Yet another SS thread
 

Yes, I know, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands, but I have yet to find an answer via either site search or Google searching (though I did find one person w/ a similar idea).

As mentioned in my intro post in 1st gear, I snagged an eBay knockoff B&M SSK (http://www.ebay.com/itm/172316836234...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT sub $30 shipped!!). I like the new height, but I'd still like short throws. Given that the early 1st gen B&M type levers maintain the same length below the fulcrum (or at least the one I received does), I'm thinking that I should be able to quite easily add a helix kit to the bottom.

Before plunking down another ~$45 shipped though, I'd like to know if anyone has done this and what their opinion of the result was.

Thanks in advance,
Psych0

I do appreciate the mods helping a newby out and moving this to the mods board.... but I do need to point out that I have a Justa, not an S.


That said, Robert at Craven said that they aren't aware of anyone having attempting this combo (successfully or not). Looks like I'll have to be my own guinea pig. Anyone have a Helix, MiniMania or Rogue kit for an early R50 (pre Dec '03) they haven't listed in the Marketplace yet?

I moved this to the non-s area. I apologize for the first move screw up.

In fairness, had I not screwed up first it wouldn't have needed moved!! Thanks for the assist!

Would rather have you ask the question than not ask at all.

and no thanks needed, we thank you for joining and making the post.

You know I could actually accomplish this with the cable end of a stock shifter, a thread coupler and a welder.... Does any '02/ early '03 R50 owner still have their stock shifter after a SSK install and they're willing to part w/ it for cheap?

So I ended up buying a second one of those SSKs. I'm going to chop it up and use it as a donor to make my own Helix style SSK to shorten the shift throw even further. Will probably use this thread as a DIY/how-to/review of performance...

Stay tuned.

Please update when you're done. I don't know much about SSK's other than swapping a rod in my e46, but I'm interested.

Shipping info indicates that I should have my second SSK in hand Friday. If all goes well, I'll have it hacked up and installed as a Helix style kit Saturday. I should also have progress and installation pix of my exhaust at the same time.:grin:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...b0c62d4bb1.jpg


Just came in.... almost seems a shame to take it right to the chop saw. Can anyone, by chance, give me the overall length of a Helix unit?

If I'm understanding this correctly, you're just turning that into a sleeve to put over your current shifter?

That's correct. Basically, I liked the lower height and M12x1.25 threads of the B&M kit, but I 'm still wishing that it had a shorter throw. Thus, I'm wanting to do a Helix style extension kit to shorten the throw further.

That all said, between both shifter I've purchased and the additional bits I'll need, I'm only going to be $65 or $70 and some time welding into this project.

Gotcha. Why didn't you just buy round stock and weld an extension in? Seems like it'd be an easier job than creating a sleeve, and probably more precise.

Actually, I think that using a 1/2" thread coupler will assist in alignment as well as making this a reversible process, should I decide that I don't like the new shift throw or effort.

OK, so I got this knocked out today while I had the car in the air fabbing my exhaust. It ended up that I could add about 3/4" to the bottom of the shifter I already had.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...be1245ae4f.jpg
That's a nice shifter. Be a shame if anything bad happened to it...


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...e22e033ad5.jpg
Some people just like to watch the world burn....


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...68f1ca2b73.jpg
Welded into the 1/2 thread coupler I drilled out.

Final result is ~ 1/2" shorter shift throws than I already had, and the shifter feels less sloppy. I drilled and tapped the side to accept an m5 bolt. Knowing what I know now, I don't think I would have taken the time and money for this little bit of throw reduction. But, since it's made, I left it in place. Why not at this point, right?