TwinTurbo.NET: Nissan 300ZX forum - Z1 Short Shifter Install. Some issues and fixes.
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Subject Z1 Short Shifter Install. Some issues and fixes.
     
Posted by Gordo 93TT Daytona on December 14, 2008 at 4:15 PM
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Message I just added a Z1 Short Shifter and love the quick short throws. However, accessing the necessary bolts is a PITA. If I did this again, I would wait until I had the driveshaft out which would provide much easier access.

Get some Stubby Wrenches

You have to get into the trans tunnel through the shifter opening to access two sets of bolts. Regular wrenches and sockets will not work. I used stubby or short rachets which fit underneath OK. Also I attached a string to retreive them when they fell... which they did numerous times.

Trim inner rubber boot

The Z1 pivot ball retaining assembly has a much larger diameter than stock unit. Consequently, the inner rubber boot will not fit tight. There can be no gaps on these rubber boots anywhere, or transmission and road noise will come into the cabin. With even a little gap, you will hear a lot of gear whine and road drone. I trimmed the stock boot around the new shifter housing to fit as tight as possible. There is no way to obtain a snug fit without cutting the stock rubber boot. Once a secure fit on the inner boot was attained, the second, or outer boot, was fine.

Foam insulation blanket

I also added a piece of high density foam about 12 x 9" that fits snug on top the trans tunnel and around the two rubber boot assemblies. This extra mat keeps the tunnel much quieter... noticeably quieter than when I had the stock shifter installed.

The quieting effect of adding this insulation was so good that I would add this foam mat even if I was not changing over to an aftermarket shifter.

Use a nylon lock nut on the shifter fork assy.

I read a lot of complaints from those who found their short shifter was too stiff. I suggest you check the nut and bolt holding the shifter assy to the shifter fork. I did not use a lock washer as supplied, but rather a nylon lock nut which allowed the assy to be snug, but not tight. If the fasteners are tightened too much, they will compress the ends of the shifter fork which in turn will squeeze the ball bearing [or bushing] end of the shifter. Check this out before you buttom everything up. Mine is NOT stiffer than the OEM shifter... it is just a shorter throw.

Otherwise it is a long mod... tedious because of poor working access to the fasteners, and the afore mentioned rubber boot issues.

Gordo

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