Like many other companies, most FWD cars use cable actuated shifter mechanism. They generally have a problem with lack of feel, because there is very little effort to slide a cable.

With the 350Z using a linkage to the tranny, it's more direct. However, it's also more sensitive to shifter changes (ie. effort).

See the attached animation of our short shifter installed. Throw reduction (as measured at the top of the ****) is 2.75". Its feels pretty nice, no noticable vibrations. The owner of the car will be able to give us more feedback once they try it out.

 

That animation is wicked.

I'll be ordering one.

 

Do you have a price yet or what? In less than a day this portion of mod money is going to go somewhere else if I don't know what the price is. You have the potential to divert business away from another mod but the window is getting smaller...

 

Can i come get one yet? I live in Mahwah, right around the corner. Need another test vehicle?

 

We should have production units in approximately 4 weeks.

Thanks for the test vehicle offer! We've got a few volunteers already!

 

I spoke with Ben today, following the installation of his prototype shifter in one of my customers' cars. After he gets feedback on the shifter and finalizes production details, I will help him arrange a short-shift clinic at his facility in Ho-ho-kus, NJ.

He and I have done a number of clinics for the BMW community and they have been very successful and well received. The deal is that you will be able to order a shifter in advance of the clinic (either from Zeckhausen Racing or directly from Rogue Engineering) and we will install them free at the clinic. This saves you at least $65 or more, if you had planned to have a shop do it, and it guarantees that you'll have the best possible installation with no screw-ups. Who better to install the shifter than the person who invented it?

We will limit the free installations to 10 cars, since we don't want to kill ourselves and we want a chance to hang out a bit and have some fun too. After the cars are done, we will gather the crowds and parade over to Panevino in Livingston, NJ for a group lunch. We'll fill the restaurant parking lot with 350Z's! If there's interest after the lunch and if the weather is good, we'll head over to my place to raid my exotic beer fridge and sit on the patio. My BMW car clinic beer bashes are legendary.


Here's a link to the most recent clinic day at Rogue: http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...postid=3106213

And here are some photos from past BMW events at Panevino:




And a link to the BMW event: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/sho...threadid=31630

And finally, a shot of my beer fridge:



Ben and I know how to combine work and pleasure! I hope you'll join us for a fun Saturday.

 

That sounds like a great plan! Definately keep me in mind for one of the 10 please, I can bring my share of Exotic beers!!

 

I'm not working right now. Maybe I should drive down to NJ for this little gig. MMMmmmmm....BEER.........

 

Judging from a look at your fridge, you are a man after my own heart. Sam Smiths, Rogue, Bass, Newcastle...mmmmmmmm...

 

That clinic is a really cool idea. Free installations! can't beat that.

I'm looking forward to getting a short-shifter kit.

 

BTW,
The S2000 can shift so damn smooth- best ever for a RWD IMO- because the tranny doesn't have to take so much torque. The 350 has a bombproof tranny, the s2000 has a tranny with gears half the weight, that have to take less than half the abuse the 350 can withstand. Think NV4500 tranny behind a Cummins diesel vs manual Tacoma.

 

At Rogue Engineering, this is not the typical practice. We occasionally hold these "clinics" to help launch or introduce a new product.

I don't want to give people the impression if they hold out (and they're not the first 10 people) that they'll get a free install, since that is DEFINITELY not the case. They'd be waiting a while.

Anyhow, I'll keep interested parties updated regarding the status.

 

when will your shifter be for sale?

 

At the moment, I'm collecting names (real names, not user names) and email addresses.

I anticipate delivery to being in approximately 3-4 weeks (middle of next month).

Estimated introductory pricing is set at US$239 plus UPS.

Interested individuals can email me directly at ben@rogueengineering.com and I'll add them to the contact list (it is not an obligation to buy).

 

How does your shifter compare to the rallitec short shifter?

 

The Rallitec shifter has a lot of problems I last read.

 

hey ben, do you have a better idea of when the shifter will be available?

 

Yes, sorry for the long delay in response.

We anticipate shipment of our production short shifters to start next week (Week of October 20th). We will be fulfilling orders on a first come, first serve basis.

Ordering information can be found here:

Rogue Engineering 350Z Short Shifter

Of course, your credit card will not be charged until it ships.

 

woo hoo I already pre-ordered mine... I can't wait!!

 

This is a rookie question, but would this void our factory warranty covering the tranny?

Ian