Transmission swap, shifter or start cutting?

[Wobbles1971]

So I replaced my 4spd with a 5 spd I picked up when I bought this motor. After reading lots of posts about how you can change the shifter and also about how its easier to cut out the console to make fit I thought I would ask a direct question to my scenario. This car is the earlier series, a early 1971, basically a serises 1. The later 5spd is not going to work and the housing for the shifter is different from my early shifter. Heres the tranny as mounted and showing how the shifter matches up underneath.

So Im not matching up by about 2 inches or so like Ive read other people state, what Ive read is that I could bend the shifter to match up but I just dont see how that could actually work because when I jack the tranny up to position there is no room for a bend to happen, the initial thrust of the shaft is rubbing already. Basically what I gather is most people are fine with a different shifter when they install the later transmission into the 72 or later Zs but Im thinking because of my Z being an earlier model that this is not possible and I must cut the console a bit to make fit. Im not even sure what year tranny I got here, it has the dual flangs so Im thinking its a pre 81 tranny, was also wondering why I have 2 outlets here instead of the single reverse lamp switch..

My head hurts, my back hurts, my whole body hurts from climbing underneath the car! Bear with me if this seems like a redundant question, which Im sure it is, but I want to make sure that for my application things are working as intended. I want to make absolutely sure if I need to cut out my console to make this fit, I really dont want to do that if there is a shifter out there that will work. Thanks.

[Mr Camouflage]

A picture paints a thousand words. click here and scroll down till you see them

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24759&page=4

[nwcubsman]

Most of the swaps I have seen have cut the tunnel about 1". Most are really butchered and would be unacceptable to me. I would avoid this if it is possible. If the tunnel is cut and not the console, and you can seal the tunnel (weld up the other rear side of the hole) to make the inner shift boot work, then go for it. It is done all the time and most enthusiasts wouldn't make the change if it looks like garbage.

[hd240z]

When I did my 2/71 5 speed swap I cut 1 inch from the floor tunnel and trimmed the console about 1/2 inch. You can't see the console trimming as it is hidden by the console boot. The boot for the floor tunnel should be changed to the later 72 style boot as it will fit better. In the pics your transmission appears to be missing the smaller dust boot that fits directly on the trany.

I used an offset 79 shift lever on my 83 5 speed, but you appear to have that style lever already. Cutting and welding the shift lever as shown in the older post might be another alternative if you have access to welding equipment.

Good Luck

[geezer]

In the link provided by Mr Camouflage read Post #50, submitted by Jon Mortensen. I am following his lead, which is the best solution in my view. He also posted some great pics a few posts later. I am going with the truck shifter and relocating the pivot point. The amount of metal you need to remove is minimal and will not change the finished appearance other than a stouter shift lever.

[jmortensen]

The lever is actually the same, just really long. You can use the length to get the bend you need, which is nice. Mine was cut down A LOT because it is way too long at full length, and my buddy did a functional but kinda hokey job on getting the threads on the end. He took the shifter to a grinding wheel and turned it down close enough to cut the threads on the end.

If you use the truck shifter you should move the pivot point up a bit. I'd drill a new hole just above the existing pivot hole in the transmission. Reason being the dents on the front and back of the shifter are from the shifter hitting the inside of the hole there in the front and back. Never caused the car not to shift, but it isn't what I would consider to be "right".