New style inline manual shifter?

[Mark Yacavone]

I figured there were a few gluttons for punishment here.LOL

My turbo car came with a 4.05 first T4. Seeing there weren't any shifters available for it, I went with the 3.96 1st Turbo Coupe T5 , with a B&M type shifter.
I didn't have a lot of choice with a 4.88 rear, which was about max with the turbo.
First thing..It wouldn't shift at all over 6 grand, with synchros in it . I did the slick shift deal to it, and removed the heavy 5th o.d. setup while I was at it. I couldn't use it anyway in a 1980 car.
Next problem was, it was hard to go from 2nd to 3rd without catching a bit of the 5th /rev. rail, or actually going into 5th. Seeing it wasn't there, you can see the problem.
I fabbed up a lock out plate deal with a swivel and pit pin on it for reverse. That thing bit me one time when I over staged and committed the mortal sin of deep staging a Stocker.
I couldn't get it into rev. fast enough, so a new way to lose, that day.

I never did like the feel of the top shifter, but have to say, I never missed a gear or broke anything in a couple of seasons.

Bottom line..This shifter might work a lot better, and the price wouldn't bother many here, but I don't see a good application for it in NHRA type Stock racing.