[FAQ] How-To: Install a B&M Short Throw Shifter. PIC INTENSIVE!

[Deemeetree]

This write-up is to install a: B&M Short Throw Shifter Part # 45075 Bought this shifter from James@GSCMotorsports.com here on Honda-Tech. He has them (or had them) on sale for $50 shipped, brand new. Sponsor here on Honda-Tech. A few pics from what comes in the package: A couple of reference points as to where the stock shifter sits and where it positions itself in gears 1, 3, and 5: Pretty much roughly 7 1/2" from the middle of the shifter to the ashtray. Step 1: The almighty ramps. Step 2: Remove shifter handle and rubber boot from floorboard. Step 3: Spray some WD-40 on exhaust hangers and remove the hanger. Step 4: Another hanger pic. Step 5: Move the exhaust pipe out of the way and unbolt the 2 12mm bolts that hold the rear extension to the body. Step 6: Remove the 12mm bolt and nut that hold the shifter to the change rod. Notes: You can do this BEFORE Step 5 to have more support, but since I ALWAYS use a 1/2" Drive, I needed some space. Step 7: Drop the linkage out of the way. Step 8: Remove the linkage that bolts to the transmission. It's a 12mm bolt, no nut (self locking). Move it out of the way. Step 9: Remove the ENTIRE shifter linkage out of the confined space. Take it outside of the vehicle. Step 10: Place it outside. Step 11: Remove the 2 10mm lock nuts. Notes: These have a flat to assist in remove the nut. Step 12: You'll need to grip the flat bolts with a pair of needle nose pliers to assist in removing the 10mm nuts. Step 13: Once the plate is off, the entire shifter and seal boot fall right out. Be gentle. Don't tear any of the boots. Step 14: With a pair of needle nose pliers, remove the sleeve from inside of the stock shifter. It's a sleeve with 4 grooves in it that takes 3/8" ID x 1/2" OD bushings/o-rings. Step 15: Remove all 4 o-rings from the sleeve. Notes: Best way I found, was to pinch the o-ring from under, creating an "arch" above. Then, with your nail, roll them off. Step 16: Remove the dust seal and ball seat from the stock shifter. You're done. Now, onto the installation of the new B&M Short Throw Shifter. Step 1: Slide dust seal and ball seat onto the new shifter. Might take a little oomph here and there. Step 2: With the supplied White Lithium grease, apply some onto the "ball". Step 3: and Insert new B&M Shifter back onto the change extension. Notes: If you notice, one side of the plate is squared off and the other side is rounded off. THE SQUARE SIDE POINTS FORWARD TOWARD THE TRANSMISSION! Tighten the 2 10mm nuts. You'll need to use the needle nose pliers once again, it's a bit tricky, but MAKE SURE THE NUTS ARE FULLY SEATED! Step 4: Grease the OEM sleeve with the supplied grease. Grease this piece liberally. Step 5: Insert the new 4 o-rings that came in the package. Grease some more all over the sleeve and o-rings. Step 6: Grease the inside of the shifter, where the sleeve sits. Step 7: Enter the sleeve. It might take a bit of a push and a couple light taps of a mallet, it'll go through. Make sure you have the same clearance of the exposed sleeve on both sides. Step 8: Go under your car again and place the entire shifter linkage back onto the location where it sits. Also, grease both of the ends of the sleeve. 2 more o-rings (supplied on the package) will sit here. Step 9: Now, get the 2 9/16" ID x 3/4" OD o-rings and sit them on the ends of the sleeve. Makre sure you grease nicely. Step 10: Bolt up the shifter to the change rod and make sure the o-rings are properly seated. Bolt on snug. Step 11: Bolt the 2 12mm bolts back onto the rear extension mount. Bolt snug. Step 12: Hook your hangers back on. You're DONE! Install time: +/- 1 hour. Depending on how thorough you are that everything is installed properly. Here are some after pics of the new B&M Short Throw Shifter: DEFINITELY shortened gears 1, 3, and 5 by 1 1/14" to 1 1/2". As you can see, it also sits forward. This shifter DOES NOT have a bend on it. Straight shaft. Notes: If you are tall and sit really back, this shifter might not be for you. or If you sit like a homo-thug all back, don't get this shifter, it's not for you. I sit decently up front. 1, 3, and 5th gears are in arm's reach. My arm is almost fully extended to engage the gear. I'm 5'10" by the way. It's considerably shorter BTW, About 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" drop from stock location. Initial DRIVING impressions...WOW! CRISP shifting and CRISP engaging of ALL gears. The shifter no longers goes from side to side. In a gear, the shifter DOES NOT move from side to side AT ALL. All gears enter smoothly and VERY tight shifting. DEFINITELY a shifter worth buying. Next week I'll install a new shifter knob, and I'll be set. For the ones that broke this shifter, I don't know how you did it. It's a SOLID contruction and is pretty heavy to tell you. Either stop spanking the monkey because your forearms are getting too strong or stop shifting as if you had to rip each gear into place. Hope this helps everyone! BTW, I also have Energy Suspension shifter bushings installed. Makes it even better for shifting. I also have write-ups on the Energy Suspension bushings install if you Search under my name. Modified by Dimi at 9:24 AM 9/30/2004

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[Dacalac]

awesome write up man! This could probably be applied to most short shifters though right?

[Andres-eh2]

good write ups

[m3dia_lab]

Originally Posted by Dirk Lance

awesome write up man! This could probably be applied to most short shifters though right?

correct.

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by Dirk Lance

awesome write up man! This could probably be applied to most short shifters though right?

Yes sir. I'm willing to bet for ALL shifters that only come with the shifter handle itself.

There's some race shifters that come with the bottom plate and seals bushings, but it has the same concept.

[pdiggitydogg]

I never really liked my b&m shifter

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by Andres-eh2

good write ups

Thanks. Did you get my message on the other install of the shifter bushings?

[undertheradar]

Nice how-to....but those pics suck big time. I have a headache now.

[Cain Marko]

Im gonna have to grab myself one of these, I also got one of those skunk2 weighted shifters that I scored from a friend for free. Would that knob help at all with shift throw or is everyone just feeding me lines?

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by undertheradar

Nice how-to....but those pics suck big time. I have a headache now.

Suck as in too many or suck as in blurry?

Yeah. Some pics are blurry. I'm a nervous wreck and can never hold a camera still for my life.

Originally Posted by pdiggitydogg

I never really liked my b&m shifter

Why, may I ask?

Originally Posted by turtlecx92

Im gonna have to grab myself one of these, I also got one of those skunk2 weighted shifters that I scored from a friend for free. Would that knob help at all with shift throw or is everyone just feeding me lines?

Probably make the shift even tighter...but it'll at least be as tight as when it had the stock shifter knob.

I'm just looking to get one of those replica Type-R knobs from eGay. Like how they look plus it'll look nice since the material is made the same way for the shifter knob and shifter...so it'll match.

[darkcvc]

great write up

[CHONCH]

nice write up

one question though. how much better can the B&M shifter be than one of the cheap ones on ebay? i know the cheapo ones are ricey, but if you sand it and paint it black, who would know?

does the B&M engage the gear a little better or something?

[RockLee`]

nice write-up, now i'm thinking of getting a short shifter weeee

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by twinturbobb

nice write up

one question though. how much better can the B&M shifter be than one of the cheap ones on ebay? i know the cheapo ones are ricey, but if you sand it and paint it black, who would know?

does the B&M engage the gear a little better or something?

I'm really not sure. I can't tell you. No, I'm not going to lie.

But, this one engages the gear NICELY and VERY TIGHT. 2nd, 4th and Reverse seems as if they are in Neutral, seriously. So, you know how short it is if you can't tell if it's in gear or not. I'm not sure about the design on the eBay ones, but I doubt it's much different. But you have to see, B&M has been around making drivetrain components for AGES, so you have to have some trust in their Engineering and design.

[senpai]

I have 3 cars with 3 short shifters. One eBay dual bend, EVASIVE dual bend, and B&M.

I love the B&M, I can't stand dual bends... They don't feel good to me; lot of other ppl love it tho. The shifting is CRISP on the B&M, I think I'm going to buy more of them.

[pdiggitydogg]

Originally Posted by Dimi

Why, may I ask?

It was too far away for me on daily driving...and Im 5'10 with monkey arms. I felt that it was too short too (not tall enough)

I am much happier w/ my skunk2 dual bend.

User preference

[Deemeetree]

I see. Indeed, need one that fits your needs and your measurements.

Thanks for all the input.

[_Spugen_]

Nice write up man...Whats next?

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by SpugenEG

Nice write up man...Whats next?

I'm thinking How-To on rebuilding your CV joint.

[Nico]

Nice write up Dimi.

Oh and I also talked to a guy today that has blown several CV joints on his 95 coupe.
Maybe he may know a way to salvage it... or maybe you can buy his... because I think he is parting out his car to get a swap.
I am most likely going to buy his mirrors.

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by Nico

Nice write up Dimi.

Oh and I also talked to a guy today that has blown several CV joints on his 95 coupe.
Maybe he may know a way to salvage it... or maybe you can buy his... because I think he is parting out his car to get a swap.
I am most likely going to buy his mirrors.

I've got the Helms online and it shows how to rebuild it with a new boot.

[iixerOii]

Very nice and detailed write up man

[SkoundrelUSA]

So the shifter doesn't come with the bearings? Cuz my stock ones are so ****ed up....

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Dimi

I've got the Helms online and it shows how to rebuild it with a new boot.

It was just a suggestion Dimi to maybe make it easier, I figured you already had something to go by.

[Deemeetree]

Originally Posted by SkoundrelUSA

So the shifter doesn't come with the bearings? Cuz my stock ones are so ****ed up....

No. Shifter, new o-rings and lube.

Originally Posted by Nico

It was just a suggestion Dimi to maybe make it easier, I figured you already had something to go by.

Heh, I know. But we'll see...