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View Full Version : Custom machined "shortened" shifters for KA


toddnappi
03-07-2003, 06:32 PM
Hi,

I was on the market for a new shifter for a long time. I tried all of them and knew that the B&M was the only option. BUT I didn't have $250, and I didn't know if I could live with the racy tiny gates every day. So I went to my friend who is a machinist and gave him a stock shifter. Originally, I just thought we could cut some of it out and weld it back together. Well, if you have ever seen a stock shifter, you know this is impossible. My friend said let me take it overnight and see what I can do. The next day I received this beautiful piece of equipment. It's exactly what I was looking for. He cut the top of the shifter off, right after the bend, and made a new piece out of aluminum that is 4" shorter! IMHO, this is the coolest 240sx shifter in the world. It isn't as short as the others, but it is shorter than stock. Height wise, it is much more purposeful. It looks like the shifter out of the new 350z. I had to cut all three boots to make it fit nice! I love it. I brought it to the Import Fanatix meet, and it was met with mixed affection. Some people who had short shifters said it was too long. But others loved it (ask Annoying Eric), as it retains the easy feel of the stock shifter while giving a more purposeful look. Unfortunately, I was to hasty to get the part in that I didn't have time to take pictures, but I'll take it out and take some if there is any interest. The piece he manufactured is made of polished aluminum and still has the conical shape that the stock shifter has, along with threads for a shift knob. It is extremely high quality, I can assure you that. I asked him for a price and he says the first ones will cost him approximately $60 to make (on an exchange basis). I thought this was a reasonable alternative for a new shifter, so I decided to offer it up to the group and see if there was any interest. Feel free to ask any questions. I am not an engine expert, so I don't know if the SR shifter is the same as the KA so I am just saying KA. Let me know if you're interested so I can gauge opinion. Thanks, Todd

Apparition
03-07-2003, 07:51 PM
Lets see some pics of it installed, etc. Curious. :)

TheTimanator
03-07-2003, 10:27 PM
I might be interested as well.....is there anyway to firm up the shift with this setup?

toddnappi
03-09-2003, 01:34 PM
I'm very frustated, I can't seem to upload pix anywhere yesterday/today, my router settings may need to be changed or something. I have to run to work right now, if you get the chance send me your email address and I'll send them to you, or else when I get the time I'll search yours out. Sorry about this...

DamnedButDetermined
03-09-2003, 01:42 PM
I may be wrong, but shirt shifters are just shorter in height. They take the little ball and move it further up the shifter shaft. That way when you move the top of the shifter the same difference the bottom is being moved more than it originally did! I do see the benefit of a shorter stick, but it won't be a short throw shifter, i don't think, but for $60 sounds like a good deal.

toddnappi
03-09-2003, 07:20 PM
Yes, DamnedButDetermined, you are true, it is only a slightly shorter throw, BUT it doesn't look like a Grandma shifter anymore. Hence why I said "shortened" shifter.

DamnedButDetermined
03-09-2003, 08:08 PM
ok cool...Do you know if it is possible to move the ball up any? I know some people on the suzuki swift message board take disc grinders to the welds and it will just slide along the shaft. Then you just reweld it to the new location.

toddnappi
03-29-2003, 04:04 PM
I won't be able to move the ball. Here are (finally) some pix; my car and my sister's car (please ignore the crooked shift knob, that thing is stuck!). Any questions, please ask.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_b/294000-294999/294872_13_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_b/294000-294999/294872_14_full.jpg

It's kinda hard to tell, but the shifter is 4" lower. You can tell a serious difference. I like the hand positioning better as well.

Apparition
03-29-2003, 04:10 PM
lol nice "pimp" covers. :D

toddnappi
03-29-2003, 04:21 PM
Originally posted by Apparition
lol nice "pimp" covers. :D

LOL, yeah, everyone makes fun of them, but they serve a purpose. When they see my seats underneath, they are perfect factory leather seats, no rips even forming, so I want to keep them nice for my shows and stuff. Any you just can't buy black seat covers. You have to buy zebra ones to match your car theme!

AceInHole
03-29-2003, 06:08 PM
Originally posted by toddnappi
I just thought we could cut some of it out and weld it back together. Well, if you have ever seen a stock shifter, you know this is impossible.

I'm just wondering why it would be impossible.... hmmm. Anyways, Does the shifter still retain the rubber bushing/ dampner?

syco3d
03-29-2003, 09:14 PM
I'd definitly be interested in a 'shortened shifter'...but my 240 is my daily driver, so it wouldn't work so well to have it down for a few days while my shifter is getting a face lift...