Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
I installed the Saleen Short Throw shift adapter and I think I got something wrong. THe shifts are very stiff. It also seems the faster I shift the more it fights me. Attached are some pics of how I installed it let me know if you see anything wrong or if it just needs breaking in or something...... the way it is now I could shift way faster without it.
EDIT- Scroll to the bottom for the solution. Thx to all that helped.
Posts: 3441
Joined: 2/28/2005 From: Anaheim, California Status: offline
Riven, Looks correct to me as well. Mine has been on for about three weeks or so. Yes, it is extremely notchy, compared to the stock shift. Plenty shorter throw, no doubt. Mine still feels quite stiff, compared to stock as well. Last weekend, I replaced the shift rail bushings with a set of prothane bushings. Seemed to help a bit, but again, I've probably only put about 150 or 200 miles on since replacing......
Second gear shift is so quick anyway, with the short throw, I find myself really needing to think about the shift again....
Also, you may need to loosen up a bit on the bolt....Just make sure you use locktite......
Mike
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2005 Mineral Grey GT,(1 of 2128 - 12/15/04) 2008 Highland Green Bullitt (Production # 0115)
Posts: 493
Joined: 4/19/2006 From: Powder Springs, GA. Status: offline
Ditto on the stiffness at first. I noticed when I removed the stock attachment nut that it was not on there very tight, so I would assume that we're all probably tightening it a little more than the factory when reinstalling. After a couple of weeks, mine's smoother and less notchy. I like it alot!!
Posts: 493
Joined: 4/19/2006 From: Powder Springs, GA. Status: offline
Unless you overtorqued it when you reassembled, I'd just give it a few hundred miles. I'm not comfortable with loosening bolts, with or without Lock-Tite. It gets better over a few miles, I can assure you.
Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
I wish saleen gave torq specs. I am going to back them off some.... Something must not be right, everytone says this thing is great but it seems crapy to me right now meaning something must be wrong.....
Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
I have done some looking into mine and I think what works the best is to tighten the bolt and nut a little then feel the shifter. Then tighten them more if it feels sloppy or lossen them a bit if it is to stiff. That way you get the exact feel you are looking for. I had mine way to tight when I first install the adapter and it made it almost impossible to shift fast. Currently I backed the bolt off about 1/8th of a turn and it made a huge difference. Of course I wouldnt leave them loose by any means. Just less tight.
I have not got mine perfect yet because I knew I was going to have to take the shifter back loose to install the steeda bushings, but I think I am going to love this combo when finished. All for about 55$.
Posts: 493
Joined: 4/19/2006 From: Powder Springs, GA. Status: offline
Well, after preaching to you not to loosen the bolts, I just had to go out and recheck mine. I had a pretty good feel for the new throw and everything since I installed the adaptor, but it still was a little too notchy for my taste. Well.... I stand corrected!! I went and bought a new tube of thread locker, loosened both the top bolt and the nut on the linkage, and then reinstalled everything and it shifts smooth as butter now.
I'll have to recheck it in a couple of days just to make sure the thread locker is holding, but if I can leave it like this, I'll like it much better than before.
Lesson learned: If you don't try it, then how do you know you'll like it? I tell my 11 year old that almost every day.
Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
What I found is that is doesnt take much loosening at all. Just a tad. I beleive it will still be safe since it is still somewhat tight. It is still tighter than if my wife installed it =)
Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
Well I went back under and installed the Steeda bushings.
In the process I had to take the Saleen adapter back off, so this time I did things a little differently.
On reassembly, I lubed all of the bushings both the metal one and the 2 plastic ones along with the mateing metal faces and the shafts with wheel bearing lube. I also felt the shifter as I tightened the bolt and the nut and fine tuned it just how I like it. I then marked the bolt and counted the turns it took to remove it. I then put thread locker on it and reassembled. I by no means left the bolt loose it is much more than finger tight.
The shifter is now amazingly smooth. I can shift it through 1-2 2-3 and 3-4 with 1 finger. It just wants to go in gear now. 5th and reverse are still a little stiff but by no means hard.
I have not done a full throttle shift from 2-3 yet to test the bushings. I will report back when I get a chance to test this. 2-3 was the main reason I installed the steeda bushings. So we will see..........
I have to say though I couldnt be happier with the Saleen adapter now. It was the best $40 I have spent.
Where did you get the saleen adapter and the steeda bushings? My buddy has the hurst short throw shifter and it just seems to notchy. I like the smoothness of the stock shifter but I really have trouble power shifting 3rd. Constantly missing third when racing. Does the adapter help with power shifting into 3rd and is it smooth or notchy?
Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
Well I took it our last night and 3rd is still an issue even with the steeda bushings. I think it helped but did not fix. It does feel very smooth once adjusted just right.
Posts: 1088
Joined: 8/6/2005 From: Fort Worth, Texas Status: offline
The problem is only when shifting very fast at WOT in a drag race situation.
The adapter doesnt cause the problem. It is there with the factory shifter as well. So if you dont notice it without the adapter you prolly wont notice it with the adapter.
The problem is cause by the remote mounted shifter. The engine and transmission is allowed to torque over to far due to the very soft motor mounts. When the clutch is pressed the engine will spring back to the original position. As long as you dont get to 3rd before it returnes to the untorqued position, there will be no problems. Since the short throw shift adapter does make shifting a hair faster, it might make the problem a small amount worse.
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Saleen Short Throw Shift Adapter- FIXED (VERY PLEASED) - 
