Steeda M/T upgrade trifecta thoughts (shifter, collar, poly rear base)?

[71Rcode]

Gents, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Steeda Tri-Ax shifter (street short throw), billet lock out collar and the reinforced poly shifter base bracket (2017 GT PP). Would be great to get thoughts from you guys on any of these that you perhaps installed together or in part.

In case anyone is interested replacing their interior with a leather Katzkin kit, I'm doing this very thing in this thread. Figured since I have the interior pulled out of the car, I might strike now on the shifter. Hope this helps.

Thanks in advance!

Sponsored

 

[Kermitz]

I have the Tri Ax Race shifter which replaces the whole assembly and it's awesome, I can't tell you about the Street version.
I'm also using their lock out collar, poly transmission mount bushing, clutch spring and braided line.
I coupled this with BG Syncroshift 2 and a weighted shift knob, the car shifts perfect.
I never miss a shift and has a very precise race car feel to it.

 

[71Rcode]

Thanks, Kermitz. Great to know your experience and all the upgrades. Nice job, man. I'd love the full race shifter but am trying to stick to half of the budget ($200 range all in). You are not alone. Great reviews on the Tri-Ax race shifter on the Steeda site.

 

[71Rcode]

OK. I slept on it a few nights and ordered the full race Tri-Ax shifter assembly and the billet collar. I'll report back in a couple weeks when I get it installed and drive the car a bit.

 

[Kermitz]

OK. I slept on it a few nights and ordered the full race Tri-Ax shifter assembly and the billet collar. I'll report back in a couple weeks when I get it installed and drive the car a bit.

You'll like it. Use the lightest of the two sets of springs that come with the shifter. I went with the heaviest thinking that they would break in, but they're still kinda stiff.

 

[71Rcode]

Cool. Thanks for the advice! If you handled the install, a quick question.

What did you have to drop/move underneath to complete the removal and installation? I'm going to try the job by loosening the exhaust, supporting the transmission, removing the trans cross member, and lowering the trans/driveshaft a few inches. If that doesn't work, I'll drop the exhaust and lower the trans/driveshaft as much as possible.

 

[Kermitz]

Cool. Thanks for the advice! If you handled the install, a quick question.

What did you have to drop/move underneath to complete the removal and installation? I'm going to try the job by loosening the exhaust, supporting the transmission, removing the trans cross member, and lowering the trans/driveshaft a few inches. If that doesn't work, I'll drop the exhaust and lower the trans/driveshaft as much as possible.

Sounds like you've done your homework.
I removed my exhaust, but that's because I was installing a Shaftmasters driveshaft at the same time. I also removed the 4 transmission cross member bolts while supporting the transmission with a jack. I then lowered it about 2 inches, so that I could reach 1 tiny bolt.
You might be able to get it done without removing the exhaust, it just gives you more room to work with it out of the way.

 

[71Rcode]

Awesome. My sound deadener arrived today after 3 weeks Amazon very slow delivering. I will spend the weekend applying under the carpet, the console the trunk area and the back seat so I can then reinstall my seats that I just re-covered. Installing the shifter will be a nice easy project

 

[71Rcode]

Took me about 90 minutes to get the car on jacks and get the shifter dropped out. I had the console removed already for my interior redo. Waiting for the new unit to arrive this week and should be in business.

 

[kevinvan6000]

Took me about 90 minutes to get the car on jacks and get the shifter dropped out. I had the console removed already for my interior redo. Waiting for the new unit to arrive this week and should be in business.

Did you drop the driveshaft or exhaust to get the factory shifter out?

Thanks

 

[71Rcode]

Removed the two driveshaft carrier bolts allowing the center of the driveshaft to drop. Removed the four exhaust bolts at the transmission tailshaft and the two exhaust hanger bolts at the differential area, disconnected the exhaust at the transmission tailshaft, holding the system up with the blue bucket in my pic. I then supported the transmission with a floor jack and removed the four crossmember bolts, lowering the transmission. The driveshaft does not need to be unbolted from the transmission.

 

[71Rcode]

Steeda Tri-ax race shifter has landed. I'll update you guys later this weekend.

 

[Vstang2]

Steeda Tri-ax race shifter has landed. I'll update you guys later this weekend.

That thing is a beautiful work of art , it's a shame all that polished metal is covered up

 

[71Rcode]

Few beers tonite and a couple of projects moving forward

 

[71Rcode]

Steeda Tri-Ax race shifter is in place and works fantastic. I haven't missed a shift and able to fly through the gears with precise shifting. Really digging the short throws and stature of the setup too. HUGE improvement over the factory shifter. Relatively easy install overall.

Increase in NVH reminds me of rowing through the gears in my old 70 and 71 toploader Hurst shifter Mustangs... and I'm digging that to some degree. Car sounds meaner.

Two thumbs up! Great job Steeda team. View attachment 466374

My former 1971 Boss 351 Mustang with a Hurst shifter/toploader/3.91 traction loc (one of 1,806 made). I see some similarities with the interior on my 2017 GT... crazy.

Sponsored