B&M – Shifters, Transmission Hardware, and Driveline Control

B&M is the name most enthusiasts think of when they want crisp, repeatable gear changes and a tougher driveline. Decades of drag racing, street performance, and truck applications have shaped the parts in this range. The idea is simple. Remove slop, add control, and keep transmissions alive under heat and load. Whether you are upgrading a classic 3-speed auto, fitting a modern overdrive, or improving a manual with a short throw, B&M gives you parts that feel right and last.

Why choose B&M

Shift feel is about precision. Good hardware gives a defined gate, a clean detent, and the right leverage so you can drive by muscle memory rather than hunting for gears. Reliability comes from the details. Strong housings, positive ratchets, stainless cables, solid brackets, and bushings that do not deform when hot. B&M’s catalogue is built around those principles. The result is fewer missed shifts, better consistency on the strip, and day-to-day drivability that feels tighter than stock.

Shifters for automatic transmissions

This is the heart of the B&M line. Ratchet shifters such as Pro Ratchet, Pro Stick, Megashifter and StarShifter give you one-gear-at-a-time control with a positive lockout to prevent overshifts. On track that means you can pull through the gears without glancing down. On the road it means confident manual control when towing, descending, or overtaking. Options cover console-mount and floor-mount layouts, with cable and bracket kits tailored to popular boxes like TH350, TH400, 700-R4, 4L60/65/80, AOD/4R70W and more. Each shifter comes with a neutral safety switch and reverse light provisions, plus the hardware to integrate cleanly with factory or aftermarket linkages.

Short throw shifters for manuals

Manual drivers want a shorter, more precise shift without vibration or notchiness. B&M short throw assemblies reduce throw while keeping the pivot geometry that protects synchros. Machined bodies, hardened pivots, and high-grade bushings remove the factory sponge and give a mechanical, accurate feel. Applications cover popular performance cars and trucks. If you are fitting a heavy clutch or running higher RPM, this is one of the simplest upgrades to make a car feel right.

Shift kits and valve body upgrades

Hydraulic control defines how an automatic behaves. B&M shift kits recalibrate line pressure and shift timing so you get firm, quick changes that reduce heat and clutch slip. There are stages for different uses. Street kits sharpen shifts without being harsh. Towing and RV kits increase capacity for heavy loads and add engine braking where available. Competition kits deliver maximum firmness for track cars that need consistency run after run. Correctly set up, a kit reduces transmission wear, lowers temperature, and makes power delivery feel more direct.

Transmission coolers and accessories

Heat is the enemy of automatics. B&M stacked-plate coolers and SuperCoolers provide large surface area and low restriction, which keeps fluid in the safe zone during summer traffic, towing, or repeated launches. Inline temperature sensors, fan kits, and thermostatic bypass valves help you dial in a system that warms up quickly yet resists heat soak. Pair a cooler with the right deep pan and you add fluid capacity plus finning for passive cooling.

Deep pans, dipsticks, and service parts

A deep pan does three things well. It adds capacity, improves cooling, and gives you a magnetic drain with easy access so fluid changes are painless. B&M pans are cast for rigidity and use machined flanges and quality hardware to avoid seepage. Matching dipsticks, filler tubes, gaskets, and filter kits complete a sensible service package. If you are raising power or towing, this is low-risk insurance.

Cables, brackets, and installation hardware

The best shifter will only feel right if the cable and brackets are matched to the gearbox. B&M supplies model-specific kits with correct lever ratios, bell-crank positions, and heat shielding where needed. Stainless or PTFE-lined cables resist stretch and heat. Many failures in budget installs come from generic brackets and poor routing. Use the right kit, follow the routing guidance, keep clear of headers, and the result is smooth effort for years.

Magnum Grip and ergonomics

Grip matters when you are strapped in and concentrating. The Magnum Grip family provides a strong, comfortable handle with firm detents and optional buttons for line-lock, transbrake, or nitrous triggers. Inserts and finishes let you match the interior without going over the top. The shape works with gloves and sweaty hands, which is why these shifters are seen in everything from drag cars to off-road trucks.

Fluids and tuning considerations

A transmission upgrade works best with the right fluid. B&M and Holley supply approved ATF blends for common autos, plus additives for older units. After installing a shifter or kit, check cable adjustment with the lever in each detent, verify reverse and park lockout, and confirm the neutral safety switch operation. On vehicles with engine control integration, ensure the ECU or TCM still sees the correct range signals. Take the time to set line pressure and TV cable where applicable. This is how you get crisp shifts without shock.

Choosing the right parts

Street car with a mild build. A console-friendly ratchet shifter, a street-level shift kit, a medium stacked-plate cooler, and a deep pan are a smart package that sharpens response and protects the box. Drag or autocross car. Go to a Pro Ratchet or Pro Stick with a dedicated bracket kit, add a competition shift kit, a large cooler with fan, and consider a transbrake-compatible model if your class allows it. Towing or commercial use. Pick a shifter with a clear gate and strong detents, fit a towing shift kit, use a large cooler with thermostat, and service fluid on schedule.

Why buy B&M from us

We stock the range here in the UK so parts land fast and returns are simple. Our team runs B&M hardware in staff cars and customer builds, which means we can help you pick the correct shifter, cable length, and bracket kit for your gearbox and tunnel. If you need guidance on cooler sizing or line pressure after a shift kit, ask. We prefer parts that work the first time and keep working, and B&M fits that brief.

Upgrade the shift, manage the heat, and make your driveline feel solid. B&M delivers the hardware. We deliver it quickly, with the support to match.