Warpspeed Y-Pipe,
I know the common question is.......is your car faster with the y-pipe. The answer to that question is obivous...with a yes. The install went very smoothly as the pipe fit perfectly...beware as getting the rear bolts off the stock y-pipe can be a pita. Using the included gaskets and crush rings...putting the new y-pipe back on is a breeze and its so lite you dont need two people to hold it.
After take the car for a short ride....you can notice a for sure power increase especially when the rpms get closer to and past 4k. The noise I dont really hear to much noise difference in the cabin other than a slight hiss at higher rpms...but thats just all that air flow rushing thru. Even on stock exhuast you get a nice little burble, almost as though you have a quiet cat back on. Now its just not the full throttle power increase that I think is so great. Its the more refinded power curve I now have. It seems as though in fifth gear while going up a hill, trying to get around that pesky tractor trailor that keeps weaving into your lane...there isnt a need to drop it into fourth anymore its got plenty of power in 5th gear. I rate the y-pipe mod top on the charts. Its gives you power just about everywhere you need it...and for 200 bucks you cant go wrong.

B&M Shifter
Well B&M lives up to their name by providing a fantastic short shifter for the 4th gen. I can believe how smooth the shifter is for a short throw. I'm driving a couple cars one with a pacesetter sts and the other with the smc. Both feel very notchy at their lowest settings and dont feel to inviting. I honestly feel like I'm driving a whole other car. You'll be amazed at how different you feel with a sts. The B&M sits about one finger width away from the front of the center console plastic...and decreases the height of the shifter about 2 inshces. I however have a tall aftermartke sparco shift ****...which set the height about perfect. Changing gears doesnt require a stiff grab and pull action. I can simply flip the shifter with the tip of my finger if I wanted to. Its very smooth and cuts down on even the stock notchiness. I'll soon take pics of the shifter in first and then pulled down into second for you. As reference I believe its a 60% reduction is throw.

I highly recommend both of these mods...and really push u to get the B&M due to its quality and great fitment (no heat shield hitting here) I know its 135 bucks..but its well worth it.
Hope this info helps some of you new ones. If you have any questions post away.

 

Does the B&M shifter use the same thread pattern as the stock shifter? I'm getting a 20th AE shift **** and want to make sure it will fit when/if I install the B&M..

 

Yes it does...the stock shift **** will screw right on.....if you dont tear the stupid thing up trying to get it off. LOL. I ripped mine to peices..what a pita. So yes the AE **** will screw right on for you.

 

The reason you have to bang out the heat shield with an STS is in order to shorten the throw the length of the part of the shifter below the pivot point is longer. I wonder how B&M gets around this

 

I think b&m prbly did more R&D then most of the other companies is prbly why. PLus the B*M is not adjustable..its just 60% throw difference and thats it.

 

I think the number one reason the B&M has such a great feel is because you replace the whole pivot bearing system for the shifter. I have to agree, that I think my B&M actually shifts smoother than the factory despite the fact that the throw is reduced. I love my B&M and would suggest it to anyone.

You have to remember too that for the price you also get a shift ****. Something you would have to buy separately with some other brands. The only problem is I know many people do not like the B&M ****. I'm still using it. I like the feel, but my only complaints are the brushed aluminum look doesn't really fit in my car real well, and the thing gets d@mn hot in the sun.

 

They probably just shortened the length of the stalk...like someone would do for a DIY on their stock shifter.

 

That is what I suspect, but if that is true than it is not really a short throw shifter, just a lower one. And that is not how I did my DIY stock STS

 

The only way to shorten the throw of the shifter is to lengthen the portion below the pivot point. If you lengthen the portion below the piviot point it will hit the heat shield. The only way I see around this is if the piviot point mounts higher in the car with the B&M. If that is the case I would agree that it is an excelent design.

 

How's the engine vibration through the B&M shifter. My Pacesetter had too much vibration plus the thing was way too notchy. I might consider the B&M.


Dave

 

Vibration feels actually less than stock....I didnt even realy think about vibration till you said something. I dont know how B&M does it I really didnt take a close look at it, as someone else was installing it while I was doing the y-pipe. All I know is...everything stock such as heat shield is back in place...I have no knocking of that or any rattles, vibrations etc. I think allot of people are hesitent because of the cost..sure pacesetter is half the cost..but your getting half the quality to IMHO.