New shifter, how hard to install

bigwave · 2 Weeks Ago

Howdy all.
I'm looking at installing an after market shifter on my 99 cobra, how hard is that to do?
I'm looking at the: Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter T5 / T-45. Anything special to look for or look-out for?

Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter T5 / T-45 at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

Thanks

Brutal Metal · 2 Weeks Ago

I LOVE my Tri-Ax!! Do a search on Ebay, CL, and Corral Forum classifieds for one, their usually around for about $100.
Then get Cobra Bobs gasket kit for it instead of using RTV, it's only like $5 bucks shipped!

2Manystangs · 2 Weeks Ago

I had a tri ax...hated it! Get a Pro 5.0. waaay better for a little extra loot

2oo5GT · 2 Weeks Ago

I've used Steeda in my past stangs and my Cobra has a Pro 5.0. I think both are pretty good. Pretty easy to install too.

Brutal Metal · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Manystangs

I had a tri ax...hated it! Get a Pro 5.0. waaay better for a little extra loot

I had 3 Tri-Ax's close to new and actually tried all of them on the same day in my 99 Cobra, the first one was pretty notchy and firm and didn't feel great, the 2nd one I put on felt SO good, nice tight spring feel and it shifted like butter. I tried the third but it didn't compare to the previous, so I put #2 back.
That being said the Steedas do take some time to break in..
I think 2Manystangs would at least agree it's a HUGE improvement over that stock joke it comes with!

bigwave · 2 Weeks Ago

Once again thanks for the info guys, in my line of work I've learned you can get more information in a very short period of time from people who have already solved the problem, or experienced the issue, and only re-invent the wheel when you have to.
I think it's going to come down to price between what seems to be the two best choices. Right now what I'm seeing is the Pro 5.0 is running about $15-20 less then the Tri-Ax, will find one on e-bay or place order for one today.

Thanks again Fellows! I'm still learning and listening... I hope

2Manystangs · 2 Weeks Ago

Brutal you'll have to meet me someday and pull my Pro 5.0, there is no comparison in how much better it is than Tri Ax...I agree it's better than stock, but the 5.0 is even that much better than the Tri Ax...you will never miss a shift with the 5.0 and the throws are much shorter/firmer, so much so that you will wonder how Ford sends the stock shifter out the door

bigwave · 2 Weeks Ago

I purchased a pro 5.0 off of ebay, and ordered the gasget set from americanmuscle.com, I a gree with Brutal on the not using liquid gasgat material. Sooner or later you have to take somethig appart with that stuff on it and it sucks to clean it back up for reassemble; that's if you get it appart.

blksnake · 2 Weeks Ago

I put a steeda in by 01 cobra with 3650 trans, works good easy to install and have had it for years, way better than stock.

Brutal Metal · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Manystangs

Brutal you'll have to meet me someday and pull my Pro 5.0, there is no comparison in how much better it is than Tri Ax...I agree it's better than stock, but the 5.0 is even that much better than the Tri Ax...you will never miss a shift with the 5.0 and the throws are much shorter/firmer, so much so that you will wonder how Ford sends the stock shifter out the door

Yeah we need to set up a Cobra cruise sometime and sure I'd like to feel it, I drove an LX 5.0 with one years ago and it felt decent nothing that blew my mind..

bigwave · 1 Week Ago

OK, I installed the Pro 5.0 I purchase off e-bay this weekend. As everyone stated VERY simple to do and it really feels nice. I did take the boot cover back off and flip the shifter to the Right side of the Pro 5.0 it's a little more comfertable for me on that side. Or perhaps that's where it was supposed to be the whole time, don't really know.

One nice bonus I wasn't aware of is I can now use my forward cup holder, the shifter doesn't come back and hit my drink. I stop and get a cup of coffee on my way to work sometimes and always had to be extremely careful not to spill, now it fits right in and I don't bump it with my hand or the shifter. I will not mention what I sometimes get on the way home from work, but I'd really hate for that to spill.

Thanks for the input guys

Next project, Thursday the worn-out stock Cats are coming out and a new set of Pypes High Flow Ceramic jobs are going in. I looked and listened and decided to keep my stock X-pipe and put these in. This way the car stays pefectly legal (except in CA) and I still get better exhaust flow.

2Manystangs · 1 Week Ago

I'll tell you another great investment that is overlooked is Sparco seats, the stock leather is so heavy slick and uncomfortable... car lost about 200 lbs of dead weight too, I love mine...
Glad to hear shifter install went good, 96s don't have that front cup holder, nice collateral benefit nonetheless.

bigwave · 1 Week Ago

Which model Sparco seats did you go with?

Brutal Metal · 1 Week Ago

Yeah price and link for the seats, 99's are the worst from the factory! And do they have light tan to match Fords medium parchment?
And bigwave are the clogged cats getting cut out and the new ones welded in or are you getting a new midpipe? I didn't understand..

bigwave · 1 Week Ago

My car is also the Tan or Parchment, he11 I didn't know "parchment" was a color until I bought this car.

Brutal, I am cutting out the old cats and leaving the stock X pipe in. I put the car up on a lift (many times) and checked the entire X-pipe and it all looks good, it's still very solid with no rusted areas I can find. These cats will be clamped on the front and welded on the back. I could have them weled on both ends I suppose, but I figured it would be nice to have the clamps for when and if I have to change the clutch down the road, my TOB sounds a little funny once in a while, it's a matter of time. I hate to replace it now because the clutch itself is still solid as a rock. I'm using the Pypes brand high flow cats.