I'm interested in adding an additional extension to the shifter to keep the **** at the stock height after installing a short-shift kit (like B&M or Alta) that lowers the ****. The reason to do this is to (1) avoid having to reach down by your right knee to shift, and (2) avoid the extra shifting effort required with the shorter shift lever.

This has been mentioned a couple of times in recent threads... If you've done this, could you share details (like who you bought it from) and pics? Thanks!!

 

if you buy the b&m the stock height is retained and you can use the stock ****. ( the 03 and earlier are shorter )

 

Cool. I had been leaning towards the B&M for the fact that it has the metal bushings that are said to improve the shifter feel. So I guess they changed their design for the 04 & 05 models?

 

yeah they changed it, not sure why other than the 04/05 are different than the earlier models. I think the bushings are different ?

 

I wouldn't call the metal in the B&M a "bushing". It's a standoff. I guess it does mount the box in slightly more solidly than the rubber gasket it replaces. The box itself, the cup the shifter sits in, and the left right linkage are still the stock plastic, and not replaced. Don't look for the B&M to improve feel. It does shorten the up down shift a bit though.

-Andy

 

If for whatever reason you want to increase the height of the shifter by about .5", the Whalen **** does that quite nicely....

 

Not quite true.
The bushings mentioned locate the entire shift tower. If you replace them with the aluminum bushings there is less compliance in the motion of the tower.
I know, I've used the shifter both ways. There is a noticeable difference.

And yes, grommet would be a more appropriate term for the objects in question.

 

I thought the Whalen dropped the height like it does on BMWs?

 

Nope, lowered mine by a bit under 1/2" like Tony said.

 

I had to go track it down, but my recollection was correct:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=whalen

The primary or only reason to go shorter with a shifter is reduce the throw distance, which has the desirable effect of lessing the time of gear transistions. There are other considerations to take into account:

Too short sometimes will make one reach, and compromise the ideal driving position...

Too short might make it so difficult to shift that the shorter throw distance is not corresponding to faster shifts...

Also, too short means the hand has to travel that much further from the steering wheel...

With all of that said, I shortened my throw, but by doing it below the pivot spot, with an extension (Rogue). The Whalen made it a tad taller (more leverage), along with the added mass, shifts are effortless...

No right or wrong, just sharing some thoughts...

 

Thanks for the tip. I've heard good things about the Whalen and was considering that in addition to the B&M. I think that would be a good pairing.

Sounds like maybe the the stock shifter height of the B&M + the slightly higher **** height of the Whalen would make for nice short shifts without the need for an extension...

 

OK, I'll buy a small difference, but the tower and ball cup still flex a lot, even without the grommets. It's pretty easy to see, as you can move the shifter quite a bit on the left - right axis when in gear. With the shift boot off, you can see the whole thing flex a bit.

I'll just say that I don't think there's probably that much difference between the B&M, and a simple extension to the bottom of the shaft. I have had B&M shifters for other cars, and they changed the feel of the car dramaticaly. Both other ones replaced some stamped metal with a really pretty machined aluminum piece. This one has too much plastic and compliance for me to make a whole hearted reccomendation. It certainly makes it no worse, but I don't think it makes it much more precise.

-Andy

 

My actual experience versus your speculation

OK.... you must be right.

Ran B&M and Hurst shfters for over 20 years. You're right, they can make a big difference. They started getting a bit cheesy in the late '80s though. About the time I quit doing performance mods.

 

I'm probably the person you saw mention it recently. Unfortunately, I've haven't gotten mine installed. I bought the extension before buying the shifter.

I bought it from onasled, who I think had them custom-made [edit] He's not actively selling them, this was just one he made for a person who I guess disappeared on him. Here's a picture of the extension and it installed in his car.




Neither end of this piece is threaded which limits the compatibility. It's a simple piece that I expect to be happy with. Anyone with a lathe could whip one up in notime.

 

Doh! Just a bit touchy there. Bit of a strong reaction. It's not just speculation though. I put a B&M in my mini last week, so the difference between stock, and B&M is a fairly fresh in my mind.

Go wigle the shifter in gear. There's still a lot of slop. Pull the boot up, and watch the whole thing flex. I did that as I installed it last week. I don't think I'd call that speculation. Additionally, the shifter tower does not contact the floor of the car directly. It still has a rubber gasket between it, and the floorpan of the car, although you are right, the grommets are gone and replaced with the aluminum ones that support the weather shield. I didn't dissagree with any facts you mentioned, but I guess I completely dissagree if you say the difference is night and day. My honest opinion from 1 week of using it is that it shortens the shift, but doesn't add significantly to precision.

-Andy

 

Nope; that's only on BMW's.

The attachment mechanism that I make causes my **** to sit a bit higher than a stock MINI ****.

 

Jeff, the bottom IS threaded to match the exact fit that the Alta ****. The threads are very deep to add strength. (I know you haven't installed it yet)



I'm not a supplier, but since I designed this and use it on my car, and am very happy with it, I will be happy to make one for anyone who would like one.

I use it with the Alta shifter because their SS is adjustable. I lower the SS just before it hits the exhaust heat shield and then add this extension. This brings the **** close to the steering wheel for track or auto-X applications. So now I have a shorter and more precise shift pattern with the **** in a much better location then stock.

Sequential shifter is next!

 

I stand corrected.

 

My bad, I never really looked down in the bottom end. Of course you're right.

 

I installed the Ultrik Short Shift kit from Mini Mania;

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/N...M/InvDetail.cfm

It works wonderfully. As advertised it shortens the throw about 20% without lowering the shift **** inside the vehicle. One of the reasons that I chose this type of kit is that I did not want to have to move my hand further from the steering wheel for each shift.

If anyone is familiar with WRC (World Rally) it is obvious when they show shots of the inside of the drivers office that they have gone to great lengths to keep the shift **** close to the steering wheel. This is inspite of the fact that most use paddle shifters under normal conditions and only resort to the use of the manual shifter after a system failure. It is so important to have them keep their hands close to the wheel that even the backup system is designed that way.

There is no problem with excessive pressure required to engage reverse or 5th gear. The shifting is precise, short, and positive. The car retains an absolutely stock appearence inside. It has been installed for 2 years with no problems.

I will be installing the same kit on my new '05 when it arrives.

I also installed a Momo Super Anatomic shift **** that raised the top of the shift **** about .75"/20mm. It is mostly wood so it does not get as hot in the summer as the stock **** or the Whalen ****. In the winter it is warmer and will not freeze your hand like a metal ****. It is also much lighter than either the stock or Whalen ***** which gives a very responsive feel to the shifter. The centering action of the springs that position the shift lever work more efficiently because they have to control less weight. The shift feel is very nice, much improved from stock.

There is a photo taken during installation showing the bottom of the shift linkage where the shift rod extension is installed. One of the ****. One showing the distance from the wheel to the **** when the shifter is in neutral.