I've got a 5spd and was curious to know how notchy each shift is supposed to be. To complicate matters, I also have a B&M STS and polyurethane shifter bushing. Your thoughts?

well with your set-up it shouldn't be that notchy cause of the urethane shifter bushing.

Well what do you mean by "notchy?" People kind of toss that word around. Our shifters are just plain bad if you ask me, but it's definitely livable.

How do you like your B&M? You put it on with the tranny, right? I think I'm going to pick one up soon.

It all depends on the condition of your synchros, condition of your gear teeth (the dogs, not the big teeth), the condition of your shifter gates, shift detente mechanisms, the sliding motion of the shift rods, and the gear oil you're using.

These forms of resistance are felt in one big concert when you're driving the car. As such it's not too easy to pinpoint which element is 'causing' it. Most Maxima 5spd trannys tend to be a little notchy, and unless you want to pay someone to put a lot of work into it, or it's abnormally bad, I suggest just living with it.

Some easier things to do are to change the oil to a true GL-4 (helps the synchros do their job with less shifter force) and make sure all the connections between the shifter and the tranny under the car are good and tight.

Dave

The shifts in my car are definitely very crisp and defined but while shifting, all movement is smooth. I haven't driven a 5spd 4th gen w/ factory throws but I don't think I'd like it as much.

I have a B&M shoftshifter and the shift pattern itself is very notchy. Sometimes I can't shift directly from 3rd to 4th and it really bugs the hell out of me.

Tell him what VE powah feels like.....

Well... it is ubernotchy, howevery, my 6spd getrag tranny on my SVT Focus is like buttah.

Mine isnt really notchy, its the stock 5-spd. Sometimes it's extrememly smooth. but in my experience it's not the smoothest shifting tranny i have driven

Sure its not your driving habits???

Get the urethane bushing from the GD.

mine is quiet notchy as well, i have the pacesetter STS. But when i am shifter it is not that bad. just when i am playing with it when the car is sittin still

don't pull too hard on the shifter....just 2 fingers and you can pop it in...if you want to really shift quickly, make sure it goes down STRAIGHT or it'll never go in. If it only a little to the side is all it needs not to go in. Stock sux, i still have it, but i got the CE STS

You get used to it. Brian drove my car the other night and while he thought it was notchy i am now under the preception its smooth as ice.

with a brand new tranny and a b&m sts, my shfits are notchy as hell. Beats 150K old flagpole slop though...