Shortening Shifter length???

[peng155]

Question....

I was looking at the MSA short throw shifter Kit.... Not only was I hoping to shorten the throw, but also I wanted to shorten the shifter length above the center console by about an inch.

The MAS kit only shortens the throw, and the length remains the same... Does anyone know if it's possible, and how to go about shorten the length of the shifter??

Thanks

[hls30.com]

Of corse it is, cut off the excess from the knob end and re-thread...but you will also have to turn down the area to be threaded to the proper size before threading it.

Will

[Virto]

Make sure you have a surplus shifter lever before you cut yours down. The levers in these cars are pretty long, and cutting it SHOULDN'T cause any problems, but shifter cutting is pretty common in the ricer circles, and can really throw of the balance of a shift lever, making shifts heavier or more difficult.

I just wouldn't cut up your only shift level on the off chance that you'll be unhappy with the result.

[rztmartini]

what if you just got a heavy shift knob to compensate for the removed mass??

my 2cents...

[hls30.com]

I don't think the mass removed is the problem, I think it maybe the loss of leverage. "Give me a proper pivot and a long enough lever and I'll move the word", shorten the lever and I'll just try!

Will

[rztmartini]

ah. i can see clearly now...so in order to solve that would be to start visiting the gym

[jmortensen]

You'd have to be some kind of super-wussy to have trouble with the effort required to shift a Z with a cut down shifter. I've got mine shortened and I'm using the 4 speed shifter in a 5 speed, so the length between the pivot and the end is longer, meaning even less leverage. My wife shifted our Z while autoxing and she's a whopping ~140 lbs.

I'd be much more concerned about getting power steering than getting a heavy shift knob if you're that weak anyway. Sorry if this came off too harsh, but shifting effort should be the least of anyone's worries, and if it's not that person shouldn't be driving an old Z car.

[rztmartini]

haha well i wouldnt know...just trying to offer solutions to posted problems. haha i didnt think that it made that little of a diffrence.

[toecutter]

I've taken an inch off mine. (done it in all the Z's I've owned over the years), No problemo shifting, and does'nt look like I'm driving a bus any more too:) !