short shifter question***
 

i have a short shifter but want to chop my shifter so its lower...just wondering if i can do it myself or would i have to get it professionally done....i want my shift knob lower than where it is right now
*couldlnt i just saw off the thread about 1 inch? still have a lot of thread left if i do it

If you are going to do that, do not cut the threads, you cut the shaft and take out what you want out from there. You just need to get it welded back up. Just if you are going to use your stock shifter knob you want to make sure that when you cut it, that it lines back up, that way the shift knob will still set the same and not **** eyed. But if you are going to use a after market shift knob that has the set screws that holds it on, then you don't realy have to worry about there it is welded back together.

James, dont do this... i am telling you, its GAY and u will eventually regret it...

haha agreed

You will eventually hate it just like they said

you can do it, then glue your shift knob on, its classy

Just buy a "shorter" SS. I had a Solo in my old Civic that was about 1.5" lower then stock and I think the B&M shifters are quite low. Besides, it will make your shifter harder because there is less leverage on a shorter shifter.

Id go B&M

I think it was DumbasSi who was saying once that the solo shifters allow you to shift to fast causing pre-mature syncrowear.

I actually have the Solo.. and from my experience i can tell you that it definately does create problems mentioned above.

And... dont cut your shifter... unless you want a sore back? Ive seen it all to many times.

cool thanks ...ya im gonna keep it the way it is....its already short enough...i too have a solo... lol no probs yet

In my turbo cavalier race car, no company makes a short throw shifter for it, so I just cut the rod down about 3"....lol it shortened the throw and made the shifter nice and low but still well within reach. The only reason I did it with this car is because the shifter rod in my cavy is not threaded...I just crazy-glued the knob on and good to go....funny thing is...the rod is so short, the boot didn't fit on after....but the interior is gutted now anyways so it doesn't matter.

If you want to do this...be carefull!...cut a section of the rod out bellow the threads, do not cut the threaded section...

Have fun!:thumbup:

how can cutting the shifter shorten the throw?
The only way you can shorten the throw is lengthen the part below the pivot point.
I love my $25 cheapie short shifter that my bro bought me for my b-day one year. I've had it for like 4 years now, with no problems, but its only less than an inch shorter than the stock on, but the throw was decreased by a good 50-60%.....the part below the pivot point was almost twice as long as the stock one.

^^It does shorten the throw cause technically the motion has changed. By shortening the rod, you move your hand closer to the pivot point thus, shortening the distance(throw) of the shift.

It's not a HUGE difference, but it does make the throw shorter.

The actual throw is not shortened, but the "feel" of shifting is.

exactly:shakehand

If anything, you are making your shifting "harder" because the liverage is shortened, less "torque" when shifting meaning you need more strength to shift.

Not useful.

Measure it bro....:wink:

Do I have to draw you guys a diagram?...lol.

The 'angle' of motion is the same....the 'distance' of motion is shorter......think about it...:nods:

If you have that much trouble moving the shift knob, maybe your tranny is toast...?

When I'm doing the 1/4 mile in the cav, it just give the knob a good quick yank or push when shifting...not really worried about how smooth it is...it's a race car.

But for daily driver...yeah i wouldn't recomend it...

Please do. :)

And angle is indeed, the same. The pivot point is also the same and the distance below the pivot point remains unchanged which means, the shifting throw (distance) to and from the transmission is still, the same.

The only thing that is changed is the "feel" above the pivot point, essentially, the section of the shifter we see in the car. Yes if you extend that line an extra foot, you will be shifting from your shoulder area all the way pass your dashboard and you will never shift into 1st gear, but that still doesn't change what goes on below the pivot point.

with you're theory, all you have to do is grab the shifter lower down on the shifter rod. I guess you wasted your time cutting the shifter....haha.
Seriously dude, i think we've explained it enough. You HAVE to lengthen the distance of the rod below pivot point to shorten the throw. This is b/c if you make the part below the pivot point longer you don't have the pull the part above the pivot point as far to switch the gears (shortening the throw). Now if you make the part below the pivot point shorter, you will have to move the part above the pivot point farther, thus increasing the throw.

Yes....everyone is right!!!

:banghead:

The proper way to shorten the throw is to lengthen the pivot to shifter link distance...we all know that....

I'm just saying if, yes, you grab the shifter down low the throw distance is shorter....go measure it...thats all i'm sayin. It doesn't 'feel' shorter...it IS shorter. Your hand movement is less than if the shifter rod is taller above the pivot.

Thats all i'm trying to say...not saying it's the best, not saying it's the way to do it...just that it IS shorter.