Shorten the shifter length?
05-22-2004, 12:50 PM
#1
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Car: 1986 W69 Special Edition
Engine: 2.8/ECM/Int/Exh
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Shorten the shifter length?
Has anyone shortend the shifter length on their T5 yet? I can turn probably 2-3" out of the rod and weld it back together and paint it black again. Any gain other than being able to access the stereo in 1st, 3rd or 5th easier?
05-22-2004, 06:23 PM
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Car: 1984 Trans Am WS6
Transmission: 700r4 Highly Modified
You can do it, but an aftermarket short shifter would work a little better for you to shorten the throw.
05-23-2004, 05:37 PM
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Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
I've shortened mine about an inch. Its feels much better than before, but probably not up there with the aftermarket stuff, like a Hurst.
05-23-2004, 09:01 PM
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Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Don't even waste your energy. Just go with any aftermarket shifter and you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Plus, most aftermarket shifters have removable handles so you can further shorten them.
05-24-2004, 11:48 PM
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Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Heres a pic of it before I painted and installed it. The thread was changed too... I cut off the factory threads and welded on the end of a bolt with a 1/2"-20 thread. Quite a common thread for shifter *****. Looks kinda nasty, but its just dirty... smooth as glass in reality 
05-27-2004, 08:55 PM
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Car: 1986 W69 Special Edition
Engine: 2.8/ECM/Int/Exh
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Does anybody know the thread size/pitch for the two ends on the stock rod? (This will save me the drive to the nearest hardware store...)
Did anyone else notice that the stock rod is really 3 pieces? I'm assuming the rubber bushing that fills the upper part and is sandwiched between the two metal parts is for heat and vibration isolation...
Did anyone else notice that the stock rod is really 3 pieces? I'm assuming the rubber bushing that fills the upper part and is sandwiched between the two metal parts is for heat and vibration isolation...
05-30-2004, 08:27 PM
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Car: 1983 WS-6 Trans Am
Engine: 1999 L31 5.7 Vortec
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: Auburn Limited-slip w/3:73 gears
I also have just shortened mine 1", and am very happy with it!
Nice, no cost mod, until the new shifter is bought
Nice, no cost mod, until the new shifter is bought
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05-30-2004, 08:53 PM
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Car: 1983 WS-6 Trans Am
Engine: 1999 L31 5.7 Vortec
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: Auburn Limited-slip w/3:73 gears
double post
Last edited by 1tinindian; 05-30-2004 at 08:55 PM.
06-03-2004, 03:46 PM
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Car: 1986 W69 Special Edition
Engine: 2.8/ECM/Int/Exh
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
No pics yet, but I did turn 1.5" off my shifter, and threaded the top with a 3/8" NPT die... The die is adjustable, and I didn't cut the threads deep enough, so there is still more work to be done before I prime, paint and post pics...
06-03-2004, 04:30 PM
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Car: 1987 iroc-z custom
Engine: 355 tuned port
Transmission: 5spd baby, only way to go
Axle/Gears: 3.45
mines totally short..i believe i dropped t almost 3 inches..its almost right inside the boot...shortest throw i have seen...
heres a pic..(an old one at that..its a bit shorter now too)
iroc2nv
heres a pic..(an old one at that..its a bit shorter now too)
iroc2nv
06-04-2004, 05:01 PM
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Car: 1986 W69 Special Edition
Engine: 2.8/ECM/Int/Exh
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Shortened by 2", 2 coats of high-temp flat black and one coat of clear... 
I can't wait to drive it again... 
I can't wait to drive it again...
06-05-2004, 09:29 PM
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i bought the Hurst Billet shifter for my T5.. its shorter than stock by about 1.5 inches.. still too tall for me.
the shifter at the bottom is flat, so i made a template of the 2 bolt holes.. cut the bottom hole off, and drilled a new top hole. took about another 1.25 inches off of it, now i love it.
the shifter at the bottom is flat, so i made a template of the 2 bolt holes.. cut the bottom hole off, and drilled a new top hole. took about another 1.25 inches off of it, now i love it.
