anyone used/installed the 4+3 short throw shift kit. its supposed to reduce shifter throws from the stock 7 and 1/2 inch or so to 4 inches. i ordered the kit from ecklers and before installing it i was wondering if anyone had any experince with it....
all it is is two shorter peices of guage metal that replace the longer stock peices

 

oh yeah i have a 1988

 

 

I did it for my 85 that I had worked great go for it! easier than the 6 speed shifter by a bunch........

 

Works well for the cost; no more hitting the radio on power shifts
Reduced leverage does make shifting stiffer though
If you install ,it check all the other linkage pivot points for wear.
A lot of shifting problems on 4+3 are due to combined slop in all the linkages

 

Purchased the kit also - haven't tackled this yet. Doesn't look all that difficult, but you never know.

Maybe this weekend. If you do it before then, let us know how bad it is.

 

the oem shifter assy can be adjusted to work very nicely, esp with 'short throw' levers on the trans vs the oem 'rowing stroke' long levers... unfortunately, few seem willing to expend the effort to 'get it right', including the stealership 'techs' who rush everything except coffee breaks.

if this is your 'first dance', drop both the 3-4 rod/lever (furthest to front of car) and 1-2 rod/lever (middle set on the trans) but DO NOT REMOVE THE 3-4 ROD FROM ITS LEVER AND DO NOT LOOSEN/MOVE THE LENGTH ADJUSTMENT OF THE 3-4 ROD...replace the 1-2 oem lever with the new 'short stroke' lever...bolt BOTH the 'unmolested' 3-4 rod/lever assy and the 'modded' 1-2 assy back in place on the trans...adjust 1-2 rod length adjuster for correct 'neutral' gate 'feel' (move shift **** side-to-side ONLY and correct for any forward/reverse **** movement reqd to go to NEUTRAL point of 3-4, 1-2, and reverse) ...ONLY AFTER 1-2 NEUTRAL GATE IS SATISFACTORY, remove 3-4 rod/lever again and install the 3-4 'short throw' lever...now adjust ONLY the 3-4 rod length to proper 'neutral gate'.

advanced play: 'high perf' shifting will be best if the 1-2 'neutral gate' is very, very slightly 'advanced' vs the 3-4 neutral gate...moving the shift **** laterally you will feel a very small 'step' inside the shifter when this is set up properly.

if you do mess up , will need to fab a 'key' (see Serv Mnl) to regain rough neutral gate of all three shifter assy levers.

note that the Service Manual suggests adding one bottle of 'rear axle positraction additive' to the main gearcase of the trans to reduce shift lever effort.

 

I installed the short throw kit on my 4+3 tranny many years ago. It works great and I have had no problems with it. Good improvement

 

I've also had one for years. Well worth the money and effort.

 

looks like i will be putting it then, finally my big fingers wont poke the buttons on the dash while im shifting

 

installed the links yesterday they simply bolt in.... easy install BUT my shifter is really out of allignment. Red Rose i forgot to adjust the neutral gate before putting the short throw kit on. do i need to remove the 3-4 gear short shifter lever and re install the stock 3-4 gear shifter lever and then adjust gates 1-2 and then install the 3-4 short throw lever and adjust gates 3-4..... or can i adjust the gates with the short throws on?
because it shifts like a F*@ked up 1988 John Deere tractor (hits the edge of every gate).... speaking of tractors is there any way to reduct the long clutch throw of the c4 corvette?

 

actually, having started making DIY floor shift conversions prior to 'Hurts', i now do all installs by tossing everything on first / adjusting later... like having babies, it get easier after each one...so answer is 'yes, it can be done', but do not expect to do in less than a couple of hours first date.

hoefully, you have not changed the oem adjustment of the reverse rod (if you or PO did, must use a DIY key (~18 ga steel, 5/8'' wide x 3'' long if IIRC, verify dimension in your SM if possible) , reverse lockout will mess all if set askew) and insert the key into the side of the shifter and 'rough' set all three rods...then set 1-2 neutral gate for smooth lateral move into reverse neutral gate...then set 3-4 neutral gate...note that all neutral gates have small forward/rear clearance while still at neutral, train yourself to move the shift lever laterally without leaving neutral and 'feel' the gate alignment while still on the jack...drive the car to 'settle in' adjustments and then, perhaps, go to the 'advanced' shifter adjustment for fast dealing.

clutch throw can be reduced by modding pivot points but noticeably greater operator effort will be reqd...mod is 'very advanced play only'