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I need a shifter for basically a track only car. I have a th400 trans in the car. I see there are shifters like the B&M pro ratchet and then there is the style where you pull a lever to pull into 3rd gear like the B&M pro bandit. what are the pros/cons of the 2 types? what will work best for a race car?
I went from a b&m mega shifter to a hurst pistol grip quarter stick. I found myself needing to adjust the Rachet shifter every 6mo or so, plus having to go through the gears to make sure I was in the gear I wanted. I love the quarter stick, the feel of it is much better then the Rachet shifter, and I always know what gear I'm in with just the feel of it(keeps from 2nd gear launches lol) but honestly it will come down to personal preference.
Now that you say that, I don't like the fact that the ratchet shifter goes back to its original position after you shift. you'd have no way of telling what gear its in just looking down at it.
I like the pro ratchet I have, it fits in the stock console with minimal modification, and thats only to cut a small slot for the reverse lockout saftey lever. I'm not too fond of the quarter stick/ pro stick because you have to use a lever to shift some gears. As far as not knowing what gear you're in, well i dont think its too hard considering its only a 3 speed. I dont imagine you have any problems driving an M6 and knowing what gear you're in, should be the same concept.
You'd be suprised, plus with a m6, the shifter is still in a specific location. I've left mine in 2nd....ol pg launch lol. You only have to pull the lever for 3rd. Keeps you from grabbing 3rd and goig through 2nd. Prolly really useful on cars that are actually fast....
I personally prefer the Pro Stick, Quarter Stick, Precision, etc, BUT with a RMVB only. Pull the handle for 2nd, pull the lever for 3rd and you know what gear it's in by just putting your hand down on the shifter. The lever shift isn't nearly as fluid on a FMVB (to me). I've had and witnessed cars pull out of the burnout and not get a full ratchet back to first and start in 2nd. Of course its all driver error, but...
Is it reverse pattern? Be sure you get the right shifter or one that works for both. I have a Hurst Quarter Stick. Not very happy with it. You should not have to think about squeezing levers while your racing. My 10.30's Mustang has a ratchet shifter and a solenoid that shifts it automatically. Works like a champ. Set the shift point RPM and it does the rest. Same for my 73 Camaro. All you do is keep it in the lane.
I have a pro ratchet and love it so far. Plus it looks **** IMO. Havent had any issues being in the wrong gear, just click it all the way forward to get in first then 2 yanks going down the track.
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96 Formula WS6#555 MODS=little of this a little of that
Gated shifter is the only way to go... I've missed gears trying to get a ratchet sifter to work. Fuck that.
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1986 Camaro - Vortec 350 - Holley 750 DP - COMP XR288HR - Edelbrock Super Victor - Hedman Headers - M/T ET Streets with M/T Sportman skinnies
Best time of 7.92 (1/8th) @ Eddyville Raceway Park
I have a pro ratchet and love it so far. Plus it looks **** IMO. Havent had any issues being in the wrong gear, just click it all the way forward to get in first then 2 yanks going down the track.
I agree that style looks awsome. i priced out a stealth magnum grip pro bandit set up for RMVB th400 and it was over $400. so scratch that idea. it would have looked awsome and been a gated shifter. oh well. I'm just gonna order up the TCI.
TCI outlaw with a reverse valve body. Pull back on the handle to get 2nd. Then pull back on the lever to get 3rd. This is the only shifter I would run. No pics, but it's through an auto console. Just cut out the old shifter plate, so the top part of the tci cover sticks through. Use there side button mod to activate the trans break,rpm launch control, and nitrous. Don't ask me about wiring it because I had it done
Only draw back, if you call it that, is you don't want to hang on to the shifter on a hard launch, because the force of the launch makes me pull back on the shifter premature. But that could be me. I bet the same could be said for a ratchet. Not sure how a shifter like this will work on a forward valve body. Seems like I've heard some people say they have gone into nuteral, when dot being deliberate with the trigger squeeze.
So you have a manual valve body that shifts itself? Or is it air or electrically shifted?
Al 95 Z28 RMVB that I have to shift.
I didn't say I don't touch the shifter... I said I don't touch the shifter "handle" on the 2-3 shift. I DO pull the handle (ie: grip) for 1-2, then for 2-3 I just put the tips of my fingers on the lever (not the handle, grip, etc) and pull . It engages the gate for 3rd gear and pulls the shifter back to 3rd in 1 fluid motion... No squeezing. Just as the other Roger in this thread articulated.
And yes, you can accidentally click 2nd if your hand is on the shifter and your car leaves decently. With the gate shifter, you don't have to pull through the spring that the ratchet has to re-index the shifter, so it requires less effort... That's why my t-brake button isn't on the shifter.
Yea, I've thought about moving mine to the steering wheel for that reason. With the outlaw, quarter stick, and other gated shifters of this type, it is almost like having lightning rods. But it works good, how ever you explain it
TH400 ratchet shifter or non rachet style best? 
