Shifter feel was improved with the reduction of top rod leverage, subjectively. The shorter rod made finding the notches more positive and lessened the rubbery feel. The increased work of a 1.25" shorter shifter added to the solidity of the shifting experience vs. stock.

Thanks for the equation. Physics always own all.

UUC Motorwerks model S4-USS v.3.0. About $280 when purchased.

Not trying to start something, just trying to understand. It looks like you are saying that cutting down the stick is the same as extending the distance from the fulcrum to lower cable/ shift rod attachment point? This is news to me and the reason I raised the point in the first place. I always thought that the point of a short shifter IS the decreased angularity.

This (taken from another auto forum) is my understanding. Is this guy saying the same thing in more words, or is he (and myself) dead wrong?


Quote:

What is a short shifter?

The desired effect of a short shifter is to reduce the distance your hand needs to move to engage the next gear, thus reducing the amount of time spent shifting, reducing wasted time between shifts, and resulting in improved performance. A common misconception in the tuning world is that a short shifter is just a chopped off version of the stock shifter. In fact, chopping your shifter has no effect on the angle that your shifter shaft travels through between gears and therefore does not reduce the shifter's angular throw.

A true short shifter decreases throw by reducing the angle that the shifter shaft travels through during its stroke between gears. By reducing the angle that the shaft travels through between gears, the distance that your hand needs to move between gears is also reduced. In many cases, the shifter shaft is also re-designed to be shorter than stock thus creating a sportier look and feel, as well as aiding in reducing the linear throw length when coupled with the reduced angular throw.

The geometry of a short shifter differs from the stock shifter in order to reduce the distance that the upper section where your shift knob threads on needs to move to achieve the same degree of movement in the lower section where the shift rod or shifter cables attach. This ensures that although your hand is moving a shorter distance, the transmission is still fully engaged in every gear. The main pivot point, or fulcrum of the shifter lever is re-positioned on the shaft in such a way that the lower section which connects to the shift rod or shifter cables is longer than stock, resulting in the desired effect. A Short Shifter is carefully designed to create the optimal throw length, angular shift throw, and shift knob height resulting in the ultimate short shifter.

The end result is a shorter, more precise shift, which requires a shorter hand movement to engage the next gear, and looks and feels sportier than the unsightly long shifter shaft most cars come stock with.

Doesn't cost? Reversible? 30% Throw reduction? 1 hour?

It goes on the To-Do list right away.
Hope the link has enought details to the DIY attempt.