I have a question. if you were to build a short throw shifter, how would you build it? Do you like just the short throw, or like the lower height? Which parts of the shifter don’t you like? I am just trying to get info on what people want when they buy a shifter?
Please let me know.
Thanks
Shane

oh, just looking at the post again, I guess there were a couple of questions

 

I guess your best example of a short throw would be the B&M, a lot of people I know are getting them. it both reduces the throw and shaft height. 27% and 1/4th inch respectively.

several have also purchased the Alta.

this link should give you an idea of the 3 most popular ones.

_________________

 

yea, i was looking at that. it doesnt look like many poeople make kits for the minis, and nobody makes anything yet for the 04s. But it looks like people would like to be able to adjust it.
Shane

 

>>if you were to build a short throw shifter, how would you build it? >>

this is an old trick.

first, cut off the shifter shaft. here's mine with 3 1/8" off and the "stop ring" filed down to give a constant diameter of the remaining molded on plastic:

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture28956.html

then fit a **** of your choice. here's an $8 walmart 8 ball one with the "8" polished off:

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture28960.html

i had to put a thin shim between the **** and the shaft. you can remove the molded plastic completely if you want.

i measured the freeplay and throw of my 3 1/8"; shorter shifter. all are measured at the maximum horizontal girth of the shift ****:

in neutral, side to side total play = 0.15"

in neutral, fwd - aft total play = 0.04"

throw forward from neutral to first = 1.2"

unfortunately, i didn't take these with the stock length shaft for comparison. if anybody has the stock throw measurements and measurements from the various aftermarket short throw shifters, please post.

shorter is sometimes better,
flyboy2160

 

Besides B&M which I have for my 03 MCS,
There is the helix SS or Mini mania design which is less costly about $40-60 for the part and gives a positive short shift feel but does not change the shift **** height.
If you want to learn more about it- give Eric at Helix13 a call.
If I knew about the Helix short shifter I'd not have installed my B&M (about $140).

 

I find short shifters that lower the shift **** unacceptable in most cases. I don't need to move my hand even farter away from the wheel.

 

The shorter the throw and the lower the **** the better. I have the b&m and would like the **** lower, the throws don't seem that short to me either.