Specific Aftermarket Shifter Question

[John Ibele]

I picked up a Steeda Tri-Ax shifter for my T5, which has the shifter in the stock location. After receiving the shifter, making some measurements and doing a bit more reading, I want to make sure I'm not missing something before I return it. (No knock against the workmanship or design of the Steeda, it's a quality piece and I may yet keep it.)

Here's my brief take on the advertised advantages of (at least this particular) aftermarket shifter:


Shorter throw. This may have been true of some previous version of the T5 stock shifter, but it appears as though the distance of the pivot point of the Tri-Ax above the base plate is a close match to my stock T5 shifter. And if this distance is not greater for the Tri-Ax, it won't shorten throw.
Protection from damage. The aftermarket shifter has shift stops. But Tremec itself states the T5 has internal stops and cannot be over-shifted. Regardless, the instructions for adjusting the stops on the Tri-Ax make very clear that they should not make contact with the shifter unless you're really strong-arming the shifter. I'll be driving this car, at least initially, like a grandpa driving his Buick LeSabre to church on Sunday. So not initially useful for me, but potentially of value in the longer term if this plays any role in, say, autocross.
Reduced potential for missed shifts. Again, not really useful for me in the near term, but potentially of longer term value for the reasons I gave above.
Better 'Feel'. This is the hardest one for someone to evaluate without actually making the comparison between shifters.


So my question is probably directed to those who autocross regularly, since I know the stock shifter will work just fine on the street for cruising. For those who do autocross regularly, do you use an after market shifter? If so, which of the reasons above is the biggest reason to have one, either on the course or on the street?

[OVCobra]

I do not use the Steeda shifter but an older Hurst Competition Plus but I believe they have similar features.
I do know that the Hurst unit does have shorter throws than the stock unit and have to assume the Steeda unit is similar? I don't use the traditional cobra shifter arm but the stubby unit that came with the shifter although mounted in reverse.
Ultimately the shifter arm you use will be the final factor that will determine how far one needs to move it on a shift.
While it is true that the T5 has internal stops when power or speed shifting you can put a lot of extra force/stress on internal components especially the nylon bushing in the shifter plate. It will deform and deteriorate.
Again I cannot comment on the more "tactile" features of the Steeda unit but I can confirm that the Hurst unit does have a more precise and predictable feel and what few mixed shifts happen are entirely because of my lack of seat time. I have used this set up at the drag strip and rarely missed a shift.

[JohnK]

I have no feedback for you on any of your questions, but will throw out one other thing to consider. When I ordered my TKO600 I ordered it with an upgraded Pro 5.0 shifter, which has a similar large ring around the top for the shifter stops. That large ring interfered with one of the diagonal braces in the trans tunnel. I could have cut out the diagonal brace but instead I opted to go with a different short shifter from Modern Driveline that doesn't have the shifter stops and didn't interfere with the tunnel bracing. All of this to say, check to see if the Steeda Tri-Ax will even fit, or if you're comfortable cutting out tunnel bracing if needed.

[John Ibele]

Thanks to both of you for the responses, good input. I know I won't be cutting the diagonal brace; I'd find an alternative or use the stock shifter before going that route.

[frankb]

Rather than going to the extremes, like cutting bracing out of the tunnel to fit an aftermarket shifter, all that you need to do is cut 4" out of the FFR-supplied shift lever and re-thread the end to fit your knob. Shorter lever = shorter throws! 156371

[David Williamson]

On my car with a T5 I go carted it with the stock shifter and the throws with the long forward leaning handle were far too long. I switched to a Hurst shifter with short throws and it was much better. The Steeda shifter will be very similar, I would keep it
David W

[rich grsc]

Rather than going to the extremes, like cutting bracing out of the tunnel to fit an aftermarket shifter, all that you need to do is cut 4" out of the FFR-supplied shift lever and re-thread the end to fit your knob. Shorter lever = shorter throws! 156371
Quiet Frank, you're not supposed to give out that kind of info. :rolleyes::p

[Railroad]

I put a Steeda Tri-Ax in my 99 Mustang Cobra T-45 trans, I think. It is a big improvement, shifts are short and accurate. Second to third is a piece of cake, just let the shifter guide itself. I do not think you will regret using it.

[NiceGuyEddie]

I absolutely love my T5 and Steeda Triax Short-throw shifter and I jump on every post about them. I absolutely hated the stock shifter with the long handle. In fact, it was my very first upgrade. I've driven 5 or 6 other Cobras and hated the shifting action of all of them. I don't know what transmissions they were but they were not T5's and Steeda's.

Cutting the shifter itself makes the shifter look like a small p3nis! (I saw it in a medical journal :o ) The long, angled shifter is one of the most iconic visual aspects of the car and I personally would not have it any other way.

I can't speak directly to your autocross question because every autocross I've ever done was almost entirely a 2nd gear, 45-second course, maybe a shift into 3rd if the back straight was long enough. 2nd to 3rd gear shifts are always perfect - in fact, they all are.

[Sdonnel]

You can also take a look at MGW. They make an awesome shifter that has the same features. As for short throw with the standard FFR shift handle, there's no such thing. Shorten the handle for shorter shifts. Otherwise it feels like you are shifting with an axle handle. The 2-3 issue was the best feature for me. I literally used my thumb and simple pushed forward. Hard or easy driving. Find what works for you and enjoy the driving.

[John Ibele]

Lots of good input.

I get the input about shortening the shifter handle to get shorter throws - but that also leads to lengthening the distance your hand needs to travel from the steering wheel to the shift knob. So not a clear benefit from my perspective.

NiceGuyEddie! Thanks for chiming in! I remember your posts well from your building phase; one of these days I'll even have a car that moves.

And, I think you sold me. Your comments on 'feel' are exactly what I was after. I agree on the visual aspect of the long shifter handle. And with your gift for visual imagery, I'm never going to look at a short shift handle the same way again. I think I'll just keep the Tri-Ax. With the long handle. :cool:

Thanks All !!