First I would like to say that I have just became part of the MINI community on October 20, 2006 (sort of like a birthday present to myself). I have always liked how the MINI Cooper looked, and would love to read on magazines how they perform. After much waiting, I decided to buy my first MINI...2006 MINI Cooper S w/ JCW GP kit (my mom always taught be to be the best I can be, so why not buy the best). My vehicle number is 1216.

I love the car...its looks and its performance are better then most. My concern is the shifter. I would like to get a short throw shifter for the vehicle, without greatly changing the height of the shift ****...any ideas? I want to keep the car as close to stock as possible. Any modifications done must be 100% reversible. I have read several threads about changing on other models, but is it similar to the GP? Thanks guys.

 

Most easily reversible are the "extension" style kits from Helix, Mini Mania, Rogue and others. $60-70 plus 1.5 hours to install. No change to height of the shifter.

 

First and foremost, Congrats on the new GP! You've had it for three days, so where are the pics??

Now about the short shifter, I don't know for sure, but assuming the shifter in the GP is the same as the other cars, our Short Throw Shifter should work just fine. It will reduce the throw, while keeping the stock height of the shifter so you don't have to reach down to grab the shifter.

For more info on that and some of our other products, just go to www.helix13.com.

Enjoy the new car and drive safe,
Alex

 

I also have just picked up my GP and would be interested in a short shifter that would have the shifter height similar if not taller than stock. My question is do any of the complete shifter systems (Cravenspeed, Alta, B&M) address the sloppy gates. I'm sure that I am not used to the car at this point but sometimes I'll end up downshifting when the intention was to upshift. I would not think that any of the systems that are just addressing throw by lengthening the fulcrum would address this. Thanks Steve

 

A custom GP Whalen **** might also help. No change to shifter height, self-install in minutes, and the added weight makes for more confident shifting.

 

I second that. I drove a car with an Alta short shifter and it was a piece of junk. Short shift kits make it harder to shift, not quicker. That Whalen **** will definitely help. Don't ruin your car.

 

And here I thought the shifting on my GP was just fine! Well, my point of reference is my '05 MCS. I guess it depends on what you want to "fix" ... Best advice from anybody is to "take your time" (don't be in a rush) on any mods!

 

i vote for the Helix.

ive had it about a year now, and put about 40K kms on with it, and love it

 

Which is identical to the GP in this department.

 

The Whalen does raise the height over stock and lengthen the throw. This is why most refer to it as "smoother," not the weight. It take less effort to shift, but throw is longer.

 

That's because you used the Alta which makes the throw shorter by making the shaft of the shifter shorter. I chose the B&M one because it makes the throws shorter while keeping the height of the shaft stock height. The Helix one does that as well I believe. What ever you do, don't change the height of the shifter, unless you are going to makethe shaft taller which is better for track/auto-x. A heavier shift **** really helps also. Whalen is around 18oz and that seems to be the magic #.

 

For street use, taller than stock height **** placement has been very good for me.

 

Yes, our shift **** keeps the height of the stock shifter, but shortens the actual throws. I like this approach because I don't want to have to reach down by my right knee in order to shift my car into another gear.

 

You can get the best of both worlds by using a SSK like the Helix and raising the height of the shift ****. You still end up with a shorter throw, but the **** is even closer to the wheel.

 

I just installed my B&M short throw shifter and whalen ****. I absolutely LOVE IT! as stated before, the B&M keeps the stock height while still making the throws shorter. But it will most likely have interferance issues with the JCW exhaust because the lower part of the shifter is longer. (thats how the throw is shortened and still keeps stock height) I think the lower dust plate on the shifter box will hit against the JCW exhaust resonator. Im not 100% sure, you might want to check into it.

However...i do recomend getting a whalen shift ****! Yes they are expensive, but they are AWESOME!!! The added weight helps a LOT. The thing is like a tiny cannon ball. The reason the added weight helps is because the short shifter extends down further then the stock shaft, which pushes the shift cables down at an angle to meet the cable joints. This bending of the cables makes the shifter slightly more stiff than stock (because they are no longer straight). So the added weight of the whalen **** helps push it around easier and gets rid of some of the notchiness. It also feels ALOT more solid, i think the stock shift **** feels very cheap and light, almost like a plastic egg. I did not like the stock **** at all.

Here is a link to the pics after my install.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=83209

No matter which shifter you pick, get a Whalen shift ****, you will LOVE IT!

 

I'm sorry, that's the wrong answer, but thanks for playing. Bob, tell him about our fabulous consolation prizes.

 

 

We've got another round of contestants ready to play, so if you could just move off to the side now, that would be great. Thanks so much. Buh bye.

 

HUMMMMM very interesting thread, as I am trying to decide if I will do this mod or not.
Has anyone information about the Ultrik short shifter kit from MINI Mania?

http://new.minimania.com/web/AddedFr.../InvDetail.cfm

I believe it has a shorter throw, and the height remains the same, even higher with a longer ****.

Randy Webb also has a beautiful looking kit :

http://store.webbmotorsports.com/ind...&products_id=2

He also sells the B&M kit.

- anyone out there have practical experience in using either of those?

 

Why buy a GP if your going to mod doesn't that make the car worth less. i guess i just don't get it.

 

Hey XAlfa,

Does the Helix kit work with a crappy exhaust? I am considering a SSK for my '06 MCS JCW, but don't want to modify the jcw exhaust to fit a different linkage, nor would I prefer a higher shift ****. (I don't auto-x, and tall shift heights remind me of driving around in a Toyota pick-up truck--not the feel I'm looking for in my MCS.) I haven't explored how the OEM ****/linkage actually works... so at this point I don't understand people's statements regarding raised height because of a Whalen ****.

 

Firstly, I don't own a GP, but I think I can answer this question. Some folks don't buy cars as investments. I bought my MCS JCW to suit my selfish needs during the years that I will use it.

 

I completely agreee. This is why I requested a 100% reversible solution...when selling, all originals will be brought back in, therefore having nothing changed in the car.

 

Was it difficult to remove the stock shift **** to install the Whalen Shift **** and where can I get one (recommended retailer)? You said it's customized...so does that mean I can add or delete any image or text on the shift ****?

 

I have owned 17 Minis and 2 MINIS now. I LOVE to personalize them. It has been the rare car that I have not done anything to. All the changes I will be doing to the GP are reversable, so it could be de-contented of all my custom stuff and returned to as-built condition relatively easily.

For me, this sort of individualization is great fun and greatly enhances the ownership and driving experience.

Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about:

FYI - my cars always won prizes at MINI meets, both for show and for go!
Have fun with the car! It loves it, too!