Yes, 100% confirmed. There are no first run shifters left. From here on in it will be what you see here.
I suppose when you really enjoy something it makes it easier. On George's end there is a heck of a lot of hard work and long hours. He's driven to provide the best there is and won't rest on his laurels. The hobby could use more like him.
George has some other interesting stuff lined up as well including different shift balls. He is doing some interesting stuff with the gripper style pieces, including changing the coins to laser burned aluminum or stainless pieces. I've been talking to him about doing a custom center wheel cap that uses the GT350's snake. I was like a kid in a candy shop when he led me to the room where he laser etches them. In no time he sat down in front of a computer, turn the vacuum system on, and started burning a snake into a solid stainless coin. Check these videos out (be sure to raise the resolution up as high as you can go)...
He pulled the coin out and popped it into a new ball. The results are pretty darn impressive! Note this was a "quickie" and as such you see some light scuffing that you won't see on finished units.
The ONLY part that makes me a little hesitant is having to lower the transmission, as I don't have a transmission jack, and thus I would have to "jerry-rig" something up to make it work. Chances are I will eventually do this though, as I love love love that "bolt action lever" type feeling.
I can assure you guys right now that the 1st gear pop out is not a user error. It has only happened to me twice, but it happened to me when I took the car to my local 1/8th mile strip. I had the car in 1st, did a quick little burn out to clean the tires, and proceeded to stage. Remember now, the car was already in 1st gear, and clearly had no issues during the quick clean. Attempt to use launch control and first gear pops out on me. Put it BACK into 1st, try to launch again, and it happens a 2nd time. Put it back in a third time into 1st, start off slowly, and no pop out ensued.
My opinion is that a shifter with a more direct feel will help with this. I've had it happen once or twice in ~15,000 miles. If I am paying attention I can tell that first gear didn't completely engage before I release the clutch and I try again. With a more direct feel I think your chance is better that you will notice that first didn't completely engage.
Considering the upgrade is free to 1st gen buyers and seems to be an improvement, I see no reason to not contact him. The only "hassle" in regards to 1st gen buyers is having to basically perform the installation a second time, so it would depend on how much the increased NVH bothers you on an individual basis from my perspective.
Anywhere here does it say what the 'upgrade' is called?
The very last video clip illustrates what is included in the upgrade, which has the new arm with material drilled out as well as the new side connecting arms with rubber inserts. Doesn't seem to have a particular name associated with the kit, sounds like you will have to call them in order to have it shipped out, since it is free of charge it won't be listed on his website as a "for sale" item I don't imagine.
Gotcha. Makes sense. I might actually go for this considering how long I'll plan to have this car. Thanks for the info man. I'll hit up George!
