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U12 Bluebird, Pintara & Stanza => performance and handling => Topic started by: LoW GLi on Mar 2, 2004, 03:52PM

Title: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: LoW GLi on Mar 2, 2004, 03:52PM
does anyone, or has anyone shortened a gear stick in a manual u12 pintara... cause i tried doing it yesterday but its skinny for the thread and a bit after, then it gets to about an inch thick below the gearbox glove....does it come off the gear box easy has anyone done it? and has anyone put in a nice leather glove over the gear changer, like really low and looks nice??
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: jayjay on Mar 2, 2004, 11:33PM
Ive chopped mine and its got a leater glove n it
ill try and get a pic up for you if ya like
it was easy though
just the trusty angle grinder and a bit of play and it gets there
jayjay
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 3, 2004, 09:24AM
do you actually want to shorten the throw of the shifter of just shorten the shifter? either way you will need to cut & weld the shifter.

here are some instructions for the skinnier shifter which shortens the length of the shifter & also shortens the throw -

http://www.micra.hl.com.au/shortshift.asp



i've ordered a custom shifter and if all goes well once i get it in & test it i will sell them in the antrx shop. they'll shorten the throw of the shift by around 40-60% and they'll also be fully height adjustable.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 4, 2004, 01:33AM
would you be able to give us an idea on what the price might be if they work out alright noss :)?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 4, 2004, 09:29AM
i think we'd be looking at around $180, however me & shaun were chatting a little while back about a possible group buy for them to get costs down a little.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 4, 2004, 11:41AM
what exactly are the shifters, are they totally custom made, or are they modified from another car? werent you looking at getting sr20 short shifters a while back?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 4, 2004, 10:38PM
yep was looking at it, and i bought one, but it turned out to be a honda shifter, so i took it back. spoke to the guys that sold it to me, they could get an sr20 one for $360. i told them i dont want a gold plated ivory shifter and i'll get one custom made. then i left. now i've arranged the custom shifter. its on its way.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: LoW GLi on Mar 5, 2004, 07:31AM
i dont really want to bother with changing the throw of the shifter, but i just want a shorter gear stick, i put on another gear knob and its really long compared to the standard one, so i figured i shorten nice and proper since i have to shorten it now.... how do i get the stick out? the website u posted didnt work... chhers
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 6, 2004, 08:49AM
thanks noss, looks like its another mod to add to that long list i have :D
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: chr1S on Mar 7, 2004, 05:53PM
mr wiggly.. don't u have a shortened shifter
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: mrwiggly on Mar 12, 2004, 10:26PM
Yeah I do

I cut about 70mm (7 cm) Approx off the shaft.

My Autotechnica Gear knob fits on as it is held on with three grub screws positioned equi-distant around the shaft.

All I did was counter sink into the shaft so the grub screw actually locate into the shaft. 

The shaft is fairly hard to cut but I did mine with a electric die grinder and cut off wheel. I just covered the inside of the car with an old sheet so I didnt have the sparks burning into the dash.

Just make sure before you cut it off that the length is not too short.

Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: SIR_TRX on Mar 13, 2004, 09:34AM
ive got a sr20 short shifter coming from america for $44 delivered! got it in a group buy on the pulsar forums with about 30 other people. they come up on the usa ebay sometimes for as low as US$11.99.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 19, 2004, 03:08PM
does anyone know definitely if an sr20 short shifter would fit/work alright in a trx?

of course its going to work in sirtrxs car but what about everyone elses?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: SSS on Mar 20, 2004, 11:45AM
Low GLi, you may as well get the full benefit out of having a short shifter by actually having shorter gear shifts, as a bit more force is required if only the shaft is cut down and the bottom section after the pivot unmodified.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: imaspy on Mar 20, 2004, 03:56PM
i couldnt help noticing this is a thread about shortening a shifter in a u12, but it's in the r31 forum :)
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: mrwiggly on Mar 20, 2004, 04:41PM
Yeah sssgtr is right but honestly depends on your budget,

But then sirtrx picked one up cheap. I just like making things myself I get more enjoyment out of it

As for more force throwing it in gear cant say I have noticed but I guess thats up to your syncro's in ya box.  Stop Yackin and get hackin
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: SSS on Mar 20, 2004, 06:23PM
i couldnt help noticing this is a thread about shortening a shifter in a u12, but it's in the r31 forum :)

Oops...fixed now.

When i have finished every project i have going on atm, i'll get my hands on a KA shifter and modify the linkage below the pivot. Personally i don't think i'll bother cutting down the top section, i just want lightning fast shifts. IMHO i think U12's look a little funny with stubby gear sticks, the position and the height of the driver's seat and centre console isn't optimized for such a short shifter.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 22, 2004, 01:12PM
does anyone know definitely if an sr20 short shifter would fit/work alright in a trx?
of course its going to work in sirtrxs car but what about everyone else with the KA and CA?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 22, 2004, 01:42PM
use the search button oh non searchy one. hehehe

the problem with the sr20 shifter is finding one cheap in australia. cheapest price i got was $100, but it turned out not to be one. next cheapest price was $300. to hell with that i say.

i should have my short shifter this weekend, so i'll run a group buy if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 22, 2004, 03:13PM
i was after a definite, 100%, fair dinkum, fully sick, knowledgable answer. ie. from someone thats fitted one.   so that i can buy one from ebay or a group buy somewhere  knowing that it'll fit  A O K!

otherwise ill just have to get one from that noss guy :-\ :P :D ;D
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 22, 2004, 03:18PM
i give up.

remind me not to let you be a part of the group buy.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 22, 2004, 06:46PM
sorry that didnt come out the way i wanted it to ::)  i mean if i could find one for under $50 delivered id get that, just because its alot cheaper than $180 or thereabouts.  im all for supporting the group and everything and i have every intention of buying king springs, a chip, a cam, brake pads when i replace them, spark plug leads and maybe slotted rotors, monroe struts and solid lifters.

if i could afford to spend the extra money on the shifters your organising i would ! after saying that though, if your shifters are better in some way id go with one of them, but i dont believe youve said that yet,  i shall wait till youve got one in your car :)
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 22, 2004, 07:16PM
well i'll have photos and a better indication on price by the weekend hopefully
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 22, 2004, 07:21PM
thanks, by the way what is it being made out of?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Mar 22, 2004, 07:35PM
rubber bands and bubble gum

nah its aluminium. should cost no more than $140-160.. but i'll keep you all informed
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Jtas on Mar 22, 2004, 08:26PM
ahh $140 is getting closer to what i could afford right now. if you could maybe do it partially with bubble gum? like at the top of the shifter so we could like break bits off as were driving and chew it? :D
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: SIR_TRX on Mar 24, 2004, 08:17AM
As for more force throwing it in gear cant say I have noticed but I guess thats up to your syncro's in ya box.  Stop Yackin and get hackin

sssgtr is right. if you just cut down the top of the shifter you loose the leverage in getting into gear, hence, making it harder to change. a real and proper short shifter is made longer on the bottom halve of the shifter, the bit you cant see. this in turn reduces the shift throw making it quicker to shift. they can reduce the throw by 40-60%. they still remain the same height as stock so it is still seay to change. the amount of difference it does is amazing and well worth it. cutting one down will only look good and you wont benefit much at all.

glenn.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: mrwiggly on Mar 28, 2004, 04:59PM
Sir_trx is right it changes the throw if you shorten the bottom end

If you look at a pendulum swing the bottom of it will travel much further then say half way up the cord

Hard to explain with out drawing a picture.

All you need to do is decide what you want to achieve
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 7, 2004, 10:35PM
i was after a definite, 100%, fair dinkum, fully sick, knowledgable answer. ie. from someone thats fitted one.   so that i can buy one from ebay or a group buy somewhere  knowing that it'll fit  A O K!

otherwise ill just have to get one from that noss guy :-\ :P :D ;D

I just bought an sr20 shifter from Autobarn today and have scheduled for it to be installed this thursday. Im not 100% sure if it will fit but the word is the ka24/sr20 shifter is interchangable. I'll keep you guys updated..... ;D
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Sep 8, 2004, 10:17AM
yeh it is interchangeable. i've been telling everyone this for ages.

all nissan fwd shifters from approx 89 upwards until about 94-96 are interchangeable
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: FLOGTARA on Sep 8, 2004, 04:24PM


I just bought an sr20 shifter from Autobarn today and have scheduled for it to be installed this thursday. Im not 100% sure if it will fit but the word is the ka24/sr20 shifter is interchangable. I'll keep you guys updated..... ;D

And it cost you??
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 9, 2004, 03:51PM
Ok just got my short shifter installed today and the difference is amazing!! Since ive had my Corsair i had to put up with the sloppiness of the gearstick, now alll that is gone. Apparently one of the springs was loose and now has been replaced. Bushes were worn and were also replaced. The sr20 shifter was only about 20mm shorter then the stock so adjusting to the height wasnt a problem. The shifting however was absolutely awesome!! No play whats so ever, very tight in every gear. For $112 its definitely worth it!! To share the love I will provide the part number tomorow so everyone can have that quicker shift  8)
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Sep 9, 2004, 03:59PM
you dont want a shifter that will be too tight as it could destroy your gearbox
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Kranzy on Sep 9, 2004, 04:03PM
Since ive had my Corsair i had to put up with the sloppiness of the gearstick, now alll that is gone. Apparently one of the springs was loose and now has been replaced. Bushes were worn and were also replaced.

Ive got the sloppyness in my n13 and i rekon i need new bushes.
Where is the best place to pick up the bushes from? I rang a nissan place on the gold coast and they said i cant get them through nissan anymore. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 9, 2004, 04:10PM
you dont want a shifter that will be too tight as it could destroy your gearbox

yeah true, i was just comparing  the before and after feeling. I dont think its actually tight in the gearbox. It feels exactly the same as when i was driving my cousins Type R Intregra, very precise  ;D
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 9, 2004, 04:12PM


Ive got the sloppyness in my n13 and i rekon i need new bushes.
Where is the best place to pick up the bushes from? I rang a nissan place on the gold coast and they said i cant get them through nissan anymore. Any ideas?

Well my mechanic replaced the bushes for me, so no idea where he got it from.....sorry ???
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 9, 2004, 04:24PM
Hey Kranzy, just rang my mechanic and he didnt actually replace the bushes but re-attached the spring that was holiding this rod that was connected to the shifter. So yeah, my bad on initial info  :-X You probably want to also check the spring.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Kranzy on Sep 9, 2004, 04:29PM
Yeah im going to have a look at the spring when i get some spare time as its not the easiest thing to get to.

Just a quick question should the gearstick have a spring that pulls the shifter back to the middle on both sides? I know with mine at the moment when you move it towards the driver it springs back but doesnt spring back when you move it towards the passenger side. Should there be a spring doing this?

Cheers
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Sep 9, 2004, 05:17PM
there is only one spring on the pintara
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: iren on Sep 9, 2004, 07:57PM
if the stock shifter bushes got blown... then you might be able to replace them with suitable press in metal bearings.

anyways, I test fitted a T12 BB short shifter in the U12 last time, some hand fittings are needed.
and, as Noss mentioned, there's only 1 return spring, to center the shiter from 1 or 2 to the middle.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 10, 2004, 10:26AM
Ok as promised heres the part number for the sr20 short shifter were you can get from any Autobarn and cost $112.
# 36-204.

Guys from Sydney speak to Lindsay from Auburn Autobarn and hed be happy to order it for you  :D


Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Sep 10, 2004, 10:29AM
you will have to go to autobarn in doncaster to get them in melbourne (head office), i havent seen short shifters in any other store here yet.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Loop on Sep 10, 2004, 04:43PM
Found this guy on ebay http://nvs-racing.tripod.com/index.htm.  He has short shifters for $110 and an "R-spec" one for $300 (looks trick, but more expensive than B&M!)

According to his web-page, he'll offer a discount in exchange for linking to his site.  Noss, whaddaya think?
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: SSS on Sep 10, 2004, 05:37PM
I wouldn't pay $300 for that shifter.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: noss on Sep 10, 2004, 05:49PM
defiantely wouldnt pay $300 for the $300 one, looks like it'd have a longer shift than the $100 one.

i'll email him and see what he says about discounts.. if i dont have a response within a week just send me a pm to remind me, i've got a lot going on right now.
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Sep 10, 2004, 06:26PM
Apart from the " choice materials, engineered construction" is there much difference between the cheaper shifter and more expensive one. Technically they both shoud reduce throw by 30-60%.

Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Loop on Sep 11, 2004, 02:49AM
I wouldn't pay $300 for that shifter.

Well I wouldn't either, but hey ....
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: nathan on Oct 27, 2004, 08:27PM
i went to autobarn today in cairns to see if they had that $112 shifter, they dont but they got some sr20 shifters in just be4 i got there, they are 227 and are really good, made in brisbane, the 112 are made in jap and supposably shit,
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: trxmad on Oct 27, 2004, 09:11PM
tickford how much did it cost you to have it installed by a mechanic - if you dont mind me asking
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: TickFord on Oct 27, 2004, 09:39PM
i went to autobarn today in cairns to see if they had that $112 shifter, they dont but they got some sr20 shifters in just be4 i got there, they are 227 and are really good, made in brisbane, the 112 are made in jap and supposably sh*t,

well i havnt had any problems with my so called "sh*ty" shifter. I dont expect it to snap off any time soon. Its all about having the money at the time i guess and i wasnt going to pay over 150 for a shifter......

tickford how much did it cost you to have it installed by a mechanic - if you dont mind me asking

hmm....cost me around $120 coz he had to fiddle around with the springs holding the stock shifter and also had to remove the protective plate on my cat-converter coz the short shifter is patruding more. But yeah, it was all worth it in the end  ;D
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: trxmad on Oct 28, 2004, 10:19AM
cool thanks
Title: Re: Shortening a gear stick in u12
Post by: Pingu on Apr 13, 2005, 01:09PM
none available for the ca18 u12 :(