SHORT SHIFTER IDEA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Alcoa TN
SHORT SHIFTER IDEA
Does anyone modify the stock shifter rod to make a short shifter that makes no adverse noises? It looks relatively simple to do and would be a positive alternative to the straight bar B&M Ripper design. That rubber insert in the factory rod makes a huge difference in vibration and noise.
:chevy
:chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (makard)
Go buy a die at ACE hardeware and thread it on the shaft. Cut the threads about 1 inch longer. Keep the die on the shaft and cut off the shaft end. Back the die off and dress the end with a grinder. Get a **** that is threaded almost totally through and put is on.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Alcoa TN
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (99HT)
To shorten the stroke, the rod needs to be lengthened on the lower end (below the mounting plate) like the B&M Ripper shifter. By moving the fulcrum, the stroke is shorter and tighter. Shortening the rod and threading it farther would also be beneficial, but I am more interested in the shorter tighter stroke. Thank you for responding.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (makard)
The guys who have had noisy aftermarket shifters have been able to cure it with a variety of fixes. You might want to look into that before you get rid of your Ripper. They have used sound deadening material and wheel weights on the shaft. I have driven both Ripper and Kirbans, and have had no complaints with either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,447
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (jschindler)
no noise in my B&M Ripper, had it on for about 7k miles and about a year. I have heard of people cutting there shifter shorter, but for me the decision was based upon how loose the stock shifter was, too easy to miss a shift IMHO
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 135
From: Maryland
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (makard)
I did exactly that on my home-made shifter. Feels fantastic, as quiet as stock, and shift **** at the same height as stock. Everyone who drive it says I should be selling them!
To shorten the stroke, the rod needs to be lengthened on the lower end (below the mounting plate) like the B&M Ripper shifter. By moving the fulcrum, the stroke is shorter and tighter. Shortening the rod and threading it farther would also be beneficial, but I am more interested in the shorter tighter stroke. Thank you for responding.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (makard)
To shorten the stroke, the rod needs to be lengthened on the lower end (below the mounting plate) like the B&M Ripper shifter. By moving the fulcrum, the stroke is shorter and tighter. Shortening the rod and threading it farther would also be beneficial, but I am more interested in the shorter tighter stroke. Thank you for responding.
:cheers:
:cheers:
My Kirban has ZERO noise because I made a custom sound shield from fiberglass duct board.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 84
From: St. Joseph MO
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (makard)
The factory shifter is a piece of !!!! After mine came apart, at the rubber bushing, I drove it for 2 weeks and it drove better than before (except when the upper shaft would seperate from the lower). I've cut my ripper threads by an inch, the shifts feel positive and the noise level really isn't a problem thanks to a piece of dynamat.
[Modified by JoeyG, 7:25 PM 12/23/2001]
[Modified by JoeyG, 7:25 PM 12/23/2001]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Alcoa TN
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (jschindler)
Dynamat did not work. Wheel weights did nothing. Tried 3 shifter *****.
The problem is vibration, not external noise.
The factory rubber insert between the bottom end and the threads dampens the vibes and kills the noise totally.
I must need a louder exhaust to drown out the extra noise of the Ripper.
:chevy
The problem is vibration, not external noise.
The factory rubber insert between the bottom end and the threads dampens the vibes and kills the noise totally.
I must need a louder exhaust to drown out the extra noise of the Ripper.
:chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (makard)
makard,
Some have shortened the OEM shifter and taken the "mushiness" out of it by drilling one eighth inch holes, perpendicular to one another in the bottom of the shaft, the part which houses the rubber damper, and inserted roll-pins to stiffen it up.
Good luck.
Mark
Some have shortened the OEM shifter and taken the "mushiness" out of it by drilling one eighth inch holes, perpendicular to one another in the bottom of the shaft, the part which houses the rubber damper, and inserted roll-pins to stiffen it up.
Good luck.
Mark
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (jlamay)
jlamay: EXACTLY!! I did the same thing, works great. The smaller **** in combination with the shorter shaft really tightens the throws, and now it sits lower and doesn't block center console controls. For anyone who thinking about aftermarket...try this before you buy another shifter, you may be able to spend your bucks on something else. :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola FL
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (99HT)
99HT- can you tell me how you made the sound deadener for your kirban? I have one & i have a very slight vibration between 3000-4000 rpm. I just need to know what you used- i can take the shift console & boot with no problem. Thanks-Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (maroon94)
I obtained a two inch thick piece of aluminum foil backed fiberglass duct board material. I used a very sharp knife to do all the cutting. I cut a rectangular hole in the piece designed to fit around the shifter, flush with the top of the tunnel, but extend down into the tunnel. I sculpted the fiberglass to sit conform to follow all the contours in the tunnel. The sound shield is UNDER the stock rubber seal.
I don't have any resonance at any RPM.
I don't have any resonance at any RPM.
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Norwood MA
Re: SHORT SHIFTER IDEA (MDT)
Some have shortened the OEM shifter and taken the "mushiness" out of it by drilling one eighth inch holes, perpendicular to one another in the bottom of the shaft, the part which houses the rubber damper, and inserted roll-pins to stiffen it up.
[Modified by Dr. X, 7:08 PM 12/26/2001]
