C's short shifter and knockoffs

[OptionZero]

Can anyone comment on the C's short shifter knockoffs and how they compare with the real thing?

Since I got my Nismo tranny mount, my shifter sits higher now. i just drove my friend's car w/ C's shifter, and his shifter is lower, and the shifters are incredibly crisp and smooth, far more than I could have expected when fooling around with it parked (seemed TOO short, but in action, it's great!).

Questions:
Do the replicas retain stock everything (shift knob fitment, inner boots) like the real thing?

How do I know which is a C's replica on ebay? is there a particular seller than is known for them? I see lots of them labeled "B&M", i see "Nismo (yeah, right), and OBX, etc, but none of them mention C's

If anyone has a good pic of the stuff the real thing comes with and the pic of the replica, that'd be great.
There is one on ebay (authentic), but for over $200. I know that's what it really costs, but if a replica/knockoff can do it all for cheaper, i'll do it. Besides, c's is out of business and out of production, making them difficult to find.

I'll scrounge through my Japanese contacts, but info on the knockoffs is appreciated.

Plus, the shifter most needed with the fidanza.

[AuburnRyan]

I had an new gen OBX on my last s13 (KA) that I was happy with - shortened shift about 30% and was more positive feeling...I had NO issues with it - reliable as a stock sifter. I'd buy it again - but will also consider the B&M.

I have no experience witht the C's, though the OBX is supposed to be a copy.

[OptionZero]

I'd be happy to try to B&M, but i've tried and love the C"s, so i'd like to stick with it if i can.

[Yoshi]

ya, I don't get people knocking the C's style. I had an original C's, it got fux0r'd by my friend who will never touch my car again.... after that I got a OBX revision (C's style), been using it for 2 years now, no probs, I like it a lot.

[OptionZero]

I recall reading an older thread(while i was tryin to search) saying the OBX does not sit lower (if only a little) than stock like the C's real.

I need to drop the shifter .5-1 inch down to cancel out the nismo tranny mount

[Yoshi]

I need to drop the shifter .5-1 inch down to cancel out the nismo tranny mount

Nismo mount puts the tranny's tail higher up?
Sweet, I learned something useful today :)

[OptionZero]

Yeah, thats the drawback. Shifter shaking is nonexistent though.

I do have engine mounts too

[AuburnRyan]

True if I recall - no real noticable drop from stock - but you could cut 1" - then use a knob that doesnt thread onto the shifter - i.e. a Momo

Or if you know someone who welds remove and inch belwo the threads...

[OptionZero]

I would like to retain my shift knob, since I paid decent change for it (20th anniv. maxima 5spd)

[statik]

I didnt notice my shifter move at all on my SR, maybe ur tranny mount was sagging more? As for knockoffs, i have a b&m knockoff from ebay, its nice and the shifter is shorter than stock by about an inch or so, only problem is when you start dropping the height of the shifter, you lose leverage when shifting. Sounds like not enough to effect the feel but it really does, my shifter can feel hard to get into gear. If I were to get another id probably try the OBX

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

I just got a real C's the other night. This thing fucking rocks... hard. only problem is I can no longer use my Nismo GT resin knob =( I'm rocking the stock knob for now (anyone else have this problem? or know how to fix it???) The C's throw is much shorter than stock, But it is only slightly shorter in height than stock. Crisp, smooth, and almost no play while in gear. Couldn't be happier. And at the price I got it, it was a no brainer.

Dunno about the knock off's but I have heard they arent bad at all, too many dumb rumors about them. Mostly from people who don't own them...

[OptionZero]

see, i've heard some say now the B&m clone doesn't lower the height, while some say it does. Damn.

The C's also moves the shifter rearward, which is an added bonus since I am long arm/legged and have the seat back.

[MadScientist]

Supposedly... The Nismo Solid Shifter (34110-S13SS) is a C's... and are still availlable from Nissan Motorsports USA! Common thread on Nissan/ Nismo is 10mm x 1.25. However if you get a Silvia S15 version its 12mm. I have seen Good and Bad reviews on the Nismo... odd as that is.

I have not tried the OBX but it sounds descent.

I tried a friends B&M... that is something you have to try yourself... some like it others hate it. Its very very short throw (less than stock 350Z), and very hard and notchy ingaugment.

Nismo Mounts do not raise the Engine or Tanny at all... your shiat was old and saggin.

Peace
Drew

[projectRDM]

A LOT of bad information in this thread. Terrible.

The Nismo solid shifter is just that, a solid shifter. It includes new, high impact bushings and tightens up the feel considerably, but it in no way shortens throws.
The C's shifter is sold through Nissan Motorsports US, not Nismo Japan, this is the genuine item at close to $300. I bought one from them back in 1995 when no one else stocked or even produced a short throw, it's a very nice piece.
The OBX/Pilot are knockoffs of the C's, cheaper plastic is used in the bushing, it's a screw on two-piece design instead of molded, etc, etc. Lower quality but still decent for the the nearly $225 difference in price. The Ebay $30 specials are knockoffs of the knockoffs, never tried one but I can imagine it's what you would expect from a $30 shifter.
The B&M is the better design here, but the older ones rattled like fuck, the newer ones are still very tight and noisy, but the feel is great. The knockoffs of these are a little less solid feeling, but coupled with a new aluminum bushing in place of the plastic and you're fine.
Nismo mounts only raise the motor/transmission if you OE mounts were badly worn or broken, though they don't 'give' as much so even on an average age car you may notice a higher shifter simple because the OE allows more compliance.

[OptionZero]

Very well then. Authentic C's it is...now to track one down.

courtesy parts doesn't sell it; i'm not aware of any other real nissan motorsports dealer, and my local dealership is shit. Help?

[TougeRacing]

arent short shifters hella bad for your transmission? something about how the transmission is notndesigned for short shifting so it gets banged up a lot easier. anyone want to enlighten me?

[SochBAT]

the NISMO Solid shifter doesn't reduce throw, it just cleans up the slop you have on your crapass rubberlike stock shifter.

IIRC, OBX tends to break, C's is solid (i think its a 2piece, while the OBX is a 3)

http://www.zilvia.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=16&sort=7&cat=26&page=1

Reviews on OBX/PILOT/C's. If you get a short shifter, don't skip out. B&Ms are the shizzly, solid, mechanical, and precise. Oh, there are 2 versions, the first had a noise issue above 5k, and the second was bug-free!

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

Reviews on OBX/PILOT/C's. If you get a short shifter, don't skip out.


by that you mean the knock off c's right? cause getting a real c's is in NO WAY skimping out. mine roxors my boxors. :)

i belive the real's c's are a 2 peice design? correct me if im wrong please.

[twong85]

If 2 pieces means the actualy shifter and the base plate then yes its 2 piece. The obx/pilot shifter is 2 pieces screwed together. The 1st gen obx that I have not seen in like forever broke due to poor materials. Everything around now should almost 100% the revision since it's been out so long so they DON'T break. OBX/pilot is bashed by a) people who've never had one b) people who can't read writeups properly so messed up the order of installing the parts.

Oh yea and the obx's base plate has a very small area for ziptieing the inner boot, unlike the beefy C's which has no problem come's with it's own boot iirc.

[projectRDM]

arent short shifters hella bad for your transmission? something about how the transmission is notndesigned for short shifting so it gets banged up a lot easier. anyone want to enlighten me?

Bad info again. The transmission doesn't care how it goes into gear as long as it goes in. A short throw shifter changes the fulcrum point, nothing more. The amount of travel below that point is the same as OE.

[turtl631]

I've heard the argument that short shifters damage the transmission by adding more torque to the shift, which is retarded. Since the throw is shorter, you have a smaller lever arm and therefore produce less torque for a given force input. If anything, short shifters should be easier on your tranmission. I really think you should try a B&M though; the feel is awesome and if its cheaper than a real C's I don't know why you wouldn't get one.

[alkemyst]

I've heard the argument that short shifters damage the transmission by adding more torque to the shift, which is retarded. Since the throw is shorter, you have a smaller lever arm and therefore produce less torque for a given force input. If anything, short shifters should be easier on your tranmission. I really think you should try a B&M though; the feel is awesome and if its cheaper than a real C's I don't know why you wouldn't get one.

It's not torque it's over-engaging the gears. My 97 VW GTI VR6 was peculiar about that as well as my 88 Mustang GT with a special bolt added to the shifter to prevent 3rd gear from going in to far.

You have one lever you control on a shifter (the one the knob is on) then there is another below that is against the tranny....

[bp057]

+1 for B&M, never tried the C's though. Little noisy, takes a little getting used to the feel, but youll never go to anything else after that.

[019]

I recall reading an older thread(while i was tryin to search) saying the OBX does not sit lower (if only a little) than stock like the C's real.
yes, the obx shifter will sit at stock height. the b&m is considerably lower. i did a comparison of both before. you can search for it or check it out on my webpage.

i personally would recommend the b&m, but if you don't a very notchy shifter, the obx does just fine. like russ mentioned, it might be a little lower quality, but it IS $200 or so less. you could buy yourself 3 obx shifters, haha.