Installation Instructions
QuickSilver Shifter
’73-’81 Camaro & ’70-’81 Firebird
Part Number 80688
©2013, 2001, & 1992 by B&M Racing and Performance Products
The B&M QuickSilver shifter is a dual action shifter incorporating straight gate operation and ratchet operation in one mechanism. The styling and appearance will
definitely add to the interior of your vehicle.
The straight gate operation allows you to quickly and
smoothly select any gear you want for daily driving from
Park to Drive. The ratchet shift feature provides crisp,
error free upshifting and downshifting on the street or
track. In the ratchet shift mode, it is impossible to overshift
or miss a gear. The vertical lockout design prevents accidental engagement of Reverse during ratchet shifting.
This shifter is designed to work with an automatic, manual
valve body utilizing standard or reversed shift patterns.
Your shifter also comes supplied with all brackets and
parts to work with your transmission.
We feel that these instructions are as complete and clear
as possible. The installation of this shifter can be handled
by anyone with a minimum of mechanical experience and
basic hand tools. It is important to closely follow the instructions. Read each step and if you don’t understand
it, go back and read it again.
INTRODUCTION
The main mechanical components of this shifter are factory assembled. Any modification or disassembly of these
parts can cause shifter malfunction and will void the warranty.
NOTE: This shifter has been configured from the factory for 3-speed automatic transmissions. For 4-speed
automatic tranmission use, remove the E-clips at the
back of the shifter and the attached cross-pin (See
Figure #5). They will NOT be used in 4-speed operation.
Step 1. Disconnect the battery ground cable and place
the shifter in Neutral. Remove the four Allen screws on the
shifter cover plate (See Figure #1). Remove the two screws
Console Mounting Screws
Before beginning your installation, check the parts list
on page 6 to see that all necessary parts have been included in your kit. If anything is missing, see your B&M
dealer.
Also check the tool requirement list to make sure you
have all the necessary tools and supplies before starting
your installation.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Figure #1
9500110-08
that fasten the front corners of the console to the instrument panel. Remove the two screws in the floor of the
console glove box. Pull the glove box straight up to remove it. Remove the two or four screws in the metal brackets under the glove box. Lift console at rear and fit the
shifter cover plate through the hole in the console. Slide
the console out.
Step 2. Remove the control cable clips (See Figure #2).
Remove the four 5/16” shifter mounting bolts and remove
the light bulb and socket (if equipped). Remove the shifter
mechanism. Remove the boot cover plate screws and
the plate.
Step 3. Enlarge the cable hole in the floor with a hacksaw or sheet metal cutters as shown in Figure #3. The
enlarged portion should be at least 1” forward of the existing hole. Pull the cable boot up over the lower portion
of the metal fitting on the cable. Replace the cable boot
plate and leave it loose.
Step 4. Align the cable adapter holes with the U-shaped
notch on the B&M QuickSilver shifter and fasten it with
one of the 1/4” bolts, washers, lockwashers, and nuts
supplied with the kit (See Figure #4). Place the B&M
QuickSilver shifter in Neutral (See Shifter Operation).
Cable Clips
Mounting Bolts
Boot and Cover Plate
Figure #2
Step 5. Install the B&M shifter mounting bracket on the
floor. Fasten it with the four stock 5/16” bolts. The bracket
must be level from side to side.
Step 6. Slide the B&M QuickSilver shifter over the con-
trol cable and install the stock cable clip on the cable
fitting. Slip the cable eyelet over the cable pin on the
shifter and install the stock clip (See Figure #5).
Note: You may have to enlarge the cable eyelet slightly.
Use a round file and do not enlarge the hole any more
than necessary to make it fit.
Step 7. Bolt the shifter to the mounting bracket finger
tight, using two 1/4” bolts, washers, lockwashers, and
nuts in the kit. Check for clearance between the cable
and the enlarged hole in the floor. Also check for clearance between the bottom of the chrome shifter handle
and the mounting bracket. If the cable contacts the edge
of the hole, unbolt the shifter and enlarge the hole to clear
the cable. If the bottom of the chrome shifter handle interferes with the mounting bracket, enlarge the hole in the
bracket. Install the two remaining mounting bolts and
tighten all four bolts.
Step 8. Relocate the cable boot and boot cover plate
(See Figure #5). Drill the floor with a #32 drill and install
the stock screws. Make sure the hole is covered to prevent entry of exhaust gasses. You may have to add some
tape or silicone sealer.
1”
Figure #3
Shifter Mechanism
Cable Adapter
Figure #4
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Step 9. Install the B&M console plate on the shifter with
the wide end forward. Fasten it with the two #10 flat head
screws in the kit. Mount the indicator light socket on the
console plate using the other #10 self tapping screw. Connect one wire from the socket to a shifter mounting bolt. If
your car had an indicator light on the shifter, cut the old
socket off and connect the wire to the new light socket.
Otherwise, run a length of wire from the instrument panel
light switch to the new light socket. Tape all connections
and splices to avoid shorts. Install the light bulb.
Note: The light socket may be installed on top of the console plate or underneath, depending on brightness desired.
Step 10. Position the console over the shifter and fasten
it to the instrument panel with the stock screws, finger
tight. The inner lip on the console should nest into the
shifter console plate on all four sides. If not, adjust the
console or the shifter. Replace the two or four screws in
the metal brackets under the glove box, and tighten all
console mounting screws. Replace the glove box with
the two stock screws.
Step 11. Snap the indicator window in place on the
chrome shifter cover (See Figure #6). The window snaps
in from the top with the tabs inserted under the cover.
Note: The windows supplied are the standard PRND21 or
PRND321 shift pattern. If you have a reverse pattern valve
body (PRN123 or PRN123D), the correct window, B&M
#80618 OR #80696, is available from your dealer. Insert
the black boot into the lip of the chrome cover. Make sure
it is retained on all four sides. Slip the cover over the shifter
handle and fasten it to the console with the four #6 selftapping screws in the kit. Do not overtighten the screws
or you may crack the cover.
Step 12. With the B&M QuickSilver shifter in the Neutral position, check the cable adjustment on the transmission (See Figure #7). If you must raise the vehicle,
use jack stands, wheel ramps or a hoist and make sure
the vehicle is well supported. Remove the cable clip and
pull the cable eyelet off. The eyelet must slide off and on
the pin without binding. If not, adjust the cable pin by
loosening the nut and moving the cable pin until the eyelet will slide on. Retighten the cable pin nut. Move the
shifter to the First Gear position. (Third Gear on reverse
pattern valve bodies.) Recheck the cable pin to eyelet
fit. Readjust if necessary, and check the Park position.
Install the cable clip.
Note: The stock linkage to the steering column must be
left intact or the neutral safety switch, backup light switch,
and column lock will not function.
Step 13. Lower the vehicle. Reconnect the battery ground
cable and set the parking brake. Start the engine and
check the shifter installation. The engine must start in
Park or Neutral only. The backup lights should work
in Reverse only . Turn the lights on and check the indica-
Stock Cable Clips
E-Clip(s) & Cross Pin
(remove for 4-speed)
Figure #5
Indicator Window
Insert Tab Under Cover and
Snap in From Top
Figure #6
Cable Pin Nut
Cable Clip
Figure #7
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tor light. If your B&M QuickSilver shifter is not working
properly , do not drive your vehicle. Make certain you have
followed all instructions. If the shifter is broken or does
not function properly, cont act your B&M dealer .
Step 14. Tighten the knob on the handle. You may wish
to use a small amount of Locktite or a similar product on
the threads to keep the knob tight. Position the knob insert and align the B&M QuickSilver name, push down
on the insert to snap it in place.
SHIFTER OPERATION
The B&M QuickSilver shifter combines a straight gate
and a ratchet shifter into one mechanism. Refer to the
following instructions for proper operation:
Straight Gate Mode: In the upper position, the shifter
functions in the straight gate mode. The handle travels
in a direct line forward and backward from Park to Drive.
The shifter handle must be raised up to clear the stop
gates while going through the gear positions (See Fig-
ure #8).
Shifting and the ratchet mode: Move the shift handle
forward or backward with a quick firm action until it hits
the internal stop. Caution: Do not lift the shifter handle
when making ratchet shifts. Release the shifter handle
and allow it to spring return to the center position. The
shifter is now ready for the next shift (See Figure #10).
Refer to the shift indicator for gear position in the ratchet
mode.
When the shifter has reached the extreme rear gear indicator position, the shift lever will contact an internal
stop and you will not be able to ratchet the shift handle
towards the rear.
The shifter is capable of ratcheting all the way to Neutral. When the shifter has reached the Neutral position,
the handle will no longer push forward. Ford and Chrysler
applications have only one ratchet step between the
Reverse and Park position. General Motors applications
require two ratchet steps between Reverse and Park.
Do not attempt to force the shift lever ratchet steps on
Ford or Chrysler applications as this may cause damage
to the cable and/or shifter mechanism.
Park: To get to park from any straight gate position, lift
the handle all the way up and push forward. The transmission will find its own Park position. Release the handle
and the shifter is locked in Park. To get any other gear
position, you must raise the shifter handle to clear the
stop gate.
Reverse: Raise the shifter handle to clear the stop and
move the shifter handle to the Reverse position.
Neutral: Move the shifter handle to Neutral. You do not
have to raise the shifter handle unless you are in Park.
Drive: Move the shifter handle to Drive. You do not have
to raise the shifter handle unless you are in Park.
Second and First gear cannot be selected with the
shifter in the straight gate mode.
Ratchet Shift Mode: The ratchet shift mode allows firm,
positive, no-miss upshifts and downshifts in First, Second, Third (Drive) and Neutral. Reverse and Park cannot be selected in the ratchet shift mode.
To switch from straight gate to ratchet operation, first
have the shifter handle in the Drive position. With the
shift handle in the Drive position, push down firmly on
the knob to engage the ratchet mode. The handle will
snap down approximately 3/4”. The shifter is now in the
Drive (Third) gear position for automatic valve bodies or
the First gear position for full manual valve bodies (See
Figure #9).
To switch the shifter from the Ratchet mode back to
straight gate operation, operate the shifter to the Drive
(automatic valve bodies) or the First (manual valve bodies) gear position, pull firmly on the knob to engage the
straight gate mode. You are now in Drive (automatic valve
bodies) or First (manual valve bodies) in the straight gate
mode (See Figure #11).
Remember: To switch from Straight Gate to Ratchet
mode or Ratchet mode to Straight Gate you must be in
the Drive (automatic valve bodies) or the First (manual
valve bodies) gear position. Refer to the shift indicator
for the gear position (See Figure #9 & #11).
SPECIAL NOTE: If the instructions for operating your
shifter seem complicated, do not be alarmed. You will
find that, in actual use, the shifter will be extremely easy
to operate after a minimal amount of experience.
Caution: The shifter is an important controlling mechanism of your vehicle and can create serious driving hazards when any part is loose, missing or misadjusted. After you have installed your B&M QuickSilver shifter we
recommend you review the following check list and mark
each point to assure a complete and proper installation.
CHECK LIST
Cable is securely fastened to shifter and cotter key is in
place.
Shifter and brackets are securely mounted to the floorboard by all eight mounting bolts.
Cable hole is sealed shut.
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Cable is routed clear of exhaust system and moving parts.
Shifter is adjusted properly and spring clip is in place on
transmission cable swivel.
The neutral safety switch is connected and functioning
to prevent engine starts in drive gears and reverse.
There is no debris or trash in the shifter mechanism.
Indicator clearly visible.
Knob is tight on shifter handle.
Shifter locks in Park and handle must be lifted to engage
Reverse.
Shifter moves smoothly and freely through all positions
as described in Shifter Operation.
*NOTE: 3-speed shown. 4-speed action identical with one extra ratchet gate position in Fig #10.
Lift knob to clear stop gates
Manual/
Manual/
Automatic
Indicator shows
gear position
Manual
Automatic Manual
Push down
firmly on knob
Indicator shows
gear position
Straight Gate Mode
Move shift lever
back and forth
with a firm quick
action. Release
handle to allow it
to return to
center position
Figure #8
Manual/
Automatic
Indicator shows
gear position
Manual
Switching to Straight Gate Mode
Figure #9
Manual/
Automatic
Indicator shows
gear position
Manual
Pull up firmly
on knob
Ratchet Shift Mode
Figure #10
Switching to Straight Gate Mode
Figure #11
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TOOL LIST
(1) 5/32” Allen W rench (1) 1/2” Wrench (1) Duct or Sealing T ape (optional)
(1) 5/16” Socket (1) 9/16” Wrench (1) Hacksaw
(1) 7/16” Socket (1) Round File (1) Silicone Sealer (optional)
(1) 1/2” Socket (1) #32 Drill (1) Phillips Screwdriver
(1) Ratchet or Speed Handle (1) Portable Hand Drill (1) Sheet Metal Cutters
(1) 5/16” Wrench (1) Electrical T ape Jack St ands, Wheel Ramps or a hoist
(2) 7/16” Wrench
ITEMS IN PLASTIC BAG (not pictured)
(5) 1/4” - 20 Hex Nuts (4) #6 - 32 x 3/4” Screws (1) Light Bulb
(5) 1/4” - 20 x 3/4” Hex Bolts (2) #10-24 x 3/8” Flathead Screws (1) Knob Insert
(5) 1/4” Lockwashers (1) Light Socket (1) Indicator Window (3 speed)
(12) 1/4” Flat Washers (1) #10-24 x 1/2” Self T apping Screw (1) Indicator Window (4 speed)
Spare parts for your B&M QuickSilver shifter are available at your B&M dealer. If you encounter difficulty with
your B&M QuickSilver shifter, contact your local dealer.
Knob
Boot
Shifter Cover
Shifter Mechanism
Cable adapter
Mounting Bracket
Console Plate
WARNING!
Periodic inspection and maintenance of your B&M Quicksilver shifter is recommended to ensure that the mechanism is well lubricated, free from dirt or rust and the cable is properly adjusted. Lack of maintenance could result in
a failure includng a failure of the reverse lockout safety feature.
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