I don't know if this has been covered but I just wanted to let you guys know that you don't have to buy a shift retainer unless you have an evo. The shifter retainer in your car will slide pass the counter weight. Just thought I would give you guys a heads up.

 

I have a question about short shifters. Why do you need one? Why not just keep the stock one. Does it help you shift faster or something?

thanks

 

Technically you don't need a short shifter but personally I can't image driving without one. The reason why people get a short shifter is because it reduces the throw of your original shifter. This is beneficial because it reduces the amount of time it takes one to get into the next gear.
Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

if you want a fast throw just get an automatic. jk

 

yea it does help u shift faster since the throw is alot shorter, i dont really see th epoint in buying an aftermarket one, cause what i do is just take the stock shifter cut off anywhere from 1-2 1/2 inches (depending on car and how much room is avaible and all that godo stuff) and then weld it back together and all using the proper equipment and i have never had any problems (i cut 2 inches out of my talon that i race with at the track and havent hasd any problems with it) so yea why spend 100+ when u can do it for at most 2 hours time and no money...

 

cutting the stock shifter does not reduce the throw cuz the design of the shifter is still the same. yeah it is short (once it's been cut) but that doesn't mean you'd shift faster. it's a short shifter not a fast shifter.

 

evoeightmr, it does decrease the throw, believe me we have tested this out and everything, i'm not trying to start an argument or anything, but it does indeed decrease the throw, we have done alot of test in our talons we run at the track and everything, we wouldnt do it if it didnt work as it should... but yea...

 

 

okay... One more question. Is it worth getting one for a Lancer Oz rally?

 

they are alot of fun and an easy install. I would have to say get one. But if you are not shifting fast then it is basically like having a stock shifter, I mean if you shift slow either way it isn't going to make a difference in the terms of time (but the distance is still shorter distance). Hope that not confusing.. As far as cutting the stock shifter, why would you do that? It might actually make it worse not being properly weighted... I just can't see how that is going to shorten the distance between gears. It would be like grabing the shaft of the shifter rather that the grip, still the same pivot point no matter how short it is on top..

 

It's everybody's favorite time! Yeah, MSpaint time with Fox. :: cue theme music ::
Ok here's the down low on choping your own shifter. You will notice the pic, it shows an already modifed ebay short shifter. I've marked the fulcrum where the shift action takes place.

Now in the second pic of the do it yourself short shifter (MSpaint style), you will notice that the fulcrum has not moved, only the shift knob is lower. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE SHIFT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SHIFTER, because the fulcrum is not moved... all you have done is make it harder for you to shift with little to no leverage. So in digest, you are wrong.

Fox

 

Fox - +1

 

will have a full write up of how fox is wrong soon....even called a few companies

 

I'd like to see this. Another thing is if you are cutting and welding the stick it is going to be WEAK. I don't care how great of a welder you are it will not be the same as continous formed metal.

 

Yhea, I'm interested in this, because even powerful companies can't change something that we who made it through high school call "physics."

Place your stock shifter next to a B&M and you'll see exactly what fox is talking about. By cutting your shifter you make the throw seems shorter because the top of the knob does not move as far, but you have not changed the speed at which the linkage attached to the bottom of the assembly moves, thus, you have not reduced the movement of gears, and saved no time, and you're likely to require more effort to shift now that the balance and weighting of the assembly is no longer correct.