Hey guys!

I'm looking at one or the other to replace my crummy stock ****.

Here is what I have discovered so far from posts.

The Whalen **** is very well liked, as is the UUC. The UUC is slightly taller than the stock ****. The Whalen is slightly lower than the stock ****.

Given that the UUC is slightly taller, and given that a taller shift mechanism will make the throws shorter, the UUC should slightly shorten the shifts, correct? While the Whalen ****, being lower, will actually slightly lengthen the throw.

A common misbelief is that a shorter shifter will shorten the shift throw. Actually, the opposite is true.

The question I have, is this: Is the distance differential for the UUC and Whalen enough to actually make a difference?

Thanks to all that can provide some clues!

Steve
2003 MC

 

I saw a photo on this site indicating that the Whalen is in fact taller than stock, slightly so. Do search on Whalen, I think the poster was "tippy" or someone similar.

Just got my Whalen today, haven't installed it yet. What workmanship, it's beautiful!

 

I have the Whalen ****, I read a lot about how it change the feel of the shifter. Originally it was bought because it looks great but after i got it on i did notice that shifting felt different, i had my son drive and the first thing he asked was what i had done to the car that something felt different. I Think the Whalen **** is worth every penny and Doug Whalen is a pleasure to do business with. Haven't heard any thing about the UUC **** but I have yet to meet any one who has the Whalen complain.

 

Okay,

How did you justify the extra $50 over the UUC product?!?

I'd have to hide this one from my wife!!

The Whalen looks awesome but $150 is nuts.

steve

 

Interesting, Whalen sounds great. It is a heavy piece then, correct? Which helps smooth out the throws?

steve

 

So, CS, is the Whalen install slightly taller than stock, same or shorter?

Steve

 

I dont think the "stock ****" is crummy
Everyone that sees it thinks its great sooo.....i guess i voiced my opinion
If your talking perf. than maybe you have something there. Any pictures of the whalen, every aftermarket shifter i see pales to comparison to the stock. again my opinion

 

The Whalen is slightly taller than stock and with the small amount of extra weight it makes shifting feel smoother.

 

Thanks! I hope to order straight away!

Steve
:smile:

 

Taller "above", longer throw.
Shorter "above", shorter throw.

Longer "below", shorter throw.
Shorter "below", longer throw.

above being the part of the shifter IN your car, visible to you.
below being the part of the shifter below your vehicle where the linckage attaches.

Thus your "taller" shift **** will NOT shorten the throw.

 

"Short-Shifters" actually extend the portion below the vehicle.
so much so that you can rarely refasten the cover of that area
after installation.

 

how much is the uuc?

100 bucks?

 

>>Thus your "taller" shift **** will NOT shorten the throw.

That's for sure... I went with a custom EPCO shift **** and it was quite higher than the stock setup. The shifting felt rather weird because the throw was noticablly bigger. I ended up cutting down the stock shaft to drop the **** down to the 'flare' that the stock **** sits on, and the shift action is back to feeling good again...

Rocketboy_X

 

Just thought i would pop this in as another alternative...this is the one I'll be getting for my car...it is 99 bucks from most places...i've seen it as low as 85. This is new in the MOMO line for 2003.

 

I would agree. I like the Whalen and the UUC. If I had the UUC exhaust I would have gotten the shift ****. But UUC is vaporware so I cannot get the shifter. Whalen has great engravings but the price is high and I don't like round ***** as much. Momo I can get from retail or mailorder and while there are many designs too tall for the MINI or too flamboyant or colorful, I like some of the shorter designs- about the same height overall as the stock **** in the MCS. This design below has a chrome or brushed metal finish with carbon fiber, black leather, or wood accents. There are others that are full leather in black or colors, full wood or full carbon fiber.

It fits well with the rubber washer adapter. I didn't need to use screws that came with the ****.
A fellow MCS owner drove my car tonight and thought my MOMO was better than the stock ****.

 

I have a Whalen and believe that it is worth every penny/ It's heavy, beautifully constructed, and mine is custom engraved. I don't mind showing ot off again!

It attaches far better than the stock ****, and looks better in the car. Due to the weight, the shifts are smoother.

I am so thrilled with it I might buy another one just for variety.

Here's the pic:

 

I guess this is slightly off topic for this thread, but...
do any of these guys make a leather wrapped ****? I have to get rid of all the metal on the **** because it burns my hand when I get in the car after work when Alice has been outside in the Las Vegas summer heat.
I'd like one about the same size as the stock, no taller if possible.
And can anyone tell me if CF gets as hot as metal in the same environment? :???:

 

Ok, time to show off my shift ****... bad quality pics, but you can get the picture...
and

These are from before I cut down the sitck shaft...

Well worth my 50bux if you ask me.. not a bad price for a custom job... (it would look sweet with a Union Jack done the same way (the top section is clear with the M graphic under the clear section))

Rocketboy_X

 

I just got my Whalen Shift Machine off the MINI2 group buy $120 w/ graphic. I too thought the factory shifter looked just fine, but I had problems with the plastic, that covers the numbers, coming off. So I wanted something that was one piece, looked good, and had the nice smooth, heavy feel a shifter is supposed to have. Doug Whalen is the best. I hope he can come up with a brake handle soon.


_________________
jman

 

Got my whalen this morning, and this thing is butter! I absolutely love the feel of it, not to mention Doug did a fantastic job with the design.

 

Just got my WSM today as well....
$120 well spent....
Terrific job Doug :smile:

Do yourself a favor and buy 1 :smile:

Peace,
D

 

Since no UUC owners have chimed in yet, let me say I've been very happy with the UUC ****. Great fit/finish, much nicer feel--makes the shifts feel crisper; added weight smooths everything out. You won't go wrong with either of these, I suspect.

E

 

Ditto on Ethos comments. Have had the UUC **** for 5 months and have enjoyed it. One closing comment, in colder climates steel shift ***** are loads of fun



Peace Out

 

i'm going to figure out a way to put a lead slug in the stock shifter without changing the look of it and patent the whole mess. how about 50.....no....75 bucks? what can I say..i'm inventive.

 

i'll chime in here..

I can't comment on the Whalen ****, but when I had an Audi there was a company sold through UUC many years ago called "Rob *****". Same principal with a weighted **** design (I believe mine was around ~16oz) and I absolutely loved that thing. It made shifting so much more effortless..plus it looked amazing

I will most likely buy a Whalen **** once I finalize a design Id gladly pony up a few extra bucks if I can do my own **** design..that's just plain cool!

But as mentioned, if UUC is weighted as well, you cant really go wrong with either brand.