From my search it appears that there are B&M, Alta and Fidanza, are there other short shift kits? What complaints have people had about the different kits and which allow use of the Mini shift lever? (I have a Whalen Gear shift **** that I want to continue to use). Thanks

 

AFAIK if you want to continue to use your Whalen your only option is the ALTA SS kit.

Try searching for Short shift or short shifter. Try doing an advanced search and set the advance search option to "Post Titles Only".

 

Thanks.

What feedback is there on the Alta short shifters? Much of the B&M feedback that I've read is negative.

 

Aside from the short-shifters that you've mentioned (B&M, Alta, Fidanza), there is also the Helix - it's by far the cheapest (at ~$50) and retains the OEM factory shift rod.

When I was looking for a SS, my two priorities were, in order: 1. Being able to use a Whalen/stock ****, and 2. The shortest throws possible. Ultimately, I settled on the Alta, which fit my criteria nicely. It's the most expensive Mini SS that I'm aware of, but you can fetch a nice deal if you shop around. IMHO, the throws are a little notchy compared to the stock one, but whereas I used to miss a gear here and there (::grind grind:, now it seems like the shifter seems to magically know which gear I'm going for. I'm also upshifting smoother during street driving, probably because the RPMs are not falling as much as it used to with a slightly longer throw. Your results may vary.

 

Although I haven't purchased this mod yet, I have been researching the options. Don't forget that Helix13 offers one too which from everything I can tell is the easiest to install, retains the stock shifter ****/lever and retains the stock height while reducing throw by about 27%.

 

My vote went to and continues to be in favor of the Alta SS...

 

I just did the helix short shift kit, and wow, awesome. Stock height retained, and price is right at $45.

 

Actually, the ProMINI shortshifter can use the stock **** as well, but also comes with a solid aluminum ****. Thats what I have.

Here: http://www.promini.com/product-exec/...arch_model/100

 

I have the Alta SSK and a Whalen.

Works good for me. I grind 3rd a lot less often now, and I like the short throws.

I've driven a stock mini S since I installed the SSK about 3 months ago, and it feels like a 'grandpa shifter', kinda like I'm gripping a cane instead of a gear shift.

 

i continue to vote for just cutting off 3 1/2" from the shaft and sticking whatever **** you want on what's left.

i haven't sampled an s2000, but my mcs shifter modified as above has the best feel of any shifter i've ever tried, including a brand new NC miata.

 

Fidanza is my favorite.

I had a B&M in my MC and i hated it. Have the Fidanza in my MCS and i love it. Far superior!

 

I've had the B&M in my MC for about 40K miles now and still love it. I don't understand the complaints about the B&M - I've seen none of the supposed ill effects.

The only problem I had with the B&M was the installation. When the kit was new, there were issues with the installation instructions, etc, and a number of us broke bits that were expensive to replace. Since the furor over these issues died down, I assume they fixed the problem.

Remember, the B&M (and ProMINI and Pilo alternatives which are the same, or virtually the same kit), the Alta, and the Fidanza are short throw shifters. You replace the stock shaft as well as some internals, and most even come with a shift **** you can use or not use. The Helix and Rogue are short shift kits. You add a new piece to the linkage and retain your entire stock setup. With the replacement shifters you end up with a shorter shaft length as well as a shorter throw. With the kits the only thing that changes is the throw.

I've heard folks say that retaining the stock shaft length is better because it keeps the **** closer to the wheel so your hand has to travel less to make a quick shift. I tend to drive with my left hand on the wheel (street, not track) and my right hand is usually on my right leg, so it's actually a shorter distance for me with the shorter shaft. I also like that the lower **** is no longer up in front of the toggle switches, etc.

I guess you need to decide which type of change you want first (i.e., short throw shifter or short shift kit) and then consider the sub-options. The full shifters cost more are more work to install, but some of us (like me) think it's well worth it given the effect.

 

Try as many as you can and don't be swayed by differing opinions. You know what they say "Opinions are like ...holes, everyone has one".

I opted for the B&M. I don't do much track driving, or at least I haven't and I track tested mine at the Wick's school @ Laguna Seca. 1 lap = 8 upshifts and 8 downshifts. Only missed one going from 4th to 5th on the main straight.

The throw is waaaaay shorter and I don't notice any appreciable height difference.

My only complaint is IMHO the shifter is a little stiff, okay, a lot stiff but I have gotten used to it and my wrench tells me that it will loosen up over time.

Overall,

 

I'm suprised that the Pilo shifter has only been mentioned once. It will accept your Whalen and is a beautifully made shifter for only 60 or so dollars. The shifter isn't all that difficult to install, and if you're considering something like the Helix, why not go the extra few steps and consider the Pilo Racing one? I've had mine for about 5,000 miles and it is fantastic. Great, tight shift feel and has both threaded and notched end for either style shift ****.

 

This is an all to common complaint about SS'ers that shorten the actual shift rod inside the vehicle and move the **** closer to the floor. And don't count on it loosening up anytime soon as the reason for the stiffness is all mechanical. By shortening the lever inside you have reduced the leverage you once had to overcome the friction of the linkage and transmission detents.

Shortening it this way causes 2 problems, one, increased shifting effort and two, it moves the shift **** further away from the wheel, increasing the time it take to preform each shift because the hand has to travel further each time you shift.

Just check out any World Ralley car and see where they put the back-up shift ****(I know they use paddel shifters but they also have back-up shifters for when the paddles fail, and they do all too often). The ***** are up level with the center of the steering wheel so that their hands do not have to remain off the wheel for any significant time.

IMHO the best SS'ers maintain stock shifter height and shorten the throw by adding length to the shift lever below the pivot point. I used the Ultriks SS kit from Mini Mania (http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm ) in my '02 MCS and enjoyed it immensely. I miss it in my new '06 MCS. I have one in the box just waiting to be installed, when I get the chance. The install is fairly easy as you do not have to remove the whole shift rod, only the cover under the bottom. Shifting effort is only marginally increased but the feel and precision of the shifts is FANTASTIC!!!

 

I thought the Alta was the only one that didn't fit the Whalen???

 

I went with the Alta and had Doug (Whalen) make me a screw on for it. Very nice.

Very east to install (I got a friend to do it)

I recommend driving other peoples cars that have different shifters and then decide.

Earl

 

I had the Helix and it sucked. The threads in it deformed under moderate tightening of the set screw and it shifted noticeably worse than stock. See pic below of the set screw not being perpendicular to the shifter.

B&M I've heard is fine, though I've seen it side by side with an ebay shifter and they look identical. I'd get the budget shifter off ebay before the B&M.

I've got an Alta now and it is head and shoulders above the others. Well worth the extra money if you can afford it. It's infinitly adjustable up and down, and since it is bent at the top there is alot of lateral adjustability to it as well. Takes 2 minutes to pop the shifter trim and undo a couple allen screws to adjust it.

When I got mine you had the option of getting the Alta **** or a plastic screw on adapter that accepts the factory (or Whalen) ****.

Broken Helix:

 

I went with the Helix SS,not because of price,it has a nice smooth action.

 

Whalen makes ***** for the Alta... and/or Alta makes an adapter for your exisiting whalen or stock ****.

 

Did you do the install yourself? If so, how was it? How much time did it take?

 

I had Eric at Helix do it whilst I was in for other things. However, I have the install instructions somewhere and I'm confident anyone with the right tools can do it in under 2 hours.

 

I think that Bill Buckner looked ascance at his glove when he let the ball through his legs, too.

The Helix shifter is CNC machined, so the boring tool which cuts the bore for the set screw is perfectly perpendicular to the shifter every time. I'm afraid that you crossed your threads. If you had called me, I would have gladly re-cut your shifter set screw bore and you could have had another go at it.

Short shift kits use one of two methods to shorten the throw: either they lengthen the rod below the pivot joint, or they shorten the rod above the pivot joint. All the rest is just packaging. We chose to lengthen the rod below the pivot joint because that keeps the shifter handle in the stock position so you don't have to reach down around your knee to shift. You'll notice that on race cars, shifters are placed as close to the steering wheel as possible. There's a reason for this: high performance driving requires that you keep both hands on the wheel as much as possible, and reduce the amount of movement that you make in the cockpit. The better choice for real performance driving is to keep the shifter handle close to the steering wheel.

There are several of these style shifters available. Our extention is the longest (which makes it the shortest throw). Others offer dust covers which we don't. We have looked carefully at the long-term performance of the shifter without the redundant dust cover and are satisifed that they are not necessary. After more than two years of daily driving the grease at the pivot joint is moist and clean. In fact if you look at the latest BMW products, such as the 2006 330i, they have eliminated that dust cover altogether. It's a non issue.

So we are able to sell a great product that works at least as well as any shifter on the market, for less money. Don't be fooled into thinking that you can move 'up' to another brand unless you are interested in paying more for packaging and hype.

 

I've had the Helix Short shift in for almost a year. Works Great!! Install was easy and shifting is as smooth as before the mod.

Eric from Helix has been helpful with quesitons I had.

 

I had the Helix SS for over a year, and went to a local shop to help them make a new short shifter design (TMW Performance). They looked very professional at first, but took so many time to get the prototype done.

When them took their mesures, they removed my Helix SS, and didn't put it back on, as they told me I'd get the TMW one in less than 30 days. Well, it's been 5 months since, and I never heard of them again...

I miss my Helix SS, and will put it back on very soon!

Helix is a great one, and I drove it in winter too, withtout a snce problem!

TMW, on the other hand, really suck! :impatient