OEM shifter detent kit

[highway star]

Bowtie Overdrives makes the oem shifter detent kit to convert 3 to 4. Anyone done this, (70-81)? And have good reviews?
Thinking of an OD trans & using the stock shifter. Thanks!

[Wallington]

I used the Shiftworks kit, is it different?

[highway star]

That's it, part no. SC2262, right? Ty

[Wallington]

I haven't driven mine with it, should be same as stock but with extra gear to shift to. I'll post some pics shortly. When I rebuilt mine I also replated the parts for longer life, not seen at all. The microswitch for the backup lights and the Neutral Start Switch were bonuses. My previous stock shifter was already modified like this for RHD.

[Wallington]

Firebird shifter replated 4spd mod9 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Firebird shifter replated 4spd mod1 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Firebird shifter replated 4spd mod7 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Firebird shifter replated 4spd mod10 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

[Wallington]

Yes, same kit. Looks like now available as basic conversion and plus the extra wiring parts if needed. The main kit is just the revised detent, plus extras you already have, and a shifter plate sticker. Not sure about now, for a while there they were simply stickers, another time they were printed black onto white sticker so light would shine through the letters when applied over factory lens.

[5th T/A]

Wallington,

Very impressive job on the Replating of your shifter. I’ve never seen one look so good.

I am currently running a turbo 350, but some day may switch to a 200r4. But I would hate to lose the lighted gear indicator.

[Wallington]

It's easy. Just find one that uses the translucent inlay sticker. It will light up entire piece like stock. Or another guy on a forum added a slider with cutouts and separate LED for each gear. Was neat but also could be done more simple for same result. Mine is in pieces.

[Wallington]

This is one of the fancier shift light jobs, different colour LED for each as well. But it also lights up on the gear it's in, may not matter to many. But keeping the factory light that creates a pale glow to entire lens, you could add a small bracket from shifter and a single LED in a box that follows your shifts to highlight one only in a different colour but still see the rest. This is the thin white sticker version overprinted with black. Some are simply white numerals on a black sticker, forget the lighting on that one.

The stock version was pretty ordinary anyway, no needle or specific light or sliding insert that showed gear other than if you could see where the stick was next to in daylight. The shiftwork microswitch possibly allows something gear specific to be wired off it for lighting since it already follows each location, perhaps not all.

2004R overdrive shiftworks console insert mods Rick Elliot leds trimpot (5) by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

2004R overdrive shiftworks console insert mods Rick Elliot leds trimpot (1) by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

[highway star]

Fantastic Wallington, one more question, I'm going to buy a refurbished shifter & have 2 choices: the standard shifter or the "slap style" shifter. Will the detent kit work with either?  Thanks for your time, Robert.

[Wallington]

Yes, but it will effectively convert the slap type back to a regular type, other than having the extra wear. So just use a standard one, cheaper and less wear from extra movement. If someone wanted to convert the slap/ratchet type fully, they'd need a second OD detent so the extra gear locations would match.

[Fbird]

^^^^ IIRC the slap stick "STOPS" need a little welding added to them to align with the 2,3rd detent....not like your going to slap it into OD...