I installed it tonight and it's great. I would like to thank everyone who recommended it. The install is straight forward and wasn't painful. A lift would make it a snap. I only ran in to a tough part when it came time to remove the cover off the bottom of the shifter. Most people have said theirs snapped right off, mine was a pain in the ****. The clips were so tight that I had to make a little crowbar out of a piece of scrap just to pop it off. I have no idea why it had so many clips, 10 in total. I was ready for a fight when it came time to remove the ****. I had heard you have pull like crazy, but one quick, sharp pull and mine came right off. It probably felt sorry for me after the stupid long time the cover took. Everything else went great. I left the cover off and installed it in the middle position. I will try out going shorter tomorrow. If the middle turns out to be my favorite I will put the cover back on (maybe or I might run over it with my lawn mower just to show it who's boss). After my first test drive I would have to say it's outstanding. I can't even describe how much better it feels. I have a Whalen on order and can't wait to install it. The Alta **** is nice but it's a little small. Thanks again to everyone who gave me their opinions, I really appreciate it and if you are considering a short throw shifter I would highly recommend the Alta.:smile:

 

congrats!

You must have a late '04? Those covers are very hard to remove compared to the earlier ones. I have seen the best mechanics just rip them off and dispose of them when installing the Altas. Mine will never go back on for I really see no reason why it should. Don't bother!
Unless you got the newer Alta that accepts the Whalen, then you will have to get the new adapter from Alta to use the Whalen. I personally love the feel of my Alta ****.

 

Mr Whalen is making a threaded **** to fit the Alta with a custom design. I can't wait to see it. He makes beautiful ***** and I hear they feel great. I had heard about the adapter so I called Alta and they said it would be a while. It is also going to raise the **** up between a 1/4" and a 1/2" so that's why I went with the Threaded type.

 

.....aahhh, yes, good choice. Raising the shifter would be a drag.

 

How long did it take for you to install?

 

It took me about two hours. It was the first time I jacked the car and I ran into a snag with the under side cover. I have a 2004 and I guess MINI changed it. The cover used to pop right off and mine had 10 clips that wouldn't give up. I had to stop and make a little tool out of aluminum to pop the clips loose from above. I heard a lot of people just break the cover off when they have my kind. I had a good time and wasn't in a hurry. I could have done it faster but was having fun. The install isn't bad. A few parts were a pain but in the end I thought it was worth it to have done it myself. The Alta shifter is nice and the improvement is major. I just got the Whalen **** but haven't installed it yet. The **** is almost too perfect to use. It should be a great addition to the Alta Shifter.

 

Just had mine installed by a MINI dealer. My initial feel is that the throw is now shorter but much stiffer & heavier than I would expect . I was hoping to have a "Miata" feel.

Ken

 

i have not seen a short shift kit for the 2004's yet but I guess I was not looking hard enough. The short shift kit and rear sway bar are the first two performance type mods I want to do.

 

I believe that Randy Webb just installed an Alta short shift in an '04 at the pulley party in Newport earlier this month. I watched him do it and noted the differences of the '04 compared to the earlier models.

 

Did you have to remove the exhaust?

 

You have to drop the exhaust down and remove a heat sheld but the exhaust doesn't have to be completely removed. Droping the exhaust is easy. I can walk anyone through the install by phone or email if you run in to a problem.

KEN W- I had a Miata and know what you were looking for. The Whalen **** gets it a lot closer to that feel. The Whalen **** is perfectly weighted and helps make the shifts feel smooth and easy. It total fixed the overly stiff feel for me. I can't recommend the Whalen **** enough. It is a perfect complement to the Alta Shifter. The **** that came with the kit was ok but I would have to say as much as I thought the shifter helped things , the Whalen **** made the same amount of improvement again. Doug Whalen is great to work with too. He email me a bunch and helped me pick a great design and finish. The **** is the nicest part of the interior now.