This has been on my mind for days. Could I just cut about 2 inches off of my factory shifter? I don't think it would work as well as a Stillen/Pacesetter STS but I would think this would have to reduce the throw distance somewhat and I also don't think it would put a stress on the synchros like the STS's sold by Stillen/Pacesetter. But at the same time, if it was this simple, I think somebody else would have done this by now.

I feel like I've just poured gas on myself and handed everybody a Zippo. Please be gentle.

 

Not the same.

 

I know its not the same. But would it be an improvement?

 

Depends. If you like ultra hard throws from cutting the shifter, go ahead

 

I thought about that so for the past few days I've been grabbing the rod instead of the **** to shift and it doesn't seem too bad. (No crude references please ) Has anybody been brave/stupid enopugh to try this?

 

Same shift positions + less leverage = more effort

 

I'm fine with that as long as the wear and tear is on my arm and not the synchros. But I'd be upset if I had to put in more effort and my shifts took longer because of the extra amount of effort required.

 

i did this, so has a lot of people, yea the throws become a little stiffer, but honestly, i think it feels 100 times better, the throws are a little shorter, not as much as a short throw, but much shorter, much notchier, is what i like. i say do it, plus it looks 100 times better.

 

I kindof agree with you. I drove a friend's Max with an STS. I didn't like it at all. It made the throws shorter, but also aggravated/sensitised their feel. I felt like I was grunching into all the gears. Gave me concern about the synchros, too. Didn't like that at all.

What you may want to try is getting a Mazda Miata style aftermarket shift ****, like this one;

http://www.rspeed.net/miata/item.asp...0&prod=531-103

I have that and it made the throws a little bit shorter b/c the stock shift **** is so tall. No cutting or nothing. Just screw it on. Then, if you still need to cut, this know and a cut shifter will preety much be like an STS.

DW

 

It's a little more effort but not as badn potentially as, say, pacesetter where you can cut throws down AND shorten the rod length in doing so.

2" is about right. However, there is just something not entirely satisfying about cutting your rod down. For one thing, you are limiting yourself to universal ***** that attach usually via 3 small set screws. They always manage to wiggle loose at the most in-opportune time (ie. while driving), and a little more than you like (ie. every 2-3 days!) Screw down ***** just feel more connected.

Pacesetter is relatively cheap for the joy in shifting it will give you. The pain is just the install, especially if you have an older, rusty car.

Do the cut down only if there is no way you want the pacesetter/stillen but you want the stick shorter.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dwapenyi
[B]I kindof agree with you. I drove a friend's Max with an STS. I didn't like it at all. It made the throws shorter, but also aggravated/sensitised their feel. I felt like I was grunching into all the gears. Gave me concern about the synchros, too. Didn't like that at all.

What you may want to try is getting a Mazda Miata style aftermarket shift ****, like this one;

http://www.rspeed.net/miata/item.asp...0&prod=531-103

I have that and it made the throws a little bit shorter b/c the stock shift **** is so tall. No cutting or nothing. Just screw it on. Then, if you still need to cut, this know and a cut shifter will preety much be like an STS.

DW[QUOTE]

Thanks, but it's too late for that. My gf got me a big tall Momo **** for my b-day and she'd kill me if I took it off. I think it was pretty expensive. Good idea though!

 

Cutting the shifter isn't too bad for the syncros, assuming you don't cut too low. 2" might be a bit too much. I cut 1.25" from my stock shifter before getting my Pacesetter. The cut shifter with a aftermarket **** reduced the throws ~25%. The height looked good and the shifter was happy to go into any gear. With the Pacesetter, set at nearly the same height (50%), has throws are over 40% shorter than stock and the system has a riffle-bolt action-like feel. The STS also has a bit more vibration than the stock shifter. Overall, I like the STS a bit more simply because of the feel. Going any lower than 50% makes the STS feel like crap. It gets really tight and resists going into gears. You can feel it binding.


Dave

 

you dont shorten the throw by cutting the stock shifter.........just makes the stick itself shorter, but the throw remains the same....... the only way to make your throws shorter is with an sts

 

I'd like to thank everyone for their replies. I think I'm just going to cut it down a little now and then get a Pacesetter/RT Cat/B-pipe and install it all at the same time to make it easy. Well, easier anyway.

 

Is your current MOMO know a screw-on type or set-screw type?

 

Set-screw type. Put it on in July and no problems since.

 

Not exactly...... It does shorten the throw since it shortens the shifter. Think of it this way. If you extended your shifter by a foot, you'd have a really long throw between gears, so the same goes when cutting the shifter. Exending the shifter would make throws easier but longer, shortening shifter makes shifts shorter but harder. An sts keeps the longer leverage with the short throws. In a way, its like having the best of both worlds, but its sort of like using a stock shifter twice as fast with twice as much force. Ofcourse it's going to put more wear and tear on the synchros. Don't get me wrong, a cut shifter and a sts work different when it comes down to the mechanics.

Personally I have a cut shifter on mine, and am pretty satisfied with it. Its cut about 1.5-2 inches. Shifts are much shorter, slightly stiffer, but not notchy like an sts (depending on the level it is set). If every .1 sec matters to you on shifts, by all means get an sts, but go easy on the tranny.