This was our view looking...
This was our view looking up at the transmission and the shifter. Remove the clips at the front of the shifter (not shown) and the single nut holding the rod, as well as the two smaller nuts to the left, which secure the shifter to the floorboard.
Fast forward to 2008 and Pro50.com is still producing some of the best shifters money can buy. Of course, Ford's current factory transmissions are tougher than the ol' T5, but they still lack a spot-on, race-inspired shifter. With 300 hp on tap (and more in other models), a quality shifter is mandatory. With that, we recently installed and tested the new Super Shifter from Pro50.com in the hottest Pony ever, the 5.4L Shelby GT500.
"The Super Shifter is a billet design that incorporates the same patented offset shifter mechanism and ball for smooth, accurate shifts," Giaimo says. "You don't want to get hung up when shifting wide open at redline." The shifter also utilizes a single-arm design, so it can be installed without removing the transmission. It's void of adjustable stop bolts because, as Giaimo stated, the GT500 doesn't need them since the stock transmission has internal stops.
Installing an aftermarket shifter in an S197 Mustang is different from earlier Fox-body Stangs because much of the work is done underneath the car. Thankfully, installation isn't too difficult for the weekend warrior.
Here, Lacko removes the nut...
Here, Lacko removes the nut from the rod.
With the extra wheelbase of the S197 Mustangs (GT500 or otherwise), the engine and transmission sits further forward of the cockpit when compared to Fox, Fox-4, or New Edge Mustangs. The design requires that the shifter be set back off the transmission case in order to clear the dashboard and center stack.
To see what's involved in a complete installation, we traveled to JDM Engineering in Freehold, New Jersey. There, Jim D'Amore stood proudly with his new 50-mile, unmolested GT500, which we had plans for. Hey, Jim, can we have the keys? Of course the answer was yes, and with that, head tech Shaun Lacko began the wrench swinging. The job requires a lift or jackstands, but it's not difficult, and we had the Stang back on its feet in about an hour.
Despite the low mileage, we took it out for a spin that included some throttle-on upshifting. The Super Shifter did its job, and we nailed each gear with a chirp of the tires and smiles on our faces. The feel is firm and you can rip gears at will. We went with the stock knob, but Pro50.com has a complete assortment of billet and other knobs for performance and personalization.
With the hardware out of the...
With the hardware out of the way, the shifter is snaked out of the car.
As per the instructions, we...
As per the instructions, we installed the spacers...
...into the bottom of the...
...into the bottom of the shifter.
The Super Shifter is guided...
The Super Shifter is guided into place under the Shelby...
...and bolted down.
The Pro50.com shifter handle,...
The Pro50.com shifter handle, which is supplied in the kit, was bolted to the shifter. There's a series of holes so you can adjust the location to your liking. Using the lower holes essentially shortens the throw, raising them lengthens it and provides more leverage, which we like.
Once the handle was locked...
Once the handle was locked down, we reinstalled the sound deadening.
We then covered the deal with...
We then covered the deal with the stock knob and shifter boot. Naturally, there are quite a few options from Pro50.com when it comes to knob design.
You'll notice a dropped shifter...
You'll notice a dropped shifter position even with the shifter mounted in the top holes.
Shifting was a breeze with...
Shifting was a breeze with the Pro50.com Super Shifter. Overall feel is more precise, and that inspires confidence in the driver.