one up in the TA when I get the 4th gen console all in place.
The previous owner even created a "kill switch" inadvertently. To start the car, you need to tap on the right side of the shifter. Otherwise only the accessories turn on.
The previous owner even created a "kill switch" inadvertently. To start the car, you need to tap on the right side of the shifter. Otherwise only the accessories turn on.
lol, mine does the same thing. Almost like a theft deterent. Have to pull the shifter towards you alittle for the switches to engage.
My shifter works great. Sometimes its alittle hard coming out of park but that is it. I love it.
Lol girly hands, you people crack me up. I'be been reading all about installation errors on this shifter for years, its a common issue people run into. This is the only shifter that I would put on my 700R4 just because it looks great. The only problem is the price. At 250 / 300 for the good one ( no z gate looking junk ) I'm thinking that I should just save my money and buy a manual conversion kit and ditch the 700R4 all together. If you truly want to stick with your auto then more power to you, this is a great shifter.
I have never had a problem with the megashifter. You have to make damn sure it is mounted level. Make sure that the shifter itself is well lubed like it is when it comes from the factory. I never had an issue with the detent cable, because the shifter and shift cabe has nothing to do with it. If you are still having trouble with it you can call B&M and talk to them. Do that before you give up or send it back.It is a toll call but this day and age it will be free on most cell phones.
__________________
Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar states, “Money isn't the most important thing in life, but it's reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ list;”
85 Z28.
305 carb,mild street cam
700r4 with stock rear end
Shorty headers.
I'm in the process of installing a Megashifter in my GTA. The cable is routed smoothly with no kinks or extreme bends.
The shifter works great while disconnected from the trans. I can also shift the trans manually using the lever, while under the car. However, as soon as I connect the cable the shifter won't budge. It's stuck tight in Park.
One thing I noticed is the that the supplied cable bracket for the transmission puts the cable a tad too low. This causes a bit of an angle at the end of the cable when you slip the swivel into the lever.
I dug out an old B&M Starshifter I used to run in a '69 El Camino, and used that bracket instead. It's a better design and requires no spacers. I've even bent it slightly to get a pretty clean line between the end of the cable and the lever. No stressed angle on the cable anymore.
Still, the shifter WILL NOT shift out of Park. I don't get it. I'm stuck for a reason as to why it won't shift.
Option 1: I'm considering routing the cable a little different. Rather than looping it strictly on top of the transmission, I would run it over the top (toward the passenger side) and then down and around, coming underneath the tail shaft and into the cable bracket. This is how B&M instructs it be done on GM G-body cars.
Option 2: Try the 3 foot Super Duty cable that I have.
Option 3: I might even try my old Starshifter cable. It's a little beefier than the new Megashifter cable, but not as beefy as the Super Duty cable.
I am at about two months now with my mega shifter. It's beginning to loosen up and I am not having any trouble with it. I ran the cable around by the tail shaft. It is a bit stiff pulling out of park. I usually end up in neutral first, then up to reverse. Its really not that bad. I followed the instructions and installed it exactly where the original came out. It looks great.
I am at about two months now with my mega shifter. It's beginning to loosen up and I am not having any trouble with it. I ran the cable around by the tail shaft. It is a bit stiff pulling out of park. I usually end up in neutral first, then up to reverse. Its really not that bad. I followed the instructions and installed it exactly where the original came out. It looks great.
When you connected the cable to the transmission lever, did you use the hole marked "F"? The directions do say use the "front" hole. And the diagram shows the cable in the "F" hole.
It would seem to make sense that F = Front, C = Center and R = Rear.
However, I contacted a friend that used to work for B&M. He tells me it's actually F= Ford, C = Chevy and R = Chrysler.
It think this is why mine is binding and why so many people complain about the shifter being hard to use until "breaks in".
With the cable in the "F" hole, it can't pull correctly from the center line of the lever. Instead, it's trying to pull thru the center line. The leverage is in the wrong place. This makes it very hard to shift out of Park.
I'm going to connect my cable to the "C" hole when I work on the car this weekend. It should solve the problem.
I bought the 3ft Super Duty Cable and it solved my hard to shift problems. Routing the cable they way the instructions said made shifting out of park extremely hard, other shifts were pretty tight but nothing like park. It did get better but never what I would call good. Installed the 3ft super duty cable and wow, you realize how it's supossed to be.
__________________ 1986 T-Top Z-28, ZZ-4, Complete High Flow TPIS TPI, 24# Ford SVO Injectors, SLP 1-3/4" Headers, March Underdrive Pulleys, 3" Exhaust, Richmond 3.73's, Moser Axles, Auburn Pro-Series Diff, Custom Built Select 10" 2800rpm Non-Lockup Conv., Select Built 700R4, Spohn Driveshaft Loop, LS-1 Aluminum Driveshaft, 90/10 Lakewood Front's, CE 3-Way Adj. Rears, Spohn LCA's, Spohn LCA's brackets, PST Poly Bushings, Energy Suspension Trans & Engine Mounts, SSM SFC, MI Performance 6. Rollbar w/swingouts.
I bought the 3ft Super Duty Cable and it solved my hard to shift problems. Routing the cable they way the instructions said made shifting out of park extremely hard, other shifts were pretty tight but nothing like park. It did get better but never what I would call good. Installed the 3ft super duty cable and wow, you realize how it's supossed to be.
So the 3ft cable does fit like the OE does? I need to do that, as well as fab a rear mount braket so it sits a little higher (I got it used form a seller here). The boot keeps the ratchet from working right because it sits so low that it binds up.
Maybe I'll take a pic of how mine is mounted to the floor and possibly how the cable looks coming out the bottom (I have to get under the car anyway today). I had it installed well over 15 years ago before I did some of my own work by a mechanic but later changed the cable myself.
The 3ft cable is a little stiff to make the S like bend from the shifter, through the floor, and to the shifter bracket but it does work and works great, at least for me it did.
I bought the 3ft Super Duty Cable and it solved my hard to shift problems. Routing the cable they way the instructions said made shifting out of park extremely hard, other shifts were pretty tight but nothing like park. It did get better but never what I would call good. Installed the 3ft super duty cable and wow, you realize how it's supossed to be.
and where did you get the cable? how much? also you said routed like the instructions say.....which instructions? and what was the route?
Routing the original long cable the way the instructions said is what I meant, making the loop on top of the trans. The 3ft cable makes more of a direct medium "S" shape from shifter to trans. I bought it a long time ago from either Summit or Jegs.
I just got mine from a guy on ebay and it came with no rear mount bracket.. What would be a good hight to mount it at? Is it a good idea to use the stock bolt holes or shoud I fab something up and use new holes?
Here's the pics of the 3ft cable installed. You can see the hard bend right before where it goes into the floor and how it's kind of pulling towards the front, creating a slight opening in the rubber grommet. Unless you're driving like a lunatic through monster puddles all day, no water will get up there but for a daily driver you might want to seal it some more. Mine is not a daily driver anymore but I had it like this when it was and I never had a problem.
Originally Posted by robbyk85I just got mine from a guy on ebay and it came with no rear mount bracket.. What would be a good hight to mount it at? Is it a good idea to use the stock bolt holes or shoud I fab something up and use new holes?
I know people have done it different ways but if it were me I'd call B&M, numbers on their website, and tell them you bought it at a swap meet and see how much the brackets would be. I don't see why they wouldn't sell them to you.
*(Update)* It could be your lucky day. I just checked my garage and I have an extra set, I'm actually on my second shifter so I reused the first set of brackets and never needed to install these. I don't know what they're worth, figure shipping is $5, make me an offer and I can ship them to you by UPS Ground. Here's a picture, I don't have any bolts, just the brackets.
Here's the pics of the 3ft cable installed. You can see the hard bend right before where it goes into the floor and how it's kind of pulling towards the front, creating a slight opening in the rubber grommet. Unless you're driving like a lunatic through monster puddles all day, no water will get up there but for a daily driver you might want to seal it some more. Mine is not a daily driver anymore but I had it like this when it was and I never had a problem.
hmmm....so it just comes out of the floor grommet and then takes a turn towards the bracket on the trans? ...not all that nonsense with looping the cable on top of the trans like the one that came with the kit.
i actually need a new cable so i may just get the 3 footer instead.
ya know? i really dont know what they give ya a cable with all that slack/extra in it anyways.
I know people have done it different ways but if it were me I'd call B&M, numbers on their website, and tell them you bought it at a swap meet and see how much the brackets would be. I don't see why they wouldn't sell them to you.
*(Update)* It could be your lucky day. I just checked my garage and I have an extra set, I'm actually on my second shifter so I reused the first set of brackets and never needed to install these. I don't know what they're worth, figure shipping is $5, make me an offer and I can ship them to you by UPS Ground. Here's a picture, I don't have any bolts, just the brackets.
I will buy them from you. How about 15.00 plus the 5 for shipping. I can paypal you the money this coming tuesday the 17th