***mods: i dont know if this should be in interior or trans. so please if you could move it to the desired location***

hi, i am looking to get a B&m megashifter for my 89 iroc with the auto trans. the car is all original with only 50k on it, and i would like to keep it as stock as possible. After reading up more on the installation process, it sounds like I will have to cut some of the center console. I also heard that it wasnt a direct bolt-on like b&m says! What else has to be cut/modified/changed that whould make me mad lol....i understand i am changing something from stock to aftermarket and this is what i have to do but if it is to much "after-market" for me it looks like i will pass. Also i understand that some things wont hurt the originallity of the car if it is changed or trimmed up So if you could, please share with my what you had to modify/cut/trim/replce/etc. in order to get the megashifter to fit snug......thanks albert III

P.s if it is not to much of a hassle, please be as specific as you can and try and include everything even if you think it isnt that important....

 

I didn't bother with installing their shift cable, so I had to cut the rubber stop on the stock the cable to fit with the shifter and not move around when I shifted. Also, you have to fab new mounts for the shifter, and the stock console shift plate has to be pretty much replaced. I traced my original one onto a peice of clear plexiglass, cut it, sanded it, and sprayed it with black truck bed liner, which matched perfectly.
I didn't buy the console Megashifter, so I'm not sure how well those fit into the Firebirds and Camaros. For me, it was a PITA to install, and I did it without seats or a console in the car. I love the shifter though, it looks great and adds alot to the look of the car.

 

I am not TOTALLY unhappy with mine, BUt....if I were to do it again, I'd consider a different brand. I think Hurst makes one that is supposed to fit 3rd gen F-bods, but not sure one that. Here's a quick list from my perspective.

Pros:
Ratchet action is cool
Shift is pretty durable, it can take a beating
Cool that my shifter now has a gear indicator

Cons:
NOT a direct fit, per se (have to cut stock center plastic piece to fit)
...as well as remove the stock cable (some people have used the stock cable with some ingenuity)
Hard to get out of park, takes some effort...and I've read this of others as well
Rubber boot seems to not fit well, caves in on the middle parts...currently trying to make it fit better or somehow stay in place...
...and my number one peeve with it is that the darn T-handle does NOT STAY TIGHT! I'm gonna crank it down as tight as I can next time I put it together, see if I can't make it more of a 'permanent' deal if you know what I mean.
edit: also, the switches (park/neutral and backup) take some tweaking to get just right, if you get it you'll see what I mean by that.

Sorry if it seems like I gave it a hard time, it really is a very aesthetically-pleasing shifter, durable (like I said) and cool, but I think in the future I'll try something else.

Hope that helps a little?

 

I didn't have any issues with mine. You do have to cut the console plate or custom make one, which isn't a big deal. If you are worried about originality you can get one on ebay for $10 to hack up.

I bought mine used, so as prep for use I sprayed mine down with WD40 and ran it thru it's motions to clean all the old lube and gunk out of it, and then coated all the mechanisms and plates with white lithium grease. I had no issues at all running thru the gears.

I did have the issue with the shifter **** coming loose though, and tried a couple things. I wrapped the threads with electrical tape, and then threaded on the ****. It worked for a couple months before it came loose again. Then I got tired of it and used loctite on the handle. It worked perfect, but if you need to remove the handle for anything there is a chance it could destroy the threads since it is aluminum. Mine was fine, I just ran a tap through it to clean em up.

It is also currently for sale if you're interested. $75 plus shipping, PM me and we can work out the details.

EDIT: One of my buddies from school may be interested in it, I should know within a couple days if he is taking it.