cable shifter or Rod Shifter? Pros and Cons.

[kleiner]

OK so after a little bit of research. I ve found that both are possible. Actually omni Potent sells the kit to keep it rod shifted (a little pricey for me). I was hopping people that have tried both or know more about them than I do could chime in. what are the pros and cons of each? which do you prefer?
Cheers
Kleiner

[bakes]

I have had both and i prefer the shift cables and its what i currently have in my glht.
+ it is easyer to install a520-555 with cables

[supercrackerbox]

I have the rod shifter with heim joints in my Charger and love it.

[bakes]

+ you getting rid of your A525

[tryingbe]

I had a working half way rod shift A525, cable shift A568, and cable shift A555/A520. I much prefer cable shift.

Makes having a 3 inch downpipe easier too.

[kleiner]

Thanks for the input, keep em rollion,
I am putting in a 520, and was planning to use cables, but I noticed that Omni Potent sells a piece that would allow me to keep the rod and not have to put any holes in the floor. So i could go either way, just wanted some opinions for those that have them
Cheers

[86Shelby]

I much prefer the rod shifter. It feels much more positive. Rarely did I miss a shift in my rod shifted 555 in the GLHT or GLHS. It's easy to miss the 2-3 shift in the R/T which has cable shift, even with the booger bushings. Shifting effort is higher with the cables in my experience. If I wouldn't feel bad for putting another hole in my R/T I would seriously consider going with rods on it.

[iTurbo]

I really like the rod shifter, although that might be because I started out driving an Omni so it just feels more natural to me. As long as everything is tight, the rod shifter has a far better feel in my opinion. In contrast, every cable shifter, especially the '90+ models feel rubbery and a little ambiguous compared to the rod shifter which is more notchy and precise. The rod shifter can be a nightmare when it gets loose or the OEM ball and socket joints start falling apart at the rod ends. That's why you want the heim joint conversion done....much better and far more reliable then.

I still have a rod shifted A525 in my Omni (a A525/A555 actually), but if/when I ever replace it I have already decided to get an A520/A555 trans and get OmniPotent rod shifter adapter! I really don't think I could bring myself to put a cable shifter in my Omni.

[cordes]

I'll be keeping the rods in my blue GLH.

[kleiner]

I appreciate the responses.
I gotta get under my car and look at it, mine feels sloppy. I have the heim joint conversion, well almost. All but one still has the plastic attachments. I did not have the right part and needed to drive the car so what I had completed went back in. I'm thinking my adjustment is a little out too.
Anybody else thoughts?
thanks

[boost geek]

I'm running an old original rod shifter with shifter clips, works good for me.

[csomni]

i really like my rod shifter with the heim. added a short throw and kicked the shifter back about a 1 ". feels really good. i need to come up with something so she goes into 3rd with out hitting 5th. fab something up so you have to push down to get into 5th. if i look at it long enough it will happen lol

[ohlarikd]

I always had cable shifters, but now I have a Shelby Charger with rod shifters, and its a world of difference. I always felt like the cables were stretching, they did not have a positive stop when shifting. The rods kind of 'click' into gear more positively and stop.

I would do a omnipotent rod trans when my 525 blows up soon.

[kleiner]

Thanks for all the replies so far looks to be the rod shifters.
So waiting for the 525 to blow up first, are you kidding or not.
is this possible to mess more up then to change it out first. Maybe I should wait till mine blows up?

[bakes]

so how do you intend to connect the new A520 to the rod???

[boost geek]

I always had cable shifters, but now I have a Shelby Charger with rod shifters, and its a world of difference. I always felt like the cables were stretching, they did not have a positive stop when shifting. The rods kind of 'click' into gear more positively and stop.

I would do a omnipotent rod trans when my 525 blows up soon.

Truly a bolt in, took me forever to make mine. Scroll down 4 items:

http://www.omnipotentparts.com/product_detail.htm#Transmission Shifter

[ohlarikd]

So waiting for the 525 to blow up first, are you kidding or not.
is this possible to mess more up then to change it out first. Maybe I should wait till mine blows up?

Well, evidently, the 525 case is very weak and flexible. Under elevated HP levels, it can twist, and I assume bad things happen to the gears. Hasn't happened yet, but I am constantly wary of it. My car is not making huge power, but it's way more than stock - I am reluctant to add any more power due to fear of destruction. I have a LSD in there as well, and I don't want to destroy it all.

When it goes, its a 520 or 555 with the omnipotent rod shifter kit.

Derek

[kleiner]

Yep thats the one I ordered it. Just waiting for the axles. I think I will install it all when I have the parts, hoping 2 weeks

[johnl]

When you go to heim joints, it also helps to replace the bushings that rotate on the vertical shaft that bolts to the trans; I found some bronze bushings that were tighter and less likely to crack than the stock plastic ones.

[kleiner]

Thanks Johnl. Took awhile to find these. But I have some on their way as well. Mcmaster carr will only ship to know dealers in Canada and the dealer here was trying to rip me off. They wanted $90 for 1 male rod end, 6 bronze bushings and 2 washers. Yep......no thanks. Found the same for $35 for a company in New west.

[bakes]

The one thing the realy pisses me off with a rod shifter is the REV. lock springs are to soft I dont like a shifter leaver that move downward when go the power shift .

[supercrackerbox]

When you go to heim joints, it also helps to replace the bushings that rotate on the vertical shaft that bolts to the trans; I found some bronze bushings that were tighter and less likely to crack than the stock plastic ones.

That is one thing I still need to do. I don't suppose you have the dimensions handy, do ya?

[johnl]

That is one thing I still need to do. I don't suppose you have the dimensions handy, do ya?

Sorry, no I don't. I am fortunate to have an old time hardware store a half mile from home and I just walk in there - problem/parts in hand, and I go behind the counter and dig into the fittings, nuts, bolts, bushings, valves, and whatnot. They have boxes of bronze bushings organized by size so I just checked by "go/no go" until I came up with what I needed.

[kleiner]

I'll have a look they were I think they are in my e-mail. I got the sizes off of another post on this website somewhere.
OK here are the ones I ordered, I will find out if they work in a few weeks
http://www.mcmaster.com/#2938t16/=cdluqs

[supercrackerbox]

Cool, keep us posted.

[kleiner]

Yep put them in. They were a little big so I drilled out the holes a little. I still need to set it up right though but so far feels pretty good.