Just wondering if anyone has taken their shifter apart to try this? Well, I went to PnP today, and just happened to pick up a B12 shifter just for the hell of it. Seems that the pivot ball is just extremely hard plastic pressed onto the shifter. There seems to be some divots on the shifter that hold the pivot ball in place, that's it. A couple good whacks, some cursing, and finally makeshift pressing on the ball finally moved it on the shaft. Now the shaft itself is about 1 ft. long, bent about 15 degrees an inch and a half above the center of the pivot ball. I figure I can hacksaw the shifter there, cut off the bent parts, and have the straight parts welded together. Then drill the pivot ball, and use a set screw to hold the ball in place, where ever I so choose to set it. I should have documented this process a lot better, pics in the future.
Oh yeah, and it took about 30 mins to remove the shifter from the bottom of the B12 in the junkyard. The exhaust and the heat shield are inthe way.
Just wondering if anyone has taken their shifter apart to try this? Well, I went to PnP today, and just happened to pick up a B12 shifter just for the hell of it. Seems that the pivot ball is just extremely hard plastic pressed onto the shifter. There seems to be some divots on the shifter that hold the pivot ball in place, that's it. A couple good whacks, some cursing, and finally makeshift pressing on the ball finally moved it on the shaft. Now the shaft itself is about 1 ft. long, bent about 15 degrees an inch and a half above the center of the pivot ball. I figure I can hacksaw the shifter there, cut off the bent parts, and have the straight parts welded together. Then drill the pivot ball, and use a set screw to hold the ball in place, where ever I so choose to set it. I should have documented this process a lot better, pics in the future.
Oh yeah, and it took about 30 mins to remove the shifter from the bottom of the B12 in the junkyard. The exhaust and the heat shield are inthe way.
actually this is a common trick but by cutting material out of the metal then welding the stick back together. I suppose if you don't have any access to a welder your way works too. YOu'll have to let us know if it holds up well.
__________________ Student at UTI Avondale 2nd place SkillsUSA/VICA WA State Automotive Maintenence '04 had an 87 pulsar...still planning CA20DET
1970 Chevy BelAir 350V8 300hp...soon to get M21
OK, I actually have an update. I finished cutting, adjusting and welding the short shifter.
^This is the shifter after it was cut and welded. That weld bead needs to be smoothed to the shaft.
^Here, the weld bead has been filed down to match the shaft diameter. Now, I just have to move the pivot ball into place.
^Here, the short throw shifter is on top. Notice that the modified shifter is straight, and several inches shorter.
^Also, the pivot ball center is about 3/4 inch higher than stock position.
^No fitment issues here.
all leading to:
HOLY CRAP THAT'S A SHORT THROW SHIFTER!!!
If anyone actually wants directions on how to do this, I'll post that info, but I doubt that many are. I have run into the same problem as the pacesetter short throw shifters - now my heat shield doesn't fit. I tried just banging the top down to some degree of success - 4th and reverse still scrape the shield. I worked on it from 8 to 10 at night, hopefully, I can finish the install by tomorrow.
when I installed my shifter, I actually used spacers all the way around the heat shield with slightly longer bolts to drop the whole thing down, but it was so low, I ended up having to cut a hole in it anyways. no big deal. the shifter's benefits outweigh the hassles of making it fit.
What is the purpose of a short throw shifter anyways...sorry im not really that car wise...I mean i love my B12 and know about exhaust intake turbo suspension etc but whats the point of a short shifter?
It seems like a lot of work to save yourself $70 (more or less what the pacesetter piece goes for, at least where I work). I have the pacesetter, its adjustable, its well-built, feels great.
What is the purpose of a short throw shifter anyways...sorry im not really that car wise...I mean i love my B12 and know about exhaust intake turbo suspension etc but whats the point of a short shifter?
Basically it tightens up the shift pattern by making the distance you move the shifter from gear to gear less. Whether you make your own, or buy the Pacesetter, it definitely makes the car more fun to drive and if your looking to improve the feel of you car, this is the way to go.
Basically it tightens up the shift pattern by making the distance you move the shifter from gear to gear less. Whether you make your own, or buy the Pacesetter, it definitely makes the car more fun to drive and if your looking to improve the feel of you car, this is the way to go.
Exactly...it's all about feel. Personally, I don't have a problem with finding the right shifting holes...but I can understand where some people do. i do like moderately short throws though cause the tighter feel is more confident. And regardless of what you call it it doesn't make you shifting quicker...thats all dependant on the driver skill. I could shift my stanza wagon just as quick as my pulsar.
__________________ Student at UTI Avondale 2nd place SkillsUSA/VICA WA State Automotive Maintenence '04 had an 87 pulsar...still planning CA20DET
1970 Chevy BelAir 350V8 300hp...soon to get M21
OK, compared to my 1999 Sentra, the throw is WAAAAAAY shorter. The only problem I now have (besides the slight scrape on the heat shield in reverse) is that I physycally have to lean foreward slightly to reach and shift. Anyone have that problem or is it more just personal feeling? I dunno, I'll have to drive the car some more.
It seems like a lot of work to save yourself $70 (more or less what the pacesetter piece goes for, at least where I work). I have the pacesetter, its adjustable, its well-built, feels great.
Its not the fact that I could save 70 bones, its the fact that I made this shifter myself, and it actually works properly too. My shifter is also adjustable, feels good, and well, the question of well-built is still in testing. If my weld holds for the life of my car, then it was well-built.
I seen the pacesetter short throw shifter in the JC Whitney catalog. Pretty good price and is adjustable. I would like to know how to make my own short shifter too. You need to get the directions up fast. I can goto school and work on it at the career center.
__________________
I make custom shift knobs. PM me with your design or a picture of a shift knob that you would like to acquire!
OK, a little update on the DIY Short Throw Shifter:
Maybe I cut the shifter too short. I thought I only took out about 1 1/2 inches from the total shifter length. After install, the shifter looks like its 4 inches shorter than stock. Consequently, I have to reach a little more than I would have liked to shift. Not good.
The spacers worked like a charm. They allowed a 1/4" extra drop, clearing the shifter arm so I don't scrape the heat shield any more.
I dunno, of anyone that has installed their own short shifter, anyone have that "too short" problem? Was your shifter straight or did it have a little bend in it?
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