97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

I figured I'd do a write-up on the first gen short shift mod since I could only find basic instructions on how to do it. It's not a complicated job but here's how it's done.

First thing's first, you'll need a short shift adapter for either a 2007-2008 Honda Fit or a 2006-2008 Honda Civic which you can find one Ebay, Amazon, etc. You'll also need the pivot ball cup for a 2006-2008 Civic which only seems to exist at http://www.twmperformance.com/hardware.htm although I suppose you could probably go to a Honda dealer. Now that we have all our parts, lets get started.

Start off by removing your shift knob.

Then you'll want to remove the shifter console by removing the 4 screws and two clips that hold it in place.

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8c0f4165.jpg

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps714fbb90.jpg

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd6492060.jpg

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7f4621e9.jpg

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...psda573527.jpg

Now full off the cover and you should be looking at this..

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8d8702a0.jpg

Next we'll pull of the carpet trim by removing the two clips.

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1ed993c8.jpg

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9584640e.jpg

and you should be looking at this

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1b3e4ce3.jpg.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Pry up the two big clips at the front of the assembly that hold the cables in place. Now remove the small clip that holds the side cable to the shifter.

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7f5b0819.jpg

In order to get the main cable off, you'll have to remove a strange little spring clip by reaching through the small opening at the rear-facing end of the assembly.

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4c686d94.jpg

Just spread it open (that's what she said) and the cable should basically fall off. Don't lose this clip, in fact, put it right back on the cable, the shift will slide through it when you reassemble everything. Now remove the 4 12mm bolts that hold the assembly in place and remove the assembly. use a 13mm open-end wrench to pop off the stock pivot cup from the bottom of the shifter, put the short shift adapter in place, put the new pivot cup on the adapter and tighten the allen screws.

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc25756c9.jpg.

While you have the assmebly out, you'll need to clearance it so the main cable doesn't get caught up, just cut out the "V" section right where the cable goes.

From this...

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3c5de7a7.jpg

To this, I used an air saw but a hacksaw, dremel or jigsaw would work fine too...

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb7b30a2a.jpg

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

At this point, it's just a matter of reassembly; put your cables back in place, make sure you've got all your clips, etc. etc.

Now, so the cable doesn't bottom out, we need to rearrange the assembly bushing like so..

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1a9f81d8.jpg

These will go under the assembly to raise it up like so..

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd2abb947.jpg

No reinstall all your covers and your shift knob and enjoy.

http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps415f4745.jpg

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Mine is auto.. boo.
Thank you for the writeup though!

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Thank for the write up and good job man :thumbup:

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

No problem.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

i think short shifters are a waste of money, but i really like this curved thing. might have to get one. good write up.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Its just the stock shifter with the boot pushed down.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

It's called a duel bend shifter.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

There are people that just cut the rod and there are companies that shorten the throw between the gears. If you ever track your car, you'll appreciate the shorter throw. Just choppin' off an inch off your rod is Not the way to do it.

( pun intended :P )

:thud:

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

what was done to actually shorten the throw?

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

The whole shift plate was replaced - shorter distance between the knob and the leverage bolt, plus shorter distance between the bolt and the linkage (cables).
Also, stiffer bushings (urethane or solid vs rubber) help shifting quite a bit.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

It makes about a 40% difference.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

short throw... not really to shorten the shifter in terms of lenght of the shifter..
good mods if you have a standard V, all of my 5spd Vs have this upgrade, i think illegal and b20vtec had done this mods too.. all buried in their build threads,..

good job on the pics! thats what lacked in our builds,lol!

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Thanks a lot qwrty. I personally notice the biggest difference in how much easier it is to reach 5th gear, I don't feel like a T-Rex anymore lol

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Not to thread jack, but im going to put up the one I did years ago, just to keep it all in the same thread.

I originally did my mounting the same as above, but swapped it the next day. It was way to loose. But now everyone can see two ways to do it, and it looks like with different parts too.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Next we have the how to on the short shifter. Basically it is the kit for the honda fit, and the "cup" from a '06 civic. You dont end up using anything from the kit other than the extender. You reuse the factory bolts AND the factory bushings, just a different way.

Ok, here is a pic of the oem set up apart, your new civic cup will fit inside the oem plastic cup. It is easier to also remove the carpet section underneath the factory botom plastic to gain access to lining up the gaskets later....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00472.jpg

This pic is of the extention added on already to the oem shifter bottom. The allen key bolts a a bit weird to get in and tight. Also if your looking at your oem piece right now you will see a section that I removed. it is a decent size, and so the right cable doesnt hit the oem plastic now that the angles and heights are different.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00473.jpg

The next pic shows the oem parts you will reuse in the order it must go in when rebolting. So the oem bolt will go through the plastic shelf (shifting plastic block) as it did before, BUT the gaskets will now be situated as shown here. picture the bolt going into the next piece as shown, into the one following as shown. It is important not to have the washer portion that is built into the sleeve rubber piece facing down. This will let the whole shifter flex, and it wont work, so everything must ba facing as it is in this pic.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00478.jpg

Here is the side view installed. It is a little higher than stock, but with my skunk 2 weighted shift knob it feels fantastic. All the plastics and carpet fit back oem and it is solid. Remember this is not just 2 rubber pieces together as spaces, they are more there for looks, the metal channel (tube) is what is acting as the spacer for the whole system.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00479.jpg

I think the best way to do it would have been with the oem bolt and 8 skunk 2 spacers, but it only has 4.



I used the oem bolt because the washer is a better fit.


update. So I went back the next day and redid the mounting situation. I used the skunk 2 spacer with a couple washers, beat down a tiny lip that was on t bracket so the cup wouldnt catch, and it is much stiffer! Here are the final pics......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00480.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00481.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00482.jpg

gotta use the right hardware for the job :) I love this shift knob and this company....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...6/DSC00483.jpg

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Thanks mega. My adapter didn't come with spacers so I was only left with one option lol. I know some guys get longer bolts to so they can do what you did but put the top bushing back in its proper spot. I didn't see any clearance issue with that little lip but it can't hurt anything.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Yeah their shift knobs are nice and have a nice weight to them.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Got mine for free and loving it

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

The only thing I did differently than how everyone else did it was that my friend decided to use the OEM bolt with the Skunk2 spacer, an unknown sized nut, and a washer he had in his garage to clear the clearance issue doing this. It sits a little bit higher now, but it feels a lot more comfortable when shifting now because of the height. Currently using my S2000 shift knob for the weight. Shifts easier vs stock shift knob.
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1f95fafc.jpg

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

subcribed

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

Cant anyone vouch for this mod lasting the test of time? I dont really trust those small set screws on the Fit adapter, but I really want to do this!

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

dscarps I've done it to my V, and have had it for about a year now. Although instead of using a combination of nuts,rubber bushings, washers to hold up my shifter assembly....I used some solid brass sleeves from ACE HARDWARE to hold up the assembly. You want to do so if you think you're gonna be doing some hard shifting later on down the road.

Re: 97-01 CRV Short Shifter: How-To
 

My kit came from the person who invented the mod for the crv, so im the second person to ever do it. Never had an issue.