A few short shifters, your thoughts?

[AlligatorBling]

Please help! lol... I want a shifter with a more presice, shorter throw... Im tired of feeling like im rowing a rowboat when i shift! Quite a few choices to pick from... I dont have the cash for B&M so these are my options... any ideas? They all have many claims, but which is right? and most of all, which is best! Thanks for any help :bow:


The OBX, "Reduce throw by 30~35%." ... link below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2481430016&category=33736

The MK1 , throw not stated... link below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2481830715&category=6755

The No Name brand.. lol, "reducing throw up 20% over stock." link below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7904891346&category=33736

The C Type shifter, "Reduced throw by 25%" link below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2481240225&category=33736

Another no name, but looks alot like BM shifter, "Reduced throw by 30% " link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7905229245&category=33736

[SilviaSativa]

NICO Group Buy - $49+shipping (http://www.nissaninfiniticlub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=66361)

[exitspeed]

NICO Group Buy - $49+shipping (http://www.nissaninfiniticlub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=66361)


wow thats pretty tempting. $50? I just have a hard time trusting the quality for that price.

[AlligatorBling]

thats the same shifter shown here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7904891346&category=33736

52 bucks after shipping... im also wondering about quality as well

[TheTimanator]

Why don't you just save up for the B&M? I mean eventually you'll have the money unless you just can't see spending that much money on a short shifter or can't wait for whatever reason. Personally I'd like to see a comparison between the Megan SS and B&M's. I've heard a few people going from the OBX shifter to the B&M and said it was worth the $200ish. So if the Megan SS and all the others you listed are the same style shifter as the OBX I'd say wait and get the B&M....

EDIT: I read more of the NICO thread. The Megan SS, OBX, C's... they are all the same style shifter. BTW, there's a GB on B&M's in the groupbuy section for $180...

[AlligatorBling]

200 is just so much more than 50, lol... i have a lot of other things i wanna buy for my car as well... side skirts, new mtl fluid, new diff fluid, s14 seats, lightweight pully, ect ect ect... i dont have to have the BEST shortshifter, i just want it to shift shorter, and and be more precise, while working right, and not breaking for the time i have it in the car.

[Demik]

save up and get a B&M.. it owns all PERIOD

[old_s13]

why dont you go to a 240sx meet, talk to some people with different shifters.. try them out, and THEN make the right decision that works best for you? its a shifter, its not rocket science. I sat in my friends car about 3 years ago, I said SHIT thats a good shifter.. I asked what it was, and it was the B&M. BAM, I made the decision and knew what I wanted and set my mind on getting it. I bought it, installed it, done deal.

If you're going to cut corners and try to fix up your car with 50 dollar parts to make room for OTHER 50 dollar parts, you're going to end up with a 240sx that looks like exactly what you've spent on it. There's nothing wrong with inexpensive products, as long as they are good. With a lot of these shifters (excluding the B&M) they are more or less the same crap from what I've heard... all more or less copies of the menismo shifter.

So, just pick the one thats right for you. For me, it wasnt about xx% shorter shift, I dont give a flying fuck about percentages.. all I wanted was a shifter with a damn good feel. Go drive an NSX or S2000 (or even Miata), then learn what a QUALITY stock shifter is all about -- then make your decision.

- Mike

[SauN]

I have an OBX ss right now. Don't like it cause it's too notchy so I'm switching back to stock. Haven't tried a B&M though.

[old_s13]

B&M is the tightest most notchy shifter I have ever used.. its okay, I like it.. I own it.

In my opinion, the best shifter I've ever felt was the NSX shifter.

[95Blue240sx]

i have a b&m. its notchy, but solid! ive felt the difference between a OBX and mine. the obs just doesnt feel like quality. it seem to be no sturdy, but just notchy.

do what old s13 said. go try some out at a meet.

[AlligatorBling]

whats the deal on this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7905229245&category=33736

ive only seen it for sale just recently...

[blu808]

I would get the B&M I have never believed in short shifters until i bought the B&M thats why im doing a group buy right now.

Check out the group buy section, super good pricing there.
:naughtyd:

[Chernobyl]

I drove stock, OBX, and B&M back to back to back when some friends and I met up to eat dinner once.

All 3 agreed the B&M feels the best. OBX is shorter throw, but stilll doesnt feel too solid. I did think it had a smoother shift than my B&M though. Stock feels like a rowboat... enough said.

I highly recommend B&M.

I just sold mine and went back to a stock shifter a week ago, and I actually don't mind the floaty stock feel any more. It's very comfortable and smooth. I kinda like stock at this point.

On the track, B&M ownzorz all though. Get it. Used ones go for $150...

[blue109]

i have that MK1 ebay special. i dont think it shortened the throw much, but it did give it a nice solid feel. i like the notchy feel. sometimes i couldnt tell if i was in gear or not with the stocker in there.

[pruto]

do you have a stock shift knob still? i switched out of my stock shift knob into a leather nismo (cause i ripped the stock one getting off, grr) and i couldn't believe how big a difference having a lighter shift knob made.

my philosophy is that i rather save up, not buy a part than buy crap parts. obx types break and often come lose in two, you get what you pay for. having hookups and getting good deals is one thing, but paying for crap to put on your car will screw you in the long run.

stock is better than crap, and if you can't afford everything you want for your car, prioritize, buy one good thing for your car instead of 5 crap things. cause you'll most likely have to replace the crap later on anyway. B&M costs around $200, obx around $70, but if you have to buy a obx and later a B&M, thats $270... i hope you get my logic. That sounds silly, but i know of more than one 240 owner who has done that before, learn from other people's mistakes.

another thing, i feel that the stock 240 shifter with a light shift knob is a fairly good throw to begin with, i've been told that by the few people who have driven my car. you really don't NEED a short shifter, its not that important in terms of must have mods. if you think of it that way, waiting and saving up for a good one shouldn't be a problem.

[TurDz]

The one that's being sold for $60 shipped seems like crap personally...dunno, if you do a few more searches on NICO with the terms "C's shifter" you'll find more similiar looking Megan STS reviews and problems.

pruto,

it's interesting that you say how a lighter shift knob improves feel/throw? I had a 4th Gen Maxima (w/ a STS) and I switched from the stock one to a Momo short anatomic. It was lighter for sure, but I realized that there was a bit less momentum when shifting. I honestly believe there is a correct balance in the weight of a shift knob and how easily the shifter shifts into each gear. Eventually, I just replaced the stock knob and liked it better.

[blu808]

Umm. Our group buy price on these is $179.99 + Shipping.
Check it out if you guys are interested.

Luke

[old_s13]

it's interesting that you say how a lighter shift knob improves feel/throw? I had a 4th Gen Maxima (w/ a STS) and I switched from the stock one to a Momo short anatomic. It was lighter for sure, but I realized that there was a bit less momentum when shifting. I honestly believe there is a correct balance in the weight of a shift knob and how easily the shifter shifts into each gear. Eventually, I just replaced the stock knob and liked it better.

correct, weighted knobs are necessary.. this is why I bought the NISMO knob, its heavy and not excessively priced (about 30-50).


i've been told that by the few people who have driven my car. you really don't NEED a short shifter, its not that important in terms of must have mods.

short shifters arent a necessity at all. all they are, is a comfort creature.. much like seats, steering wheel, etc. interior mods may be low key and not required, but they very much help build driver confidence.. which is why i am very articulate with my interior preferences.

[AlligatorBling]

this is off topic, but old s13 sparked a thought.... with mentioning comforts... can you buy a steering wheel spacer for the stock setup?

[pruto]

my nismo knob feels like it weighs 1/4 as much as the stock one. i think the height also has something to do with it. but a properly designed shiftknob definiately makes the throw much better.

[Ivan]

Where can I get a nismo shift knob? I was gonna get a short shifter but would rather just get a shift knob since I don't need the shorter throw really.

[Salty_X]

this is off topic, but old s13 sparked a thought.... with mentioning comforts... can you buy a steering wheel spacer for the stock setup?
Nope, the spacers only work with aftermarket hubs and steering wheels.

[aa87]

What about C's shifter, a real C's shifter, would it really compare to the B&M?

BTW, Rx-8 has one of the nicest shifters ive driven, short, and even an illuminated, rotary shaped knob.

[TheTimanator]

What about C's shifter, a real C's shifter, would it really compare to the B&M?

BTW, Rx-8 has one of the nicest shifters ive driven, short, and even an illuminated, rotary shaped knob.
not really. The C's shifter is the style that OBX and others have copied. The B&M replaces everything including the plate that mounts to the transmission unlike the C's shifter it's copies...

[180fan]

the c's is actually pretty comparable to the b&m's. 4th is shorter on the b&m for sure, 1 and 2 feel about the same, 3 is a little shorter on the b&m, 5th feels the same.

[Demik]

reverse is like 6th... o yea B&M has the bling bling blue plate that i adore

[TurDz]

I feel that even if the C's style may be copied, the OBX and replicas do not match the quality, fitment, and feel of the C's. It's always a tough call because they may look the same but usually feel much different.

[019]

the obx shifter is definitely a nice improvement over stock. it's just a little notchier than stock, which gives it a good feel, yet is still smooth, which is something i like about it. however it still retains stock height. it's definitely still moves around really easily, just like stock.

the b&m is just beyond comparison. the throws, like old_s13 said, are really notchy and very short. maybe it's just me, but they feel shorter than that of the obx. that might be because of the fact that it sits lower than the obx/stock shifter, so it gives it a better feel. the only things that really bother me about it are noise it makes, altho that's not that big of a deal, and the fact that the throws aren't as smooth. it's feels more mechanical. the positive of that is that i found it just about impossible to miss gears. just makes it a little harder to shift fast.

[Flybert]

One thing to know is that the B&M takes some UMPH to get it into gear. I ditched mine for this very reason. It's really nice for certain setups, but for me, I needed something that was easier to get into gear. When you are drifting in 3rd and transitioning to 2nd when you shave a lot of speed, the last thing you want to do is have to concentrate and use strength to get the thing into second. If I used my car just for grip, the B&M would still be in my car. Due to the design of the B&M, mis-shifting is less likely to happen as well.

[AlligatorBling]

i hate mis-shifting... nothing worse when your nose to nose with another car and you mis-shift.... we have all done it, one of the most embarasing and frustrating feelings in the world ....lol...... i dont even like to think about it :cry:

[TurDz]

i hate mis-shifting... nothing worse when your nose to nose with another car and you mis-shift.... we have all done it, one of the most embarasing and frustrating feelings in the world ....lol...... i dont even like to think about it :cry:

Are you shifting correctly? there could be something flawed with your technique.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=86024

[ZK]

A short shifter is gonna help but it is all in the timing. I do think the stock 240SX shifter is not as communicative as say a B-series Honda one but it works pretty good.

I'm not that good at quick shifting but my friend is pretty damn fast. He was WOT on our friend's SR swapped 240 and going through the gears so fast all you feel is a slight jerk, the engine doesn't loose any RPM and the BOV doesn't even have time to let off the boost.

I've driven a C's shifter before and yes, it is very sweet.. If you must have one of the best and can afford it, get one.

[sykikchimp]

Every "OBX vs. B&M" thread is exactly the same..

"OMG WTF.. There is nothing like B&M, how can you even compare!?"

"I own an OBX, and compared to B&M once, and didn't like the B&M b/c it was TOOO notchy, and is MCUH t00 expensive!!"

"My C's is BETTA Th3n ALL!!!"

It depends on what you want.

B&M.. Very short, Very notchy.

OBX, Pilot, Bla, Bla.. Shorter than stock, notchy at first, but wears in as the poly shifter bushing wears. Does the job fine, and is cheap.

C's IS the SAME as OBX.

These are non-arguable statements. If you disagree, you are WRONG. :rl:

If you had searched, there are at LEAST 5 threads with EXACTLY, and I mean IDENTICAL information.

-Charles, who's just tired of reading all the "My shit is better than Y0 shit" crap.

[AlligatorBling]

Are you shifting correctly? there could be something flawed with your technique.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=86024

lol.... i dont know, i know how people talk about technique and all but i dont buy into it toooooo much, yeah there is a little technique ie how you grip the shifter ect, but more or less you pull or push the shifter where it goes... its not rocket science... it rarely happens, but when it does, god it sucks..

[019]

yea, everyone always has the same thing to says. both are great short shifters with their own advantages and disadvantages. right now i'm experimenting with the obx shifter, but it goes something like this:

1. if you like the way the stock shifter feels and just want a shorter throw, get obx

2. if you want a shifter that's a lot more solid and notchier, get b&m

right now, i'm still liking the b&m more, but i haven't spent a lot of time with the obx. i'm planning on using that this weekend at Road Atlanta and see how it compares when on actually driving hard.

as far as shifting techniques.... i think it's more of a preference. the techniques listed in that link just don't sound right to me.... i like having my palm above the shifter and using more wrist than whole hand movement.

[TurDz]

My dad always taught me how to shift as the way described in the thread. At first, I thought it wasn't right either, but later I learned that it does work very well and I now consider it a "classic" style of shifting. I've noticed that a lot the older generation of people I've been with shift that way. I've rarely missed any gear shifting very quickly with the above methods, whether it be at drag or just speed shifting.

About STS's...I think you should "know" within a few minutes whether you like the shifter or not. I tried a friend's 2000 Civic with an STS, dunno where he bought it from or what brand, but it was ultra-smooth. Smoother than any stock nissan manual car I've driven, and very short too. So light to the touch yet precise at the same time. It set the standard a lot higher for what I expect now.