So, as many have experienced the classic gear clunk and synchro nibble when shifting this transmission, I have performed a bunch of mods to try fixing this. Mine wasn't terribly, but it was enough for me to baby the trans. I had a little nibble with a clunk going from 1st to 2nd. 2nd to 3rd was pretty decent and 3rd to 4th was the worst. This problem for me was worst before the trans warmed up, but I would still get occasional problems depending on how I shifted. It got a lot worse with the cold weather (it's about 25 deg here now). I installed the MGW short shifter, which didn't really help at all (not that I really thought it would). I then changed the fluid to Redline MTL, which made a pretty big difference but I still had problems.
Today I just installed the Blowfish support bracket which essentially turns this semi remote mounted shifter into a hard mounted top loading shifter like a T56. This by far has made the biggest difference in how this transmission shifts! The shifts are much more positive and there is a definitive "pop" into gear. Before it felt very vague and sloppy even with the MGW. The best part of this mod... I don't get that awful nibble when shifting into gear AT ALL. There is a light click (not a clunk) when shifting from 1st to 2nd when the trans is cold, but its gone within 5 min of driving. It is hardly worth even mentioning.
A lot of people in other threads complain about increased NVH with the bracket, which I have not experienced at all. There is no extra noise at all even with the MGW heat shield removed. If you rest your hand on the shift knob while driving you will feel a little extra vibration, but its not bad at all (I have the track MGW bushing installed). Also, if you are going to use the MGW shifter with this bracket be sure to install the adapter and MGW bracket correctly to avoid having the stock bracket studs from rubbing the MGW bracket. I have the Blowfish lowered all the way and there is no contact between the MGW bracket and the studs.
I also have an SR Performance braided steel clutch line coming in tomorrow. I will report back with the results this mod has on the system when I get it installed friday.
Today I just installed the Blowfish support bracket which essentially turns this semi remote mounted shifter into a hard mounted top loading shifter like a T56. This by far has made the biggest difference in how this transmission shifts! The shifts are much more positive and there is a definitive "pop" into gear. Before it felt very vague and sloppy even with the MGW. The best part of this mod... I don't get that awful nibble when shifting into gear AT ALL. There is a light click (not a clunk) when shifting from 1st to 2nd when the trans is cold, but its gone within 5 min of driving. It is hardly worth even mentioning.
A lot of people in other threads complain about increased NVH with the bracket, which I have not experienced at all. There is no extra noise at all even with the MGW heat shield removed. If you rest your hand on the shift knob while driving you will feel a little extra vibration, but its not bad at all (I have the track MGW bushing installed). Also, if you are going to use the MGW shifter with this bracket be sure to install the adapter and MGW bracket correctly to avoid having the stock bracket studs from rubbing the MGW bracket. I have the Blowfish lowered all the way and there is no contact between the MGW bracket and the studs.
I also have an SR Performance braided steel clutch line coming in tomorrow. I will report back with the results this mod has on the system when I get it installed friday.