Gear shift shortener

kranz38 said:
check this out, Tim from ZZP just emailed me some solutions and was wondering if this was a cheaper alternative. Shortest throw out of the options.
http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=79&products_id=615
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My buddy had one of these on his Cobalt SS. You have to remove the shifter in your center console then cut a piece of the stock shifter off and install this piece. It worked well, just wondering if our shifters are the same as the Cobalt SS The only downfall is that once you cut the stock shifter there is no going back to stock unless you purchase a new shifter.
 
Who is going to be the first to install both ?
 
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Oh god. I'd be the guinea pig for the cheap one, but I would need absolute confirmation this will work haha.
 
Do it, you have all the luck. I haven't even gotten my fog lights yet, lol
 
No price change yet, and ill have them in stock soon I hope. Less than 2 weeks for sure. They are already on their way from mtech, but mtech is in the Netherlands so it takes a while to get them
 
Got mine installed today. I don't really have much to add to the others that have already posted.

I have to concur that removing the cap is a gigantic pain, and some might not even be able to do it. Also, as some have posted, pulling the linkage off takes a lot of force and is pretty difficult. Taking the battery and box out (while it is irritating getting at the third bolt behind the box) makes it a lot easier.

As for the results; huge improvement. I agree that it probably isn't a 50% reduction (although shifting from 2 to 3, 4 to 5 feels MUCH shorter), but shifts just feel so much better. Crisper, shorter, and it just feels a lot more solid and mechanical. It feels like a sports sedan should.

Also, the part being shipped from Badnews is the updated one, and has no issues in terms of the height interfering with the battery box. As long as you have the means to get it installed, this is the best $200 you can possibly spend on this car.
 
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Schneeds said:
Got mine installed today. I don't really have much to add to the others that have already posted.

I have to concur that removing the cap is a gigantic pain, and some might not even be able to do it. Also, as some have posted, pulling the linkage off takes a lot of force and is pretty difficult. Taking the battery and box out (while it is irritating getting at the third bolt behind the box) makes it a lot easier.

As for the results; huge improvement. I agree that it probably isn't a 50% reduction (although shifting from 2 to 3, 4 to 5 feels MUCH shorter), but shifts just feel so much better. Crisper, shorter, and it just feels a lot more solid and mechanical. It feels like a sports sedan should.

Also, the part being shipped from Badnews is the updated one, and has no issues in terms of the height interfering with the battery box. As long as you have the means to get it installed, this is the best $200 you can possibly spend on this car.
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thanks for the update .. I can't even explain how excited I am to finally get this LOL soo many projects going on right now for this car and this is the one that's making me lose my mind with excitement LOL other than me changing the color of my wheels to Vintage Gold just to be THAT ahole 😱 .. congrats on the new mod !!
 
Got mine installed yesterday too...

Highlights:
- can be installed without removing the battery (I’m sure it is easier with it removed)
- the stock dust cap/plug is a pain to remove (but not overly hard, be patient and work at it)
- the c-clip supplied with the kit is useless, re-use the stock clip for the lever if you can
- shift throws are much shorter (I measured ~7 inch throws stock, down to ~3.5 to 4 inch with the kit installed)
- the notch like shifts become much more apparent; but, you know you’re in gear
(I like the good feedback, so for some this will be a positive for others may be seen this as a negative).
I really think spending 18 months with the longer shifts has made me notice this more so YMMV.
- this upgrade is well worth the $$$ to buy and trouble to install in my opinion, as the long throws felt like driving a truck, the shorter throws are now much smaller and crisp (sporty).

I have posted several pictures & notes about my install on my blog if you want more details.
 
Great write up in your blog! That C-clip was a PITA to install, I drop it once and almost lost it.....lol I noticed the stock clip would hit the new shifter a tiny bit, so that's why I used the C-clip. I don't think it is a big deal and would probably use the stock clip if doing the install again.
 
Great review of installation! Pictures were a huge bonus. Feedback from all you guys continues to help make this mod easier for the rest of us, and I predict will sell a whole bunch of these shifters!
 
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Thanks guys! Hope it helps.
~J
 
just wanted to give an update .. FINALLY got around to putting this shifter on .. I must first thank jmbneaf for the pictures and the innovative way to remove the stock shifter (which was the hardest part for me) .. now, onto the shifter .. went on well .. lubed things up .. fits good and feels amazing BUT .. the stock clip isn't a good idea to keep on the car .. I left it on and I noticed that every so often when going from reverse to first it would literally get hung up pretty bad .. I tried to figure it out and actually had to have my girlfriend tell me what was happening .. I took the stock clip off and replaced it with the clip that MTech supplies .. absolutely no issues right now .. I get jmbneaf's thought process in that the stock clip feels better and what not but my thoughts are that MTech is selling a quality piece and that this clip is most likely following suit with the quality of the shifter .. I advise to put the clip in that came with the shifter unless anyone else has an idea because the stock clip is just too damn big for that small gap .. I may look into other options but so far this clip from the kit feels like the best option
 
viOlaziOne - No hang ups on mine; however, I will re-look at the clip detail/install again this weekend to be sure.
 
jmbneaf said:
viOlaziOne - No hang ups on mine; however, I will re-look at the clip detail/install again this weekend to be sure.
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I emailed MTech about that clip in the kit .. they confirmed that it's made of hardened steel and I have faith that it's a more reliable piece to use IMO .. idk if my shifter wanted to be an ass but every few Reverse to 1st (just running through the gears to check for smoothness) would get caught pretty bad .. like enough to stop the knob midway between the gears .. it's probably not even remotely a big deal but I figured it was worth mentioning lol the clip was a tiny bit of a beotch to get on without dropping but it felt good going on and I'm confident that it's secure so all is well ..

on a side note, I love shifting this car now .. a lot of issues are addressed with this mod but the noisy and clunky transmission/clutch marriage still sucks .. it's annoying that things can't just be smooth but you can't win em all I guess lol
 
Got the GSS installed today. It certainly makes a big difference. Gear changes are quicker and smoother. The experience of driving the car is more "athletic." The 1-2 shift can still be just a tad notchy, but above that it's really nice. Definitely the best $225 you can spend on this car.
 
Ordered this and the BOV. Woop woop excited!
 
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