Well, I installed the shifter last night... I do have a brass retaining clip, not plastic, so that was a releif... few things about the install...
First off... I left the instructions at work, so I didn't even have any! That was okay though... it was SUCH a cakewalk. That has to be one of the easiest things I have ever done. It took me a total of 30 minutes from start to end, and that includes taking it all back apart again to try it with-out the spring attached.
It is very self explanitory, let me tell you. Pop the linkages off, take the bolts out, pull the pin, slide the spring assembly off, pop the rubber thing and the nylon ball retainer off, lube the hell out of the ball and arm where the rev. lockout goes and reverse the process. It was such a piece of cake.
I did try it at first with the spring and everything JUST how it came off. I hate the spring. Not only did it actualy prevent the shifter from returning to the middle (if you pulled it to the left as if you were going to 1st or 2nd, it didn't pop back at all), but it also would bind and unless I really pulled it hard to the left or slapped it to the left, it wouldn't allow me to go into 1st gear because it wasn't allowing the arm to go over to the left all of the way. Anyway, I took it back appart and just disconnected the spring arms from where they give the resistance and just let it hang down freely (didn't take it off for spacing reasons) and oh my god what a difference. For whatever reason, the spring action works 10 fold better to center the shifter! I think instead of going through that arm or whatever, it uses the springs in the trans and it is soooooo much smoother.
All in all, I love the shifter, I was affraid that it would be quite a reach being so damn short and all, but it really isn't at all... quite a nice mod and I am very happy with it. Not too sure why so many people have different problems with the installs and with the shifter since it is so simple and streight foreword, but I had NO problems with it and I didn't even have the instructions with me! I will say though, after driving to work this morning, I think I will be putting the stock knob back on, on hot days and in the winter cause' that baby was cooooooold!
DemonSVT, we have our differences and all, but I am with you 110% on this one, LOSE THE SPRING for all of you who left it connected... trust me! It springs back to the center WAY better and smoother than with. It will take you all of 2 minutes to pop the spring lose, if you don't like it, then it will take you 2 minutes to pop it back on.
The reverse lockout didn't work right which kinda irritated me, but that's just because I didn't feel like spending the 10 minutes on filing off a little bit of the corner on the bottom of the collar and adding a couple of washers under the rev. lockout base. It would and will be an easy procedure... I'll knock that out in the next week or so when I get a minute or so.
Thanx for all of the advise. What a great little mod.
