Has anyone installed one of these? Likes Dislikes? I see a few different brands but they all seem to be almost identical in design.

Thanks

 

The install is easy. I bought the Helix for my 2004 MCS. I bought the one for the 2004 but it turns out the linkage for my shifter is for the 2003. I have the 03 model kit in the box, but I have not had the time to install it. I will be doing this sometime this week... I cannot wait. Everyone that I have spoken with says this is one of the best mods!! Do a search for short shifters... you will find many many posts about this. Enjoy!

 

Try Ebay

 

I have a Helix Short shifter installed on my 04 Cooper. Erik at Helix did a great job installing the shifter. I think the factory shifting action was very sloppy and rubbery. The short shifter did shorten the throws of the shifter but it also made mine a little sticky. I thought this would loosen up over time but it hasn't. At slow speeds or while stopped it can be tough to get car in gear. However once up to speed or driving aggresively the shifter action is very nice. I will not go back to factory but I do wish the shifter had a smoother more precise action. Anyone else have similar results?

 

Well, finally after months my short shifter is installed. Its a lot better than stock.

 

i also did the helix about 3months ago.
the best mod. i've done of many.
doug

 

i've not had the opportunity to test anyone's SS kit. but i'm waiting for the UUC kit to come out. they've got one of the best reps around and it's going to be a whole replacement unit like B&M/Alta. i'd get the Helix in a heartbeat if i could keep the dust shield intact, just personal preference. i feel like the extension rod kits (Helix, Rogue, MiniMania, etc.) put too much stress on the tranny linkage, and the loss of the dust cover will not be good in the long run. anyone wanna prove me wrong, please do, because i'll save a lot of money and just get the Helix kit if you do.

 

I installed the B&M SS a few months ago- and think it's pretty awesome. The install is a little involved- but well worth it. If you plan on doing the work yourself - there are a bunch of install tips floating around on NAM and various other sites.

I did a write up of my install experience on my site if your interested.

I think there are a lot of good kits out there- I prefer the kind that replace the entire shift lever- just seems more solid to me- though I haven't heard anything negative about the kits that extend the lower portion of the lever either. I think it comes down to personal preference and budget.

Either way- the shorter, tighter shifting is an amazing night and day difference - and it's a mod that you can enjoy every time you drive the car- on or off the track-

-S

 

agreed

i just got my pilo ss kit installed and the difference is so night and day it's almost scary...

i like the way the shifter feels so tight... but some people also do not prefer losing the shifter's height for it

 

I've heard really good things about the Rouge short shift kit. It keeps your stock shifter and shortens the throw only. And it's about half the price. I think I was told it's about $70 and the shop in town was going to charge only $70 to install!

 

I installed the Alta and it's amazing...but at the end of the day, they all have pretty much the same specs, so it comes down to price and what **** you want to use. I find the alta **** that comes with the kit very nice, (my fiancee hates it) so it's really a matter of taste...oh, and watch out for the white plastic ring

 

My B&M short shifter is infinitely better than the poor excuse for a shifter that the car came with. It'll put a smile on your face instead of a frown.

 

Has anyone actually tried one of the ones from ebay? The last thing I got on ebay for my MINI was an intake that didn't fit.

 

Short shift kits vary-

By price-
Lowest is Helix13
Most expensive is Alta

By height of the shift ****-
Stock height- try Helix13
B&M about 27% reduction in height
Rogue is 20% reduction

By which **** can fit-
Helix13, B&M, Pilo and similar designs use the stock **** or aftermarket
Alta doesn't take the stock ****, only aftermarket *****

By adjustability-variable height
Only Alta gives you a range of **** heights 1-40% reduction

Some come with replacement *****-
Alta, B&M and similar
Helix13 does not.

I have used the B&M and the Helix13 and I like the cheaper Helix13 better.
It's simple and it works.

 

b&m. well made, great mod, makes driving even more enjoyable and precise. it seems that bmw has taken notice; the 2005 comes with a shorter shifting range.....

 

Any MC drivers out there do the helix or rouge? For $100 extra, I'll keep my stock shift height and just get a MOMO ****, if the helix or rouge work well with the MC.

 

I installed the Alta unit. I chose it for the black color and the fact that it was adjustable. I ended up installing it at its shortest dimension (lowest deviation from normal). I used a Dremel Moto Tool to eliminate the interior ribs in the vicinity where the shifter end swings its arc. This allowed me to re-install the stock dust cover (Alta provides no spacer for this).

The install took about two (2) hours, mainly because it was the first time I had worked under my MINI and it took some experimenting to get it up onto two front ramps and to jack the rear onto jack stands. Also, the shift box is 99% plastic and I was very concerned about breaking stuff so I went really slow. Removing and re-installing the ends of the shift linkage cables was the most problematic part of the operation, removing and replacing the bearing / bushing at the main lever handle was the second most problematic.

I liked the Alta **** but ultimately went for a MOMO black leather **** because it did not get so hot in the summer. The unit works well and I am happy with the feel, the ease of operation, and the look.

K. F. Duke

 

I'm another Alta guy... I recently drove another MCS without a shifter on it, and I couldnt even tell if I was in gear or not because I am so used to the feel of this one. I have a decent list of mods and this one comes in near the top of my favorites.

 

How is getting it into Rev on the 6MT with the short shifters? tough? super tough? not really?



On my other car I use a weighted **** on a shortshifter (kartboy) and it
feels real good. I ordered my Whalen shift **** earlier this week (out of
stock, should have it in about a week :smile: ) so I might try the Helix
shortshifter down the road. Basically I don't want the shifter any shorter
than what it is now.

 

I installed a Whalen Shift Machine a few months back. I felt it provided a smoother feel to the shift process. Shifting felt a bit smoother, less "sticky" or "notchy", as others have said.

Then I had the Helix SS installed. Randy said it was the only option for me, since I had the Whalen and I did *not* want the shift **** to drop lower in the car. That's my personal preference.

I really like the Helix SS/Whalen combination. Shift **** height is stock, but the throw is shorter, and it still feels smoother with the Whalen than stock.

###

On another note, I've asked Doug Whalen if he could make a Whalen Shift Machine that was as big as, or a bit bigger than, stock. I miss the size of the stock shift **** (the Whalen is a bit smaller).

It sounds like with Doug's new lathe, he *might* be able to lathe that size of a shift ball, but he's been too busy of late to try. Here's hoping that someday he'll be able to do that. To me, that would be the coolest -- a Whalen shift machine that is the same size (or a bit bigger) as the stock ****.

 

I met "LordOfTheFlies" at MOT2004 and was impressed by his Helix short shifter. It gave the shift a nice feel but did not lower the height.
However, when I ordered the part and read the instructions I was very concerned that you are removing and discarding a dust/water shield - I feel that if MINI spent the money to put it there, it is probably needed. So I returned the Helix part (compliments to Helix for the easy return policy, just cost me shipping both ways in the end).

A friend had the B&M(?) short shift fitted at MINI Peabody while I was there, so I tried that one. I did not like the much lower height, and it was very stiff to shift. A lot of install work too ...

So I have stayed with the stock shifter, and just got the Whalen to make everything feel nicer.

I really think that Helix should have downloadable install instructions, to clarify exactly what you are changing on the MINI when their low cost part is installed ...

 

So which SS kits require the removal of the dust cover? I don't like the fact of driving around with the bottom of my shift box open. I want to keep my stock/Whalen **** as well.

 

Im not too fond of that set screw on the Helix either.... wat if it comes
loose? Such a pita to get the exhaust off and the heatsheild ,etc. just
to retighten. Probably need to buy a new exhaust gasket each time.

I think I might just stay with the Whalen shift **** and factory lever.
I can't wait to get my shiftknob.

 

For what it's worth, I said the same thing to Randy in person as he was changing my exhaust and installing the Helix SS. But Randy wasn't concerned, so I didn't let myself get concerned.

It is indeed slightly disconcerting when your plastic dust cover and rubber trim are lying in a broken heap on the shop floor, but Randy's very conservative, so I felt that if it's ok with him, it's ok with me.

 

To my knowledge, only the Helix does this. It achieves a short shift by extending the under part of the shift lever, so requires discarding of the cover. The other manufacturers achieve short shift by shortening the top part (in the car).

In Helix defence, the exhaust heat shield covers the same area and looks like it would do a reasonable job of protecting the area - but I still can't believe the dust cover was added if it was not needed.
My big concern would be dust or water getting into the shifter cables and making its way to the transmission