Ripper install

[SpeedingFirebird]

I finally got around to install my B7M Ripper. Two questions.

I am following the instructions from install-u, but they have a newer model than mine. In the step to move the e-brake to 90 degrees, it says to place a flat head between the pawl and gear. On my 95, I do not have the space shown in the pics. My pawl looks like it sits on the gear, not in front of it. Furthermore, he does not say what to DO with the flat head once it in there (push down, push forward, what?). Anyone know what I should do here? I can try to post a pic tonight if I am not clear. Is this step even necessary?

I ordered a B&M Billet Aluminum shift knob. Come to find out, it's 12MM thread and my new shifter is 16MM. After searching here, it appears I can have it bored and re-threaded. How much would a machine shop charge me for that? I love the knob, but it does not come in 16MM.

Thanks, I appreciate the help. [img]graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

[hockeyman]

When I got my ripper in, I did it this way:
Removed/unscrewed knob from stock shifter, removed the console from around shifter (where the leather part is), unscrewed the numerous bolts around the blocking plate on the floor, removed 4 bolts holding the rest of the shifter on and removed.
Reverse procedure to install...thats it.
Took me about 1/2 an hour and I was taking my time.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Install-U had me taking out the ENTIRE center console. I was wondering why because I should be able to get to the plate with the middle of the center console and boot removed.

I'll give that a shot. Thanks.

[shenanigans]

on my '00 I have to take the console out to get the rubber boot off.

Tip if you want to do your tranny fluid now is a good time... just drain it, then fill it in the hole with the shifter off. climb under and check the fluid.

then when all filled up install the shifter.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by shenanigans:
on my '00 I have to take the console out to get the rubber boot off.

Tip if you want to do your tranny fluid now is a good time... just drain it, then fill it in the hole with the shifter off. climb under and check the fluid.

then when all filled up install the shifter.

hmm, which boot are your talking about? The shifter boot, or the boot down inside? I have not yet taken the latrer off to know if it will come out with the console in place.

Great tip on the tranny fluid. Any recommendations on what to use, i.e synthetic or not?

Thanks.

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by SpeedingFirebird:
Great tip on the tranny fluid. Any recommendations on what to use, i.e synthetic or not?

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

Originally posted by SpeedingFirebird:
hmm, which boot are your talking about? The shifter boot, or the boot down inside?

The lower boot. It would be pretty tricky to take off without removing the entire console. I've done this swap like 5 or 6 times, and it only takes 5 minutes to remove the console.


As for the hand brake, you'd want to stick the screwdriver under the pawl so that it doesn't engage the gear when you pull the handle back.

[hockeyman]

If your car is a 95, the shifter boot will come off without removing the whole console. The 97+ f-bods, the whole console must be lifted to get to the shifter's rubber base.
Here's a 97+ console. Notice how the shifter's section is solid.
As compared to the 93-96's console which has a removeable shifter section. I know it's a pic of an automatic console, but nevertheless, it's still the same as an M5 console.

The shifter can be replaced alot easier with a 93-96 console because you just have to remove the shifter boot section, not the whole solid unit it'self as with the 97+.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by hockeyman:
If your car is a 95, the shifter boot will come off without removing the whole console. The 97+ f-bods, the whole console must be lifted to get to the shifter's rubber base.
Here's a 97+ console. Notice how the shifter's section is solid.
As compared to the 93-96's console which has a removeable shifter section. I know it's a pic of an automatic console, but nevertheless, it's still the same as an M5 console.

The shifter can be replaced alot easier with a 93-96 console because you just have to remove the shifter boot section, not the whole solid unit it'self as with the 97+.

[img]graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

[98Camaro3.8]

Good point, I forgot about the interior change. [img]redface.gif[/img]

Plus I wasn't aware the Firebird console is one piece 97+. It's 2 pieces for Camaros (see the IU page). Even though it's 2 pieces, you'd still have a hard time getting to it.

[hockeyman]

The firebird console's are different than the camaro's? I honestly didn't know :D I thought they were all the same...my bad.

[HokieBird]

My 97 console isn't even the same as that trans am console in your ebay pic.

[SpeedingFirebird]

To get to four of the screws in the closeout boot, I did not have to remove the lower part of the console; however, it was in the way. I had to remove the three screws on the lower console and then move the thing up and to the side to get to the side screws. It was a PIA, but I still could not get the e-brake to go up to 90 degrees.

I installed the shifter last night but did not get to putting the closeout boot back on. Not much longer.

I will say putting the gasket on was a bit of a trick. The instructions for install-u should say to put the gasket on the tranny, not the shifter because looking at the bottom of the shifter, it is tough to know exactly where the gasket should go. I guessed and I can only hope I got it right. If not, I'll be doing this again. :(

Nobody responded regarding tapping out the billet aluminum shift know to fit the ripper (12MM to 16MM). Good idea or bad idea? If I can find the time, I may run to a machine shop tomorrow and ask.

Thanks again.

[HokieBird]

I couldn't get my e-brake to go to 90 either. Atleast when I want it to. Sometimes it will just pull up to 90 and I'm not sure what I do differently. Anyway, I was able to slide my console over the e-brake even though it wasnt at a 90 so you might be able to get it anyway (hopefully you wont have to get back in there though).

As far as the shift knob goes. I don't see how that would possible hurt anything. If you like the knob I say go for it.

[shenanigans]

yeah interiors are different, I can't remember if you could do it on 93-96 or not. I know you can't on a 97+

But like said its not "that" hard to pull the center console out... its about angles.