Are you disappointed with that rubbery and disconnected feel of your manual transmission shifter?

The QBM Performance Shift Kit was designed to address the sloppy shift feel in 93-99 modes by addressing the 2 main causes for the slop - the shifter assembly bushings and the transmission shift cable bushings.

The stock shift console bushings mount the shifter assembly to the body of the car. They are made of very soft rubber (almost bubble gum consistency) and even when brand new they allow the shifter to slop around in all directions. They isolate the shifter by floating the whole assembly on a foundation of mushy rubber. This creates a vague and disconnected feeling in the shifter. We manufacture our bushings from virgin DuPont Delrin, and completely replace the stock rubber bushings. The result provides a solid mounting base for the shifter assembly, resulting in crisp and precise shifter input.

Check out a comparison of the stock vs QBM bushings:

But this is only half of the story.

Volvo also used similar mushy rubber bushings to attach the shift cables to the transmission itself. These bushings break down with age and underhood heat, and tear easily (2 out of 3 cars we examine have torn bushings). Once the bushing tears, the inner bushing sleeve separates from the outer section, and the inner section flops from one side of the bushing to the other on every single shift. Remember, these bushings are the direct connection between what gear you are telling your transmission to shift into, and how the actual gear is physically selected!

Torn shift cable bushings are impossible to detect without removing the shift cable from the transmission because the bushing is covered by a large metal washer and retaining clip. Only when this washer and clip is removed can the torn bushings be detected. We have talked to owners who were experiencing mis-shifts, and the problem turned out to be these torn bushings. Of course there can be other mechanical causes of poor shifting like worn synchros or bent shift forks, but torn bushings will only compound those problems and may even contribute to them in the first place!

The shift cable bushings are not available separately from Volvo - you have to buy the entire shift cable assemblies. And even then you are now stuck with brand new mushy rubber bushings that will tear again. Our solution was to replace the rubber transmission cable bushings altogether with precision CNC machined solid brass alloy bushings. No more torn bushings and the result is direct shifting with no extra slop or excess movement.

When the QBM Performance Shift Kit is installed the difference is remarkable. The vehicle shifts better than new and gear changes are very solid and direct. The Performance Shift Kit is also compatible with all shifters including aftermarket short shifters. The bushings are manufactured by us specifically for the Volvo transmission/shifter assemblies, and are exact duplicates of the OEM Volvo bushings. We do not use generic one-size-fits-all bushings or bushings made for some other brand of car. You can rest assured our kit will fit your Volvo perfectly and work they way you expect it to.

No special tools are required, and installation takes about 60 minutes. Detailed installation instructions are included.

The QBM Performance Shift Kit includes: (8) Delrin shifter assembly bushings, (2) solid brass alloy transmission cable bushings, (2) locking clips

Fits the following manual transmission models: 93-97 850, 98-99** S70, 98-99 V70** (including R/AWD), 98-99** C70
** Does not fit 2000 and up vehicles

Performance Shift Kit: $70