While I was redoing Oscar, I installed an Alta short shifter. Before I get into that, I just wanted to say that whoever is making it for Alta is making a quality piece.

It is a fantastic piece and works great.

Now, on to the added bonus....

I don't know about you guys but a lot of times I'll stick the car in neutral at a light. Sometimes in my hurriedness to put it in gear, I'll slide the shifter too far to the left and end up going almost into reverse.

I've noticed that since I installed the shifter, that is no longer a problem. So until Mini comes out with a lockout for reverse, this is a great solution.

Just sayin'.....


Mark

 

have it on my r53 had one on my subie.

great mod for cheap might be my fav

 

I loved it when I had it.

How are you liking that new clutch?

 

The clutch tends to get a lot of chatter taking off from a light. Though I've been driving it for a couple of weeks now, I still can't leave a light without a shudder or chatter from the clutch.


Mark

 

I think the OS is known for being noisy....

 

thats pretty normal, especially if its decently new. Give it a few thousand miles to break in, it will get better. Im assuming its a sportier/race clutch? Engagement point is problably right off the floor, so the "sweet spot" is tiny. When my brother upgraded his clutch his in audi i drove the car for a few days and would shudder/chatter off every stop. I learned to adjust with more throttle and compensation for pedal release speed/pressure etc. You'll learn it. I drove it a few months later (few thousand miles) and it was much better/quieter

good luck!

oh, and i also installed the *** kit (alta short shift), lolz. I like it also. I did leave the dust shield on though however, because i didn't want any floating debris/salt getting up there with our harsh winters. It was pretty clean up there, but some salt residue on the box, so i decided against it. I did trim the ribs though, so i have it at the 2nd position, which is much better than stock. I tried it all the way down and you basically have to muscle it into gears, which is a real nice feeling, but not with the armrest in place and especially not for my daily driving. So a little bit under the 2nd fits in the shield and gives a nice firm throw. Got it used for a good price and i also agree its a nice piece

 

Cravenspeed used to make them but, apparently they pissed them off so Cravenspeed started its own shop and makes basicaly the smae thing. I love my Alta one but, I wish it were easier to adjust. I would readjust it but, 1) I am too lazy and 2) I don't have the time. So I will just deal with it. And if your are nervous about the dust cover being off nm engineering makes a cover to fit a SSK. http://nm-eng.com/images/668855_lg.jpg

 

How complicated of an install is swapping out the old shifter and installing the short shifter? Do you have to pull the exhaust?

 

you have to pull it but its very very easy to pull a stock exhaust.

undo 6 10mm bolts that hold on a 10X10" cross member
undo downpipe clamp
slide off rear hangers and set exhaust on a bucket or something
get another person (optional) to hold tips and slide exhaust back off of front hangers
then i just threw the front on a creeper and rolled her out

 

Actually, I was able to snap the plastic cover back on without any grinding ore replacing of the cover with an aftermarket one.

Mark

 

You must have it all the way up then. Because I have mine all the way down and there is no room.

 

Yeah, mine was all the way down and it was about 1/2" past the bottom of the gearbox cover. Wouldn't have fit. It would if I left it all the way up or half way down.

 

yea i had my friend under the car holding where the cover would be in place while i adjusted the height and see if it would rub. I got it down to just above where it'd be rubbing, which is SLIGHTLY past the 2nd notch. I'd like to ideally go to 2.5 out of 3 down, but i'd have to fab the extended cover

 

I know the owner of the shop that does a lot of their machining of these and the pulleys. I'll let him you like it. He's a car racer and EVERYTHING that comes out of his place is excellent quality.

 

Yes, definitely tell him he did a great job. I’d highly recommend his product.

Mark