Looking for opinions on the best STS for a 2000 SE -- goal is two-fold, to shorten that awful beanstalk of a shifter and reduce the throw as well -- after recently sitting in a G35C and rowing through the gears like butter, I gotta find a happy medium for the Max - I realize nothing's going to make the Max shifter feel like the G35C, but have hopes - have heard good thing about Pacesetter and Stillen, not heard much on B&M - realize SWA sells B&M and Stillen, if you reccommend Pacesetter please include a link on where to purchase.

Two other questions:

1. Also, am I able to keep my current shift **** and boot (both aftermarket Momo) when I install this?
2. Was planning on changing out to some MT-90 soon, will this affect that, meaning should I wait til I install this new shifter to change the fluid?

Thanks in advance

 

B&M Short Throw Shifter!!!

http://www.ptuning.com/html/search-r...m&cmbYear=2000

 

I have the B&M STS with MT-90 as well, so ill give you the lowdown. The thing I didnt like about the B&M is that it moved the shift pattern up (towards the front of the car). The only STS that does not move the shift pattern up is the $tillen one, and its 2 hundred something dollars, which is a bit much for a short shifter, but in a year or so when I have the money ill prolly get the Stillen just to see how it is even though I know its kind of a rip off, i want the shift pattern moved back towards me.
Both my stock shift **** and the Anniv Edition one (which is on there now) fit perfectly on the B&M STS.
I installed the MT-90 after I did the STS but it doesnt really matter... since all you need to do is drain and fill the tranny fluid, not flush the entire thing (which wouldnt really matter anyway).

ALSO...IMPORTANT...there are 2 bolts and 2 nuts that basically hold the B&M STS to the car. The bolts go in from underneath and the nuts are screwed on from the top. The nuts however have a rubber-like threading instead of metal. Do not overtighten these nuts or else they will loosen right off and not be able to tighten again. If I were to do it again, I would use a metal nut (7/16 i think, not sure) and a lock washer to make sure it stayed on there, because after my nut loosened, my shifter was all over the place.

CLIFF NOTES: If you have the money and want to keep the shifter closer to you, get Stillen. If not, get B&M. Dont overtighten the B&M nuts with rubber-like threading. Your shifter and boot will fit. MT-90 doesnt affect the installation of the shifter.

 

P.S. 2 good sites for instructions on changing tranny fluid:
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/mtoil.html
http://maxima.cardomain.com/member_p...=200625&page=7

And heres a decent site for instructions on installing the STS
http://www.maximadriver.com/modules....rder=0&thold=0

GOOD LUCK!
IM me anytime at kpr10is if u have any questions.

Kevin

 

Someone said in the "Genereal Forums" that thier STS made the shifting feel notchier... but i wasnt sure if they were a 4th gen.

 

STS will definitely make shifting notchier, no matter what type. I've driven 5th gens with b&m, pacesetter, and stillen so I would know.

its been argued that stillen is the only "true" sts. It reduces throw but is not that much shorter

the pacesetter is the only adjustable one of the bunch in both throws and length of the rod

b&m, members have had quality issue problems with it and dislike it.

 

kpr10is (and others),

thank you for taking the time to relay this information to me -- basically i should go with either the pacesetter or the b&m as a cheaper route, but realize that the shift pattern will be moved up -- or spend the money and get the stillen - i dont know if an extra 100+ dollars is worth it for the shift pattern, but could be. thanks again, kpr10is i might be hitting you on IM with some additional questions!

also, anyone with first hand knowledge of the pacesetter (i.e. you have it/have had it installed in your car), please chime in!

thanks

 

One of my friends down here in FL has the pacesetter on his 99 maxima. His name on here is 99maxima5sp and his real name is eric. Im sure he won't mind if you pm him and ask him any questions about it...tell him kpr10is sent you lol.

-Kevin

 

Pacesetter is crap. It made shifting so ridiculously rough and notchy that I think it actually slowed down my shift speeds on my old 2000 Max. Get the Stillen. This isn't something to skimp on.

 

Indeed, I think I've made up my mind on saving up for the Stillen one, thanks to everyone for the help!

 

Yeah, i dont know much about Pacesetter, but I would agree that if you can come up with the money, than go with the Stillen. Better than doing what I did, buying the B&M and now wanting the stillen for a throw length in-between stock and B&M (for a little easier shifts) and for the shift pattern. This is one thing where they overcharge for a decent reason lol, cuz ive only heard good things about their STS. Good luck, hope u like stillen cuz now im jealous that i have B&M lol.

 

Yeah, I've never heard anything bad about Stillen's STS. I wish I had gone that route for $100 more.

 

is this an installation that a weekend garage warrior should do, or is it one best left to a pro?

 

Most people say it is easy, but I couldn't handle it on my own without a lift.

 

its hard when your underneath the car without a lift

 

this guy i know works at tire kingdom, him and i did mine at his house with only a jackstand but he was the one under the car doing the hard work lol. id recommend a lift, if you know a place or have a hook up to use one for a lil while. if not, it can be done with a jackstand but its gonna be harder.