I just got a Pro 5.0 shifter and went to install it and the screws that hold on the shifter cover on the drivers side look to be impossible to remove without taking the whole damn console out, the console looks to sit right on top of the screws and are also covered by carpet. Anybody done this without removing the console? Any tips?

 

I unbolted the console so that I could move it a bit and get the bolts that held the rubber boot to the trans tunnel.

I just noticed you have a Camaro, which I think is a bit more tricky since your radio/hvac is part of your console.

 

Take out the console, and you will probably avoid damaging anything by shifting it around. Somtimes the easier way is the longer way.

 

I got mine out without removing the console. Just the shifter plate is all you need to take out.

 

I got mine changed w/o removing the console, use a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, and you can sneak an open end wrench down the side of the console.

 

That's what I was going to try to do, but the carpet is smashed in there on top of the screws pretty good, I'll try again today, if that don't work then out comes the console.

 

usually you can work the carpet out, but mine had some goo/undercoat/crud that had to be removed from the bolt head to get to it. Removing the console is not hard but it's time consuming. My shifter is a Hurst, and to help keep the dirt out I put the old plate back in along with the new one from Hurst. I've seen some guys leave it out and water will come through if you do that..

 

Taking out the console is another 10 minutes with a bunch of screws a torx bits, just do it. You can probably get away with just removing the upper part and making your life 10X easier still.

 

10 min. my butt!!! I just spent about 2hr. screwing with that damn console, after taking out the screws for the console top and the radio faceplate I still couldn't get the top off because the knee panel under the dash was preventing the part surrounding the radio from coming out, so I take that off, then it's like a puzzle trying to get the console top clear of the dash, shifter handle and the emergency handle without breaking the thing, but I finally got it off, then after taking the other 6 screws loose I was able the lift the console up high enough to get the shifter plate screws out. It was a little easier getting it all back in because the removable Pro 5.0 handle wasn't in the way. Anyway it's all back together and it's working great, nice tight solid shifts and I really like the adjustable stops that help give a solid feeling to it, however the length of the throw isn't a lot shorter than the stock shifter was, I was expecting a dramatic difference, maybe the later model T-5's came with a shorter throw shifter than the earlier models did? But it was still worth the money, time and effort.

 

Usually the big plus for the aftermarket shifter is that it has stop bolts. Some weenie decided that the factory shifter didn't need them so when you throw a power shift you shove the hub past the synchros into the gear.
..SCHweeeeeet

 

lol dont worry about it.... sure it took 2 hours this time... but once you know where the bolts are, sizes, ect you can take the whole thing out in about 5mins.

i know.. ive taken out the console and all the seats in under 15mins before.... it just takes you doing it once or twice before you can do it quickly.