I will most likely purchase an 86 Camaro Iroc-z28 in about 8 days. It's automatic with a GM 350 crate TPI engine.

I would like to put a B&M Console Megashifter in, and am wondering what all is involved in doing that. First off, I DON'T know for sure what type of transmission the car has (as the factory tranny has been replaced), but I am pretty sure it is a TH400. I am going to take the car to a shop and find out for sure though. Should this be a problem when installing the Shifter?

Is there any reason NOT to continue with this installation? And problems that may pop up? Anything I should be aware of?

I am wanting to do this mainly for looks, but that said, would installing a new shifter affect anything as far as shifting? I don't know much about trannys, so forgive me if this is a dumb question

Thanks a lot yall!

 

I have the console megashifter and I love it, so much better than the stock one that i used to always slide past 2nd when shifting at the track

I have heard people have problems with their shifters as far as the threads on the handle stripping out and trannie cables breaking right out of the box but i have had nothing like that.
The one thing that I did have a problem with was whenever i downshifted the entire console would lift up, so took a look at it and there is a little tab that would hit the plastic surroundings and lift everything up, I just filed it down and it works like a champ.

The install was fairly straightforward, just make sure you have somewhere that you can have the car lifted up because you have you adjust and readjust the cable to make sure its just right

all in all it was a great investment and makes driving the car a lot more fun, that and I think it looks a hell of a lot better than the original

megashifter installed

 

Thanks for your input Jay!

So you shift threw the gears "manualy" at the track? I guess that is so you can get slightly higher up in the RPMs? I'd like to get it purely for the looks, but if it helps performance wise, thats a plus! The Tranny DOES have a shift "kit" on it, and shifts pretty hard.

... what tools are needed for the instalation? I have NO tools with me in Phoenix... but I can get ahold of stuff like screwdrivers, wrenches and "normal" tools.

If I don't think I can handle the instalation (or don't have the tools to), would it be a wise Idea to take it somewhere and get it installed? I'd rather not do that (shops don't put "loving care" into it), or I can maybe get a buddy to help me.

Thanks Jay! BTW, you mentioned downshifting with an automatic, do you downshift during normal driving? I drive a truck here in Louisiana, and I only downshift when I have a large load or am towing something.

 

It is real easy, but you will need a drill. I have installed several in my cars and buddies cars. Works much better than factory and like you are going for, it looks a lot better. You can do it in a couple of hours easy. It even makes the car more fun to drive, you will find yourself shifting up and down through the gears all the time. One of the best mods that doesn't make your car any faster.

Martin

 

A lot of people seem to like the megashifter. Apparently my standards are too high. I hated it. If I didn't switch to a 5-speed, I would have put the stock shifter back in... oops wait, B&M requires you to butcher the stock console plate instead of providing a new one.

The shifter itself is very, very nice (except for their lack of ability to keep the handle in place). The problem was that their "console" kit was complete garbage. They include a wiring diagram, but not the necessary relays. There was a spot on the shifter linkage that made my whole console lift up when I downshifted, and there's no reason why they couldn't supply brackets that use the stock mounting holes instead of requiring you to drill new holes. The cable is a brittle piece of crap that already had splits in it when I took it out of the box. There's no reason why it can't be made to work with the stock cable, which would make life SO much easier. The rubber boot was checked and cracked within a couple months of installing it.

 

Jay, what's up with the slipping past 2nd gear with the stock shifter? I have tried shifting from 1 to 2 and then to 3 but 2nd gear always misses me and I end up in 3rd.

Wanted to ask tha question a long time ago if people have the same problem but I forgot, I guess they do from what you say.

 

Boy I just see you everywhere Jim. IROCZONE, TGO, and now CZ28. Are you still planning on selling the GTA or what man? I sure enjoyed the resto pics you sent me a long time ago though, wish you didn't live so far so I could have bought that thing. Take it easy man.

Gibby

 

So do you guys downshift a lot during normal driving?

I see there are a few problems with the Megashifter (for some people anyway), is there a possible alternative, or a different brand?

Thanks!

 

Back when I had my 700-R4 (R.I.P) I did a lot of back and forth between 4th and 3rd. Basically I didn't let it go into 4th unless I was on the interstate because it's pretty hilly around here and it was just trying to shift back and forth too much. I also used to manually downshift when passing on the interstate.

Now I have a 6-speed and I shift from 5th to 3rd when passing

 

I'm pretty sure that Hurst makes a comparable shifter to the Megashifter, not sure what the name of it is but Summit Racing carries it

B&M could have done a few things to make the overall installation better but I just dealt with the little problems knowing that in the end it would be better than the stock one. I've had the shifter for about a year and a half and the boot has just started to crack on me and the chrome is wearing off the handle, other than that it shifts perfectly and hasn't given me problems since i put it in

 

Hurst has the Dual gate 2 shifter which comes with a console plate and all necessary parts, Im getting one for myself. Take a look, its another option for you.

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...27&prmenbr=361

 

Thanks for the info you guys! I think I will sit on this descision for a few. I am also planning on a dash cover (Phoenix sun is crazy!), and some seat covers. I will also probably need new tires and possibly some new shocks. I'll get the "Needs" first, then look out for the "wants"

Thanks yall!

 

I had it for a while, returned it back to stock after I had my tranny modded right. I sent it to www.rosslertrans.com and had them redo the shift points and never had to shift it manually like that.