Shifting woes: Sideshift Conversion or Tidied Up Tailshift with Rennshift Options

[casey944]

Looks like i am going down the rabbit hole of changing out my transmission but I figured I would pose one more question. Did a bit of searching and was unable to really dig up exactly what I was looking for.

Option 1. Convert the car to a sideshift with a rebuilt transmission. Cost, estimated is around $3k.

Option 2. Replace all tailshift bushings and install a Rennshift. Looks to cost about 1k all in.

Is the side shifter worth 3x what I am proposing with the tailshift/rennshift conversion?

Pic for clicks.

[mepstein]

There are 3 systems at work here, the shifter, the linkage and the transmission. Its very true that shifting is only as good as its weakest link. A rennshifter only moves the linkage, it will not fix linkage or trans issues.
If you want the best system, go rennshifter, tangerine linkage and rebuilt sideshift trans.
If you want to make the most improvement with what you have, replace the 5 bushings, about $30 and see if there is a difference, if so, see if thats enough for you. If not, start thinking about a rennshifter, linkage and rebuilt side shift trans. But remember, these are 45 year old cars so they will never shift like a honda but can be made to shift very nicely.