I've loved the feel of the B&M since I first installed it, but the shaft length is a little to long fo me, so I decided to fix that. This mod will allow you to keep the reverse lockout feature and use the knob that came with the shifter (or use any other that you want). I plan to add a snap ring to hold the knob onto the shaft, as you need to drill out the knob hole to make it into a "press-on" type. It feels much more solid and improves the throw distance even more. You'll need a flat head screw driver and #15 torx driver to remove the upper shifter assembly and a hack saw, a 15/32" drill bit and 1/2" drill bit, hammer, and nail set.

1. Remove the upper shifter assembly. (I'm gonna assume since you have the kit, you know how to do this)


2. Remove the pin holding the lockout sleeve onto the shaft using a hammer and nail set.


3. Slide off the sleeve.


4. Cut the sleeve just above the finger grip above the pin groove using a hack saw or band saw.


5. Cut the shaft 3/4" (or anything long than that if you like) from the first sleeve spacer.


6. File down the finger grip so it slides inside the shift knob easily.


7. Drill out the knob hole with a 15/32" bit so that it fits tightly over the shaft. If you get really ambitious, you could tap the shaft and thread the knob onto the shaft. Sorry no pics of this step.

8. Reassemble the shaft/sleeve assembly and test fit the knob.


9. Test to make sure the reverse lockout has full movement.
Lockout down


Lockout up


10. If you leave part of the shaft sticking up past the top of the knob hole, you'll need to drill out a clearance hole in the knob insert using a 1/2" bit.




11. Reinstall everything in the car and enjoy!

man thats awesome. good writeup

What is the part number for this shifter? When I looked at the B&M website, I couldn't find a shifter for the Redline.

p/n 45187 10charrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

how the hell couldnt u find one for the redline?

you just need to look up cheverlot cobalt shifter because there is no saturn option then when you find it, it says cobalt ss/ion redline

yeah when u look up chevy sobalt is says fits cobalt ss/ saturn redline

The part number 45187 is NOT for a 2004 RL. B&M says it is for a 2005 and up. I checked with a seller on ebay, that had this shifter, and he said they didn't have one for a 2004. Therefore, I must be a big dumbass or nobody can give a straight answer.

they all say 05 and up because thats all the cobalt ss/sc was made from.. the 04 redline is the same as far as i know.. but then again the 04 uses a different tranny mount so could be more things that are different that i dont know about.. Anyone know for sure???

just to let u guys know i have a 04 rl and yes i also have a b&m short throw. it fits. the manual does say 05 and up rl but they r just retarded. the only difference in rl models from 04 and up is the 06 already comes with a gm short throw, thats it