TH350 shifter options

[Gordon]

I'm keen to hear if anyone has successfully fitted a "stock" type auto shifter on a TH350 auto box. I'm currently running a Hurst Promatic rachet type shifter which is a pain in the arse. I'd really prefer a standard push button type. I tried one out of a Japper that I picked up at a wreckers, but the throw ratios on the shifter were out for the TH350. Keen to hear about any other options. Ta in advance.

[Marishka]

Couldnt you lenghten or shorten the throw out lever on the
Gearbox to get the japper one to work?

[BusyKiwi]

You'll have to tune the linkage/cable adjuster no matter what you use, I'm using a standard CF shifter in my custom van with turbo 350
Just measure from park to first with ruler on the shifter and make the arm from the trans the same length, same arc. Instead of drilling lots of holes use a dot of blue tack, measure, adjust, measure adjust ... until the park to first distance is the same. If you get it slightly out you might have all gears except first

[Gordon]

Mty, I managed to fabricate a throw out lever that was the correct length for the shifter and my TH350, but then I discovered that the shifter that I was using had unequal lengths between selections. It was out of an old Mazda 323, so it could just be that I made a bad choice at the wreckers. I'm hoping that someone on the forum may have been successful using something out of a Holden or simiilar. I've looked at the other USA after market options like B&M etc, but none of them are as straight forward as a standard factory shifter.

[Gordon]

You'll have to tune the linkage/cable adjuster no matter what you use, I'm using a standard CF shifter in my custom van with turbo 350
Just measure from park to first with ruler on the shifter and make the arm from the trans the same length, same arc. Instead of drilling lots of holes use a dot of blue tack, measure, adjust, measure adjust ... until the park to first distance is the same. If you get it slightly out you might have all gears except first

Thanks Busy, that is exactly the result that I was getting, so perhaps my first attempt at the arm wasn't that good, and maybe the shifter is alright after all. I'll give it another go when I get some time. Will take the van in for cert with the crappy Hurst in the mean time.

[Marishka]

Id try a holden HQ  to WB turbo 350 shifer maybe

[Gordon]

Id try a holden HQ  to WB turbo 350 shifer maybe

Cheers Mty, I'll let you know how I get on.

[Gordon]

Okay folk, quick update on the shifter saga. I've had no luck in tracking down a Holden HQ or WB TH350 shifter, so today I thought I would give my Mazda shifter another go. Spent a while working out the correct length for the throw lever as per Busy's instructions only to discover that the sweet spot is just shy of the pivot point which means that excessive force is needed to make shifts. Looks like I am back to the drawing board. I'm guessing that there is perhaps another donor vehicle shifter that I could try, but short of buying a whole heap on a "hit or miss" exercise I could really do with some input from someone who has successfully done this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[BusyKiwi]

what you can do is make it half cable half linkage - I've done this on the custom van (bedford to turbo 350)
Cable from shifter down to the cross member, use the original (or make your own) shifter bar that goes up and across, like this:
  |___|
and then a bar from this to the trans as trans linkage is on the left and shifter would be on drivers side.

The tuning is done via the two bars, they'll be at different angles and the lengths are based on the movements of the shifter and trans.
Doing it this way you can tune it many ways (well at least 3 lol).

Let me know if you don't understand and I'll try draw a picture

[Gordon]

 Busy, thanks for taking the time to explain this. You have got me fired up again as I really like the Mazda shifter and would be chuffed if I could get it to work. A rough drawing of how you did your connector bars and the way that they adjust would really be helpful if you can. Ta in advance. Feel free to PM it to me if its any easier.