Can anyone tell me why the B&M megashifter does not workin my 88 Formula 350? I want an aftermarket shifter but it says it doesnt work, i have seen it on a few sites in other 88-92 Formulas so then how did they get it to work? I dont wanna spend the money and not be able to do it, if anyone knows of how to get the shifter to work lemme know, or recommend a good shifter that will fit.

 

It will work - I put one in my Formula before I switched to a T56. B&M states that it won't fit because you have to cut the shift plate and it is a close fit with the power window switches there. If you take your time it can be done - they say it can't in order to avoid complaints because it is not a simple "bolt in."

 

thanks Jed, its close with the power windows, but the power mirror switch is even further up, will it fit within that too? when i buy the shifter will it have a chart or somethin in the directions that show me what to cut and how to make it fit? i saw this on a web site, it looks good i think and it seems to fit with their power window switch but do u think they needed to cut the plate?

http://images.andale.com/img/imageTe...JPG&marketId=4

 

also do i have to have a shift kit in my trans to use this? i still didnt put this 700r4 in my car yet and i dont know if i want the shift kit for daily driving, ive heard bad things for daily driven cars. I have a completely rebuilt 350 tpi with comp cam, headwork, headers, full exhaust and the other common 3rd gen mods. I wouldnt be installin the shift kit myself, id rather not mess this trans up lol, how much does the shift kit or trans kit cost for installation, and any good recommendations for those kits?

 

A Shift kit isn't necessary, but you will be able to get more out of your car with both the rachet shifter and the shift kit. There really are'nt any major drawbacks to running a shift kit on the street. All of the major brands (B&M, TCI, Transgo) allow you to retain full automatic operation in 'Drive' The only real side effect i've seen is that at low speeds, (<40) and low throttle application the 3-4 shift bangs really hard. That may just be my car, though.

I have the B&M kit, and I have no real complaints with it. That being said, i'd reccomend getting a TCI or TransGo kit, as I think they offer a more comprehensive upgrade than the B&M. I just happened to have a B&M kit on hand when my transmission needed an overhaul.

The kits can be had for $50-100, and TCI offers a complete reibuild kit for $200, with all new bands and clutch packs.

Unless you have rebuild transmissions before, I dont' reccomend installing a shift kit yourself. Lots of people have done them, but I haven't. We tried to do one on a TH350, and we never got it working right. It's also tough just trying to get everything lined up and in place while it's upside down under your car.

 

Yep, that is how mine was. It has to be that far back otherwise the shift plate will interfere with the ashtray button. From what I remember, I had to enlarge the hole (where the leather boot is on the stock shifter) on the factory shift plate to allow the B&M shift mechanism to move without hitting the plate. I used a dremel tool and kept removing small amounts of material until the factory shift plate no longer interfered with the shifter. Plenty of people have done this - if you take your time you'll be fine.

When I installed my shifter I had perviously installed a B&M shift kit and a Fairbanks billet servo assembly. The shifter will work without a shift kit, but the shifts may be slightly delayed. That is just a guess though. I'd get the Transgo kit over the B&M kit, I think it includes a servo upgrade as well. I've installed both TCI and B&M shift kits - as far as I can tell they are the same. I think a friend of mine paid around $300 to have a B&M shift kit installed, but it was a while ago so I could be wrong.

With the shift kit, upgraded servos and the rachet mechanism of the B&M Megashifter (properly adjusted of course), it was absolutely impossible to miss a shift. Have fun!