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View Full Version : DIY short throw shifter



grayguy
07-24-2011, 12:32 PM
I know one of the things I've always hated about stock subies is the terrible shifter throw, so here's my version of a short throw:

Cost: free
Time: 1hr
Tools: grinder/ sawzall, Phillips screw driver, tape measure,and a welder (or friend with welder)




I'll skip the shifter removal, as it's pretty self explanatory.

The goal here is to raise the pivot point (changing the geometry of the throw )and shorten the top side above the pivot.

First, I removed the metal flange that holds the shifter linkage in place.

Here is what it looks like stock:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/dc4a3f57-1.jpg

I cut the front left corner out to allow more clearance for the shift linkage (finished pic later on)

Here is what we're starting with:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/afe87fe3-1.jpg

I took a grinder with a thin cut off wheel and cut the stock shifter right under where the knob stop/boot holder is, then I cut all the way down to the fat part of the shifter.

Next I welded the left over threaded part onto the base:

*CAUTION! : there is rubber inside the wide part of the shifter, it WILL catch fire while welding, so wear a respirator (smart way) or hold your breath (my way) while you weld*

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/4e68758c-1.jpg

For the next step, cut the shifter off right below the pivot.

Now weld the short chunk you cut out of the top of the shifter onto the lower part that has the nylon ball on it. Be careful about this, it's easily possible to melt the ball.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/1fc8df68-1.jpg

I measure the stock shifter and the linkage in the car and determined that there was enough clearance to raise the pivot 1", and the distance between the ball and pivot was 7/8" to start with. So cut your freshly lengthened lower section to measure 1-7/8" of rod above the ball.

Next, weld this lower section back on to the bottom of the pivot. Resulting in:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/9f11f722-1.jpg

Up to this point, the actual shifter length is only 1/2-3/4" shorter than the stock shifter, but with a better throw. Feel free to stop the modding now and reinstall. I put this setup in my fiancés RS and it is very nice

...but, if you want to go that extra mile, I decided to also cut 1-1/4" out of the lower wide part of the shifter. Like stated above, this section has a
Rubber inner circle and it WILL CATCH FIRE and SPEW BURNING MOLTEN LAVA HOT GEW AT YOUWHILE WELDING. I found if you started welding and just let it burn, it actually wasn't too bad, at you rotate it the hot firey jets of rubber shoot out the other side. Anyway here is what I ended up with:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/152ed7bb-1.jpg

Now those of
You that care can feel free to clean up your welds and paint it or something...that's not really my style, so I reinstalled:

Note the cut corner on the mounting flange


https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/f34cea71-1.jpg

The throw is very short now, with some added effort, but not bad at all. I easily like this shifter more than the SPT short throw I had in my SS.

Good luck!

Huffer
07-26-2011, 01:17 PM
This would have been better with pictures of the hot molten lava spewing at you.
:D
But good job!

grayguy
07-26-2011, 10:55 PM
I'll try to get some next time I make one haha