Hi List.
In the past couple of weeks I posted several questions regarding short shifters. After all the research I decided to buy and install a Fidanza short shifter. Even though I am mechanically inclined I do not have access to a well equipped garage. Therefore I had to ask my local MINI dealership to install the Fidanza. They were quite open for the adventure, though they advised me that it will be around 3 hours work that will set me back around $300. I agreed and so I dropped my car in the morning. I got a call around noon from the mechanic. He said that I got the wrong part because the short end of the Fidanza shifter did not fit the cable end. I was quite suprised since I called Fidanza before buing the shifter to make sure that it fit my car (05 MCSc) and they claimed that it will. I placed a call to Fidanza again where I spoke to a Mr. Allen. He double checked their record and said that it has to fit my car. He was kind enough to put Fidanza development mechanic an the mechanic from the dealership on a conference call to work the issue out. After a lengthy discussion and trial they gave up and agreed thet this particular shifter is not he one. Mr Allen from Fidanza then made arrangement with my dealership that they will pay the labor cost as a R&D effort. It was wery nice of them. BTW they also refunded me for the price of the shifter.
After this I still had the short shifter bug in me. I remembered a post regarding cutthing the OEM shifter shorter. It makes sense. Some of the actions are dependent on the proportions of the long and short arms of the shifter. Making the long arm shorter will make the throws shorter too.
Got my Dremel the shop vac and some plastic wrap. Covered inside with plastic and cut off shifter two inches. Done. Cleaned up and fitted a MOMO airmetal shift ****.
It IS a different feelig. Firmer, notchier. And it looks really cool. Will get some pics over the weekend and try to post them.
Denes

 

Sounds nice. When you shorten the shifter and reduce the leverage, it takes more effort to shift. Please report back after awhile and let us know how it feels after some extended use. Also a picture might be helpful.. would be interesting to see what it looks like that short.
Thanks

 

don't be a wuss! cut off some more! i did my cutoffs like you, first about 2 3/4" to 3"," but then more off to now where i have over 3" removed. (this was from a 2003. i just rode in a 2005 and the shaft looks to be a little diffferent, but i'm not sure.)

there is a slight increase in effort, but not to where it's hard to shift. my shifter also has gotten easier to shift over time.

it's hard to tell people who haven't done this how much better the shifts feel.

here's a picture:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cat=500&page=2

 

really, a fidanza shifter didnt fit on your 05.

i was talking to the president of the company today when he gave me my free fidanza shifter in exchange for pictures of me installing it for their instruction manual. i met with their head of r&d today also and they failed to mention anything to me about the shifter not fitting an 05. i just emailed the president againa nd am hoping to be in line to test out the new improved 05 shifter....we shall see what happens now....

i'll be sure to keep you updated on the new shifter for 05's, since i'm about 15 minutes away from their headquarters in perry, OH.

let me know if i can ask them anyhting next time i'm down there for you....

 

btw, woo hoo for me, 600 posts!

 

I have been wanting a shorter shift throw for quit sometime now and was surprised to hear you can just wack off as much as you want with a Dremel.

I haven't looked that carefully at the set up but don't shift ***** like Whalen's and Momo's screw on? If so how do you mount a custom **** if you have cut down the stick and no longer have a threaded end?

Perhaps the end is not threaded to begin with? Inquiring minds wnat to know!
Thanks

 

should've just went with a Helix13 adapter...

nice for Mr.Allen to take care of you like that.

 

MGear-


The stock **** is not threaded, but clicks into place in a cut out groove. You can just pull upwards (in second gear helps, don't knock yourself out as they come off quickly...see below thread link). Most aftermarket *****, like MOMO, have three set screws that hold them in place. The whalen I'm not sure about.

Check these threads out-

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=34531
funny stories of **** removal

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=41384
2005 MOMO **** fit probs

Good luck!

-Steve

PS- Flyboy- That **** height is just about the craziest thing I've ever seen!

 

Hey that's great Sandtoast500 thanks for the info I will be on it this weekend! Now I have a great reason to buy the Whalen "8 Ball" shift ****