RedSrt007
Active Member
B&M Shifter Review:
Some of you are familiar that there are a few shifters out there for the SRT-10 Trucks, but how do they really compare? We’re about to find out! With the recent installation of the X-metal engineering shifter kit, there was one more to try - the new (Unreleased)B&M performance shifter. www.VTCOA.com has the exclusive privilege of being the first to give our members a sneak-peak of the future release B&M shifter.
Let’s start with a quick history lesson about B&M:
Through the 1960s, B&M became one of the dominant forces in racing automatic transmissions. In 1965, Frank Cannon made the first 200 MPH Top Fuel run in history using a B&M TorkMaster Transmission at Long Beach, California. Don Prudhomme's first solo effort was in the B&M owned and sponsored TorkMaster car. In 1969 B&M teamed up with Andy Granatelli and Plymouth, and developed the only automatic transmission ever for Indy Car racing. B&M also teamed up with Chrysler and developed the torque converter for the Hemi that dominated Super Stock racing in the late 1960s. The company was the first to create what is known now as a high stall, speed racing torque converter, and was the first to develop the forerunner of today's racing automatic shifters.
By 1970, B&M was very well respected in the aftermarket and by the large automobile manufacturers. By then, B&M had done development work and research programs for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Plymouth, Dodge, AMC and Ferrari; and established itself as the market leader in R&D, as well as product quality in the area of racing transmission technology.
Throughout the decades, B&M's deep-rooted involvement in racing is what has helped B&M consistently improve the breed in street performance products. Yet B&M isn't resting on its past achievements. From the 1980s through the 1990s, and into the new millennium, B&M has introduced literally hundreds of new shifters, transmissions and hardcore racing related products, and is constantly developing new technology.
B&M is also a proud supplier to many current NHRA World Champions, as well as SCCA road course racers worldwide. Today, B&M is the world's largest supplier of performance shifters to OEMs and tuners in the United States and Europe.
OK, now back to the shifter:
After placing an order with B&M, I was able to contact Mark Rogers, the engineer who designed the Ram SRT-10 shifter. We had a few lengthy conversations about the design of the shifter and what exactly went into the process of producing it. Mark first explained why the design was brought up with such a limited production vehicle; and what design and performance they were looking to achieve out of the shifter. He explained that B&M was well aware that this vehicle is a limited production, and B&M had to weigh out the pros and cons. Mark explained that B&M was well aware of the Ram SRT-10 community, how performance oriented the owners were, and then realized there was a market for it.
Mark, being a performance junkie, realized how sloppy the factory shifter was and saw the need for a change in design. He explained how the goal was to produce a shifter that was OEM oriented, but had the performance hidden underneath the shifter boot!
Shifter Specifications:
As for specifications, I interviewed Mark on what went into the B&M shifter kit. They start off with CNC machined T6-6061 aluminum base, which then gets anodized in the “B&M Blue”. At the heart of the shifter is a 303 stainless stick, which pivots on a nylon pivot ball lubricated with long lasting grease.
What makes the B&M engineered for precision shifts is the high rate compression springs? There are a total of 4 compression springs (2 within 2 outer sets) on the west and east side of the shifter. The 4 compression springs sit on top of the shifter shaft that is then enclosed inside the base. The high compression springs makes the B&M so accurate on those troublesome 2-3 shifts, because of the firm, self-centering springs.
The shifter throw has been reduced and gives you 4 position height adjustments to suite your comfort needs. Mark mentioned that the upper stick, which bolts to the base, was originally made out of steel, but then redesigned and made out of 2024 aluminum for lighter weight; this helps for weight balance and puts less leverage on the compression springs. The shifter is then anodized in a black finish, stamped with the B&M logo, and ready for the factory shifter ball to be reinstalled on its threaded shaft.
Included is a shifter boot to replace the factory boot, which makes this kit truly complete.
Installation:
B&M included a nice instruction sheet on how to install there performance shifter (which includes pictures). Just in-case, here is a summed-up version
Remove Center Console (screws under rubber cup-holder insert)
Remove Rubber/plastic flap
Remove the 4 Shifter Plate bolts
Remove shifter base
Install Gasket
Reinstall in reverse order!
Install Shifter handle to desired position
Install Factory shift ball
Simple..!
Out for the test drive:
After the installation, I was ready to take it out for a spin. At first glance it had a very factory look to it, besides the anodized black shifter, and the B&M engraving on the side. The position of the ball was very close, if not the same as the factory Hurst location. I noticed right away that the tension (left-to-right) was very firm, and the compression springs were doing what they were designed for. Once out on the road, as with all aftermarket performance shifters, there was some drivetrain noise resonating from the shifter; not enough to bother me in any way. As I hammered through the gears, I noticed the 2-3 gear shifting was a big improvement over stock, and a mis-shifting was far from happening. If there were a little more tension (top-to-bottom movement) it would greatly help with the ‘precise feeling’, but all in all, I think the design Mark devoted to the shifter was very good for a commercial production-type shifter. I was definitely surprised.
Ratings
Customer Service - 10 / 10
Ordering, Shipping, Handling - 9 / 10
Installation Material/Instruction (for the do-it-yourself-ers) - 9 / 10
Quality / Craftsmanship - 8 / 10
Drivability and Comfort - 9 / 10
Performance - 8/10 (currently - updates will follow)
Overall Value - 9/10
* Shifter will be released from B&M in approxamitely 3-4 weeks
Thank You
Patrick
Some of you are familiar that there are a few shifters out there for the SRT-10 Trucks, but how do they really compare? We’re about to find out! With the recent installation of the X-metal engineering shifter kit, there was one more to try - the new (Unreleased)B&M performance shifter. www.VTCOA.com has the exclusive privilege of being the first to give our members a sneak-peak of the future release B&M shifter.
Let’s start with a quick history lesson about B&M:
Through the 1960s, B&M became one of the dominant forces in racing automatic transmissions. In 1965, Frank Cannon made the first 200 MPH Top Fuel run in history using a B&M TorkMaster Transmission at Long Beach, California. Don Prudhomme's first solo effort was in the B&M owned and sponsored TorkMaster car. In 1969 B&M teamed up with Andy Granatelli and Plymouth, and developed the only automatic transmission ever for Indy Car racing. B&M also teamed up with Chrysler and developed the torque converter for the Hemi that dominated Super Stock racing in the late 1960s. The company was the first to create what is known now as a high stall, speed racing torque converter, and was the first to develop the forerunner of today's racing automatic shifters.
By 1970, B&M was very well respected in the aftermarket and by the large automobile manufacturers. By then, B&M had done development work and research programs for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Plymouth, Dodge, AMC and Ferrari; and established itself as the market leader in R&D, as well as product quality in the area of racing transmission technology.
Throughout the decades, B&M's deep-rooted involvement in racing is what has helped B&M consistently improve the breed in street performance products. Yet B&M isn't resting on its past achievements. From the 1980s through the 1990s, and into the new millennium, B&M has introduced literally hundreds of new shifters, transmissions and hardcore racing related products, and is constantly developing new technology.
B&M is also a proud supplier to many current NHRA World Champions, as well as SCCA road course racers worldwide. Today, B&M is the world's largest supplier of performance shifters to OEMs and tuners in the United States and Europe.
OK, now back to the shifter:
After placing an order with B&M, I was able to contact Mark Rogers, the engineer who designed the Ram SRT-10 shifter. We had a few lengthy conversations about the design of the shifter and what exactly went into the process of producing it. Mark first explained why the design was brought up with such a limited production vehicle; and what design and performance they were looking to achieve out of the shifter. He explained that B&M was well aware that this vehicle is a limited production, and B&M had to weigh out the pros and cons. Mark explained that B&M was well aware of the Ram SRT-10 community, how performance oriented the owners were, and then realized there was a market for it.
Mark, being a performance junkie, realized how sloppy the factory shifter was and saw the need for a change in design. He explained how the goal was to produce a shifter that was OEM oriented, but had the performance hidden underneath the shifter boot!
Shifter Specifications:
As for specifications, I interviewed Mark on what went into the B&M shifter kit. They start off with CNC machined T6-6061 aluminum base, which then gets anodized in the “B&M Blue”. At the heart of the shifter is a 303 stainless stick, which pivots on a nylon pivot ball lubricated with long lasting grease.
What makes the B&M engineered for precision shifts is the high rate compression springs? There are a total of 4 compression springs (2 within 2 outer sets) on the west and east side of the shifter. The 4 compression springs sit on top of the shifter shaft that is then enclosed inside the base. The high compression springs makes the B&M so accurate on those troublesome 2-3 shifts, because of the firm, self-centering springs.
The shifter throw has been reduced and gives you 4 position height adjustments to suite your comfort needs. Mark mentioned that the upper stick, which bolts to the base, was originally made out of steel, but then redesigned and made out of 2024 aluminum for lighter weight; this helps for weight balance and puts less leverage on the compression springs. The shifter is then anodized in a black finish, stamped with the B&M logo, and ready for the factory shifter ball to be reinstalled on its threaded shaft.
Included is a shifter boot to replace the factory boot, which makes this kit truly complete.
Installation:
B&M included a nice instruction sheet on how to install there performance shifter (which includes pictures). Just in-case, here is a summed-up version
Remove Center Console (screws under rubber cup-holder insert)
Remove Rubber/plastic flap
Remove the 4 Shifter Plate bolts
Remove shifter base
Install Gasket
Reinstall in reverse order!
Install Shifter handle to desired position
Install Factory shift ball
Simple..!
Out for the test drive:
After the installation, I was ready to take it out for a spin. At first glance it had a very factory look to it, besides the anodized black shifter, and the B&M engraving on the side. The position of the ball was very close, if not the same as the factory Hurst location. I noticed right away that the tension (left-to-right) was very firm, and the compression springs were doing what they were designed for. Once out on the road, as with all aftermarket performance shifters, there was some drivetrain noise resonating from the shifter; not enough to bother me in any way. As I hammered through the gears, I noticed the 2-3 gear shifting was a big improvement over stock, and a mis-shifting was far from happening. If there were a little more tension (top-to-bottom movement) it would greatly help with the ‘precise feeling’, but all in all, I think the design Mark devoted to the shifter was very good for a commercial production-type shifter. I was definitely surprised.
Ratings
Customer Service - 10 / 10
Ordering, Shipping, Handling - 9 / 10
Installation Material/Instruction (for the do-it-yourself-ers) - 9 / 10
Quality / Craftsmanship - 8 / 10
Drivability and Comfort - 9 / 10
Performance - 8/10 (currently - updates will follow)
Overall Value - 9/10
* Shifter will be released from B&M in approxamitely 3-4 weeks
Thank You
Patrick
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