This is me being a cheap-***, but is it possible to simply cut the stock shifter down and cut a notch in so the stock shift **** fits? Does anyone know what material the stock shifter is made out of?

 

"short" shift doesnt mean that the shifter is shorter. It means that the throw between gears is shorter.

 

^^+1

If you just cut the shifter stalk down, you'll be reducing the linear distance that the shift **** moves during shifts (and greatly increasing the amount of effort required to shift, depending on how much you cut the lever down), but you're not changing the *angle* through which you have to move the shifter.

A "short-shift" kit works by extending the distance between the lever's pivot point and the actual transmission linkage. That way, you don't have to move the shifter through as large of an angle to execute a shift.

Think of it as moving the pivot point of a see-saw. Rather than having the pivot point right in the middle between you and your friend, move it a little closer to you. With the pivot point shifted, you only have to move up and down a little bit to make your friend at the other end move up and down a greater distance.

 

The top is plastic. The actual metal of the shift arm is smaller. It won't work.

Do it right or don't do it at all.

 

that would be the same as adding a "Longer shift kit" to your car. not the best of ideas!

 

don't listen to anybody who hasn't actually cut down the shaft about how hard it is to shift or to some junk science angle mumbo jumbo. i cut mine down to where i have 52% of the original throw. the feel is fantastic, a nice mechanical snick into each gear.

 

Well, it wouldn't make his shift throw any "longer", for the same reason it wouldn't make it any "shorter" - he's not changing the distance between the shifter pivot point and the transmission linkage.

All it's going to do is lower his shift **** and require more force to shift gears.

 

If all you did was cut down the shaft, then you're having to move the lever through the same angle of movement to execute the shift. The **** isn't moving as far when you shift now, but from the pivot point on down, nothing has changed, except you have less leverage because the part of the shifter above the pivot point is now shorter. Depending on how much force you normally use when shifting, the difference might not be a big deal for you, but it might for someone else.

And speaking of "junk science", how exactly did you calculate that oh-so-precise "52%" reduction?

 

+1

 

Simply making it shorter, as mentioned earlier, will make for a shifter that requires more effort to move. Also, and what many don't like, is the longer distance created to the steering wheel.

The whole idea of a short shifter is to shorten the amount of time one is not in gear... the transitions. If more effort is required, and more distance for the hand to travel, this can prove to be counter-productive. Just things to contemplate...

 

i measured the linear distance it takes to move the **** from neutral into first. stock is 2.07", mine is 1.07." who cares what the angle is?

i repeat: give the "huge effort" nonsense a rest unless you've actually tried it. if it takes, for instance, 1 oz to move a stock lever, and say 2 oz to move a shortened lever, you can barely tell the difference.

 

do any of the aftermarket short shift kits, reduce throw and shorten the shiftknob height?

 

Yes
Alta
ProMINI
B&M
Come to mind

 

I use the very affordable ($50) Helix SSk - attaches to the bottom of the shifter, shortens the throw, doesn't change anything in the cabin. Very pleased, would be a first purchase for any MINI I own...

 

x2 Definetly!

 

I am under the impression that the B&M leaves the shifter height stock?

 

x3

"I am under the impression that the B&M leaves the shifter height stock?"
They all do.

As TonyB points out, the distance from the steering wheel is very important, more so than the short gate, for this driver.

 

The B&M does keep the stock shaft height. It shortens the throws by elongating the shaft below the pivot.

I have one in my car and it's fantastic. The best thing about it is the aluminum bushings in place of the rubber grommets which makes the shifts less mushy.

 

This must have changed then. I've installed the B&M in '02 and '03 cars and it was shorter.
I wonder when this change occured?

Looked into this a bit. It appears this happened with the new kit for 10/04 and newer cars. P/N 45131.
Is this the kit you guys used?

 

Have to disagree here Steve.
I have the ProMINI and it's 1 3/8"ths shorter standing height.
I've installed B&M kits in an '02 and an '03 and that kit dropped shaft height exactly the same as the ProMINI. Many argue it's the same kit.

The Alta has an adjustable shaft as does the Craven if I remember right. These definitely change the standing height of the shift arm.

I've driven them all. The memory ain't what it once was but I'm pretty sure on this.
It does look as though the newer B&M kits keep the stock height.

 

OBEHAVE
I guess my only concern was that the B&M to fit my GP was going to be stock height. I recently ordered one, but have not recieved it yet. The B&M being the stock height was the only one that I was referring to on that list. That was one of the reasons I chose the B&M. I did not know that the early models were shorter, Thanks for the info, Steve

 

No probs.
I was glad to learn about the change.
Oddly it looks like they didn't mod the old kit to keep the stock height.

You'll like the kit I'm sure. It's a shame to hide that beefy milled arm under the boot.

 

Hey, I'm not right all the time. As I remember I thought they were the same, but.... guess not. Could be because I have a Whalen on mine & it sits lower on the selector. Could be my memory is shot too.......

 

Yep, that's the one I have. I have an 05 MCS (built right around the time of the 04/05 switchover stuff) so there was a bit of confusion when I was getting the B&M installed. The new B&M kit also has a slightly longer throw compared to the older kit.

 

On some cars (the Celica All-Tracs come to mind) the shifter is ridiculously high making this is a fabulous mod. But since the MINI's stock shifter location was already ideal for me, I chose the Helix. The B&M also replaces the rubber isolators with solid ones, but no matter how beefy the arm is they all use the stock flexy plastic tower (can't someone make a metal one?).

Of course it's all personal preference, and hacksawing the shifter lever still allows any aftermarket **** with set-screws to attach...