Crazy Shifter Mod

[benmunger]

1. how high were you able to raise it without relocating the shifter cables?
2. how high were you able to raise it without modding the boot ring?
3. did you have to buy a longer bolt OR just slip the washers in under the OEM bolts?

[chenslee_cheese]

Finally. Some decent questions that aren't "Why wud you does thats?".

1: The shifter cables are like heavy duty bicycle brake cables, and they DO NOT STRETCH. They pass through grommets in the floor and can be slid in and out. When the shifter base got moved up, I was able to pull a little slack, but not quite enough to get a full inch of extra base height. The fourth picture in the original post shows the location of a cable guide bracket that I removed from the car's frame that allowed the additional slack I needed.

2. I did modify the boot ring...Infact, I cut the crap out of it. If you knew what you were looking for, you could tell the difference from the top, but otherwise it looks the same on the outside. There is a pic of it in later in this thread.

3. Yes, I used longer bolts and washers for 5/16" screws. I counted out enough washers to make a 1" stack and glued them together. I measured the stock bolts, added and inch to that, converted to metric and found some new 8mm bolts that were approximately the length I needed.

I think that if you went somewhere between 3/4" and 7/8" tall of washers, you may not need to remove the cable bracket or cut your boot.

I currently have some custom made spacers on order to replace the washers and the shift base rubber bushings.

Thanks for asking!!

[benmunger]

Oh, question number four....

4. Why wud you does thats?

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

Finally. Some decent questions that aren't "Why wud you does thats?".

1: The shifter cables are like heavy duty bicycle brake cables, and they DO NOT STRETCH. They pass through grommets in the floor and can be slid in and out. When the shifter base got moved up, I was able to pull a little slack, but not quite enough to get a full inch of extra base height. The fourth picture in the original post shows the location of a cable guide bracket that I removed from the car's frame that allowed the additional slack I needed.

2. I did modify the boot ring...Infact, I cut the crap out of it. If you knew what you were looking for, you could tell the difference from the top, but otherwise it looks the same on the outside. There is a pic of it in later in this thread.

3. Yes, I used longer bolts and washers for 5/16" screws. I counted out enough washers to make a 1" stack and glued them together. I measured the stock bolts, added and inch to that, converted to metric and found some new 8mm bolts that were approximately the length I needed.

I think that if you went somewhere between 3/4" and 7/8" tall of washers, you may not need to remove the cable bracket or cut your boot.

I currently have some custom made spacers on order to replace the washers and the shift base rubber bushings.

Thanks for asking!!

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

Finally. Some decent questions that aren't "Why wud you does thats?".

1: The shifter cables are like heavy duty bicycle brake cables, and they DO NOT STRETCH. They pass through grommets in the floor and can be slid in and out. When the shifter base got moved up, I was able to pull a little slack, but not quite enough to get a full inch of extra base height. The fourth picture in the original post shows the location of a cable guide bracket that I removed from the car's frame that allowed the additional slack I needed.

2. I did modify the boot ring...Infact, I cut the crap out of it. If you knew what you were looking for, you could tell the difference from the top, but otherwise it looks the same on the outside. There is a pic of it in later in this thread.

3. Yes, I used longer bolts and washers for 5/16" screws. I counted out enough washers to make a 1" stack and glued them together. I measured the stock bolts, added and inch to that, converted to metric and found some new 8mm bolts that were approximately the length I needed.

I think that if you went somewhere between 3/4" and 7/8" tall of washers, you may not need to remove the cable bracket or cut your boot.

I currently have some custom made spacers on order to replace the washers and the shift base rubber bushings.

Thanks for asking!!

yeh i know they dont strech... you just take the slack out.

Ok so you think 3/4 inch if i dont want to move the cable bracket or cut the boot.
how about buy bolts? Do you remember how long the OEM bolts were? how high to you think the OEM bolts will get me if i just screw it down 4 teeth on the bolt and use thread lock?

[chenslee_cheese]

With the stock bolts you are only going to get about 1/8" of lift. When threading a bolt into a hole, you ideally want at least a bolt diameter's thread engagement length, ESPECIALLY in aluminum.

Sorry man, I have no idea how long the stock bolts were, or how long the ones I put in were. I have them in my toolbox at home, I can check.

As for bolts, you get 8mm bolts from your local hardware store or from McMaster Carr's website. you want some black oxide coated, M8x1.25 socket head cap screws of the correct mm length. (the 1.25 is the mm's per thread, not the length).

It would be best if you had a selection of lengths so that you could stack washers until you ran out of boot ring or slack.

I can't say enough how much I have enjoyed this mod. The shifter position felt immediately right and I have completely gotten used to it.

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

Sorry man, I have no idea how long the stock bolts were, or how long the ones I put in were. I have them in my toolbox at home, I can check.

so did you get a chance to check on that length? stock ones? ones you bought?

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by benmunger

so did you get a chance to check on that length? stock ones? ones you bought?

I looked it up online... Stock ones are 35mm long. I guess ill just buy 45, 50, 55 and 60

Thanks again... ill let you know how it goes.

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by benmunger

I looked it up online... Stock ones are 35mm long. I guess ill just buy 45, 50, 55 and 60

Thanks again... ill let you know how it goes.

Im just going to get the 50mm which is 1" longer then stock. ill place washers above or below the rubber gromit to adjust the hight up and down.

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by benmunger

Im just going to get the 50mm which is 1" longer then stock. ill place washers above or below the rubber gromit to adjust the hight up and down.

Ok i just ran out on my lunch brake and got the 55mm with the black coating? What does that coating do?

[chenslee_cheese]

Makes it look fast.

The black oxide is just standard coating for socket head cap screws. I think you can get them in zinc too. It really doesn't matter.

BTW, I used your Radar detector hardwire instructions when I installed my V1.

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

Makes it look fast.

The black oxide is just standard coating for socket head cap screws. I think you can get them in zinc too. It really doesn't matter.

BTW, I used your Radar detector hardwire instructions when I installed my V1.

awesome, glad i could help. (although im sure a robot mechanic doesnt really need my DIY, all you really need is a multi meter.)

keep up the original DIYs. Its always nice to do something functional to the car for only $1.50. Thats how much the bolts cost me.

[Si Speed 317]

Awesome job thus far! keep it up +Rep

[benmunger]

I was able to raise it 7/16" without unbolting the bracket under the car. I did have to trim away a bit of the black plastic boot retainer.

Its a bit too high for me though. Ill probably drop it a bit lower, not too sure yet.

BTW, this is a really great mod for people who changed out there shift knob to another one that screws down really low.

[chenslee_cheese]

Sweet! I'm glad you got it done.

Give it a week or two. It will grow on you.

[simons2k]

Just so I'm clear with this. This just raises the entire shift lever about an inch right? Does it affect the shift throws in any way?

[chenslee_cheese]

I actually pulled my console off again last weekend and double-triple checked to make sure nothing was wonky down there.

Again, the conclusion was the same, the shift mechanism and the cable sleeve "stays" are a contiguous unit. You could, if the cables and sleeves were long enough, unbolt this unit, bring it to your computer and shift the car while reading this with NO change in shift throw.

I'm still waiting on my machined aluminum spacers to replace the washer stack.

[simons2k]

Originally Posted by benmunger

BTW, this is a really great mod for people who changed out there shift knob to another one that screws down really low.

I just clipped the zip tie that holds the ring to the boot and simply removed it. The plastic retaining ring got in the way of my aftermarket shift knob. I have a Voodoo countersunk knob that sits low, with the collar sunk into the boot. Gives it a nice smooth transition from boot to knob. Looks like the knob just sits on top of the boot.

I think I'm going to get this DIY done too.

[Zeuceone]

Simon you should see my new set up. Gears feel even shorter with my new knob.

[Si Speed 317]

^ Post pic. What's your setup?

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by simons2k

I just clipped the zip tie that holds the ring to the boot and simply removed it. The plastic retaining ring got in the way of my aftermarket shift knob. I have a Voodoo countersunk knob that sits low, with the collar sunk into the boot. Gives it a nice smooth transition from boot to knob. Looks like the knob just sits on top of the boot.

I think I'm going to get this DIY done too.

ditto...

Yup, I have a knob that sits really low too. I also had to take off the boot ring. thats why i raised the lever. ANd, yep, its like haveing a short throw shifter.