MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 20:25

Title: Short Shifter - Advice needed.
Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 20:25
I'm going to bid on this:

(http://i8.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/d2/ag/78_1_b.JPG) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7977371164&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1)
Click on the photo for the listing

I know that there is only one photo, but what do you think? Too cheap, or can it be a good deal?
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Post by: kanujunkie on June 6, 2005, 20:27
is that the one from monster, the company in Oz?
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 20:28
I don't know. Would that be a good or a bad thing?
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Post by: kanujunkie on June 6, 2005, 20:31
Quote from: "so.simple"I don't know. Would that be a good or a bad thing?

neither i was talking to them recently and they sent me that same picture, i know that some on here have tried this kit and i've never heard any complaints, if that helps  s:? :? s:?
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Post by: Tem on June 6, 2005, 20:33
Metal is metal, go for it, I'm sure it's great value for money!  s8) 8) s8)
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 20:34
It helps. It seems to be exactly the same as the ones Che sells on Spyderchat for 50$ and this other one sold recently on Ebay:

(http://i24.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/36/05/c9_1_b.JPG) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7977685417&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1)
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 20:36
 s:D :D s:D   Thanks for the help, Stu and Teemu!

Is there anything else you guys would recomend for the shifter? I think I've read something about some "metal gear linkage bushes"?
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Post by: Tem on June 6, 2005, 20:37
Even if the stick would be crap, those metal bushes are worth the price  s8) 8) s8)
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 21:06
EDIT: I removed this post, because it served no purpose.
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Post by: kanujunkie on June 6, 2005, 21:44
Quote from: "GSB"Thats auctions for you Carlos... Highest bidder and all that. It may not be considered as gentlemanly conduct for any of the membership to bid on this item now you've said you're bidding on it

Bun Fight!!!!!!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:    s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 21:46
Grant, I had already removed my first original post before you answered, but my opinion remains the same. If we are all members of the club, I think it's pointless to be fighting each other on eBay. Hence my offer to refrain from bidding.
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Post by: Peter Wright on June 6, 2005, 21:46
All sorted in a Gentlemanly like manner by PM
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Post by: kanujunkie on June 6, 2005, 21:46
hang on a minute, mods deleting posts or something???  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
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Post by: GSB on June 6, 2005, 21:48
Quote from: "kanujunkie"hang on a minute, mods deleting posts or something???  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

Yes, the performance moderator (me) deleted his own post... The subject I was replying to was removed before my reply was posted, and hence had no context... So I deleted it.
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 21:48
What a confusion.  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  Here's another one for those of you that are interested:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36680&item=7979133510&rd=1

This seller always has one for sale.
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Post by: roger on June 6, 2005, 21:50
Quote from: "so.simple"Is there anything else you guys would recomend for the shifter? I think I've read something about some "metal gear linkage bushes"?

Back to business: These?
 m http://www.twosrus.com/new/Lower_Frames ... shings.htm (http://www.twosrus.com/new/Lower_Frames/Products/Purchased/shiftbushings.htm) m

Might be beneficial for your 2000, especially if original rubbers are wearing. I put them on my 2004 with the short shift and taken them off again. Took away a bit of "feel" I thought.
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 21:54
Quote from: "roger"(...)These?
 m http://www.twosrus.com/new/Lower_Frames ... shings.htm (http://www.twosrus.com/new/Lower_Frames/Products/Purchased/shiftbushings.htm) m

  s8) 8) s8)  Those. Thanks!
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 22:29
Outbid at the final second... Oh well...   s:roll: :roll: s:roll:   I'll be bidding on the next one. Feel free to bid as well.

Quote from: "roger"(...)I put them on my 2004 with the short shift and taken them off again. Took away a bit of "feel" I thought.
Want to sell yours?
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Post by: Anonymous on June 6, 2005, 22:43
Before you bid on the shifting kit, why don't you do some research on whether or not people that have made the change are pleased with the results.  One of the issues I've read about is increased shift forces and knotchiness - which would stand to reason considering the shorter mechanical leverage with higher mechanical efforts.  Knotchiness is from the more direct connection with the gearbox.  If you're planning to use the car as a daily ride, you may decide not to make the change.
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Post by: so.simple on June 6, 2005, 22:50
Thanks for the advice.   s:) :) s:)
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Post by: Anonymous on June 7, 2005, 09:35
I bought Che's shortshift and the result is perfect! Take 2 weeks to have correctly in hand! I love it!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
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Post by: roger on June 7, 2005, 12:18
Quote from: "so.simple"
Quote from: "roger"(...)I put them on my 2004 with the short shift and taken them off again. Took away a bit of "feel" I thought.
Want to sell yours?

TBH they are cheap so selling 2nd hand will get me next to nothing.

I reckon I'll keep them in the bits and pieces box just in case they come in handy a couple of years down the line. Sorry Carlos.
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Post by: so.simple on June 7, 2005, 12:22
Quote from: "roger"(...)I'll keep them in the bits and pieces box just in case(...) Sorry Carlos.
s:D :D s:D  Oh, don't worry. I just thought you wouldn't be usinng them. I can get them easily.   s8) 8) s8)
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Post by: Anonymous on December 18, 2005, 21:11
So, having read this post can anybody tell me if a short shifter is worth having or not?

Are there different sorts, ie really really shorter than stock or just a fraction shorter than stock? If so which is best?
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Post by: mg on December 18, 2005, 22:57
Quote from: "DavidM"So, having read this post can anybody tell me if a short shifter is worth having or not?

It really depends on what effect you are looking for.  The basic change is to shorten the throw.  If you add the metal bushes, it will reduce the lateral 'play'.  The shifter I put in was the B&M kit which came with everything, shifter, metal bushes, grease, plastic ball sockets and new metal clip thingy to hold it together.

Unless you get the TRD kit, all (AFAIK) will translate the shift pattern to the left as the stock shifter has a 's' bend to centre the pattern.

Is it worth it?  From my own experience, I like it.  It does take getting used to and you will probably shift like a granny for the first week.  Try a 3 point turn on a busy street the second day you have it installed!  As was noted above, you have to exert more force to engage the gears (esp. reverse).  This may have been my car as it only had about 1000 miles when I installed it.  It has since become much easier.  I like the shorter throw and the more direct 'notchier' feel.  As was noted by another poster on another thread, once you drive around with a short shift kit for a while, when you step into a car with a 'normal' shifter it really does feel like you are stirring a bowl of porridge.

So if you are a weak girly-man with exceptionally short arms, don't bother.   s:D :D s:D   Just kidding!  The wife has gotten used to it and she is small, although she has to use both hands to engage reverse gear!
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Post by: mg on December 19, 2005, 00:36
Quote from: "roger"I put them on my 2004 with the short shift and taken them off again. Took away a bit of "feel" I thought.

Can you explain what you mean?  I would have thought the rubber bushings would isolate the 'feel' more than a solid brass ones?
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Post by: Ernie Ball on December 19, 2005, 00:41
Are all TRD short shifters worldwide the same or are there separate ones for RHD and LHD cars?
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Post by: kanujunkie on December 19, 2005, 04:33
Quote from: "mg"
Quote from: "roger"I put them on my 2004 with the short shift and taken them off again. Took away a bit of "feel" I thought.

Can you explain what you mean?  I would have thought the rubber bushings would isolate the 'feel' more than a solid brass ones?

Mike, this is a matter of personal opinion. The rubber bushes allow a small bit of give when entering a gear, you dont have to get the position exactly right and i beleive Roger's trying to say that this is his personal preference on setup, the brass bushes can create a very harsh feel in gear changes, especially when cold and this creates a feeling that the gears are more mechanically placed rather than felt for the position. Not an easy thing to explain this and if you do this mod then you may find it hard to drive at first, even a few mm out of place and you wont be able to enter a gear, but with time and practice the gears move more precisely and i've personally found that feeling return. On a cold morning though it's still a bastard to enter 1st gear
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 09:42
Thanks Stu, that is exactly it.

Should add for others, these are the engine end of the gear cable bushes, NOT the ones that come with the short shift kits which are used to raise the gear lever cage off the floor to compensate for the different stick.
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 09:51
Quote from: "DavidM"So, having read this post can anybody tell me if a short shifter is worth having or not?

Are there different sorts, ie really really shorter than stock or just a fraction shorter than stock? If so which is best?

I think its great David. Puts you more at one with the car. As you can see though, they would not be to everybodies taste, and also Stu and I have different ideas about the cable bush mod.

AFAIAA all are the same. TRD  is a whole cage ready fitted, B&M is all the bits excluding the cage, E-bay (or wherever) is usually just the stick and cage bushes. I chose the latter, more on the basis of cost and not being sure if I would like it. However since they don't come with the washer thingy (though Phil now has a supply), and plastic ball covering thingys. The latter are a b*****d to get off, and you HAVE to re-use them. They are not available from MrT, so you can't afford to mess them up!
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 09:53
Quote from: "Ernie Ball"Are all TRD short shifters worldwide the same or are there separate ones for RHD and LHD cars?

I reckon they are the same. Mine came from USA and no questions about the the car. TRD and B&M also don't offer different versions.
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Post by: markiii on December 19, 2005, 09:55
correct they are all teh same.

if anyone wants teh speedsource bsuhings I beleive Liz has an unused set for sale.
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Post by: kanujunkie on December 19, 2005, 10:29
Quote from: "roger"Thanks Stu, that is exactly it.

glad about that, bloody hard to describe this one

Quote from: "roger"As you can see though, they would not be to everybodies taste, and also Stu and I have different ideas about the cable bush mod.

and a few other bits, this is getting wierd Roger, but at the same time goes to prove how different mods and what you want from them can be, you and me must be the ying and yang of ROC Rog
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Post by: philster_d on December 19, 2005, 10:37
It makes the changes feel more like throwing a switch than changing gears.

Subsequently makes the whole car feel sportier, reminiscent of my Tubby (sorry to keep bringing her up)

Philster.
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 10:47
Quote from: "kanujunkie"and a few other bits, this is getting wierd Roger, but at the same time goes to prove how different mods and what you want from them can be,

Must be a sign of my old age   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:  

Quote from: "kanujunkie"you and me must be the ying and yang of ROC Rog

Do you mean Ting-Tong, or is it Tong-Ting   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
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Post by: kanujunkie on December 19, 2005, 10:51
 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
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Post by: Anonymous on December 19, 2005, 10:59
I've been looking on the internet and can find many basic short shifter kits, some quoting 20% less travel and some quoting upto 60% less travel (described as Racing Short Shifter).

Which would be the better?
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 11:01
Quote from: "DavidM"I've been looking on the internet and can find many basic short shifter kits, some quoting 20% less travel and some quoting upto 60% less travel (described as Racing Short Shifter).

Which would be the better?

I am sure the one's we have all got have to be the 60% variety, though I do admit the %s change quite regularly.
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Post by: kanujunkie on December 19, 2005, 11:03
for speed of gear change, the 60% one but thats hardly any movement  s:? :? s:?  that could be an arse to drive with  s:? :? s:?
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 11:08
Quote from: "kanujunkie"for speed of gear change, the 60% one but thats hardly any movement  s:? :? s:?  that could be an arse to drive with  s:? :? s:?

I'm sure ours can't be as low as 20 % though   s:?: :?: s:?:  I'll have to look at the box tonight.

By the way Dave, I bought mine through E-bay for $63 shipped and insured from the States through Marc Shih at  e addicted2Racing@hotmail.com e .

He is a dealer, so not a one off. Just in case you are interested.

<edit> by the way that included a chrome gear-knob - which I didn't use! </edit>
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Post by: kanujunkie on December 19, 2005, 11:10
seem to remember the 25-30% mark  s:? :? s:?  on che's one
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Post by: roger on December 19, 2005, 11:47
Quote from: "kanujunkie"seem to remember the 25-30% mark  s:? :? s:?  on che's one

Just did an e-bay search (including Celica), and it seems there is 20%, 33%, 40-50%, upto 60% - when IMO all the sticks look the same!

Maybe we will have to do a definitive test!
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Post by: mg on December 19, 2005, 13:07
If it helps, I seem to remember that the B&M has a 40% reduction.  All you are really describing is a longer or shorter arc as you get closer/farther to the fulcrum point.

In some ways the TRD kit seems the best of both worlds as it is a whole replacement cage that moves the pivot (fulcrum) point to allow the same length of stick with a shorter throw.  All the other kits I've seen use the existing cage with a shorter stick; hence the increased force required to move the stick.