gkrynick22

Hey I would like to shorten the length of the shifter lever. Has anybody done this? If so is it possible to do without compromising the reverse lockout? I am buying a spare shifter assembly to modify so I will have the stock one to put back in if I don't like it. I would like to bring the shifter **** down at least 2". Any advice or tips would be great.

0Paul Ruggeri

4+3 or 6 speed?

gkrynick22

Oops sorry, it is an 1985 so 4+3.

0Paul Ruggeri

I don't know about shortening the shifter, but you can get a short throw kit from the major venders, I have one on my 86.

gkrynick22

yeah. That is going in sometime this week. I also think the shifter lever is way too tall in this car. It should be half as high as it is. I would like to bring it down quite a bit. If worse comes to worse I'll get rid of the reverse lockout. I would like to keep it if I could for obvious reasons.

Black89Z51

I bought the Hurst short-throw shifter from Atlantic Speed. I love it.

gkrynick22

They only make those for the 6 speed. Mine is a 4+3. I don't think anyone makes a custom shifter for the 4+3.

powerpigz-51

I think it could be done, if you lost the reverse button...here is what I did...I have the short levers, also. The threads on the handle were too small, I had to drill them out to make it fit. It rests in my hand perfectly with my arm on the console. One of the best mods I have done.

littlesk8cracker

short shifter on my 6 speed was probablly my favorite mod so far

gkrynick22

That looks great! I want to keep the shift **** and eventually change to the **** with the overdrive switch in it. I find it hard to believe I would be the first to do it. I'll play around with it and if I can do it right I will post a write up with pics.

rodj

Depends what it does to your leverage ratio.
4+3 is not the smoothest shifter with stock ratio; shortening lever would make it stiffer

pmihaltian

Me too. Works well and I did not have any problems with the reverse lock out. $20 at most Corvette parts supply stores.

http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-shor...1984-1988.html

gkrynick22

Thanks for the link, but I already have that. I am in the process of installing them right now. I don't like how high the actual shift lever is, that is what I am trying to get info on modifying.

gkrynick22

Yeah, I was thinking about that when I started doing research on this. That is why I am buying a spare shifter assembly. That way if it doesn't work well I can put the original one back in.

c4cruiser

Think the trick would be to try to remove the handle from where it attaches to the shifter body. Shorten that end and re-attach it. That way you don't have to worry about the upper part with the reverse lock-out ring, the spring, and trying to reattach the handle.

How the handle is attached to the shifter body/mechanism is the part to figure out. If it's pressed in, it may take some effort to pull out.

But once the handle is shortened, you still will have to adjust the reverse cable to make it work.

vettef6

I have a 6 sp. and have shortened the shifter 1". Don't know if the 4+3 shifter is different. All I can say is, 1" sure made a difference.

gkrynick22

That is a great idea. I was looking at cutting it where the **** was, I never thought of the base. I am waiting for my spare shifter assembly to arrive, then I can get a better idea of how to attack it.

The 4+3 shifter is different from the 6 speed. The 4+3 has a reverse lockout on it (have to lift a lever on the shifter to put it in reverse), the 6 speed does not.

sitko1

How hard is it to install? How long did it take? I'm thinking about ordering it. Thanks.

LD85

Its easy to do, take your stock shifter, cut 1.0" out of the rod down by the bottom, and weld it back together, done.

I have an old stock rod in my garage, I will try to make one in the next week or so.


I bought one from Hurst when I had the infamous ZF and I put them side by side and the only diff was the length

LD85

I cut my Indy Stick down on the TKO but it bolts to the tranny with two bolts, so I cut it short, then drilled two cross holes and bolted it back on, to make it the same length as the Hurst/ZF shifter.