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Thread: Making a short shifter out of the stock one?

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Posts: 31-40 of 46
2009-06-03 03:04:50
#31
Originally Posted by eggman
This is not 100% true.You do need to move the fulcrum point(ball)to truly shorten the throw.
What you have done by hacking the shifter off is shorten the distance the top of the shifter(and your hand) goes.The part below the ball is still travelling the same distance.



By shortening the length of the shifter above the ball, you reduce the length your hand has to travel in order to complete the shift. Isn't that what a short shifter is supposed to do?

Besides, have you tried to take off the stock knob? It was easier for me to just cut it off.

Even if you change the pivot point, the part below the ball still has to travel the same distance to make the gear change.
2009-06-03 03:54:09
#32
The stock shifter is a bit too long, I cut it about 2-3 inches from the top as one of my first mods to this car. I've never regretted it or looked back. The best part is I can have a cup in the cup holder and don't have to worry about the shifter hitting the cup and changing radio stations on me.

I drove for about 2 years with stock throw and it was all fine, only recently I moved up the fulcrum about an inch and installed a new shifter bushing that's harder. The shifts have became much crispier and the throw is reduced by about 50%. I personally like it, and still have enough play in the shifter so it doesn't feel like I'm driving a rally car.


2009-06-03 04:21:59
#33
Alright so I finished it today.

Here are some pics. I didn't have a vise, so I had to ghetto rig it and create something that would hold the shifter in place like a vise would. I know it looks ridiculous, but it worked.

Took about ten good whacks with my 2lb hammer. Will be installing my new short shifter back into the car on thursday when I receive my new ES stabilizer bushing.





2009-06-03 05:08:17
#34
That looks really really simple. I may try this soon. I could have this done in under 30 min I'm thinkin.
2009-06-03 11:19:37
#35
Vadim, when you say you installed a new shifter bushing, which one are you talking about and was it urethane or just new rubber?

Coheed, you're right about the throw being shorter by just cutting the lever, but by doing that you can only shorten the throw so much. Maybe 20% at most. Also you move the shifter away from the steering wheel which is decidedly bad. There are other nuances about moving the fulcrum that affect the situation, but like you said, they make it "notchy" and if you don't like that because of personal preference, you're probably better off with your solution.
2009-06-03 12:27:02
#36
Originally Posted by Coheed
That looks really really simple. I may try this soon. I could have this done in under 30 min I'm thinkin.


It's indeed very simple, you will have a harder time removing all of the rusted bolts

Originally Posted by BenFenner
Vadim, when you say you installed a new shifter bushing, which one are you talking about and was it urethane or just new rubber?


Urethane rubber that we all use from GofastDepot. I just couldn't remember the name of it
2009-06-03 12:32:35
#37
Vadim, are you talking about the sway bar bushing that doubles as a shift stabilizer bar bushing, or are you talking about the stabilizer bar bushing that goes up by the transmission, or are you talking about the one that goes directly into the bottom of the shift lever? I ask because Nate (lennySE-R) is having trouble finding a urethane bushing for the bottom of the shift lever. Apparently ES doesn't make them anymore. Can they still be purchased from the GFD?
2009-06-04 04:58:01
#38
LennySE-R, your ingenuity is impressive. Very impressive.
2009-06-04 06:14:53
#39
Originally Posted by arcangel187
LennySE-R, your ingenuity is impressive. Very impressive.


Haha. Thanks.

You gotta make do with what you got...

I will be buying a vise soon.
2009-06-04 13:08:50
#40
Originally Posted by BenFenner
Vadim, are you talking about the sway bar bushing that doubles as a shift stabilizer bar bushing, or are you talking about the stabilizer bar bushing that goes up by the transmission, or are you talking about the one that goes directly into the bottom of the shift lever? I ask because Nate (lennySE-R) is having trouble finding a urethane bushing for the bottom of the shift lever. Apparently ES doesn't make them anymore. Can they still be purchased from the GFD?


It's the Sway Bar Bushing yes.

Try GoFastDepot
Go Fast Depot
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