Helix and Rogue SSK works better by adding length to the bottom of the lever without increasing shifting effort...down side is that they extend below the shift box cover (which, over 60k in my Mini have shown to be not that necessary due to the protection from the exhaust heat shield)...

The rest of the SSK reduces shift by shortening the upper shaft and thereby lowering the shift ****...bad for reach and increases shifting effort...also, most of these will not allow the use of OEM **** or Whalen Shift Machine...my 02

Helix13


Rogue SSK

 

go and drive a mustang, then drive your mini and be happy! no ssk needed!

 

LOL!

 

Would anyone know where to purchase solid bushings separately without buying an entire shifter kit? I have the Helix SS and would like to change the bushings.
Thanks, Steve

 

Anyone else wanna back me up on the tranny flush helping to smooth things out!?

 

Yeah, I'll back you up. I did mine at 50k with Redline MTL and there was a noticeable improvement in smoothness.

 

Mustangs don't have shifters. They're gear mixers.

 

[quote=holdenontoit;1701987]mine is at stock height. the b&m is also alittle thicker, nicer looking than the black stick though. and in over all lenght.. well naturally its actually longer than stock

 

FWIW: I've owned the B&M short shifter on my "early style" shifter, and it was fantastics. While I didn't strictly like the lowered shift **** height, it wasn't a deal breaker, and the improved shift effort and reduced throw length were all pluses to me.

Also, even more importantly, cutting the inertia weights off your transmission shift pivots will dramatically improve shift resolution. Not an easy task to do it, and you can't go back, but for those interested in losing about a pound of wimpy-arm helper weight, it's a bigger plus than a SSK will ever be.

Historical Experience: I had a B&M SSK on my '93 Mustang Cobra. THAT was a tough shift; there isn't anything you can do to the MINI that will bring the shift quality to that low a resolution, or that high of an effort!

 

Definately!

Worth every penny and minute.

Paul

 

But the B&M is almost two inches shorter than stock. Am I missing something. I have a B&M in the box ready to install but I am hesitant as I want a really stock look.

Rich

 

Me too. MTL makes a real noticeable difference particularly in the winter. Well worth the half hour effort to drain and refill.

Rich

 

Changed mine to B&M synthetic at 30k and then again at 50k...

 

I knew I wasn't losing my mind! When the dealer changed my clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing under warranty, they flushed the tranny too. I never knew my MINI could shift so smooth!

 

Interesting..... It looks/feels the same height to me.

 

So what is it ? Is the B&M shorter than stock or the same? Does it matter what year the car is? Or what model B&M SS you bought?

 

B&M made a change in their shifter height. I believe the early models up to '04 had the shorter shifter height and the newer models for '05 and '06 had stock shifter height. The changes were in conjunction with the color change of the shifter boxes.
Steve

 

Now I am going to confuse things.

My MINI is one of the "in between" MINIs. I have a 12/04 build, with the old transmission, but with the new shifter mechanism.

JPMM, according to your sig, you have the the old mechanism, so the old B&M kit.

 

A 12/04 build date would be an 05 Model Year car. Which means you should have the newer Getrag transmission.

I have an 10/04 build which I know is an 05 Model Year.

 

Oops, I meant 12/03.

 

JustJay
If you go to the Helix site http://www.helix13.com/mini/products/suspension-chasis and scroll down a few items until you get to their short shifter their will be two pictures that you can click on. Whichever one matches the shifter you have is what you got.
Steve

 

I have one already. Thanks for the link though. I know it helped me out in the past.

 

I did. I took my 96 Cobra for a turn and 50,000 miles after I installed the ProRipper shortie, I still love it. It shifts smooth: There is no play when in gear with the stick and it has a solid feel going between gears, no more missing gears. Then, I drive my Mini. I have a taller stick that wobbles left-to-right when in gear if I grab it and I feel sloppy when I shift. Then I ride my Kawasaki ZX6R and I have no comment because it is backwards. I engage the clutch with my hand and shift with my foot.

The stock shifter in my Cobra was no different than the stock one in the Mini. All I am looking for is a more smooth shift and a more solid feel when
in gear. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

 

+1 except I wanna add, the stick needs to be the same length

 

OK! So I just bumped into the thread and read the first post. I hate to possibly statethe obivous, but it REALLY seems like the OP needs to adjust the shifter. I don't know if he installed it himself or not, but you can adjust the **** to go darn near right into the boot itself. You can make it TOO short. There should be NO reason why anyone would need to try to cut down the ALTA shifter. (Heck it is hardened steel so have fun with that!-) If anyone has any questions about the ALTA shifter (or any other shifter for that matter) I am happy to help.

Also, billtestajr: I want you to be HAPPY with your purchase. Please feel free to call me, e-mail me or PM me with any questions or concerns. Thank you again for your business!