Cutting the Shifter

[Bassboy]

Just wondering..has anyone cut their stock shifter to make it shorter. My wife hates how long the throw is on the shifter..and we just dumped a ton of cash in the stereo..so we wanna know has anyone cut the shifter? if so how?

I pulled off the shifter boot off, and the shifter rod is a thick metal rod then it goes thinner on the bottom ( 2002 protege 5) ..I personally have a 99 cougar, and my shifter rod was the same thickness from the top to bottom, like normal!

Anyone know what im talking about , how to cut it, the thing is about 1/2" thick! or what the thicker part of the rod is for?

i hope someone knows what i mean!

thanks

 

[INiTiAL33]

i have a B&M SS for sale for 100 shipped.

lemme know.

 

[Protege2K]

I would send Reeves_toy a pm. He has done it on his P5. It looks great and he said it was very easy.

 

[enigM@]

just use a blow torch to heat up the rod.. then pull it off

 

[uclap5]

yeah, just blowtorch it, as it is held on by a rubbery matterial. then use some vice grips and twist it off.

 

[TheMAN]

cutting the shifter is GHETTO and does NOT do anything to improve shift feel or shift throw

 

[Bassboy]

thanks guys..and yes cutting the shift does make the throw shorter and it DOES feel different..i have done it in mine..and works fine..were more concerned for show, not go.. but thanks for the input.

 

[PJH]

When you remove this rod - is the shorter shaft that is left threaded so you can just re-install the shift knob??
thanks for your help

 

[Bassboy]

well this thicker rod is on there real good..i will try to take it off..now that i knwo its possible!!

 

[Bassboy]

why is that the thicker rod there?? usage is for???

 

[StreetPreacher]

Just to make the shifter longer, easier to reach, more leverage etc. Remember, this isn't a performance car

-Sp

 

[Bassboy]

weird they would make it like that...but thanks again..yeah i know its not a performance car..but it does the job..and were building this car for show not go..i love short shifters..and they look way better...this thing rigth now feels like im driving a 18 wheeler!!

Wait until you see the stereo system setup for my wife. Will be done end of this week...full custom install.. ill post pics.

 

[StreetPreacher]

As long as you know that if your problem is with the throw distance between gears, then this isn't going to help. All this will do is make it 'look' shorter.

And, if you remove the extension you're going to have to get an aftermarket knob, the stock one won't attach to the lower part of the shift lever.

-Sp

 

[Bassboy]

I already have a MOMO AIR RACE LEATHER knob for it..and its on currently and a re-stiched yellow/black shift boot!

 

[TheMAN]

uh huh... go you

all it does when cutting the shifter is make it LOOK shorter... if you know anything about physics, you would know that the fulcrum point has NOT changed therefore the leverage has NOT increased

thanks guys..and yes cutting the shift does make the throw shorter and it DOES feel different..i have done it in mine..and works fine..were more concerned for show, not go.. but thanks for the input.

 

[Bassboy]

sheesh..i know the actual shift point doesnt change.... but the shift distance will change..and you are also not using your whole arm..just ur wrist..well i hope with this one..my cougar is just a flick of the wrist now.

 

[TheMAN]

what shift point? how does the "shift distance" change?

 

[Bassboy]

maybe im confusing things...its ok..I will take all the advise and take into consideration.. Thanks for the help though man.

 

[loccusst]

Cutting the rod only decreases the movement at the top of the shifter. Inorder to decrease the throw you need to make the bottom of the shifter longer, this is what allows you to go through the gears quicker. It also helps if the shifter is balanced properly, equal weight on either side of the conection to the shift linkage. I have a B&M short throw in my civic that I race with and it is soooo smooth because it is balanced straight from the factory.

 

[Bassboy]

B&M make smokin short shirfters..nice choice!