mentioned this a couple of times on different threads. Does anyone else feel that a nice all 'stubby' gear stick would be a big aesthetic benefit. Haven't seen a pic of one or anyone mention they've done this though?

It would really help with stereo & greedy access massively in mine anyway. My lever just 'looks' too big with all that leather around the gaitor in the same way as the standard alloys look too small.

What you think? Any pics at all if been done? This one is bugging me now!

hi,not a bad idea but how would you get round the lift reverse problem though?

ive got a nice short one
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/frary1755.freeserve.co.uk/consul004.jpg

Id like to know how it is done also, i think they are a slight bit too long for my liking.

just saw some off

Or go to specialist and pay £100 for 2 hours development and another £10 for labour (sawing)

I can do the sawing bit myself but what about the reverse lift bit, its the right size for the enormous lever how do you shorten the plastic lift bit

you dont use the lift reverse anymore, just get rid of the plastic bit

I think you have to be carfull getting rid of the reverse lift on some models, as it makes 5th more difficult to find...

I dont like the idea of getting rid of the lift reverse, is there no way of shortening that aswell, just cutting it down to the new size of gear lever

Pity Frary didnt explain how he achieved his. Hope he will do mind.

hack saw
becouse mine is 16v there is no lift reverse
{no turbo either}

id be tempted to reduce the length of the gearstick on mine though i dont think im quite as brave as you as to saw it off!

On a different note how did you get the gear gaitor to actually stay up like that?!

Phill

Imagine a short stubby like frary's with a short-shift conversion too

Zak......thats what Im gonna do if I can work out how to do it. Need some techy guys to work out how Im afraid! Would be neat though I reckon.

Barbz did a short-shift kit, I have one fitted but don't know where they can be obtained from now.

And yeah, that would be cool!

Sure I could get hold of a short shift kit.....want to shorten the stick at same time. Does your short shift make much difference? (off topic a little...sorry)

Having had the short-shift a while, you kinda get used to the shorter throw. It's instantly noticeable when I drive a standard coupe that the throw is quite a bit longer. However, the short-shift isn't the very short 'notch' up/down type that you see on rally cars.

I liked the shift on my MX-5. That on a Coupe would be pretty cool.

I jumped back into my Civic Vti the other day and instantly noticed what a sweet, precise gearchange it had compared to the coupe. I'm sure the main problem with the coupe is the poxy cable change, I've had several cars with cable change and all of them have been poor.

Im designing a metal gate for my car which if successful will shorten the gear lever and remove the lift up reverse without making 5th difficult to find.

If its good ill be selling them, it will be fairly expensive though.

It will also get rid of that horrid "loose" feeling you get.

Sounds good....keep us updated

what do you mean akeme? like the fezza's?

Strangely enough Alfa 145s have a rod-change 'box, and the shift quality on my old one was worse than my coupe.

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Sorry, slightly off topic - frary your centre console is . What's the silver part in front of your electric mirror controls? Looks cool - whatever it is!

Yes Joel, i finished the basic template for it today in MDF, just need to fine tune it, 5th gear is the only problem as its very close to 3rd so the seperator has to be quite thin.

how about 6th gear?

The word "plums" comes to mind.

Ross

I would have to get hold of a 6 speed coupe to make a 6 speed template

if the 5 speed comes out well, i would be interested in a 6 speed, if you can do it

There is an expression.

"Your onto plums" which means u arent going to get what you want.

It was a wee joke!!

Ross

its theh ash tray

never heard that one before, maybe because i always get what i want

Lol.

I think its a scottish expression

Ross

.....and getting swiftly back on topic please........

if your prepaired to shorten the shaft whats the prob in shortening the lift up reverse? as thats my plan

Yes i have posed this question too, but no one seemed to know, it is only plastic, so surely it can be shortened too.

i would have thought easy maybe no one has done this yet? best question would be how easy is it the take the gear stick out?

Maybe an idea to buy a 2nd hand one from carl before attempting this? There must be a reason why its not been done.

Ross

"necessity is the mother of invention"

why must there be a reason why its never been done?

Hi
I have the 16VT version so there´s no "lifting" of anything to get into reverse, the gearshift really is way to long, how much do I dare to saw of? Does the nob screw of, ie by turning it repetedly?

I just pulled of the gearnob, it was quite loose, there are no threads or screws...just two groves or indentations along the shaft...I guess you could cut it of and then make new threads....

it can be done did it sunday,1 hour supaglue haksaw = 80mm shorter

Any chance you can do a detailed guide tez123?

prise off nob, cut off top section of the stick then cut the center section out of the plastic part,drill out top section with 14mm drill so it slides over stick. glue together with hard plastic glue, supaglue is not good enough,use a bench grinder to reduce length of bit that stops it moving right keep trying till you get it right,the only thing you need to find is a 20mm by 40mm long spring to push it down then glue nob on with epoxy resin. sounds complicated but once you take it apart it's self explanitory. hope this helps you out.

I bought a steel nob at the local parts store, it is fixed in place with three small screws that tighten against the gear stick, looks great and took 5 minutes....how much do I dare to cut of the stick? It's a 16V, if that makes any differance.....

havent got clue about 16v sorry

sitin your normal driving position and check up and down the stick to see what hieght is best for you to change gear without stretching

tez did you take the stick out of the car or do it all inside?

inside the car