Bell Works paddle shifters on an 03 sedan
#1
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,573
Likes: 72
From: Kansas City
Bell Works paddle shifters on an 03 sedan
After 3.5 months wait from Japan, I finally got these things. I haven't written up a DIY because you can find a really good one here:
http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X119&...k-go-away.html
Here are pics of the installed shifters or what I call the "Bat Wings". Install was pretty easy, but I did have to grind a small amount of material from the back base plate because it was lightly touching the internal wheel cover on full lock steering. I removed way less than 1mm of material and all was good. I don't think the problem was with Bell, but instead was a problem with my install in that I probably didn't drill the holes perfectly for the mounting base plate. The clearances are fairly tight.
They were $420 shipped from IntensePower.com. Yes, freaking pricey, but they're a fun toy if you've got some fun money laying around. The shifters are very high quality and most every component is anodized steel. Honestly, I've never seen an aftermarket part with so much thought and OEM-like build quality. The shifter movement is only about 1/8" inch and the paddles feel extremely robust. The shift action is direct and has awesome feedback which is something most OEM shifters lack. Most OEM paddle shifters also have long shift actions which doesn't feel sporty. The Bell shifters require a firm tap to engage so it's not easy to do a shift by accident.
I've got my shifters set as high as they can go and there's no clearance issues with the light/wiper controls UNLESS I were to try and do a washer squirt while having the wipers on full movement. I don't know why you'd do such a thing anyways and I've never done it in 4 years of ownership. You really can't see the paddles from the behind the wheel, but they fall right into place when driving. I'm 6' 2" and have long legs, but I sit in a pretty upright driving position and my knees still have about 2.5" clearance to the shifters.
Attached are a couple videos, but I don't think they really do much good in showing the paddle action but what hell.
Part throttle driving and a few 4 to 2 downshifts at 45mph
70% throttle, short burst
http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X119&...k-go-away.html
Here are pics of the installed shifters or what I call the "Bat Wings". Install was pretty easy, but I did have to grind a small amount of material from the back base plate because it was lightly touching the internal wheel cover on full lock steering. I removed way less than 1mm of material and all was good. I don't think the problem was with Bell, but instead was a problem with my install in that I probably didn't drill the holes perfectly for the mounting base plate. The clearances are fairly tight.
They were $420 shipped from IntensePower.com. Yes, freaking pricey, but they're a fun toy if you've got some fun money laying around. The shifters are very high quality and most every component is anodized steel. Honestly, I've never seen an aftermarket part with so much thought and OEM-like build quality. The shifter movement is only about 1/8" inch and the paddles feel extremely robust. The shift action is direct and has awesome feedback which is something most OEM shifters lack. Most OEM paddle shifters also have long shift actions which doesn't feel sporty. The Bell shifters require a firm tap to engage so it's not easy to do a shift by accident.
I've got my shifters set as high as they can go and there's no clearance issues with the light/wiper controls UNLESS I were to try and do a washer squirt while having the wipers on full movement. I don't know why you'd do such a thing anyways and I've never done it in 4 years of ownership. You really can't see the paddles from the behind the wheel, but they fall right into place when driving. I'm 6' 2" and have long legs, but I sit in a pretty upright driving position and my knees still have about 2.5" clearance to the shifters.
Attached are a couple videos, but I don't think they really do much good in showing the paddle action but what hell.
Part throttle driving and a few 4 to 2 downshifts at 45mph
70% throttle, short burst
Last edited by DaveB; 05-03-2009 at 01:43 AM.
#6
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,573
Likes: 72
From: Kansas City
Believe it or not, it's all OEM parts. Sort of a Frankenstein setup. 07 350Z Y-pipe (ie HR), 05/06 sedan midpipe, RevUp air box, Z-tube, and MD spacer. You could get the same exact sound runnning a 03/04 muffler (smaller can than the 05/06 cars therefore more volume) and the Revup airbox. The sound is amazing and I'm surprised so much came through on the video. No resonating, no drone. It's just sounds heathly, linear, and fluid. Volume wise, it's maybe 10% louder than a stock 350z/G coupe. IMO, it's perfect for a sporty sedan.
#7
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,573
Likes: 72
From: Kansas City
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#9
I drove ttrank's car solo
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,299
Likes: 1,487
From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
Believe it or not, it's all OEM parts. Sort of a Frankenstein setup. 07 350Z Y-pipe (ie HR), 05/06 sedan midpipe, RevUp air box, Z-tube, and MD spacer. You could get the same exact sound runnning a 03/04 muffler (smaller can than the 05/06 cars therefore more volume) and the Revup airbox. The sound is amazing and I'm surprised so much came through on the video. No resonating, no drone. It's just sounds heathly, linear, and fluid. Volume wise, it's maybe 10% louder than a stock 350z/G coupe. IMO, it's perfect for a sporty sedan.
Thanks.
#10
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,573
Likes: 72
From: Kansas City
I don't think there's any difference in power especially since there's less baffling in the 03/04 muffler.