Short Shift Kit

[DubSteve]

Hey all,

Looking at a short shift kit, how much would it cost? Do i need that and thats all or are there other parts that I need when setting it up?

Cheers Steve

[BL33SU]

those short shift kits on ebay are not short shifters.. they are just a shorter stick.
you need gear linkages, that make it a shorter shift.

[rayray086]

I've found a kit that Rocket Industries sell - they are the Australian stockists for B&M short shift kits I believe. I think it basically has new linkages with different settings where you can adjust how short the throw is (not sure about the exact figures, but I think there's 30% and 50% shorter throw settings for the B&M kit). There's an 8V 2.0L version and a VR6 version too. However, the VR6 version is a little different - the pictures look like it replaces the whole mechanism including the shift stick. I'm more familiar with the 8V version as it looks like all the other short shift kits that are available to the US market (search on Vortex - plenty of threads). Don't know how much it'll cost, but I *might* give Rocket Industries a call for other stuff and if I do, I'll ask them about the cost. I don't know if buying from America or Europe would be cheaper as well, though they have a wide range of different brands, and searching through Vortex again will tell you which ones are generally more recommended by the Mk3 community.

As for other parts you might need - since you're replacing the linkages, you might be better off replacing the bushings as well, though not necessary. I remember Matt fixing Pedro's shift linkage bushings with a piece of rubber hose, and it worked fine

Also, you can simulate your own "short shift" by re-threading and trimming down the shift stick.
Edit: I think this is what Ray was referring to, though you don't have to buy from eBay! Just do it yourself! I'm thinking of this one day as Pedro has that re-threading tool at his work
Edit #2: Found another link - http://www.icbm.org/erkson/personal/...shortening.htm

Here's some interesting articles to look through as well if you want to try a DIY:

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/020shifter/index.htm

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/modshifter/index.htm

Note that the above two links are for 2.0L shift linkages. I don't know if the VR6 ones are different or not.

[DubSteve]

Thanks Ray, I saw that link on how to chop it yourself to, thinking about doing that when I retrim the interior of my car, redo the leather boot- shorten the stick and throw something over the top that will look nice.

[william]

im looking for one too group buy

[BL33SU]

hey ray, nice links. any1 have those tools for a diy short stik?

[DubSteve]

hey ray, nice links. any1 have those tools for a diy short stik?

Yeha I got them, they are at my dads work but not going to do it for a few months.

[BL33SU]

Yeha I got them, they are at my dads work but not going to do it for a few months.

borrow it, i want to cut mine down

[rayray086]

im looking for one too group buy

Need one of those soon too! Plastic sucks.

[DubSteve]

Group Buys

If everyone is interested we should do some group buys we all save money, for all mk3ers, lets get some going there is heaps of us so we can do it.

Short Shift Kits

[BlackVr6ix]

I'll get a price though autobarn for you, Rocket "can" be expensive directly.

[rayray086]

I'll get a price though autobarn for you, Rocket "can" be expensive directly.

Good stuff. I definitely wouldn't mind a B&M short shift kit.

[MattyT]

I've been thinking about short shifts too. See what you can do Mr BlackVR6IX!

[BlackVr6ix]

The call has been made so hopefully i will know tonight/tomorrow

[sukebe]

I tried to start a VR6/8v short shifter group buy a while back and no one was interested!!! I still got one for myself, bought from TMTuning. It was on special when I bought it so I dont know how much it is now, just check their website. Excellent communication, shipping was cheap too if I recall correctly.... the throw is much shorter and more solid but it didn't change the side-to-side slop. Dont quote me, but I think only the Neuspeed and maybe Dieselgeek ones reduce side-to-side (but at a premium price).