Can the mushy / vague / slopper shifter on an early ('60-'70) Mini be improved?

Are there parts you can buy to tighten up the shifting action?

And does the shift lever have to be so damn LOOOOOONG? It's like using a broomstick handle to change gear...

 

There were 3 shifter types in Minis. The latest & best was rod change. Before that was the remote shifter. It had an aluminum housing extension on the trans and placed the shifter closer between the seats. Similar to the rod change but slightly forward. Each of these two can be improved by replacing worn parts or installing a KAD quickshifter.

The original shifter was the "magic wand" which came out of the floor near the footboards. The name succinctly describes its action.

 

And a full catalog of information can be found here:
http://www.minimania.com/Mini_Cooper_Catalog.cfm#

 

I got significantly improved and much quieter remote-shift action by doing the following -

Disassemble everything and thoroughly clean.

Replace 22G389 - cup at the base of the shift lever. (#24)

Manufacture new 22A84 - anti-rattle plunger (#17) with an increase of .010" OD and .020 thickness to increase pre-load on the rod. I found the BLMC part to be very poorly made, not fitting the hollow bolt it lives in very well, and not providing any preload at all after only .004" of wear on the face. This took about an hour on a crappy lathe using .500 round rod brass bar stock.

Replace and trim 22A285 - rubber plug (#5) to ensure unit stays clean.

Regrease EVERYTHING with a heavy wheelbearing/axle/all-purpose grease. I have a sticky red grease that shifters seem to love and I gave a liberal helping everywhere while also moving the linkage back and forth. I also cleaned, sanded, primed, sanded, painted the shift lever to get it back to black and replaced the rubber boot as well while I was in there.

This 1-2 hour procedure absolutely transformed the car from a buzzy rattlebox of "I have a remote idea what gear I am shifting to" to a quiet livable daily driver that shifts smoothly and somewhat vaguely like most classic cars. This is just one of those things where a minimal investment of parts (less than $30) and a little bit of labor can really make a difference in the quality of your drive.

 

Hi..If you can afford to use a KAD quick shift it it an amazing piece ot kit turns a rod shift into a race like short shift, I know I have one installed ..............