JHM SS Install Notes and Opinion

[aaronz]

Got it in the mail yesterday, installed it yesterday.

Key pain in the ass portions of the install:

-Removing the clip that holds that shifter on the rod (20 minutes and cut fingers)

-Taking out the ashtray partially, and then realizing you need radio tools to get it out all the way, then realizing radio tools are loaned out and you don't have them.

- Realizing you need radio tools to put ashtray back in properly.

-Realizing your cut from the snap ring pliers slipping is still bleeding and your hands are supper slippery from all the lube!


Now the good parts of the install:

-Finding a 1 GB SD card down in there from the previous owner (no pictures on it unfortunately)

-When installing the spacers that are required for the ss setup engineering a huge time saving method.
Take a magnetic wand tool and place the spacer every so slightly off center on the tool. Then guide the end of it where the spacer needs to be, while lifting the shifter unit up with the other hand, and pinch the spacers off of the magnetic wand. Saved I don't know how much time and cuts on my fingers. The space, especially up towards the ashtray is sooooo tight, I would not have been able to get my fingers in there.

-Not having to adjust the shifter at all the first time around.
-side note: I didn't measure any of the angles I just bolted it down and was going to see where I was at when it was all said and done. I am able to hit all gears and they stay engaged.


My questions for you guys:

When shifting is the unit supposed to feel heavier than stock? Not just a direct feeling but like more effort is needed?

Also how easily should it go from gear to gear? I can shift with my fingers but it still needs some push to make it go from one gear to the next?


Thanks!


Love the product!

[dougyfresh]

My questions for you guys:

When shifting is the unit supposed to feel heavier than stock? Not just a direct feeling but like more effort is needed?

Also how easily should it go from gear to gear? I can shift with my fingers but it still needs some push to make it go from one gear to the next?


Thanks!


Love the product!

It has a better weight balance. I don't think it feels heavier persay but more solid. Shifting between gears is smooth. If its not smooth your linkage down on the trans might be bad (I also have JHM linkage).

I found it super easy to install. Maybe because I've installed and removed 3 shifters in my car now.

[AudiSymphony]

pics?

[dougyfresh]

pics?

Here are some I took of mine:

JHM 'solid' shifter installed:

OEM on left, B&M short throw in center, JHM 'solid' shifter on right

Is this set at 25% reduction in throw? Its on the bottom hole of the shifter and the bottom hole of the adapter. It feels like a reduction in throw.



I can't wait to drive the car now. If feels so solid just going through the gears with the engine turned off. The OEM height with the reduction in throw and weight balance of the JHM feels great!

[aaronz]

pics?

Pics are at home, I wanted to do a nice little write up, but after messing with that damn one time use clip I put the camera away.

It has a better weight balance. I don't think it feels heavier persay but more solid. Shifting between gears is smooth. If its not smooth your linkage down on the trans might be bad (I also have JHM linkage).

I found it super easy to install. Maybe because I've installed and removed 3 shifters in my car now.

I wouldn't say mine is not smooth, its just that I can feel it going into gear, and to get it into gear I have to push a little more, not a lot.

Best way I can explain it is like this:

If you are in N and you take one finger and put it on top of the shifter and move it from left to right, that is how easy it is to move before I get into gear. Now if you take that same finger and try to engage it with the same ammount of force, you will stop right at the point before entering that gear. If you push a tad harder with that same finger it will go into gear. I think I am just over guessing myself, but I want to make sure it shouldn't feel like liquid going from gear to gear, that I SHOULD be feeling it go into gear.

[Matt@JHM]

Glad you love the product!

Do you have it on the shortest throw option? If you went from stock throw to short throw it will feel a bit harder to get into gear because the extra leverage that is required on your end to get it past the detent and into gear.

And also you feel a lot more now because all the gushy plastic and rubber parts are gone. Nothing but rock solid shifting.

As dougyfresh mentioned, your end linkage may also be worn and can create an inconsistent feel with shifting as well. It is this piece here:

You would be surprised at how such a small upgrade can impact your shifting experience. If have any questions feel free to post here or pm/e-mail me. Thanks again!

[[email protected]]

I use a heaver shift knob as I find the weight helps with the throw.

I also spent about 3 hours tweaking the shifter position and now all gears engage super smooth it is almost telepathic.

[dougyfresh]

I wouldn't say mine is not smooth, its just that I can feel it going into gear, and to get it into gear I have to push a little more, not a lot.

Best way I can explain it is like this:

If you are in N and you take one finger and put it on top of the shifter and move it from left to right, that is how easy it is to move before I get into gear. Now if you take that same finger and try to engage it with the same ammount of force, you will stop right at the point before entering that gear. If you push a tad harder with that same finger it will go into gear. I think I am just over guessing myself, but I want to make sure it shouldn't feel like liquid going from gear to gear, that I SHOULD be feeling it go into gear.

I can feel mine go into gear. It feels rock solid as Matt@JHM mentioned. I did notice a huge difference when I replaced my shifter linkage and stabilizer bushing (both down on the trans). Might want to crawl under the car and look at those items.

I have the factory shift knob and its perfect for shifting into gears. I always used to have trouble downshifting into 2nd but now it is effortless.

I'm not sure why it took Winston three hours to adjust it. Maybe he's just more meticulous than I am (and that's hard to do) . I followed Jay's install video and with the right length socket extension I had it adjusted in a matter of minutes.

[aaronz]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I am fine, most likely just scaring myself since I got the adjustment right the first time. LOVE THE PRODUCT!

Video was good, sometimes I had to watch a few times because I couldn't figure out quite what he was doing.

Matt,

Nice sweat pants in the video, I have the same ones from Aeropostal! <-- my girlfriend pointed this out not me :)

How hard of a job is the linkage? I didn't even realize that was an option at the time i ordered my stuff or else I would have bought those as well. Maybe in the store do a complete kit option so you can knock out the whole thing at once.

Also, that magnet wand idea, FTMFW! It saved me sooo much time and so much aggrevation! Might want to throw that in on the install paperwork.

Couldn't be more happier. My friend was saving for BT, now he is going to dip into that fund account to pick one of these up after using mine.

[dougyfresh]

If you are fairly handy with working in and around the transmission tunnel (while laying on your back under the car) it should not take you too long. You need to disconnect the shifter from the linkage and remove the linkage from the car to do the u-joint upgrade (I call it a u-joint but I think its called the 'linkage' on Jay's site). Its not easy to get the OEM hex-head bolt out of the trans for the stabilizer rod. Just gotta be patient. Hence why Jay provides a new bolt you can use a wrench on . Probably took me an hour or so.


I tacked the JHM shifter cost onto my engine swap build. Figured with all that work on a new engine and trans I might as well enjoy it properly.




EDIT: I just noticed you're 6spd. Not sure if JHM has an upgraded linkage kit for the 6spd like they do the 5spd (my car). You can get the stabilizer bushing though.

[jaybquick@JHM]

Glad to hear you like it, that is actually me in the video. HAHA. Always got to rock the sweats on installs.

NOTE: Winston had to spend 3 hours only because he has a 6 speed. The 5 speeds are way easier since they don't have to line up the reverse notch and gate like the 6-speeds do.

[aaronz]

If you are fairly handy with working in and around the transmission tunnel (while laying on your back under the car) it should not take you too long. You need to disconnect the shifter from the linkage and remove the linkage from the car to do the u-joint upgrade (I call it a u-joint but I think its called the 'linkage' on Jay's site). Its not easy to get the OEM hex-head bolt out of the trans for the stabilizer rod. Just gotta be patient. Hence why Jay provides a new bolt you can use a wrench on . Probably took me an hour or so.


I tacked the JHM shifter cost onto my engine swap build. Figured with all that work on a new engine and trans I might as well enjoy it properly.




EDIT: I just noticed you're 6spd. Not sure if JHM has an upgraded linkage kit for the 6spd like they do the 5spd (my car). You can get the stabilizer bushing though.

yep 6 speed here. I think you are right, which is most likely why I didn't buy it...I think.

Anyways, thats where my concern came from, everything i read said tweaking it for a 6 speed is a pain. Mine just worked from the get go, if anyone is in the chicago area and wants to compair I have a fridge full of beer, for a hour or so of tweaking help....if I even need it!

[skeeball]

5-speeds are easier to adjust. The 6-speed takes some adjustment to get everything working smoothly.


*edit* Oops, my page wasn't refreshed when I posted. Sorry for the redundancy.

[dougyfresh]

Yeah. I am completely un-familar with the 6spd trans linkage. Guess it is harder but I'm sure it shifts just as well as the 5spd when properly adjusted

[Papachristou]

i found the install very easy on the six speed (having the right tools helps) my biggest pain the ass was getting the bearing thingy pushed into that plastic OEM piece.

i was very happy with the shifter feel, its amazingly solid but i cant nail a good 2-3 shift for some reason, it grinds going into third. everything is set right, but its just when i shift hard/fast

[aaronz]

i found the install very easy on the six speed (having the right tools helps) my biggest pain the ass was getting the bearing thingy pushed into that plastic OEM piece.

i was very happy with the shifter feel, its amazingly solid but i cant nail a good 2-3 shift for some reason, it grinds going into third. everything is set right, but its just when i shift hard/fast

Papa,

You get any decent offers yet on that JJ pipe?

[[email protected]]

i was very happy with the shifter feel, its amazingly solid but i cant nail a good 2-3 shift for some reason, it grinds going into third. everything is set right, but its just when i shift hard/fast

The solution is called 3 hours of tweaking!

[windyctyaudi]

how much does it reduce the shift

[04QuattroTurbo]

Dougy, after having 3 shifters, you find that the JHM is superior to the others? Namely the B&M?

[F16HTON]

I am suprised that Jason missed it but the picture that Matt@JHM posted is actually the delrin stabilzer bar bushing, the shifter linkage looks like this:



I have been running the JHM shifter for the 5 speed in my car for two years now (Jason and Matt developed it on mine.

I can say 100% that the shifter is friggen incredible, there is no comparison between it, the original shifter or the shifters in my 337.

[dougyfresh]

Dougy, after having 3 shifters, you find that the JHM is superior to the others? Namely the B&M?

Yes.

I agree with Greg. The JHM rules all for our vehicles. The B&M was too low and it drove me to have issues shifting into 2nd gear. I am happy and 100% satisfied with my JHM shifter and linkage upgrade. As I state about a BT, "it should have come from the factory this way"

[aaronz]

how much does it reduce the shift

I would say it is almost as short as a sequential ( The feeling of it is the same, you are just in gear, straight and solid). Maybe an inch for the top gears half inch for N, and an inch for the lower gears.

[aaronz]

I am suprised that Jason missed it but the picture that Matt@JHM posted is actually the delrin stabilzer bar bushing, the shifter linkage looks like this:



I have been running the JHM shifter for the 5 speed in my car for two years now (Jason and Matt developed it on mine.

I can say 100% that the shifter is friggen incredible, there is no comparison between it, the original shifter or the shifters in my 337.

Thats not available on the 6sp correct?

[Papachristou]

Papa,

You get any decent offers yet on that JJ pipe?

one decent one... he is supposed to PM me this weekend.. we will see..



JHM any advice for the 2-3 shift,? its fine most of the time but if im launching and running it hard, i always grind it going into 3rd, im afraid if i do it anymore im going to take a chunk off something!

maybe i need to go to canada to get some adjustment from winston

[Matt@JHM]

one decent one... he is supposed to PM me this weekend.. we will see..



JHM any advice for the 2-3 shift,? its fine most of the time but if im launching and running it hard, i always grind it going into 3rd, im afraid if i do it anymore im going to take a chunk off something!

maybe i need to go to canada to get some adjustment from winston

Sounds like the symptoms of a bad 3rd gear synchronizing ring. Shifting too fast on a worn syncro can cause it to grind, which explain why you only experience when driving it hard.

Is it also hard to downshift into this gear at higher speeds?

[jaybquick@JHM]

i was very happy with the shifter feel, its amazingly solid but i cant nail a good 2-3 shift for some reason, it grinds going into third. everything is set right, but its just when i shift hard/fast

Like Matt said, sounds like the mileage on your cars is catching up with ya. The 3rd gear synchronizer ring is worn. So a normal rebuild is in need (I can get you a kit if you contact me and can find someone to do it). If you keep grinding it, you will eventually round off the 3-4 shift collar and third gear and thus bringing the rebuild cost up by $1,200 or so. So be nice to third if you can until you can do it.

An adjustment will not fix this.

how much does it reduce the shift

We have 3 options for the B6 and B7 A4 6-speed --> http://shop.jhmotorsports.com/produc...=5&productId=8

The B6 A4 5-speed model can be found here --> http://shop.jhmotorsports.com/produc...=5&productId=5

Thats not available on the 6sp correct?

Correct, however we have the stabilizer rod bushing available for the six speed.

We already have a linkage for B5 six speeds, and we will be making the linkage upgrade for B6 and B7 A4 and S4s hopefully by the end of the year (as soon as we find the time)

Here is a pic of the 6-speed unit from the B5, yours looks more similar to this.



And if anyone has a B6, B7 A4 or S4 6 speed shift rod setup they could send me, it would speed things up alot. Just email me at [email protected]

[dougyfresh]

Here is a pic of the 6-speed unit from the B5, yours looks more similar to this.



And if anyone has a B6, B7 A4 or S4 6 speed shift rod setup they could send me, it would speed things up alot. Just email me at [email protected]

That looks SO much stronger than the stock one on the left. Someone send Jay a 6spd linkage so he can get on to making your shifter even more precise! You are only killing yourselves otherwise.