I had an extra stock shifter laying around so I decided to try the “custom short shifter” teg tip. Since I spent all my money on my da, I figured i’d give this experimeant a try and put it on my db.
First Step :
I marked the 3 sections where I was going to cut, making sure that I would end up with a 2 inch section cut out of the top.
Second Step :
Next I went ahead and cut the 3 lines I had perviously marked (I used a jig saw and a vise)
Third Step :
After that I lined the pieces back up, this time putting the 2 inch section on the bottom side of the shifter (underneath the pivot ball)
Fourth Step :
I went ahead and used Rapidfix superglue, and then put JB Weld over that. Yes I know you probably don’t think that it’s very smart to use those, but if you’ve never used them then you have no idea how strong they really are. The Rapidfix alone is the strongest adhiesve i’ve ever used and i’m fully confident in it and it’s stength. I’ve tryed my best to pull, bend, hit, drop, and smack this shifter apart, but no matter how hard I try it will not break. If you don’t have a welder or don’t know anyone with a welder, Rapidfix and JB Weld is the way to go.
(This is it just with the Rapidfix superglue)
(This is it with the JB Weld added on over the Rapidfix)
Fifth Step :
Sand it all down, making sure you don’t take too much of the JB Weld off
(Might not look sanded but it is)
Sixth Step:
Repaint the shifter whatever color you choose. Make sure to tape up the bottom where the bearings will go, the pivot ball, and the threads at the top
(Primed it with high heat grey)
Seventh Step:
Install and enjoy
(Haven’t done this step yet, will have a picture up as soon as I do)
I see . Have you used this product yet in your vehicle ?
I really am amazed by what I see .
Not yet, i just sanded it down and i’m about to paint it. i will get those pictures uploaded later.
I’m willing to bet that the bottom is a bit too long to be usable.
The B&M short shifter I have has a much smaller bottom portion than that, and mine was rubbing against the heat-shield of the catalytic converter. the idea is good, I would have rather had it properly welded, but that’s my opinion for peace of mind.
I think if you had cut the 2" section from the top, and only reused about an inch on the bottom side, it would have been more ideal.
One thing to be concerned about, too, is that if the pivot point is altered too much, it can lead to premature transmission wear, especially with speed shifting, etc. the linkage, etc. aren’t used to having such rapid gear changes (with a point like that, even casual shifting will be “fast” compared to what the transmission is used to)
what exhaust are you running? i’ve still got the stock exhaust on mine, so the pipes are pretty small, but that is a good point and I did think about that. If it ends up not working cause it hits the exhaust i’ll just take it off and cut whatever length out of it that I need to. As for it messing up my tranny, i’m not to worried about that. My car is completely stock, and ive been bashing on that trans for almost 3 years, so if this does cause it to finally go out then its no big deal. I can find a a1 tranny for cheap. All in all if it doesn’t work, o well. Iv’e had a lot of fun doing it and like I said it was an extra shifter I had so it’s not like I messed anything up.
I’m running a Greddy SP2 exhaust, but the rest of the system doesn’t really affect the shifter. mainly the catalytic converter. more specifically, the upper heat shield for it. mine rubbed against it for a long time, and was quite annoying. I bent it inwards, to make clearance for the shifter. only worked for a few days. it eventually went back to normal and started rubbing (and damn is that noise loud.)
eventually, I got sick of hearing it and simply removed the upper heat shield. been quiet ever since. and i’ve never had issues with anything getting hot due to lack of heat shield. So, I always suggest that when installing a short shifter on a DA, to simply remove the upper heat shield on the cat to avoid clearance issues.
nice exhaust choice! Yea I know what your saying. My da has an rsr exmag and a hi-flow cat with no heatsheilds and yet my skunk2 shifter still hits it. I haven’t had any issues without the sheils on that car either. I’ll take them off my db before I install this shifter and see how things go. I’m in the process of painting it right now and I’ve got work tomorrow so I might not have a chance to install it for a few days but i’ll be sure to post pictures and to let everyone know how things went.
Neat Idea if you welded it. I have to agree with cnblu, it’s too long and will rub. I am also very dubious on the long term strength of the adhesive. JB Weld and superglue? hahahahahaha
At the very least, smack it apart, and install a thinner metal rod through the length of the hollow part of the shifter. JB weld the crap of that in there,then I think it would be better. If not keep a screwdriver around to stick in the hole and pray it is the top part that breaks and not the bottom when it does (and it will).
Not trying to be mean. Neat idea, nice try. A little shorter, a lot stronger and you would be all set.
Thats a smart idea about putting a metal rod inside of it…damn. To late now. I’ve tried to break it apart it wont break. The only way is to recut it. The superglue isnt just a superglue. It’s a glue and then you pour this powder/welding sand over it and then more glue and it creates a compound like jb weld. Look up rapidfix on youtube and youll see what i’m talking about. The stuff is amazingly strong, and I believe it’s stronger then the jb weld is. I’m gonna sit in my driveway and slam threw the gears as hard as I can (with the car off) and try and get it to break. If it doesn’t break, then I dbout it will, but who knows .If it does break…o well I tryed. I’m gonna be extremely happy if it all works great though haha. I wanna know who wrote that teg tip and if it worked for them
Neat idea but I wouldn’t recomend testing it like that. That will put a lot of undue stress on tfhe transmissions internals
I would just keep beating the piss out of it with BFH and see what happens!?
I would recommend you take it to any muffler shop and get it weld just for peace of mind. You don’t want your shifter to fail when you’re on the road.
Lol I don’t think it is too late. It is a great first attempt. I just don’t want you installing this as is and it breaks on you at the worst time. It just needs strength. If you want I have a couple of these around. Email me at cyoungiv @ gmail dot com and I can ship them for free. I ship a lot of stuff so it’s ok, I am pretty sure they are below 13oz. xD
If you get another, I would be more than happy to take a pic of measurements of how long the piece is below the ball on a skunk2 shifter. Make this Project Short shifter Beta.
This is a great idea! Or if you know any students at an auto college or anyone with access to a welder…
Does this help curb everyones dbouts on its strength?
Not a bad idea at all,but like others has said,the bottom is way to long.
I would cut about 2 inches off and weld that thing ASAP.
I understand it can hold 30lbs,but being that the bottom is so long,i wouldn’t be surprised if it bottoms out and snaps on you.
bottoms out on what? the ground? my car is stock height so that wont be an issue. If I cut 2in off the bottom that brings it right back to where it was, and eliminates the shorter throw. I’m installing it tomorrow so i’ll let everyone know.
My bad,meant to say 1 inch.
The direct lifting force of 30lbs vs the force put on a shifter when shifting are a bit different… its a good test, but actually shifting will naturally be the better test.
I’m in for results 
I’m with you, unified112.
They do it bigger in Texas, well done, you made me laugh though!
Check out my new rubber!
