Short Shifter – importnut.net

Honda Civic Budget Short shifter

importnut — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 23:30:49 +0000

Saving a few bucks on a performance upgrade is always a great idea as long as you aren’t buying cheap knock-offs or impacting safety or reliability. I managed to stumble upon this idea during a botched ebay transaction. You maybe thinking, “this doesn’t sound like a good idea. Why are you writing about it?” Stick with me for a moment and you’ll understand.

I had been running a B&M shifter on my Civic for quite a few years and I had grown weary of the corrosion issues that cause the sleeve to bind. I decided to switch to an OEM Integra shifter. I found one on ebay for a reasonable price and bought it. The problem I had with the shifter is that the bottom pivot had been cut, presumably to allow it to fit into stock Civic linkage. This detail was never mentioned in the description and the pictures hid the modification. After a brief dispute, I was able to return it and get a full refund.

The shifter was useless to me however I realized that it was worth pointing out the inexpensive factory like upgrade for Civics.

From top to bottom: B&M, OEM Integra, OEM Civic. The chromed OEM shifter came in later versions of the Integra. Earlier versions of the shifter were black. It’s clear that the B&M offers the greatest change in shift throw. The increased length below the fulcrum point along with the shorter length above generate a dramatically decreased throw. Comparing the Integra shifter to the Civic, although not as dramatic, you will notice that there would be a decreased throw with the Integra shifter.

A view from the side of each shifter shows the difference of where the shift knob will reside. B&M’s offering is nice, but you will be reaching further forward. This picture also shows more clearly the difference in the length below the fulcrum between the Civic and Integra.

The only difference in how the shifter is installed between the Civic and the Integra is the length of the tube on the bottom. Cutting this tube on the Integra shifter will allow it to fit in Civic shifter linkage. The shifter in this picture was cut correctly however I would never have cut and used the pivot sleeve in this condition.

The easiest way to cut down the tube is to use the original Civic shifter and mark off the section that need to be cut with a marker or masking tape. Then, use a band saw, hack saw, or reciprocating saw and do your best to keep the cut as square as possible. Use a file to clean off any burs.

I don’t have a picture of this modification with the proper sleeve, so I’ll have to use this as an illustration. Once the cut is complete and burs have been removed, transfer all of the hardware from the original shifter. The plastic inserts, metal sleeve with o-rings and dust seals.

With everything complete, the shifter is ready for installation.

If you need any help with installing the shifter, check out my short shifter install page.

Mazda Miata Short Shifter Install

importnut — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 16:10:42 +0000

One of my favorite upgrades to any car is the installation of a short shifter. In this write-up, I’ll explain how to install a short shifter in a Mazda Miata. The installation will be very similar for every Miata with the removal of the center console being the exception. The install was on a ’99 Miata.

Tools Necessary

reliable socket set
metric wrenches
screw driver

Start by securing the car. Using the emergency brake will work, but blocking the tires will be safer.

Once the car is secure, remove the shift knob by turning it counterclockwise.

Use your fingers and pry up the bezel around the shifter. Pull up on the rear-most part of the bezel through the shift boot.

The next step is to remove the center console.

Remove two screws from the storage bin.

Pull out the ash tray and remove the screw.

Remove the screws under the caps on the front of the console.

With the console loose, remove the harness plug found on the bottom.

Carefully pull out all of the sound deadening material and set it aside.

The next step is to remove the weather seal. Cut the zip tie and remove all four bolts. Pull out the weather seal and set it aside.

Remove the three screws that hold the shifter in place.

Lift the shifter out of the transmission.

This is a great time to compare the old to the new. Most aftermarket shifters will change the length of the shifter on both sides of the fulcrum point. This shifter is only shorter on the top which still shortens the throw but at the expense of lowering the knob on an already short shifter. Another major difference is the lack of rubber damper. Drivetrane noise is much more prominent with this shifter.

Set the new shifter in place.

Install the new seal/retainer and install the bolts.

With the shifter in place, reinstall the weather seal, the sound deadening material and center console.

Pop in the shifter bezel and reinstall the shift knob.

As you can see, the shifter installation is very straight forward. This installation took me about 30 minutes. Realize that different shifter manufacturers may be different. Overall, the new shifter is noticeably shorter than the original but does compliment the Miata well. Drivetrane noise is noticeable but not intrusive.

8th Gen (FG/FA) Honda Civic Short Shifter Adapter Install

importnut — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:23:03 +0000

Installing a short shifter has always been a modification that I considered a relatively simple and low cost upgrade you can enjoy on a regular basis. In my opinion, the 8th gen Civic has a decent shifter with an unusually long throw. The 8th gen Civic uses a unique shifter setup as compared to the shifters used by almost every other cable shifter equipped Honda. Until recently, there hasn’t been a great deal of aftermarket support. The most common upgrade is the shifter adapter.

I wasn’t looking for an aggressive improvement but I did want to tighten up the shift. If I understand correctly, the 2009-2011 Civics have an updated shifter that shortens the throw which leaves no room for the adapter. The only alternative is a complete replacement.

As much as I would love one of the full replacement options, I didn’t want to spend a great deal of money. I chose Skunk2’s adapter because the price was fair and they have earned a great reputation. Skunk2’s adapter is made for the 2006-2008 Civic Si.

Skunk2’s shifter adapter for the 2006-2008 Civic Si

Tools Necessary

14 mm open ended box wrench
Needle nose pliers
2 mm allen driver
Thread lock compound
Phillips screwdriver

When I did the install, I removed the entire center console. I realized that I only needed to remove the shifter bezel and top trim piece with the storage pocket. Removing it will improve access but isn’t necessary. I will illustrate the complete removal.

Before you start, block your wheels in case you release the parking brake or pull the shifter out of gear. A run-away car is never fun.

Using the 14 mm open ended box wrench, loosen the keeper nut on the bottom of the shifter.

With the shifter and nut out of the way, you can pop the bezel with your fingers

The top trim piece can also be removed by hand. Pull up and the clips will release. Keep an eye on the white clips. They can pop off and need to be reinstalled before you put everything back together.

If you are pulling the entire console, you will need to remove the two bolts in the arm rest storage bin

Remove the cover under the glove box

Remove the small clips on the passenger side of the console

Remove the small clips on the driver’s side of the console

Remove the two Phillips head screws located near the shifter

Unplug the small harness on the passenger side of the console

Finally, slide the console out of the way.

Before you remove the linkage from the shifter, put it in 3rd gear. This will allow for better access.

Use a small screw driver to pull the spring clip retainer off of the linkage.

Remove the pivot bushing with needle nose pliers by carefully prying it off

Prepare the adapter by putting a drop or two of thread locking compound on the threads of the allen screws. Start the screws and get ready to install it on the shifter

Installing the adapter onto the shifter does take a small amount of persuasion to make sure it is fully seated. Using the allen driver, tighten the two allen screws. Start with one until it makes contact with the shifter then tighten the other. Once both allen screws have made contact with the shifter, tighten both snugly.

At this point, you can start the reassembly process. Install the pivot bushing and the shift linkage. Make sure the wire retainer is properly seated

Slide the end of the shift cable onto the pivot bushing. Make sure the metal retainer clicks into place

Finish installing the center console, bezels and clips. Thread the shift knob retaining nut and shift knob and tighten the nut

The overall improvement isn’t significant, but it does make a difference in the feel of the shifter. I always felt that the throw was just a little too long and this install makes up the difference. For the money, I definitely recommend this upgrade!