I Cut Down Stock My Shifter !
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I Cut Down Stock My Shifter !
Everyone:
This was easier that I thought but a WICKED MOD ! Feels so much better now !
My arm is level with the center console when shifting now instead of being lifted like before. 
1.) Remove the 1-6 gear label on the top of the shift ****.
2.) Remove the silver locking pin. Pull or pry it straight out.
3.) Unscrew the **** totally off.
4.) Use a big garbage bag and poke a hole in the bottom and slide the shift lever throuh it. This will help A LOT of clean up later !
5.) Use a 9/16x18 tap and thread it on to the shifter all the way down. Leave the tap "ON" while cutting in the next step.
6.) Measure 0.75 inches and cut it off with a hacksaw slowly. Its your choice as to how far to cut. I found the shifter boot would get too bunched up if I cut any more off.
7.) Remove the 9/16x18 tap to clean the threads.
8.) Remove and discard the garbage bag and metal filings.
9.) Re-install the shifter ****.
10.) Re-install the silver locking pin. You may have to cut it a bit in length to fit properly.
11.) Re-install the 1-6 gear label on the top of the shift ****.
12.) Quick vacuum of any metal shavings that got missed by the garbage bag.
Now go for a cruise ! Let er RIP ! I was really impressed !
Toque
This was easier that I thought but a WICKED MOD ! Feels so much better now !
My arm is level with the center console when shifting now instead of being lifted like before. 1.) Remove the 1-6 gear label on the top of the shift ****.
2.) Remove the silver locking pin. Pull or pry it straight out.
3.) Unscrew the **** totally off.
4.) Use a big garbage bag and poke a hole in the bottom and slide the shift lever throuh it. This will help A LOT of clean up later !
5.) Use a 9/16x18 tap and thread it on to the shifter all the way down. Leave the tap "ON" while cutting in the next step.
6.) Measure 0.75 inches and cut it off with a hacksaw slowly. Its your choice as to how far to cut. I found the shifter boot would get too bunched up if I cut any more off.
7.) Remove the 9/16x18 tap to clean the threads.
8.) Remove and discard the garbage bag and metal filings.
9.) Re-install the shifter ****.
10.) Re-install the silver locking pin. You may have to cut it a bit in length to fit properly.
11.) Re-install the 1-6 gear label on the top of the shift ****.
12.) Quick vacuum of any metal shavings that got missed by the garbage bag.
Now go for a cruise ! Let er RIP ! I was really impressed !
Toque
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
This reminds me...
I could cut it further but where can I get a shift boot that will fit it ?
Any aftermarket "STOCK" appearance.... shifter boots ?
Thanks
Z49
I could cut it further but where can I get a shift boot that will fit it ?
Any aftermarket "STOCK" appearance.... shifter boots ?
Thanks
Z49
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Nice job.
Vette Essentials has a short shift boot for $55 + shipping. Excellent quality boot. I bought one for mine when I installled my Hurst Shifter.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/inter...ucts/shift.htm
Vette Essentials has a short shift boot for $55 + shipping. Excellent quality boot. I bought one for mine when I installled my Hurst Shifter.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/inter...ucts/shift.htm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 83
From: DFW, TX
Toque-
Great procedure! I'm really tempted to try it on my 04. I've read that you can only cut down about 1" max, did you find this to be the case?
Have a Ripper on my 2000 but would prefer something a bit more civilized on my new one.
Great procedure! I'm really tempted to try it on my 04. I've read that you can only cut down about 1" max, did you find this to be the case?
Have a Ripper on my 2000 but would prefer something a bit more civilized on my new one.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Patches:
Thanks for the pic and where to buy it.... its going on my Xmas list to my wife..
BarneyZ:
If you go more than 0.75 inches you will HAVE to cut the silver locking pin that you have to remove when removing the ****. The 1-6 tab on top of the shifter will not fit if you don't cut the silver locking pin (going more than 0.75 inches). The shifter boot on mine is realy squeezed in there (see above pic). Unless you plan to get an aftermarket shifter boot (see Patches post), and Cut the silver pin... I would not go more than 0.75 inches.
I may or may not cut it again when i get the new shifter boot. I have yet to decide.... Going to drive it some more to see if I want to go shorter... Boy I never thought I would say "shorter is better" !!
Toque
Thanks for the pic and where to buy it.... its going on my Xmas list to my wife..
BarneyZ:
If you go more than 0.75 inches you will HAVE to cut the silver locking pin that you have to remove when removing the ****. The 1-6 tab on top of the shifter will not fit if you don't cut the silver locking pin (going more than 0.75 inches). The shifter boot on mine is realy squeezed in there (see above pic). Unless you plan to get an aftermarket shifter boot (see Patches post), and Cut the silver pin... I would not go more than 0.75 inches.
I may or may not cut it again when i get the new shifter boot. I have yet to decide.... Going to drive it some more to see if I want to go shorter... Boy I never thought I would say "shorter is better" !!
Toque
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
I was thinking of doing the exact same thing before I got the hurst shifter. Only reason why I dont want to get a new shifter is I'll have to break it in and that could take a long time.
I was in a Z06 last week that had a Ripper and man was that tight. Definitely a shorter throw but it was very tight. So I want to try to cut the stock down first and see how it feels. Its too bad you can't go more than 3/4 inch though. 1-1.25 inches would probably be perfect.
I was in a Z06 last week that had a Ripper and man was that tight. Definitely a shorter throw but it was very tight. So I want to try to cut the stock down first and see how it feels. Its too bad you can't go more than 3/4 inch though. 1-1.25 inches would probably be perfect.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I think that there are about 1.3-1.5-inches of threads on the stock shifter shaft. You should be able to cut at least 1-inch off if you have the right shift ****. I can counterbore my custom shift **** to allow the unthreaded portion of the shaft to be positioned inside the shifter, but I would definitely have to use Loctite threadlocker instead of a locking collar. I did see an ad for a stick shifter that mentioned it being an inch lower than the stock ****, while using the stock shifter.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
You can always thread the shifter shaft further down to create more threads for better grip on the ****. You can see in the pic below that there is still room under the existing threads to create more on either shaft. Of course, you need to be mindful of how far the **** can be threaded onto it without bottoming out on the larger diameter of the shaft.
Last edited by Patches; Sep 27, 2004 at 07:40 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Patches
You can always thread the shifter shaft further down to create more threads for better grip on the ****. You can see in the pic below that there is still room under the existing threads to create more on either shaft. Of course, you need to be mindful of how far the **** can be threaded onto it without bottoming out on the larger diameter of the shaft.
I cut 1 inch off the Hurst. Perfect!!