You're still thinking that the shorter distance the shiftknob moves relates to a shorter shift throw. This is not the most effective way, nor does it have a significant impact on shifting, unless you attach the shift knob directly to the pivot point. Even at that your arm would have to produce a lot more torque to get it to move. With a SS you want the shift linkage to move as fast as possible. To accomplish this, the lower shaft needs to move as fast as possible. The most effective way to accomplish this is to make the lower shaft longer. The SC shifter does not improve shifing throw enough to warrant the effort to even install it.

Here's a post in the EVO forum on the topic.

And I was wrong before, the Megan shifter doesn't do anything but shorten the knob height either. Looks like Perrin and B&M are the only ones that change the pivot point. Guess we could solve this by using two terms:
"Short shifter = Reduction in shift knob height"
"Short throw shifter = Reduction in shift knob height and shift throw"

 

There are 2 ways to get a shorter throw (distance the knob travels from 1 gear to the next):

1) shorter knob height = less distance to the next gear even though the lower shaft moves the same distance, requires a bit more effort

2) shorter lower shaft = shorter throw between gears but keeps the effort the same

#2 IS the "better" way to shorten the throw but both ways will shorten the throw between gears.

 

Eh, maybe the difference in the throw between SS in my Civic and my Lancer made me not realized the difference in the Lancer as much. The shortened throw in the Civic was crazy, so it might just be an association. Since my center console is tore apart right now, I might put the stock back in and compare the difference. Either way, I still miss the shifter from my Civic (even though I don't miss the car ).

 

Actually you don't want to shorten the lower shaft. You would definetly want to make it longer with a shorter upper shaft (changing the pivot point) if you shorten the lower shaft you will have to move the upper shaft further to get it to move. And. if you shorten the lower shaft you have a much worse chance not being able to change into gear and get that lovely grinding noise. Best bet is to go w/ B&M they know what they are doing, they have been doing it for years. Not cheap but again, cheapest isn't usuall the best, Most expensive isn't either but it usually has something behind it. I have heard of too many people Frying a Tranny from a short shifter that doesn't have the R & D Behind it and doesn't go into gear correctly. For the Most part B & M doesn't shorten the lower shaft, the upper shaft gets shorter so there is less throw, you can't really do anything on the lower shaft of the Lancer it just won't fit, install a short shifter on the lancer and you will understand what I am talking about.