Looking to purchase either of these to go with my new Whalen ****

I've read that the Helix reduces throw by 37% while the NM reduces the throw by 20%. I've also read that with either of these options you can't use the OEM dust cover. Seeing as how they both work on the principle of extending your factory shift lever, am I correct in assuming that the Helix is longer? Ideally I'd like to modify the dust cover to fit so less of a change in length would definitely make things easier for me. But at the same time, less of a change in length means less of a reduction in throw if I'm correct, and thats the whole point of buying one in the first place

Any opinions on which is the better option? For those who are running theirs without the dust cover have you had any issues? I'd rather not pay $90 for the NM cover if I don't need to. Will I necessarily have a more difficult time trying to make one work than the other, or will I be without a dust cover with either option? If thats the case I might as well go with the one that reduces throw the most.

 

Andy
I happen to have the Helix and it has served me very well. I would be surprised if they were not the same amount of shift reduction. Don't believe everything that you read on the internet. You are correct that the length would determine the amount of reduction. A simple phone call to each vendor would probably answer that question.
I have read that the NM has two set screws where the Helix only has one. Be sure to use blue locktite on the install.
You are correct that your stock dustcover will not fit without alteration. That cover can also be a little trickey to get off in one piece. I made a little tool to release the clips and then slid a zip tie under each one so they would not reclip. The stock heat sheild will keep that area pretty clean if you do not want to re install the cover. Below is a link to someone who created their own cover extension and will work fine depending on your exhaust system.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...shift-kit.html
Good luck with the install, Steve

 

Thanks for that link! That diy box is exactly the type of thing I'd be looking to do. I found this Ultrik kit, it says that it reduces the throw by 20% and even includes a new dust cover, all for the price of the NM alone. If thats the case, its exactly what I'm looking for. Anyone have any experience with it?

http://new.minimania.com/article/182...n_Instructions

 

I would wait for the twm performance one ... it will come with a new dust cover and reduces the shift throw by a lot (i dont have actual numbers)
I am currently testing their product,and have been for over 3months now, and it works great.

The actual product should be coming out very soon

 

My experienced with ultrik ss kit was excellent.
Too bad i have to removed mine due to 03 to 05 swapped shifter.
When I buy it will be either Helix or the same Ultrik made for 05 shifter on my 03 MCS.
Selling my 03 ultrik in the marketplace.

 

If it's out before spring, I might be interested I've been looking around a bit for a short shifter, but it seems that most of them have mixed opinions. I pretty much heard only good things about the B&M, but they don't make it anymore... *******s Sucks tho, because I had one in my Sunfire and I loved it. There is a much bigger market now than in the first years on the new gen Mini, at least, from my point of view. So it's a bummer that they've started doing them so early and now we can't get them anymore.