Tonight's night at the track FAIL!!!

[DingoDave]

So, being one of the last night of test and tunes at the local drag track I thought I'd go and get some more seat time. I recently had sent my CPE RMM back in to get replaced and am rocking the stocker once again. I get there and within the first 30 minutes I get two crappy runs in. With the stock RMM in I am reunited with the ever familiar engine bang against the firewall with the 1st-2nd gear shift. I consider ending early but decide to press on and see if I can dial it in. I manage another run but fuck up horribly!! I run a 15.3 @ 100mph with a 3.3s 60'! WTF... Apparently I rolled through during the tree countdown and redlighted. God damnit! I get 1 more run in then I decide to chill and watch the racing. This is where shit starts to get out of hand.

So after my 4th run I head back to the track to watch. As I get there some car just got through exploding it's rearend and dumped fluid all over the track. Fuck me... 45 minutes down for clean up. About 10 cars run down the track then this old muscle car's lightweight hood flies up at the end of the run and shatters throwing parts all over the track! Great! Another 30 minutes down time for track clean up. About this time I decide to get another run in. I get in line and it's packed as a mofo now because of all the track cleanups. As I'm waiting in line another car dumps oil on the track! GOD DAMNIT MOTHER FUCKER!!! Another 45 minutes down. Cars get back to running and not even 10 minutes goes by when the track is shut down again! WTF is it this time. Apparently some dude didn't realize the three exits after the finish line are for him to get off the track with and decided to run his camaro into the gravel pits at the very end of the track! Fuck my life! 20 minutes down to tow said car off the track. Track gets back up and running. I don't know how much time passes but my car never moves from it's position in the staging lanes. All of a sudden the track gets shut down again! Get this... A truck dumps fluid on the track at launch.. spins out and hit the concrete barriers and dumps coolant all over the track. Now, at this time it's like 30 minutes till closing so the track officials decide to run 1 lane till everyone is done. There's like 40 cars still in line. But wait.. it gets better... Halfway through the cars left someone dumps oil on the only good track left.... Un fucking believable. The only reason I haven't left yet is because I'm determined to get my last run in for all the BS I've had to endure. 30 minutes to clean up the track. I finally get my shot and I'm determined to make the best of it. Bog the launch but I'm powershifting like a mofo! Manage a 14.2 with a terrible 2.4 60'. As I'm driving into the parking lot I notice something isn't quite right with my shifter. FUCK! Sounds like I damaged it internally. What a way to end the night of fail. Gonna open up the console tomorrow and see the damage then stock out and hit the dealer if I can't repair it myself. Fuck my couch!

Short version:
- 5 crappy runs
- 6 accidents
- 1 damaged shifter

** Updated ** Top two screws holding the shifter assembly down were loose. Tightened them down and it shifts like butter again.

[mghtymouse380]

Sounds like a bad night hope you didn't tear anything up too bad. Dont give up man. Driver mods come with practice.

[2010Speed3]

that sucks man. Let us know what ended up happening with the shifter!

[slapnasty]

At least you found time to go to the track. My greatest fear is finally getting to go and something breaking being that my Ms6 is a daily

[Amazon]

I would always get a night this that at least once a season lol. Our stock shifter does feel a tad weak man, no doubt about it. I'm afraid of using excessive force too often with it. Face it, we're going to have to bite the bullet and blow nearly $400 on the TWM sts assembly

[gtarman77787]

are you from fucking Mexico or something dude? all those fails just sound like Mexican rivers for some reason lol
hope your shifter is ok

[JacksonMS30]

What is wrong with your shifter?
My second trip to the track ended with my reverse lock out getting messed up to the point where it took a ridiculous amount of force to push the shifter down to get it in to reverse.
I was at 35500 miles when I took it to the dealer to get it covered under warranty.
36k mile warranty ftw! Lol!

[m4tic]

if you messed your shifter, chances are its not even under the console, its the shifter linkage either some where kinked at a bend or at the tranny side. the linkage from the stick is a straight shot to the firewall, and is mostly a metal rod.

[DingoDave]

Originally Posted by JacksonMS30 What is wrong with your shifter? My second trip to the track ended with my reverse lock out getting messed up to the point where it took a ridiculous amount of force to push the shifter down to get it in to reverse. I was at 35500 miles when I took it to the dealer to get it covered under warranty. 36k mile warranty ftw! Lol!

Noticeable clank on 2nd, 4th, and 6th gear engagements. Slides in nice and smooth for all the other gears and side to side.

Originally Posted by bmorrisj if you messed your shifter, chances are its not even under the console, its the shifter linkage either some where kinked at a bend or at the tranny side. the linkage from the stick is a straight shot to the firewall, and is mostly a metal rod.

Man if so... not much I can do about it but take it back to the dealer.

*UPDATE* Took the console out. No visible damage to the shifter assemble but the clank noise is definately within the assembly. Looks like its back to the dealer for me.

[DingoDave]

** Update ** Ok, so I didn't notice this during the first visual inspection but once I started uninstalling the solid shifter bushings from the shifter assembly I noticed the top two screws holding the shifter assembly to the floor were pretty loose. I went ahead and replaced them with the stock rubber bushings and tightened everything back down. Took it for a quick test drive and car shifts like it should again. Even did a few powershifts with good results. Main thing is the clank noise is gone and the shifts are smooth again. I'm guessing the clank noise was the assembly hitting the top of the screws during shifts. I'll probably put the solid shifter bushings back on later but right now I'm just lazy and don't feel like doing it.