My Short Shift Plate

[JBR]

It's all linear, so if the throw is 40% less the force will be 40% higher.

This I do not agree with. The throw and force are not related.

 

[JamesCH]

This I do not agree with. The throw and force are not related.

Well you don't understand reality...

It takes a given torque to shift into a gear. Torque = Force*Lever Arm Length. When you make the lever arm shorter for a shorter throw (which is what the plate does) the force increases accordingly because the same torque must still be applied, but through a smaller lever arm.

Imagine tightening down a bolt, it's a lot easier when you grab the wrench at the end of the handle rather than right next to the bolt.

 

[JBR]

The reality of the matter is I'm not shifting from the arm on the transmission. I have a giant lever in the car. Imagine if it required 40-50% more force to shift, you think the 17 folks that have bought it would be happy? They love it!! Oh yeh, the weight has nothing to do with it either.

 

[JamesCH]

The reality of the matter is I'm not shifting from the arm on the transmission. I have a giant lever in the car. Imagine if it required 40-50% more force to shift, you think the 17 folks that have bought it would be happy? They love it!! Oh yeh, the weight has nothing to do with it either.

Go get a spring scale and measure the shift force for yourself if you don't believe me.

Every review of any shifter weight will confirm that it does affect the shifter feel. It's more inertia to rotate when you're shifting, to shift at the same speed with the lower inertia from a light shifter weight requires less force.

It's all basic mechanical physics...

 

[JBR]

Ok.

 

[cudaman]

The additional force required is minimal. To me it feels more defined. No more hunting for gears. Yes it requires more effort but not in a negative way, in a good way. The smaller weight is required because the radius of the arms movement is less witch causes the arm to move faster. The larger factory weight was too much and would cause a bang / clunk and some rebound of the shifter after going in to gear. Reverse is no issue.

As for the boot, It does touch, but I think rub is to strong a word to use. I include a grease packet with the kit to lube the area where the boot touches. The cable inside the boot is not rubbing anything. All I can say is I have almost 3500 miles on mine and there is NO, I repeat, NO indication of wear on the boot. I have lubed it one additional time during an oil change.

This design is much different then how the folks in this thread are making them. There is no additional force or stress on the transmission or the cables, and certainly no binding of any part.

I hope I've answered your questions.

Thanks for the quick update. Let me know via PM or other when vendor status is approved. The shifter slop and throw was the only stock item I've never liked a whole lot, but didn't want to get a Cobb or TWM replacement, since they have their own set of problems.

 

[chief_wiggum]

Go get a spring scale and measure the shift force for yourself if you don't believe me.

Every review of any shifter weight will confirm that it does affect the shifter feel. It's more inertia to rotate when you're shifting, to shift at the same speed with the lower inertia from a light shifter weight requires less force.

It's all basic mechanical physics...

True; but when you're talking about such a low force to begin with, adding 40% more doesn't really matter that much. If the stock force to shift is say.25 pounds and you increase that by 40%, in now takes (oh crap, math involved) .35 pounds to shift?

Bottom line; I've got one, I love it, I'm not straining when I shift. The plate has improved the shifter action.

 

[JamesCH]

Glad to hear you like it

 

[240ka]

Go get a spring scale and measure the shift force for yourself if you don't believe me.

Every review of any shifter weight will confirm that it does affect the shifter feel. It's more inertia to rotate when you're shifting, to shift at the same speed with the lower inertia from a light shifter weight requires less force.

It's all basic mechanical physics...

this has been discussed and its not true

 

[Darth Vader]

It does affect "feel" but, it works more like a damper than a bunch of stuff related to the mechanical forces and movement of the shifter.

The mass of the weight tends to damp out the vibrations feeding back into the shifter, making it feel more "quality" and less like the pushing-string, cheap-ass, boingy crap any cable shifter is.

Shortening the throw accomplishes similar goals by upping the shift effort and making it possible to complete the shift faster.

but, what the hell do I know, I just created my plate for my own amusement and it happened to work. I don't need to overthink it or write a peer-reviewed scientific treatise on it. (naughty)

 

[Sky_high]

I was watching a facetube video on the short shifter plate on a Volvo 850 (by the way, it's looks very similar to that of the Mazdaspeed3 shifter plate mechanism) and they installed a metal bushing in place of the rubber bushing that is currently on there. Does anyone know how we can replace that for our cars?

Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14gmpnwvUyI

 

[Darth Vader]

Ours is a a ball stud with plastic and metal retention so, no, that idea won't work.

 

[BoostedSpd6]

so i have a TWM short shift stage 2 setup... if i get this plate and weight my shifts will be even shorter?? ill be waiting for u to get AMM status then ill be ordering a blue one..

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

Well you don't understand reality...

It takes a given torque to shift into a gear. Torque = Force*Lever Arm Length. When you make the lever arm shorter for a shorter throw (which is what the plate does) the force increases accordingly because the same torque must still be applied, but through a smaller lever arm.

Imagine tightening down a bolt, it's a lot easier when you grab the wrench at the end of the handle rather than right next to the bolt.

The flaw in this analysis is that you are mixing available force and required force. Changing the lever length will change the amount of force you are capable of applying. It does not necessarily change the amount of force required to accomplish the task. What is going on inside the tranny is not a simple lever action with fixed resistance, which is why your theory does not hold up in practicality.

 

[JBR]

I've recieved Approved Member Merchant status.

If your interested in purchasing one of these Short Shift Plates you can PM me here or go to www.jamiesplanet.com for more information.

I'm also happy to answer any questions here.

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[nate0123]

Congrats on the AMM status - those chomping at the bit can now order with confidence (2thumbs)

 

[Addison]

From the looks of the pic, The boot on the shift linkage will (and looks to be already) rub on the joint (or w/e you want to call it) beside it.

Nobody has really stated if there's any rubbing as well... is it wearing down on the rubber boot?

?

Or am I missing something here...

 

[Aetherfury]

From the looks of the pic, The boot on the shift linkage will (and looks to be already) rub on the joint (or w/e you want to call it) beside it.

Nobody has really stated if there's any rubbing as well... is it wearing down on the rubber boot?

?

Or am I missing something here...

I was worried about that too when I saw the pic, but I installed it and it BARELY brushes that metal piece. I had my wife shift the car and I videotaped it which you can see at the end of my installation link below. Plus, even if it was rubbing hard, that rubber boot is unbelievably strong.

Jbarone Installation

 

[BoostedSpd6]

Thats a pretty cool vid!! nice job..!!

 

[JBR]

Rub is too strong a word to use. Brush or touch is more accurate.

Thanks,
Jamie