Installation Instructions
QuickSilver Shifter
Part Number 80683
©2010, 2003, 2000 by B&M Racing and Performance Products
The B&M QuickSilver Shifter can be used in most vehicles equipped with three speed or four speed automatic transmissions. Your B&M QuickSilver Shifter comes equipped with a neutral safety switch and a backup light switch, transmission brackets, levers and a five foot shift cable. Optional shifter cables in 2 ft. (#80830), 3 ft. (#80831), 4 ft. (#80831), 8 ft. (#80831), 10 ft. (#80835) and 12 ft. (#80836) are also available. To use the
B&M QuickSilver Shifter with the Ford AOD transmissions you will need the optional accessory kit #40496. To use the
B&M QuickSilver Shifter with the GM 4L60E, 4L65E, 4L80E, and 4L85E equipped with a PRNDL switch you will need optional accessory kit #75498 otherwise you can use the supplied GM bracket.
To use this shifter with a GM four speed automatic transmission, you will need to remove the three speed limiter blocker pin and the two e-clips (See Figure 1). For the Ford AOD four speed transmissions do not remove this blocker pin.
To use this shifter with a Ford or Chrysler automatic transmission, install the blocker pin and the two e-clips (See Figure 1). This limiter limits the travel of the shifter when it is shifted into Park, so that it does not stretch the cable.
Please read the instructions and review the illustrations thoroughly before beginning the installation.
The mechanical components of this shifter are precision made and assembled at our factory. Any modification or disassembly of these parts can cause the shifter to malfunction and will void the warranty. You should disassemble only those items outlined in the instructions.
The vehicle should be about 2 feet off the ground for ease of installation. Use jack stands, wheel ramps or a vehicle lift. Make sure the vehicle is firmly supported before attempting to work on it.
IMPORTANT: If your vehicle is equipped with a locking steering column. Securing the column lock lever in the engine compartment in the full up position will allow the steering wheel to be locked and unlocked and the ignition key to be removed.
WARNING: This allows the steering wheel to be locked WHENEVER the ignition key is turned to the “lock” position WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME. Securing the steering column lock lever in any other position will both PREVENT the steering wheel from locking and the removal of the ignition key.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If you are installing this shifter with a GM four speed automatic transmission, you must remove the three speed limiter blocker pin and the e-clips indicated in Figure 1. Removing this blocker pin gives the shifter four forward positions rather than three. For Ford AOD four speed automatic transmissions and Chrysler A- 500 and A-518 four speed automatic transmissions do not remove this blocker pin, since these transmissions have only three forward positions. Also do not remove the blocker pin and the e-clips for any three speed automatic transmissions. (The three speed limiter blocker pin goes in the upper of the two holes at the rear of the shifter).
If you are installing this shifter with a Ford or Chrysler three or four speed automatic transmission you must install
the Park limiter blocker pin and the e- clips as also indicated in Figure 1. This limiter limits the shifter travel into the Park position, since Ford and Chrysler transmissions have less travel between Reverse and Park than GM transmissions do.
STEP 1. Remove the stock shift linkage; Column Shifters: Remove all rods, levers or cables from the column and the transmission. Place the column shift lever in Park position. Remove the pin holding the shift lever in the column and remove the lever assembly. If your vehicle is equipped with a locking steering column, secure the column lock lever in the full up position. WARNING: This allows the steering wheel to be locked and the ignition key removed WHENEVER the ignition key is turned to the “lock” position WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME.
Console Shifters: Remove the shifter mechanism from the console. Disconnect the rod or cable from the transmission. Remove the cable bracket if equipped. If there is a cable or linkage from the console shifter or transmission to the steering column lock, it must be blocked in the Park position as described above.
NOTE: Shifter installation may require console modification or complete console removal depending on the space available in your vehicle.
STEP 2. Pull the carpet away from the floorboard where the shifter is to be mounted. If the vehicle has a bench type seat, move the seat to the full forward position. Place the shifter on the floor with the stick shifted to the rearmost position. Locate the shifter for ease and convenience of operation. (The rear mounting
Printed in the U.S.A. |
9500662-06 |
Knob 
Top cover
Tower
Tab must be bolted to the OUTSIDE surface of the shifter base
Indicator
light
E-clip
Backup light switch
Neutral safety 
switch
Three speed limiter blocker pin and e-clips (in upper hole)
Park limiter blocker pin and e-clips Cable for Chryslers and Fords only
Figure 1
hole of the mechanism must be at least 1¾” from the front of the seat when the seat is in the full forward position). Make sure the knob clears the dash with the shifter in the Park position. Mark the position of four mounting holes on the floor. STEP 3. Drill the four 9/32" mounting holes where marked. Temporarily mount the shifter in place using the washers as required to get it level. Mark the location for the shifter cable hole, 3" ahead of the front shifter mounting hole. Drill or cut a 1½” diameter cable hole in the floorboard. NOTE: Some floorboards are extremely thin and will not adequately support the shifter mechanism when bolted to the floor. For those vehicles we recommend that you fabricate a stiffener plate for additional strength.
STEP 4. Install (but do not secure) the carpet back to it’s original position. Cut
holes in the carpet for the mounting holes and a 1½” slit for the cable. DO NOT use a drill bit to make holes in the carpet.
STEP 5. Install the cable on the shifter as shown in Figure 1. The cable attachment tab must be bolted to the outside surface of the shifter base using the supplied ¼” X ½” hex bolt, lock washer and nut. Put the end of the indicator link on the cable pin outside of the shifter cable. Install the e- clip to secure the cable.
STEP 6. Install the backup light switch and the neutral safety switch in place on the shifter mechanism. Install them using the two supplied #4-40 screws, nuts and lock washers, as shown in Figure 1. If necessary, bend the fingers slightly so that they engage the slots. Beware, overtightening the switch attachment screws will crack the switch housings. Adjust the switches so that the neutral safety switch (the lower
switch) operates in Neutral and Park only and so that the backup light switch (the upper switch) operates in Reverse only by loosening the screws and sliding the switch as required. Then retighten the screws.
STEP 7. Install the shifter mechanism into the vehicle. Slide the shifter cable through the carpet and the hole in the floorboard. Bolt the shifter down using four ¼” hex bolts and nuts. If required use ¼” washers as shims between the shifter mechanism and the floor to level the shifter. ROUTE THE CABLE AS
SHOWN IN FIGURE 2, AVOID SHARP BENDS WHICH WILL KINK AND DAMAGE THE CABLE. Use cable clamps or tie wraps to secure the cable housing to the chassis to avoid contact with hot engine or exhaust system. Seal the cable hole shut to avoid the entry of exhaust fumes or water. For General Motors vehicles go to Step 8, for Ford vehicles go to Step 13, for Chrysler vehicles go to Step 19.
GENERAL MOTORS
STEP 8. If you have not already done so, remove the stock selector lever nut and the selector lever. Discard the stock lever and the stock shifter linkage. Install the B&M selector lever in position using the stock selector lever nut (See Figure 3). Torque the nut to 23 lb. ft. The lever should move smoothly from front to rear with a positive click in each gear position.
STEP 9. Remove the two transmission oil pan bolts from the middle of the left side of the oil pan. Install the cable bracket in position (See Figure 3). The bracket must be installed with two spacers between the pan and the bracket. (If your transmission is equipped with a cast aluminum oil pan, these spacers should be omitted however the cable bracket may have to be modified). Install the two supplied 5/16-18 x 1.00" bolts and tighten to 12-13 lb. ft. Do not overtighten as this can damage the pan gasket.
Note: In some cases possible modification to the GM cable bracket might be required for the 4L80E and 4L85E transmissions without the PRNDL switch. Verify that selector lever does not grind on cable bracket before moving on to step 10.
STEP 10.Route the shifter cable according to Figure 3. Avoid kinks and sharp bends and route the cable away from hot engine or exhaust parts.
Remove the two rubber boots, one large nut, and a large lockwasher from
2
the threaded end of the shifter cable. Slide the end of the cable into the cable bracket. Install the large nut and the lockwasher loosely over the end of the cable. Install the two rubber boots onto the end of the cable. Install the swivel on the threaded end of the cable and position it in the center of the threaded portion. STEP 11. If you have a four speed automatic transmission, be sure that you have removed the three speed limiter blocker pin shown in Figure 1. If you have a three speed automatic transmission, the three speed limiter blocker pin and e-clips should be installed. The Park limiter blocker pin and e-clips should not be installed for any GM transmission.
Move the transmission selector lever by hand to the full rear position (Low). Shift the shifter mechanism to the Low gear position (ratcheted all the way back). Adjust the large nuts on the cable so that the swivel will slide into the hole on the selector lever. Tighten the large nuts completely. Be sure that the swivel will slide freely in and out of the hole in the selector lever. Note: The shifter will not operate correctly unless the correct hole in the shift lever is used as shown below:
Use with four speed transmissions
Use with three speed
Figure 2
Leave the swivel out of the hole and move the selector lever to Park, all the way forward. Also move the shifter to Park position. (See operation section, page 7). Reinsert the swivel into the hole in the selector lever. Check to see that the swivel will slide freely in and out of the hole in the selector lever in this position. If it does not slip in freely, adjust the swivel slightly until it will slip into the hole in the lever.
Move the shifter back to the Low gear position and check that the swivel will still slide easily in and out of the hole in the selector lever. (If you do not use the hole in the lever, it will be impossible to cor-
rectly adjust the cable). Operate the shifter through all the gear positions. Check to make sure the swivel will slide in and out of the selector lever hole in each gear position. The shift cable is now correctly adjusted. Install the cotter key supplied with the shifter into the swivel and spread the key ends.
Ifyouhaveaproblem,DONOTFORCE THE SHIFTER, this will damage the cable, the shifter or the transmission. Simply start at the beginning and carefully check all your steps.
STEP 12. On GM vehicles, the neutral safety/backup light switch is located on
GM cable bracket
Spacer
Use these two holes for TH-400transmission.Use other two holes for other GM transmissions
Spacer
F |
C |
R |
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Cable swivel (4 speed shown) Cotter pin
GMlever |
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5/16 x 1" bolt and spacer |
7/16" nut |
GM cable bracket (Trimming of bracket |
(Metric trans use M8 x 25 bolt) |
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required if used on cast aluminum pan) |
Figure 3
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