After the D3S Bulb Debacle of 2013, I realized that I needed something fresh in my life to restore favor with the Mustang. You know, a little something to wash the stank off. Here’s a quick update on the Steeda Shifter Base Bushing – Red vs Black.

I just came back from a drive after swapping in the red. There is NO difference in shift effort or accuracy anywhere on the tach. In fact, I feel like the shifter’s tendency to skip along the reverse gate is gone; it smoothly goes into second from first.

The noise level in the cockpit is now reduced, as well – by a small, but significant margin. The black bushing must’ve been communicating a little more than I wanted, and while it was never what I would necessarily consider intrusive, it was somewhat obvious.

In summary, I cannot identify any negatives when running the red bushing. YMMV, but for me, it makes the car that much more enjoyable. To add more vacillation to the matter, I’d have stayed with the black bushing over the stock one with no qualms if the red didn’t exist. The black one is just a little too hardcore for my tastes with no gains in performance over the red justifying the increase in noise.

 

This is good to hear. When you first brought this up, I too was thinking of doing the switch just to get a gauge of the difference. When I installed my shifter bracket I went with the red bushing and have been happy with it. It's good to know there's probably not much point in climbing under the car to do the swap.

 

I have the black installed and although there is a very slight increase in noise (some of which is coming from the Steeda shifter), it's what I would call "good" noise - just enough sound to remind you you're driving a muscle car. I have no issue with reverse and you've confirmed what I thought about the red bushing - little to no increase in NVH with no hit on performance. If you have the MT-82 it should be your first mod. Are you guys running the stock shifter?

 

Thanks for writing this review. I considered switching inserts to the one stiffer one. I had wondered if I was missing something. You saved me a trip under my car! I am using the stock shifter with the steeda bracket.

 

Yep - you can't lose with either bushing. Running the stock shifter.

Nope! You aren't missing anything at all except a dirty t-shirt and elbows.