Hello All,

This forum has given me a copious amount of information and insight both from asking questions and browsing through the forums, so I want to give back in what ways I can. Here is a modification I did with my dual-bend B&M short shift lever. While I loved the short throw over stock, I still wanted the shift **** lower, and an even shorter throw. To accomplish this I used my lathe to shorten about an inch and a half over the 'stock' B&M shift lever. At the same time I also switched to stiffer shift bushings and replaced the old lower shift boot and cage piece that covers the ball of the shift lever, this resulted in a shift a feel that I personally believe is far better than either stock or the B&M shift lever.

Here are some pictures of the project:

This is the shift lever installed before modification:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163527/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163527/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Shift lever removed from car, you can see the damaged boot and cage, not including images of replacing those parts with this thread as they are not relevant:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163499/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163499/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Measuring the original thread length, 1-1/4 inches (I was slightly annoyed that it ended up being a standard measurement as opposed to metric...lol), (thread pitch/size is M10x1.5 for reference), I could have gone to a shorter length threaded portion but my **** doesn't bottom out so I did not bother:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495263084/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495263084/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Chucked up into lathe by threads, be sure to set your lathe to a very slow speed if you wish to do this, and remember that I am not responsible for you chucking up weird shaped parts in your lathe. Also, cut SLOWLY. Once you cut down the first inch or so of the shift lever to the diameter needed to continue the threads you can re-chuck it by the freshly machined surface, and get a better grip on the part. Try to avoid damaging the threads though, as they help for getting a nice straight threading job later:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495263048/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495263048/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Spinning in the lathe. Again, not responsible for you doing this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495262950/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495262950/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Use a die to continue the threads down after you spin the lever down to the correct diameter, liberal use of thread cutting oil is a good thing. Once shaft is threaded you can cut down to desired length, I just cut the threads to the same length as the stock part had:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163155/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163155/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Finished shift lever:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495263876/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8495263876/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

Installed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163225/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathizarthegreat/8494163225/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mathizarthegreat/, on Flickr

I am very happy with how it turned out, I can now shift into every gear without moving my palm from the e-brake handle, and it feels much stiffer, in part due to the new bushings but also the reduced throw of the shift lever. If anyone doesn't have access to their own lathe, I wouldn't be opposed to working out a deal.

Anyways, just thought someone might get some ideas seeing this...

Thanks,
Matt

 

thats nice man! not sure that most of us have access to a lathe or have one period. lol. nice write up!!

 

I'm sure the shift probably feels as you mention...

Do you sit with your chin on the steering wheel? Or do you got Monkey length arms?
The general idea is to shorten your shift whilst not having to reach or extend your arm all the way out.

 

Propa on tackling this yourself. Good job

 

Oh, forgot to mention I drive a Del Sol, the shift lever is approximately the height of the arm rest right now. It's where my arm rests naturally. If I remember other Honda's have a much lower mounting position relative to the driver for the shift lever?

-Matt

 

I prefer the shifter to sit higher. I don't like moving my hand far from the steering wheel.

 

Yeah, absolutely understandable. Most of my daily driving I have my hand resting on the shift lever, so it made sense for me. Obviously this is not the case for everyone, or even most people. But I figured at least it would serve as an idea generator for people.

-Matt