Zing!

 

Perhaps I should explain a bit more. As a racer with over a decade of experience campaigning the Z33, I've probably modified, hacked, patched or purchased more aftermarket products than most people on this board. If anything makes a serious speed difference on the 350Z, I've probably tried it or watched as other Nissan racers have trialed the part(s). Furthermore, as the former Editor-in-Chief for Nissan Sport Magazine, there were plenty of opportunities to try the wares of aftermarket suppliers to provide accurate reporting to our readers.

But in getting to know some of the designers and engineers who were in on the development of the Z33, it was clear where Nissan put most of the money in development and production. One of those areas was the powertrain, and a world-class manual six-speed transmission. They worked on everything from the gate feel, to how the shift **** felt in the hand, to come up with the best solution. Over the years, I find I agree on their solution and think there's plenty of areas that we can spend our hard-earned money in refining the Z to our tastes.

 

Like...

Upgrades of the first 1.5 years of production gaffes - teething pains, real world experience - bad manual trans synchros fixed by upgrades to CD008, 009; horrible shocks fixed with revised spring and shock rates in 2004.5 models; oil burning R/U motors; really bad interior panel choices (that scratch prone velour junk in 2006+ cars), that sort of thing.

I've had to address almost every one of those (no Rev Up blues...) and y'know what? The car is now IDEAL for my needs.

If anyone sits around and complains about those kinds of things without taking the overall car into consideration, they're in the wrong car. Matter o'fack, prolly shouldn't be driving ANYTHING because EVERY car from EVERY mfgr has some sort of issue to get their whiney butts in a wag about. Just fix 'em and move on.

 

Jesus you guys. The OP asked about a short-shifter and you guys turned it into a IF YOUR NAME AIN'T IN BLUE YOU DON'T MATTER AND YOUR WORTHLESS OPINION DON'T MATTER thread.

Seriously you guys wonder why the noobs hang around for a week and bolt, never to be heard from again? Its not because Trav hacks on them when they ask stupid questions, its superior, holier-than-thou attitudes like this. Its a freakin short-shifter. There are quite a few of us that have them installed and really like them but you guys turn it into 'I'm old school and I would never do that therefore you are wasting your money oh my God you are stupid'... Its not like he's bolting a supercharger on a stock DE. Its not like he said 'I want and extra 30hp so I'm going to install a short-shifter'.

Seriously, have someone you know read the entire thread and explain to you how you come off like arrogant d-bags.

 

OK, agree on the digression this thread took. My fault.

But not really sure why it's holier-than-thou. In the digression - again, I'll own that - nothing was said that made it seem that a short shifter was a "stupid idea". Far from it. All of the guys in blue (and others) said, "No experience" and expressed an opinion, right or wrong, that it wasn't something they'd ever felt a need for.

The "old school" digression - again, my bad - was just a rant based on Kevin's actually rather funny comment about the "old guys" all up in the thread. Again, nothing pointing fingers at anyone (and if you re-read my comments, purposely and purposefully mention, "No diss on the products"; and by inference, no diss on the users of said product), just an opinion. But OK, maybe it came off wrong and certainly wasn't meant to be. So take that as a humble apology for taking the thread off track.

I did say I liked the look (and had a desire to try) one of those trick looking shifters.

 

The OP asked for opinions on a potential purchase and I expressed an opinion on it. Period. I still haven't heard an informed opinion on what the strengths/weaknesses of a short shifter kit are from someone who purchased one.