Hey guys, I just installed the Blox dual bend short shifter and ES shifter bushings. I was quite surprised at how stiff the shifter is now. I'm guessing the bushings need to break in a bit before they settle and aren't as stiff? I'm talking this is like 100x stiffer than the stock shifter setup. I'm pretty sure I installed everything right as I've checked the Skunk 2 shifter installs (it's the same as Blox) and everything looks right. I can shift into gears fine, just that's it's very very stiff. I'm guessing this is how they're supposed to feel until the bushings break in?

 

did you use the supplied Lube for the bushings?

 

it feels like that for a long time. it's just how the bushings are

 

Yea, I used the ES formula 5 prelube on the bushings. That **** is more like glue than lube. It's stickier than hell. I used both little tubes on the bushings and made sure they were very lubed. No squeeks or anything.

I think the problem is just that I'm used to the sloppy old rubber bushings and stock shifter and haven't adjusted to the new bushings and shifter yet. I noticed after I went and drove it again that it's getting easier to drive. You can't just slop between gears anymore, you have to actually want to go between gears. I'd imagine the bushings will break in over time. My friend has the ES bushings in his EG B18 swap and they feel firm, but not this firm. I think they've been in his car for a couple years now though, so I'm sure they've softened up a bit compared to new.

 

You may have tightened the bolt that holds the bottom of the shifter to the linkage too tight... I did the same thing when I put a short shifter in mine... Try loosening it a little but make sure its still secure.

 

yep, too tight. if im not mistaken its a long 12 bolt.. i used a lock nut on the other end from a couple spare nuts i had from the exhaust manifold.. works great..but eventually it'll break in..

 

correct on the bolt holding shifter to linkage. you over tightened it and the linkage is squeezing the shifter too much.

 

x2. i did that with my first car and that **** was too stiff. And i had a sk2 with es bushings. Im running that on my new eg now and its not to stiff. Its ok. A little bit more cuz of the es bushings but not all crazy.

 

I'll have to check that out. I torqued it to the factory spec of 16 ft. lbs. but possibly that's too tight with the short shifter. I didn't have any instructions when installing it so I just torqued to what the factory spec was.

 

Just got and lossen it a bit. go up to car test it. And adjust accordingly until you are satisfied on its feel.

 

Mine was like that, it just takes time to loosen up.

 

What he said..^^^

 

I have s2 with es bushings also and yes it feels 100% stiffer but it shouldnt be a problem. If it is then it is some other underlying cause. It just took me some time to get used to

 

Precisely.

You don't want it too loose either though.

If I were you, I'd use Loc-Tite as well. Mine actually came loose and I lost the bolt and the nut.

 

Well, I just hopped under the car and checked things out. The bolt was in fact too tight and wasn't letting the shifter move forward or aft correctly. I loosened the bolt then had the girlfriend shift the car while I slowly tightened it. I tightened it until the shifter started to bind very slightly and made sure the bolt was secure through the shifter. We'll see how it goes. I'm going to check it again after a couple days and see if it's still tight. If not, I'll Loc-Tite it to keep it from going anywhere and re-tighten it.

 

So too change those bushing its under the car?

Bout too do that too mine, just double checkin....and is it fairly easy , any tips?

 

loosen the bolt that runs through the shifter and linkage, like everyone says. I did it too once. makes all the difference