Short Throw Shifters

[Onespeed]

I know B&M is what came in the S/R and TWM seems to be a favorite around here, but what about these I see on Ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-96-97-02-FORD-ESCORT-ZX2-SHORT-THROW-SHIFTER-RACING_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46103QQihZ002QQi temZ120289081783QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-96-97-02-FORD-ESCORT-GT-ZX2-SHORT-THROW-SHIFTER-98_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQihZ021QQitemZ 310071246300QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


Anyone using one of the knock-offs? Any reason to be scared of them just becasue of the price?

[Mike]

You can get a Fidanza one for pretty cheat...at http://www.sportcompactonly.com

and I think at AAS....


Got mine for like $50

[Exodia]

I would not suggest the ZXTuner short throw. Save the money and get one of the others, its the exact same height as the stock shifter. The gears are closer together, but shifting the gears are closer to dash, so unless your short, its a long reach to get into 1-3-5.

[1981gMachine]

Make your own = Free

[5spdzx2]

ebay ones are fine. i have one. but if you want to go lower, save you money. i havent played around with any of the more expensive ones so i cant say there better, but if they cost more than they better be.

[Onespeed]

I'm more looking for a short "throw" than a shortened length. Making my own would only give me the shortened length and not really do anything for the shifting.
From the description of the ZXTuner, that's definately not what I want.

[5spdzx2]

a shortened length will also give you a shorter throw. if you have a longer rod up top its going to be a longer throw.

[Onespeed]

a shortened length will also give you a shorter throw. if you have a longer rod up top its going to be a longer throw.

Not exactly... but I did just read the DIY write-up on the STS. You have to add about an inch below the fulcrum point to actualy shorten the throw. Taking length off of the top shortens the stick and may very slightly shorten the throw, but not enough to be considered a STS.

[mellowness65]

I have a B&M out of an S/R, pm me an offer

[capitalcrew]

Making your own is the best bet to have a tall shifter with a short throw. Everything else drops it down quite a ways.

Like was mentioned, weld in a piece below the pivot ball.

[5spdzx2]

Not exactly... but I did just read the DIY write-up on the STS. You have to add about an inch below the fulcrum point to actualy shorten the throw. Taking length off of the top shortens the stick and may very slightly shorten the throw, but not enough to be considered a STS.

yes it would. i wish i could ask you to come over and try out the shifter on my Model A. Its long and it has long throws. i have also messed with a shorter one and its a shorter throw. its really simple. just 'act' like your shifting in air, with nothing, at a low point. then raise your hand up a few inches and throw your hand the same distance. its a longer throw when its higher above the center point.

also, im not saying, at all, that a short shifter is shorter because of the length above the fulcrum point. im just saying, a taller upper rod will give you longer throws and a shorter upper rod will give you shorter throws. i made my own custom shifters for my street rod so i know first hand. thats all.

[capitalcrew]

yes it would. i wish i could ask you to come over and try out the shifter on my Model A. Its long and it has long throws. i have also messed with a shorter one and its a shorter throw. its really simple. just 'act' like your shifting in air, with nothing, at a low point. then raise your hand up a few inches and throw your hand the same distance. its a longer throw when its higher above the center point.

Werd. Better example, Hold your arm out, and reach straight up, and straight down. Distance ends up being your arms length x2. If you go half way, your elbow, it is just distance from your shoulder to your elbow, x2.

:beer:

[Onespeed]

Not disagreeing that a shorter top section would create a shorter distance travelled of the knob, but a longer section under the pivot point would decrease the throw without making the shifter too short to be uncomfortable. I am sure in a different vehicle with a different seating position relative to the shifter that may be all that is necessary. I think with it being too much shorter overall, it would be a pain to reach, as described in the other thread. A true STS will decrease the throw distance without decreasing the overall length of the shifter by too much.

[1981gMachine]

I chopped mine, welded an inch below the ball, and heated the upper part and bent it back. Cost was nothing, reduced throw by 40%. I drive with the seat all the way back and don't have to move my elbow much past my waist to shift.

[Mike]

The Fidanza that I have, isn't that short in length, but does provide a shorter throw. Like I said it was fairly cheap, and its from a well known company. :)


But I did at first just cut my stock shifter....and it gave me a shorter throw.

[mechtech]

1981 is right.
It is easy to cut the stock shifter. It can be tough to bend, but a bend sure puts the knob back where it should be so you don't have to reach. And the throws will be as short as you want them.
I'd try this first.
I have a B+M, but my cut/bent shifter was about the same.