Installing a b & m shifter.

[Luisram]

So know that I have my bucket seats I'm going to attempt installing the shifter. My transmission is the 3speed.however I see the the shifter has provisions for a 4speed as well. The question is if I install it with my existing transmission will I be able to change it over to the 4speed function when and if I ever change over to a 4speed overdrive transmission

 

[Injectedcutty]

Short answer: yes. It should come with two different gear indicator plates.
I have a Hurst V-Matic 2 shifter (essentially the same thing) and it can be used with either a 3 or 4 speed transmission.

 

[Luisram]

Ok I see the other indicator. But does the cable need to be longer for a 4speed or it doesn't matter

 

[Injectedcutty]

Ok I see the other indicator. But does the cable need to be longer for a 4speed or it doesn't matter

It doesn't matter. The difference in the one gear is maybe 3/8" on the trans gear selector. There is more than enough length on the cable to compensate.

 

[Local Hero]

Correct, install the other indicator plate and then adjust the cable to catch each gear regardless of what trans you have.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

The b&m shifter I bought and installed also works for either 3 or 4 speed trans. It came setup for a 3 speed trans, and what I mean by setup is there's a screw that stops it from moving all the way back. The 1st gear position when setup for the 3 speed is the same as the 2nd gear position when the screw is removed for a 4 speed. Removing the screw gives you 1 more movement in the shifter for the extra gear. I messed with my trans cable adjustment for over an hour trying to figure out why my 4 speed wasn't shifting into all gears and this is why.
Edit: Quick Google search and screenshot of the instructions I'm talking about. Figure 3.

 

[Luisram]

Ok so installed the shifter however I didn't remove the old linkage left it attached so my nuetral safety switch and back up lights will work. This way I don't have to run any wires to the new shifter. Is this correct?

 

[Local Hero]

B & M shifters usually have microswitches built into the base for the neutral safety and the back up lights depending on what position the shifter is in. I'd wire those up and discard the stock stuff all together

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

From what I understood when installing my shifter, there isn't a neutral safety switch on a stock column shift car. It some sort of mechanical switch inside the column that controls it. To hook up the neutral safety switch on the b&m micro switch you'll need to run the ignition wire through the switch. If I remember correctly it's a purple wire. There's a post on the forum I used saying what wire needs to be ran to the new switch.

 

[383_GrandPrix]

I installed a B&M ratchet shifter in my Grand Prix after taking the shift steering column out and replacing it with a floor shift column. Since I had already discarded the column linkage, I spliced into the Purple ignition wire and used the micro switch on the shifter as my neutral safety switch. It works quite well, but from what I hear it's supposed to be easier and safer to modify the bracket and use the stock linkage.

Also, my B&M shifter seems to be good for 2, 3 or 4 speed cars, the only difference being where the small stopper bolt is placed in the shifter. I would take some photos if the car wasn't in storage.