Is there an advantage with getting an aftermarket shifter rather than using the stock shifter for this tranny? Is there anything special need to make the stock shifter work? If you use the stock shifter, is there any chance of skipping gears?

 

the CHEETAH SCS shifter is the best for a th400 forward or reverse pattern as far as i'm concerned, i used the stock shifter, a b$m ratchet, and the CHEETAH SCS (which is currently installed) and the SCS is the ****. it's the easiest to use and has a transbrake button built on it.

 

I'd do this
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission/246053-reverse-manual-shifter-inlay-stock-shifter.html

 

The stock shifter really isn't the best choice. I did it because I wanted to keep the interior stock looking and wanted to spend the least amount of $$$ swapping over to a TH400.

 

I agree, the OEM shifter is not the best. Although if you do want to use the OEM shifter, B&M makes a gate plate so you do not have to go hunting for the gears. It is part number 81070. I use the B&M Quicksilver shifter and we have very positive shifts, our trans is a manual shifted TH400.

 

I have a B&M Pro Ratchet, I love ratchet shifters, always have.

 

All we use is stock shifters and cables. I have one in my CE, we have on in the Formula, and have done several others for friends. By far the easiest and smoothest shifter. I custom notch the gate for the reverse manual shift. Works perfectly. Put it in first, slam it back to second, Push in the button and slam third.

 

So how do you make sure you dont go from 1st to 3rd, missing 2nd?

 

As TwnTrbo said, you make a gate that required you to push the button in to go to third, same technique as pushing the button to cleal the gate so you can use reverse.