V1 Po mans shifter upgrade - F35

[Indy Lonnie]

I recently changed out my clutch and decided to change some stuff.
I found an old thread in the Cobalt SS forum and decided to give it a try.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/drivetrain-79/f35-mu3-shift-lever-differences-321719/
Results: Shifts like budder now! 2-3 shift is very direct and easier. 4-5 shift is MUCH better and easier to find- can now power-shift.

Transmission shift lever. GM 55563735 - $13 + shipping. (Old one is the dark blackish one. New is the silver.)
I also swapped out the shifter spring for a stiffer one and some solid shifter bushings - $20 each. Both from ZZP.
Hardware - $10

The lever is held in by a roll pin.
Once I had the cables adjusted correctly the 1-2 shift was a little “crunchy” and not as fast as I wanted. I looked at the shifter. It needed a little adjustment.
I had to shave some off the 1-2 left position blue guide. Once I did that the guide could slip down and cause some interference. I cut a piece of 5/8” hose 5/8” tall. I slit this and used as a bushing at the bottom of the shift lever. I wrapped the new rubber bushing with some narrowed electrical tape for insurance. The bushing holds everything up to the factory height to allow the shifter to hit all of its factory detents. (The blue guide is held up with 2 clips that engage the shifter handle. If it should pop loose, the rubber bushing will keep everything happy as it did before it was modified.)

 

[mike_sno]

Would that work for the F23 gearbox as well?

 

[Indy Lonnie]

Would that work for the F23 gearbox as well?

I’m not sure. Look at your configuration and do some research. Check the lengths of the shift lever and see if there is something similar available for the F23.

 

[Indy Lonnie]

After a day of driving, I must say this shifter upgrade is incredible. The shifting is so much smoother, clean and very direct. No more searching for a gear and waiting for it it engage and drop in. Every gear is an improvement especially 5th.

 

[Indy Lonnie]

Update
I noticed the shifter was not as good as it used to be… I tore into it and found one of the cables was very hard to move. I disconnected the cables and pointed them up behind the seats. I then clamped a piece of hose on the cable and put in a combo of penetrating oil and 3 in one. I disconnected the transmission side and let them sit on the ground over a piece of cardboard. I exercised the cables until they were completely free. I kept the shifter side of the cable pointed up overnight. This let the excess oil run out.
Oiling made a big difference.

After doing this, I decided to make another change.
More coming…

 

[Indy Lonnie]

I bought an eBay special aluminum short shifter for the Cobalt. The bell-cranks from the kit seemed to have a lot of slop, so I purchased the DF bearing bell-cranks. I also slotted the shifter bracket on the trans so the shifter cables points true. Everything went together but there was too muck movement left to right with the shifter. I epoxied a 3/8” fat washer to the 5th gear side. Everything works perfectly. The feel is great and notchy. Finding 5th gear is now the same as 3rd. Reverse works as intended pulling up on the shifter.