Shifter Question...

same_me · 05-09-2008, 05:24 PM

Please excuse me guys for being a little dumb to turbo buicks. I don't own one but work at a Chevrolet Dealership that the owner has one. He came in and asked me to find a shifter for it cause someone had broken the handle on the stock shifter. I've tried to talk him into replacing the factory knob which I can still get through GM but he seems to be pretty set on a complete aaftermarket shifter. I guess my question is is there a aftermarket shifter that can be put in these cars without having to cut the console up or with minimal modification to the console? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated since this is my first time messing with these cars. Thanks.

Justin

same_me · 05-13-2008, 11:54 AM

I guess noone wants to help....

Orlando_87GN · 05-13-2008, 12:20 PM

There are plenty of aftermarket shifters from B&M ect. They all look like crap and are completely unnecessary for anything other than a race car. The stock shifter handle will break about every 10 years when the plastic gets old. Replace it and forget about it. If your boss man really wants a racing shifter, tell him to buy a funny car so he can row the gears all he wants.

ULYCYC · 05-13-2008, 12:23 PM

Nothing goes in without some mods to the console or remove the oem shifter plate. I just put a Hurst dualgate in a friends 87 442 last week and some cutting was needed. I believe the B&M Quicksilver would fit best with minimum cutting. You also have to make sure the shifter has detents for the 4th gear overdrive.

Project TNX · 05-13-2008, 12:25 PM

I'm with Orlando, I just can't help you do it to a Turbo Regal, LOL.

There is one acceptable shifter mod, the Lightning Rods, and it costs and arm and a leg and some fab work to do it right.

But seriously, any shifter for a 200 4r should work.

Zap · 05-13-2008, 12:35 PM

Tell him to go here:

Shifter Handles

Unless he absolutely insists on screwing it up.

The above link is to a VERY well respected vendor, by the way.

turbofish38 · 05-13-2008, 12:55 PM

The easiest and most sanitary way is to just eliminate the factory console and bolt in what ever shifter he wants out of the Jegs catalog. You're going to have to buy a new carpet that doesn't have a hole in the center to make everything look pretty and new again. I did this when I converted my GN over to column shift. Most people think it came from the factory that way. At least doing it this way doesn't make the console look like it was hacked to death by some mullet. You just wont have a place to stash junk or rest your arm on.

Orlando_87GN · 05-13-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

You just wont have a place to stash junk or rest your arm on.

You can't even do that with the factory console since it has no arm rest. You need one of these!

Buick Grand National Arm Rests, Console Riser, Console Extenders, Trunk Kits | RaceandRest.com

Just a Six?? · 05-13-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbofish38

The easiest and most sanitary way is to just eliminate the factory console and bolt in what ever shifter he wants out of the Jegs catalog. You're going to have to buy a new carpet that doesn't have a hole in the center to make everything look pretty and new again. I did this when I converted my GN over to column shift. Most people think it came from the factory that way. At least doing it this way doesn't make the console look like it was hacked to death by some mullet. You just wont have a place to stash junk or rest your arm on.

You made your GN a column shift? COOL!!

Steve Wood · 05-13-2008, 04:17 PM

do a search in this forum on megashifter and you will find quite a few posts and pictures on the subject....quicksilver and others can also be found

PaCemkr86 · 05-25-2008, 09:51 PM

f-body handles fit with very little modding

misterfong · 05-26-2008, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zap

Tell him to go here:

Shifter Handles

Unless he absolutely insists on screwing it up.

The above link is to a VERY well respected vendor, by the way.

+1

Chris87 · 05-26-2008, 08:11 AM

I have a B&M hammer shifter in mine and Had to do alot of customizing.

turbofish38 · 05-26-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just a Six??

You made your GN a column shift? COOL!!

I converted my GN about 10 years ago. I was on a weight elimination binge. The console,shifter and insulation under the carpet is worth about 30 pounds. Plus I was pretty good manually shifting my Riviera. Now I'm too lazy to put it back in. I still like it. It reminds me of my 76 TransAm. It was a 4 speed car without the center console. Very 60's muscle car looking IMO. Here's a pic. Just imagine the after market shifter sitting on the tunnel with out all of the clutter.

B4turbo · 05-27-2008, 09:27 PM

I'm keeping an eye on this one. Eric, will the handle off of the 86-87 gn fit my 83? I need a new handle for my T.

05-09-2008, 05:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
same_me Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	Shifter Question... Please excuse me guys for being a little dumb to turbo buicks. I don't own one but work at a Chevrolet Dealership that the owner has one. He came in and asked me to find a shifter for it cause someone had broken the handle on the stock shifter. I've tried to talk him into replacing the factory knob which I can still get through GM but he seems to be pretty set on a complete aaftermarket shifter. I guess my question is is there a aftermarket shifter that can be put in these cars without having to cut the console up or with minimal modification to the console? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated since this is my first time messing with these cars. Thanks. Justin

05-13-2008, 12:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Orlando_87GN Resident Idiot Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 10,458	There are plenty of aftermarket shifters from B&M ect. They all look like crap and are completely unnecessary for anything other than a race car. The stock shifter handle will break about every 10 years when the plastic gets old. Replace it and forget about it. If your boss man really wants a racing shifter, tell him to buy a funny car so he can row the gears all he wants. __________________ Check Out MikesStuff4Sale.com to view my used parts! ------------------------------------------------ 1987 Buick Grand National Budget 4.1, 204/214 cam, TA-49 Turbo, Stockish Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, Translator plus Extender powered. 3680# with pilot ------------------------------------------------ 1993 Mazda RX-7 4.1 Buick Powered 11.20 @ 128mph (2.4 60')!

05-13-2008, 12:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 16,721	Nothing goes in without some mods to the console or remove the oem shifter plate. I just put a Hurst dualgate in a friends 87 442 last week and some cutting was needed. I believe the B&M Quicksilver would fit best with minimum cutting. You also have to make sure the shifter has detents for the 4th gear overdrive. __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

05-13-2008, 12:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Project TNX 1 of 1 TNX Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 123	I'm with Orlando, I just can't help you do it to a Turbo Regal, LOL. There is one acceptable shifter mod, the Lightning Rods, and it costs and arm and a leg and some fab work to do it right. But seriously, any shifter for a 200 4r should work. __________________ Brent 1984 WH1, 87 drivetrain, 204/214 cam, AFR, Walbro 340, hotwire, 60# inj, Razor Alcohol Inj, RJC powerplate, stock turbo, gbodyparts stock location stretched I/C, 3" gbodyparts downpipe & test, 2.5" Hooker exhaust, TurboTweak alky 93 chip, Pats 2800 stall, (times and turbo pending) Last edited by Project TNX : 05-13-2008 at 12:33 PM.

05-13-2008, 12:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zap FU FRANK FELDMAN Join Date: May 2001 Location: Sylvan's Poop Ranch Posts: 21,495	Tell him to go here: Shifter Handles Unless he absolutely insists on screwing it up. The above link is to a VERY well respected vendor, by the way. __________________ Where were you during the great Obama Depression?

05-13-2008, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
same_me Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	I guess noone wants to help....

05-13-2008, 12:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
turbofish38 Turbocharged BrunoStachel Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deltona,FL,USA Posts: 4,756	The easiest and most sanitary way is to just eliminate the factory console and bolt in what ever shifter he wants out of the Jegs catalog. You're going to have to buy a new carpet that doesn't have a hole in the center to make everything look pretty and new again. I did this when I converted my GN over to column shift. Most people think it came from the factory that way. At least doing it this way doesn't make the console look like it was hacked to death by some mullet. You just wont have a place to stash junk or rest your arm on. __________________ Eric Fisher OEM Parts Specialist www.gbodyparts.com 252-332-8787 e-mail me at turbofish38@hotmail.com 86 GN 11.80@115 TA49,60# Mototrons,TT chip and stock intercooler SCCA Regional Champion. Nebraska Region 1997 1986 Buick Grand National E/StreetPrepared Stay Boosted My Friends

05-13-2008, 04:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	do a search in this forum on megashifter and you will find quite a few posts and pictures on the subject....quicksilver and others can also be found __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

05-25-2008, 09:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
PaCemkr86 WFO Racing Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Odem,Texas Posts: 1,252	f-body handles fit with very little modding __________________ Phil Underwood My Turbo Buick

05-26-2008, 08:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
Chris87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 47	I have a B&M hammer shifter in mine and Had to do alot of customizing.

05-27-2008, 09:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
B4turbo Just another kinky six Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NO WHERE BUT TEXAS!!! Posts: 234	I'm keeping an eye on this one. Eric, will the handle off of the 86-87 gn fit my 83? I need a new handle for my T.

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