How easy is the install? and which is the best one? I remember seeing that Helix has the shortest one, but I couldn't find it for sale on their site.

 

OK, I just found it on the Helix site.

Anyone know how easy it is to install it, and how good the quality is on the Helix Short shifter? the price is too good.

 

Well I have had it on my car for a couple of weeks and I love it. You will need to losened up the exhuast and remove the heat shield. and then the acces plate. It is easy to do, much easier if you have a lift.

 

JivIv,

I took a chance

 

Simply put.....short shifters.... shorten the throw from gear to gear....while shifting.
So... when you go from 1st to 2nd gear ..the distance traveled will be less...with a short shifter....than the stock shifter.

Helix Short Shifter... simply stated..... reduces the throw, but leaves the length of the shifter...the same. You add the piece to the bottom of the stock shifter and continue to use the stock shaft.

B&M Short Shifter....simply stated ...reduces the throw but also reduces the length of the shaft. You replace the stock shaft with a shorter shaft.

Both are good...it's a personal preference.. IMHO :smile:

Peace,
D

 

I have the Helix as well, have had it on for about a week and a half. Very nice little mod, makes the car even more fun. But you do need to break it in a little - pretty tight at first.

 

Other than debating about the shifter height, the B&M is IMHO superior to the "add-a-link" systems because it's a one piece unit. All of the link type are held in place with a set screw(s) that can work loose with time. Also, unless the fit of the link on the shaft is "skintight" there'll be room for some movenent. This might not be noticeable at first, but over time it'll create its own set of problems.

The B&M allows the use of the stock dust cover, too. I don't know about the Helix conversion, but, in order to get the reduction that's claimed, I would think it doesn't. Somebody who knows will have to fill in that blank.

Lastly, whether you do it yourself or not the B&M will run from $40 to $150 more, when all is said and done.

 

I installed the Alta short shifter last weekend. I took my time and it was about an hour for the install. I adjusted it to the shortest throw (3 way adjustable) and it's sweet. It may cost a little more than the others, but it's nice to know I can set it where I want without too much trouble (stock, med and short).

The hardest part about the whole thing was fighting with the stock ****!!! That bastard would not come off! I finally said screw it and cut the shaft with a portaband so I could get the boot off.

 

dandp: After breaking it in, does your shift motion return to the smooth, quiet operation of the stock shifter? In other words, if I'm looking for something that will shorten the throw without shortening the stick and/or stiffening the shift motion, is the Helix for me? :smile:

Moorlockx: A good point, and I guess time will tell.

 

I have had the Helix short shifter on for a couple of thousand miles and I love it. Nice and short throuws and shifts like stock but shorter. The thing that turns me off about the b&M is that it raises the hieght of the shift *** in the car. And when the passenger seat is all the way up it will be harder to shift the car in 5th and 6th gears cause even in stock hieght my hand coems close to the passenger seat.

 

>>I installed the Alta short shifter last weekend. I took my time and it was about an hour for the install. I adjusted it to the shortest throw (3 way adjustable) and it's sweet. It may cost a little more than the others, but it's nice to know I can set it where I want without too much trouble (stock, med and short).
>>
>>The hardest part about the whole thing was fighting with the stock ****!!! That bastard would not come off! I finally said screw it and cut the shaft with a portaband so I could get the boot off.
>>
>>

That must be nice... Mine comes off If I play my music too loud

 

>>I have had the Helix short shifter on for a couple of thousand miles and I love it. Nice and short throuws and shifts like stock but shorter. The thing that turns me off about the b&M is that it raises the hieght of the shift *** in the car. And when the passenger seat is all the way up it will be harder to shift the car in 5th and 6th gears cause even in stock hieght my hand coems close to the passenger seat.

Don't you mean that it lowers the height of the ****?

Thanks
Dan

 

not from what i have seen

 

I have the Madness SS. It has 3 set screws that our counter-sunk with loctite, then covered in heat shrink. It's not going anywhere...

As I understand it, there are a couple ways to shorten the throw. The old fashioned way is to literally shorten the stick on top a la the Miata guys. This will be desirable to some, and not for others I suppose. The negative of this approach is that it will take more force to get it moving, somewhat defeating the purpose of a quick transition of a shorter throw...

The other means is to lenghten below the fulcrum. This shortens the throw, and doesn't not make for more necessary force, and actually might make it easier to move around. But, this does or might mandate the removal of our dust covers...

The B&M seems to employ both, and in such a combo as to allow for the dust cover to be retained. Having removed my dust cover for the Madness one, my initial concerns were not justified. I live in a canyon and I was expecting to see some dirt and grime once I removed the heat shielding. I couldn't even find any dust in the tunnel area. It is well protected and I feel that losing the dust cover should not be a factor of consideration...

Aesthetically, I do like a shorter stick, and I feel that a mild drop would be fine for my driving geometry. I'm actually considering getting the B&M and compounding it with the Madness one to see what kind of throw reduction I get. It might be too tight, but it is something that has crossed my mind...

_________________
2003 IB MCS

 

 

from helix:

So the Helix kit keeps the **** where it normally is.

 

>>The thing that turns me off about the b&M is that it raises the hieght of the shift *** in the car.<<

Doug - Are U sure that U didn't put it in upside down?

My **** height (non-stock) dropped about an inch but became perfect when I changed the seat.

 

Zeede - I would say that I find my shifts easier with the Helix, with the stocker, it required a bit of "searching" at times. Now it feels right...

as far as the stiffening (or lack thereof) , the weather in NJ has been snowy and cold - and my experience with the MINI in the cold that the shift feels a bit tighter, stock or Helix. When I'm driving the car for a bit and it has had a nice chance to warm up, defintiely better.

 

BlueMCS,
Yeah you are right. I have not used my brain all week and I tried today and failed. I better wait till next week to try again.