TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

Okay guys... My son has an 87 GTA and it looks like the shifter is going bad. Other than another "STOCK" shifter, I'd like to what you guys recommend for an aftermarket replacement shifter and still use the stock center console.

Thanks in advance !!

TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

really ?????

no one has an aftermarket shifter in their trans am, gta or firebird ???

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bm...2/applications

i think the other ones you have to custom fit

TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

NOPE.... that's custom fit. Not a direct replacement.

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

Whats custom fit, bolts in like the stock one

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

I've had a Megashifter and a Pro Ratchet. I like the feel of the Pro Ratchet better than the cheap feeling T handle of the megashifter. The Pro Ratchet is not a direct bolt in though you would have to make your own console cover, unlike the megashifter.

Another option would be the Hurst Dual Gate shifter, which I believe is no longer made so expect to pay anywhere from $300-$800 for them...

TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

the console plate "NEEDS" to be modified. This not a direct replacement.

TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

Wow...... You mean to tell me no one on this site has installed OR uses and aftermarket shifter in their firebids.....

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

I already gave my option up above. Yes, I have installed 2 of them. is your friend on this site. There are many many years of information once you dig through all the opinions.

Both the shifters you do not get to retain your locked shifter security option. Meaning the shifter can be moved and put into gear even if the column is still in the locked position.

Megashifter console install requires modifications. It's not as easy as the Camaro to install it. Mainly due the 85-92 shifter plate has a curve in it on the front. I didn't use the brackets they included with it. If I recall correctly they made the shifter sit too high and were a pain to try to get them bolted on. I made my own mounting plate out of 1/4" steel. Their kit also requires you to remove your shifter cable for their's and use the mounting brackets. You can reuse your OEM shifter cable if you cut their cable bracket off the shifter and hack your GM cable bracket on in it's place. The setup worked well. It took me the better part of a weekend to install the shifter and make the mods. I had to notch the shifter plate near the ash tray else the shifter would pop the plate up on downshifting ratchets. Maybe the other brackets would have prevented this I do not know, but I'm assuming not because of the curved plate design.

When I installed my Pro Ratchet the bracket provided with me had slop in it. It would move back and forth on the transmission selector lever meaning sometimes it would not shift correctly up or down. I called they gave me the run around told me I installed the shifter wrong. The bracket for the transmission shifter cable on the transmission side fitment should not matter. I tried it on my OEM 700-r4 also that was at my parent's house in the shed. It had the same slop in it. It was like they debur'd too much material off the bracket after the die cut it and that got enough slop in it. I ended up cutting the OEM bracket off and using the backside of it as a spacer so when I tightened the nut on the B&M bracket it would be tight against the transmission it still isn't exactly correct it works 95%+ of the time I still sometimes get a missed upshift from 1st to 2nd for some reason. I've yet to see it happen in any other gear. I must be a turn or so out of the adjuster still too short. In hind sight I should have just modified the new shifter to use the OEM cable and been done with it.

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

Picture of megashifter under a stock console with a leather material boot I made for it.

TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

LOL.... that picture is so small you can't tell anything about the way its installed.....

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

You can thank sound domain for resizing all my crap over the past 10 years. Sorry tried to help out. I described the install best as I could. I'll try to find you a better picture later if you still want it, but at this point I put in my input and answered questions so I'm done.

TX-SleeperC5

iTrader: (2)

thanks....

PhoenixFirebird

iTrader: (2)

Just get a stock replacement for it...nothing else will just "bolt right in." Very few aftermarket parts "bolt right in." Nearly everything requires a bit of (or more) tweaking to work. Personally, I run a Hurst pistol grip. I love it, but its nowhere close to bolt in and go.

Be thankful these guys have given their input, they know their stuff.