Hey all,
I installed my alta short shifter, header, and exhaust yesterday, and finally got to take her for a drive. The exhaust is awesome, but I have to say that I'm rather disappointed with the short shifter. I've driven various cars with short shift kits and was hoping for a much notchier, positive shift feel, not to mention much shorter throws. I just wanted to know if there are any others that feel this way. I have the shifter down as far as it can go, but it still has sort of a sloppy feel. I was really hoping it was going to tighten up the whole feel as well. I'm thinking of cutting about an inch off of the top to help it out a little, but that will only do so much. Anyway, I'd like to see what others have to say, and if there is anyone to feels this way also.

 

I have Craven speed and eventhough this was my 1st ever SS mod I can't say how different it is from others. All I can say is that the shifting has been smooth and not cranky or tight. I imagined that the shifting in-between the gears would feel tighter but it's not. Overall I'm happy with it.

 

this will make your throw longer, totally negating the "benefit" of the short shift kit. think about it......if you don't like your ssk, that is one thing. chopping off the top will increase the throw to about where it was before without increasing the "smoothness" of the shift....

 

??????????? How would that INCREASE the throw???? By shortening the handle of a Lever, you would increase the amount of force required to move, but would decrease the distance required to move it, or did I miss something??

 

confused me too. shorter lever, only more force required.

 

All the shifter is, is a shorter stick, cutting it down more would be like just getting an even shorter stick.

 

What is this, and Abbott and Costello routine?!

 

Did the kit come with solid replacement bushings? That will help a lot. If the shift tower still sets on the OEM soft bushings it will still feel soft. I ran my old ProMINI kit with and without hard bushings. Hard was much preferred IMO.


To be realistic you won't get a notchy feeling with any cable driven shifter. Just not going to happen. AT least not the the degree of ball and rod or to loader designs.

 

I got a cheap no brand short shifter off eBay. The stick was obviously shorter, the length below the pivot was a bit longer (required the heat shield to be bent a bit), and the bushings provided were solid. Gave it a sweet tight and notchy feel. Reverse required a bit more force until I got use to it. Still working great after 2 years. Here's one currently for sale.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHORT...spagenameZWDVW

This looks like the same shifter I purchased, but I got mine from roc_ilan on eBay. If anyone is interested they can send roc_ilan a message to see if they still carry them.

 

I have the B & M ssk and love it. I wanted a kit that would shorten the throws, not the shifter. It feels notchier and stiffer, which is what I like....

Get your minds out of the gutter

 

You've got it backwards.

 

I bought the same one a couple of years ago for 29.95. Finally installed it about a year ago and absolutely love it. Even Chad at Detroit Tuned likes the feel of it. Go figure, huh?

 

I just installed the Helix SSK solution and after driving the car for the weekend, I recommend it for those disappointed in the long throw of the stock shifter.

It's probably half the original throw now and is definitely more positive-feeling through the gates. Shift height remains the same.

 

B&M on for roughly 60 k. Love it and it just keeps getting better. this kit replaces the oem rubber mounts with aluminum.The absence of these is a shortcoming of the "add on" types (like helix) IMO.

 

thanks for all the responses. I had constantly heard about people liking the alta, so i went with it, and just was not impressed. I actually think I have some harder replacement bushings, and if I get some time, I might have to go back under and throw them in there. thanks guys.

 

The shifter pictured in the e-bay link is identical to one also marketed by Fidanza but there must be some differences. The Fidanza version is only compatible with 2003 and earlier models, and, the increased shift shaft end length is short enough to keep the stock dust cover intact so there is no contact with the heat shield. My early model shifter was very sloppy creating many misplaced shifts, the Fidanza has a slightly larger diameter central pivot ball and the supplied end bushing for the gate lever ball fits more snug as well, those features combine to improve shifting precision immensely. On top of that, the shaft no longer wiggles or rattles. I use the Fidanza with an extension so my shifting effort is somewhat less than shortened shaft versions.

billtestajr, these aftermarket shifters increase the length of the shift shaft below the central pivot so the shift cable travels further for a given distance the **** is moved. It is true shortening the shaft above the pivot reduces the distance the **** travels. Take another look at the retainer collet on the central pivot ball to be sure it is fastened securely. When the shift shaft is extended far enough to necessitate removal of the dust cover, the cable is placed at a more severe angle causing a bend; there is a pivoting collar on this lower cable sleeve where is enters the box that should get some lubrication to ease articulation.

 

k-huevo,
thanks for the extensive reply, i appreciate it. I have the shifter set at a height to where it just barely fits inside the stock dust cover, so the cables aren't angled severely. I have some aftermarket bushings from a different kit, and maybe I'll try to throw those on, and hope that it helps. anyway everyone, i appreciate all the input.

 

Keep in mind that the stock shifter is a short throw so I wouldn't expect a huge improvement.

 

I realize that the stock shifter has a pretty short throw, but I've had a short shifter on one of my camaro's I used to have, and also two of my buddy's had one on their cars. One car being an 04 cobra, and the other some 90 something integra. Their throw was reduced to nothing more than an inch and some change perhaps, and the gates felt a lot closer together. The shift itself was very tight, and was very positive. That's what I was looking for, but you can't get everything.

 

I honestly don't think the MINI's shifter is a very short throw. Of all the car's I've driven, it's the longest (and none have SS kits). I'll probably end up getting the B&M in the future as a I like the idea of stock height, just shortened throw and solid bushings. Actually, I'd really like to lathe and cnc an extension for the Alta kit like onasled did a few years ago. Shorter throw plus a shifter closer to the steering wheel. Unfortunately, my budget is limited and the Alta kit is too expensive.

 

[quote=kapps;1701202] I'll probably end up getting the B&M in the future as a I like the idea of stock height, just shortened throw and solid bushings. quote]

uh uh, B&M is NOT stock height.

 

The stock shifter may be short compared to that on a truck, but a short shifter kit makes a huge difference.

 

^ Actually, I don't think it's much shorter than my Ford Ranger

An SSK is a great mod.

 

Helix SSK! Depending on your mileage, a tranny flush with some nice new fluid can help smoothen things up quite a bit!

 

I was under the impression that any SSK that extends the rod below the pivot would end up putting tension on the cables due to the non factory alignment. This would in turn pull the gear just to the edge of being not engaged. Thusly resulting in increased wear on the synchros.

I used to have a 96 Nissan SE-R and it's shifter was like a boat oar. I cut about 3 inches off the top of the shift lever and welded the screw end back on. Instantly shorter shifts without the tranny wear. The SE-R had a lot lighter shifter than my MINI does now but I keep tossing the idea around in my head. It seems like it would be easier since you don't have to worry about keeping the threads lined up. But my wife already complains about the heavy, notchy shifter. I keep telling her that it's the German's way of letting you know you selected the proper gear.