I was just looking at different thing here and there, and ran across the mini madness shifter.

http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...PROD&ProdID=49

Is this mod worth it for a daily driven vehicle that sees most of its "spirited performances" in the Rocky Mountains? Will this lower the shifter?

Let me know peeps!

 

Buy a real B&M on ebay for the same price. Thats where i got mine and i absolutely love it.

 

i have an alta ssk and i dig it for daily driving.

the one you have linked in your post does not lower the shifter, only shortens the throw

 

yeah my only regret is that i wanted to go with the craven speed setup with the adjustable short shifter and the shift well cover. extremely nice functioning and looking. located here:
http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?categoryID=21

 

I am assuming the helix shifter is similar to the madness one?

 

Wow, you are right! The B&M shifter is cheap on ebay. According to my build date, 03/2004 and the info presented on outmotoring.com's website about the B&M shifter, I use the 2002/2003 shifter correct?

 

yeah thats what i did. Heres the exact thing from the same seller that i bought. Great guy to answered a bunch of questions and was great about shipment
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/B-M-S...em110237001853

 

What year is your car?

 

02, but it should be the same

 

Sweet! Now all I need is a cool shift **** and this shifter, and I should be set!

 

The MINI Madness (Helix & MINI Mania both sell a similar one for less) will not lower the shift ****. You don't touch the interior... everything is done from below... I've installed many of these... pretty easy...

Lever replacement types (B&M, Alta, Craven, etc) will lower the ****. This matters to some more than others and is more personal preference.

 

I have the Helix SS on my 03 MC and love it. It was a little stiff at first, but I got used to it. The shifting feels a lot more precise now.

 

I'm gonna try to get the B&M shifter, since I have there products before on other cars with excellent results every time!

 

I read the instructions on my Helix SS and seaid to heck with that! I guess I will just pay the 75 =P

 

I've had the Craven short-shifter for several months now and really enjoy it. Be aware that in order to take advantage of the adjustable height the base plate under the heat shield will need to be removed. Even with that removed the shifter bottoms out on the heat shield. Some folks have made custom base plates to accommodate the shaft. Add to that the Whalen Shift Machine and the Craven shift well cover and you will have quite a nice setup.

 

Crazy question, but once the stock **** has been removed, is it possible to put it back on if you ever chose to do so?

 

Will a short shifter for the Cooper effect the crappy 2002-2004 Midlands tranny in anyway?

 

yes. depends on the shifter but you may or may not need an adapter for the stock ****. if you're doing the helix/mini madness mod no need for an adapter.

effect badly? no. it just shortens the throw

 

Just got the shifter! Can't wait for the install! It should arrive at home within a week or so methinks.

 

Unless you have a lightened flywheel I don't see the point in a shorter throw. While waiting for my stock drive-train to spool down between upshifts I have more than enough time to change gears with my stock shifter.

 

shorter throws don't do much for daily street driving.

but good for autox'rs and/or HPDE

 

Until I had the Mini-Madness short shifter installed, I found that I actually had to lean forward in the seat to get to 5th, and I have fairly long arms.

With the shifter, no more forward lean, and the Madness version is not so aggressive that it makes the shifter noticeably stiffer. I'd avoid any short-shifter that tries to reduce the throw by more than 30% or so, so it doesn't wind up stiff and balky and tough to hit the right gear.

 

Yeah... I'm guessing Eric has installed so many I imagine he can do them in his sleep... plus, a 2-post lift helps a TON. My scissor lift makes it easier than with the car on ramps or stands, but nothing like the access you get with a 2-post. How quickly I install them will depend on how much the various bits fight being disassembled... and how much gabbing I do with onlookers... Like anything, experience helps. Installing my first set of Powerflex front LCA bushings took about 12 hours... 3rd set - less than 2.

 

Alright, I just received my B&M short throw shifter. For some reason, I can't get my ring that goes around the shifter loose enough to pull it off. Is their a trick to taking the ring off of the center console? I don't want to force anything and risk breaking something.

 

grab on the left and right side of the ring and pull up. i'd say it requires at least 10lbs of force.

make sure someone is with you when you go under the car to do the install. it's always safer with a work buddy