A tale of two shifters...

[NetworkingGuru]

OK guys, I read the whole thread, but the one thing I could not ascertain: Do these mods eliminate the 2nd gear grind/lockout? Seems like you indicated they would (talking about the guy in the 302s not complaining about missing gears), but I wanted to verify.

By the way, awesome write up and work on resolving these problems Tob. One thing I love about the SVT/Shelby community, broke stuff gets sorted. :beer:

 

[Tob]

Brian, if your issue is rooted in shifter deflection then it may indeed help to alleviate the problem. If the issue is internal to the transmission or clutch related, then I don't believe it'll have much effect on grinding or being locked out of gear. The bushings simply allow a more precise shift via the factory mechanism than the soft factory fork bushings will allow.

 

[NetworkingGuru]

Brian, if your issue is rooted in shifter deflection then it may indeed help to alleviate the problem. If the issue is internal to the transmission or clutch related, then I don't believe it'll have much effect on grinding or being locked out of gear. The bushings simply allow a more precise shift via the factory mechanism than the soft factory fork bushings will allow.

Thanks for the answer man. How'd you know my name?

 

[NightRide]

So these billet bushings are getting rid of the side to side slop while in gear?

 

[Norton]

How'd you know my name?

Tob knows EVERYTHING...




Seriously, though, it's under the "About Me" tab of your profile.

 

[NetworkingGuru]

Tob knows EVERYTHING...




Seriously, though, it's under the "About Me" tab of your profile.

LOL, of course it is :lol1:

 

[Breitling]

Excellent work on this topic! Thank you, Tob.

Sorry for the noob question, but can I install these solid bushings on my 2014 without having to lower the transmission?

Thanks.

 

[Tob]

Tob knows EVERYTHING...




Seriously, though, it's under the "About Me" tab of your profile.

Dammit. I missed an opportunity to use my now favorite response...

Excellent work on this topic! Thank you, Tob.

Sorry for the noob question, but can I install these solid bushings on my 2014 without having to lower the transmission?

Thanks.

I think that'd be a bit challenging. You really need to be able to get your hands up there to be able to do much. But remember, this procedure is no different than when installing a shifter. A snippet from FRPP's shifter install instructions...

Getting everything to line up definitely requires some finesse. Lowering the rear of the transmission down properly really isn't that difficult and will pay off in droves if expletive reduction is any sort of acceptable measure.

 

[Breitling]

Thanks for the reply, Tob.

It looks like the driveshaft was removed in the instruction pictures you posted. Can you confirm that while I will need to slightly lower the transmission to gain access, I do not need to remove my driveshaft? My GT500 is a 2014, in case that makes any difference.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help.

 

[Tob]

Hmm. I'm pretty sure that when I installed my KR shifter years ago that I followed FRPP's instructions to the letter and removed the driveshaft (at the front coupling anyway). When I added the solid bushings I didn't touch the driveshaft, which at this point in my vehicle's life was now a one piece CF shaft as opposed to it being the original two piece when I installed the shifter.

 

[Tob]

If there is much interest, I can try to convince a vendor like Van to carry a high durometer rear shifter bushing for the factory GT500 shifter. It would fit the OEM shifter for all years 2007-2014, essentially matching the unobtainable FRPP/KR bushing. I've spent some time drawing one up in Solidworks and am almost done. A mold (etc) would need done and the proper urethane compound procured. It would be a perfect compliment to the solid shifter fork bushings that are carried by Van at Revan Racing.


Once again, if you have a factory shifter in your car (regardless of year) that isn't a KR, you have a buttery soft bushing...

The FRPP/KR bushing is very difficult to compress and is easily more than twice the durometer of the factory bushing...

Here's what I drew, rendered in a fairly light color to make it easier to view...

If you've paid attention, you'll notice that the small screw that exits the bottom of the bushing isn't in the rendering. It is used for assembly line purposes only, so that the bushing doesn't get removed from its respective bracket as the driveline assembly is lifted up to the underside of the S197 chassis. It is not necessary.

 

[SCGallo2]

Tob, I am interested. I plan to upgrade to solid shifter bushings up front and would like the rear bushing to complement.

 

[Tob]

That's exactly the type of comment I'm looking for.:thumbsup:

 

[Randy5.0]

I would really like to buy one. I have the solid bushings only at this point and felt a good improvement, enough to recommend the mod to friends anyway. I'm changing the handle next to get rid of that soft bushing and would love the KR type rear bushing to finish it off.

Randy

 

[Van@RevanRacing]

Let's do it. I get calls daily for a rear bushing solution to go in concert with the shifter bushings.

 

[Tob]

Good to hear! I'll get serious about finishing the CAD file, getting a mold machined as well as conducting more injection molding research.:read:

 

[Norton]

Perfect timing... My MGW shifter arrived yesterday! :bored:
Seriously, Tob, if I wasn't installing an MGW, I'd be all over this great idea. Kudos to you and Van for working to make it happen! :beer:

 

[Silver_Serpent]

When I installed my shifter, I had to lower the trans slightly ... just backed the bolts out some, not all the way out. I also had to remove the reverse lockout sensor and the speed sensor also. I just dont see how you can get your hands in that small space and work without doing those things.

 

[Tob]

Seriously, Tob, if I wasn't installing an MGW, I'd be all over this great idea. Kudos to you and Van for working to make it happen! :beer:

While I've spoken to Van plenty of times before, I honestly just offered up the suggestion a few posts ago and I'm glad he saw it. Lots of legwork for something that should be so simple.

 

[me32]

this would be a great upgrade for those guys with stock bushing. not would this new bushing your are making TOB be stiffer than the KR style? which I what I have no on mine.