Making short throw shifter?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 98
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From: Milan Michigan
Making short throw shifter?
Anyone tried this? I like the way my stock shifter functions ( no notchiness or excesive effort) but its just so long so why not cut out 1/2" to 1" out of the shaft re-weld and reinstall. Ive got all of the resources to do this but never seen any posts on it. Let me know what you think.
Thanks. Bob
Thanks. Bob
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
This was a very popular mod. But since the C6 shifter bolts right in and prices are pretty reasonable now, many have gone that route.
Do a search and you should find lots of posts on the short shifter mod.
HTH
Do a search and you should find lots of posts on the short shifter mod.
HTH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
You don't have to cut the shaft in the middle to shorten it.
I cut almost 1-inch off the top, and extended the threads down to where the shaft changes diameter.
I put on an aftermarket shift **** from Hurst, but you should also be able to make the stock **** work.
I eventually went to a Hurst shifter anyway.
[URL=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/tghawkins/stock_mod_red.jpg]
I cut almost 1-inch off the top, and extended the threads down to where the shaft changes diameter.
I put on an aftermarket shift **** from Hurst, but you should also be able to make the stock **** work.
I eventually went to a Hurst shifter anyway.
[URL=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/tghawkins/stock_mod_red.jpg]
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Jan 21, 2006 at 11:46 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,161
Likes: 12
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by allegro
I too cut about an inch off the shifter....didn't even extend the threads and it really made a difference.
. I just hacked an inch off the top and screwed the **** back on. You can even do it with the shifter installed in the car. Lay down some rags and stuff to catch the metal dust/shavings 
.Disregard the pink arrow.
Last edited by jmzvet; Jan 21, 2006 at 12:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Originally Posted by jmzvet
. I just hacked an inch off the top and screwed the **** back on. You can even do it with the shifter installed in the car. Lay down some rags and stuff to catch the metal dust/shavings .
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 0
From: Burbs Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06
I cut an inch or so off my stock shifter. It made the throw shorter, but did not improve that sloppy feeling.
I would just spend the $180 and get a short throw from hurst or b&m IMHO.
I would just spend the $180 and get a short throw from hurst or b&m IMHO.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,161
Likes: 12
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Halfway
I cut an inch or so off my stock shifter. It made the throw shorter, but did not improve that sloppy feeling.
I would just spend the $180 and get a short throw from hurst or b&m IMHO.
I would just spend the $180 and get a short throw from hurst or b&m IMHO.
.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Originally Posted by badbreg
Anyone tried this? I like the way my stock shifter functions ( no notchiness or excesive effort) but its just so long so why not cut out 1/2" to 1" out of the shaft re-weld and reinstall. Ive got all of the resources to do this but never seen any posts on it. Let me know what you think.
Thanks. Bob
Thanks. Bob
I tried both a Hurst and a BPP shifter and ended up with a shortened stock shifter. Look in the parts for sale section for a Chameleon shift **** - there are a couple of pics of my shortened shifter in that thread. It looks better and because you lose a little leverage, makes the effort a little more than stock which I rather like. I recently changed my **** (for the fourth time) to a C6 style and am actually happy with this combination. Everyone has different taste and you need to experiment and see what is best for you...
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 688
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From: Dover AFB DE
Does the shift **** just unscrew? I thought there was some crazy pin inside it? I was going to try to remove the **** when I pulled i out to change the rear end, but I couldn't get that pin out, so I pulled the entire assembly.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,161
Likes: 12
From: San Diego CA
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 21
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Originally Posted by allegro
[SIZE=3][B]I too cut about an inch off the shifter....didn't even extend the threads
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Bentonville AR
This is very interesting....I have spent a TON of $$$$$ on mods recently and with a 30K mile car the shifter is still nice and tight. After the shifter is shortened, does it "feel" more like a short throw shifter and does anyone recommend this for a short term mod before my money tree grows back???? Thanks
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 688
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From: Dover AFB DE
Originally Posted by jmzvet
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: Hutschenhausen
I cut off 1" from mine - awesome result. Couple suggestions:
I also ordered a new shift boot - mine was old anyway - you will need to cut off about 3/4 from the top of the stock boots to get them to fit over the thicker part of the shift **** - my **** is similar to picture above but about 1/8 lower - none of the 'thin' part of the shifter is visible.
After cutting the 1" off the shifter and screwing on the **** again, I saw that the **** would not screw all the way down - it needs about 1 1/4 of thread and there was only about 1/2 to 3/4 left on the shifter - so in order for the steel pin to do its duty and the shaft to be brought up to the top of the plastic, I had the threads brought down another inch by a machine shop. - if you do not do this, there will be a bit of force applied to the top of the plastic shift **** where there is no metal shaft underneath - could lead to sloppy feel at the least.
I read the post on making a 'tent' and catching the shavings - if you pop the boot off you can take off the shifter (loosen the screws on the center console) it literally takes about 5 minutes to take the shifter out and then you can have it threaded properly, etc.
Anyway, awesome difference, especially for $0 invested.
HTH
Smash
I also ordered a new shift boot - mine was old anyway - you will need to cut off about 3/4 from the top of the stock boots to get them to fit over the thicker part of the shift **** - my **** is similar to picture above but about 1/8 lower - none of the 'thin' part of the shifter is visible.
After cutting the 1" off the shifter and screwing on the **** again, I saw that the **** would not screw all the way down - it needs about 1 1/4 of thread and there was only about 1/2 to 3/4 left on the shifter - so in order for the steel pin to do its duty and the shaft to be brought up to the top of the plastic, I had the threads brought down another inch by a machine shop. - if you do not do this, there will be a bit of force applied to the top of the plastic shift **** where there is no metal shaft underneath - could lead to sloppy feel at the least.
I read the post on making a 'tent' and catching the shavings - if you pop the boot off you can take off the shifter (loosen the screws on the center console) it literally takes about 5 minutes to take the shifter out and then you can have it threaded properly, etc.
Anyway, awesome difference, especially for $0 invested.
HTH
Smash
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: Hutschenhausen
Originally Posted by jjcslynn
Does the shift **** just unscrew? I thought there was some crazy pin inside it? I was going to try to remove the **** when I pulled i out to change the rear end, but I couldn't get that pin out, so I pulled the entire assembly.
HTH
Smash
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: North Las Vegas Nevada
I dont plan on putting the pin back in. I dont see much use for it anyway, and I have my shift **** angled towards me.
Can I take an inch off if I am not going to use the pin? & Should I use a dremel or just use a hack saw and take my time? I was planning on doing it with the shifter still in the car.
Can I take an inch off if I am not going to use the pin? & Should I use a dremel or just use a hack saw and take my time? I was planning on doing it with the shifter still in the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
IIRC, the keypin keeps the OEM C5 **** from wanting to twist. If you cinch it down tight, the shaft will come through the top of the plastic as it is very thin (this is also why so many get vibration when switching to an aftermarket shifter and trying to keep the stock **** - not much there to provide damping). Depends on what you can get away with. I had actually lengthened the slot as well as the threads so that I could reuse the key and get the **** to fit as close to stock after I shortened everything...
