Air Shifter Kits & Accessories

An air shifter is a transmission-shifting device, which uses CO2 from a filled pressure bottle to push the shifter lever via a solenoid (which is plumbed to the bottle) and upshift the vehicle at a precise moment that is predetermined via a shift timer or rpm switch. This optimizes the correct shift RPM or time and provides consistent ETs at the drag strip. The main downside to an air shifter is that the bottle needs to be refilled and the pressure in the bottle needs to be maintained in order to have consistent shifting for each round during a race. However, for smaller spaces, the air shifter will fit easier than an electric shifter due to its compact design.

An electric shifter uses a solenoid that is powered by the vehicle battery, contrary to the air shifter, which uses CO2 to power a solenoid. An electric shifter for automatic transmission is larger than a CO2 / air shifter, which can be an issue for tighter cockpits and vehicle interiors. The major advantage is that electric shifters do not require a refill that air shifters need and there is no issue of maintaining CO2 bottle temperature and pressure to remain consistent when shifting. An electric shifter kit also does not require any plumbing, with just a few wires to connect it to a shift timer or RPM switch.

Electric shifters for cars or other race vehicles require a relay for the connection to the chassis wiring. The relay required is typically a five-blade / prong design with only four blades being used. One of the connections goes to the electric air shifter solenoid. Another goes to the vehicle ground. The third wire goes to a power circuit at the fuse box. The last wire goes to either the rpm switch or timer. When the timer or RPM switch box reaches its predetermined setting, a signal is sent to the relay. This causes the relay to connect the voltage from the vehicle circuit to the connection going to the electric shifter for cars (or other race vehicle), which energizes it and causes the shifter to go into the next gear.

A JEGS expert is ready to answer your questions and help you find the air shifter that you require for your specific car application.