W5# series short shifter - any long term effects??

[Willofan]

Hey all, got a question.

I have installed a short shifter that I found on eBay described as "Celica-Supra W55, W57, W58, W59, R154 Short Shift NEW" being sold by someone in NZ into my RA23 W50 and ran it all day at OP recently.

The machinery is very high quality and it felt great and reduced shifting significantly. To ensure a quick shift, I ran a 80/20 mix of ATF and 80W90.

Has anyone had any longer term experience with this type of shifter and is there any detrimental effects on the gearbox??. Would like to know before it becomes a permanant fixture in my cars.

Appreciate any advice or comments.

Rgds,
Willofan

[andrew_mx83]

i made my own very short shifter and have not noticed any ill effects from it apart from more effort to get it into gear (its VERY short)

[kickstartRA28]

Probably will affect your arm more than the box.

[Casey-G]

i made my own very short shifter and have not noticed any ill effects from it apart from more effort to get it into gear (its VERY short)

It shouldn't be harder to get into gear, the whole idea is to remove effort from shifting, whilst shortening the length between gears.


a short shifter doesn't mean it has to be this little 2" cut down stick sitting out of the gear boot, you change the pivot points and such so you make the shifter easier to use so you can rip through the gears subconsciously.


I doubt it will affect the gearbox much OP, unless you really slam the gears something may eventually give/bend/break, but then again it may not.

[andrew_mx83]

It shouldn't be harder to get into gear, the whole idea is to remove effort from shifting, whilst shortening the length between gears.


a short shifter doesn't mean it has to be this little 2" cut down stick sitting out of the gear boot, you change the pivot points and such so you make the shifter easier to use so you can rip through the gears subconsciously.


I doubt it will affect the gearbox much OP, unless you really slam the gears something may eventually give/bend/break, but then again it may not.

ah no.

physics states that if u change the pivot point on a lever u change not only the length of throw but the amount of effort required and these are inversely proportional.
ie: if its going to move less distance it will require more force, if u want to make it lighter u will have to move further.

think of a seesaw if this helps

my actual gear stick is shorter than average but not super short, all the work is done in the pivot and now the top of the stick only moves about an inch between each gear. its awesome

[andrew_mx83]

not to mention its a tad clunky if u r quicker than the syncros into the next gear

[Casey-G]

ah no.

physics states that if u change the pivot point on a lever u change not only the length of throw but the amount of effort required and these are inversely proportional.
ie: if its going to move less distance it will require more force, if u want to make it lighter u will have to move further.

think of a seesaw if this helps

my actual gear stick is shorter than average but not super short, all the work is done in the pivot and now the top of the stick only moves about an inch between each gear. its awesome

What are you saying no to?

All i was stating is that a cut down shifter will have no real benefit.. in a way you have agreed with me in that a true short shifter has modified pivot point rather than just a changed length of the shifter.

otherwise i completely agree with you.

[andrew_mx83]

yes we are talking about proper short shifters not cut down rubbish.

i was disagreeing with the following statement:
It shouldn't be harder to get into gear, the whole idea is to remove effort from shifting, whilst shortening the length between gears.

u cant make it shorter throw and remove effort required at the same time, u can have one or the other.

[Willofan]

Hey guys,

The gear lever I have bought is actually longer below the ball base and is raised by adding in the spacer - see pic in first thread.

The lever length is about the same above the base much the throw at the top of the lever is much shorter and it is a little notchier, but so much less stroke to change gears and a little harder to find if you're not used to it.

Leaving physics out of it for a moment, has anyone used this type of selector and did it have any ill effects on the gearbox after a period of use??

The other purpose of this thread was to make people aware of this product for their W series gearboxes as I reckon is is fantastic. No I am not on commission, just an advocate.

Thanks

[RA35GT]

Dood, i have that shifter in two of my cars.

One car doesnt get used often but has been fine. The shifter tends to free up after a while as well. No ill effects so far. gearbox doesn't seem to mind.

My other car gets driven more regularly and usually at motorkhanas. Its also been installed for a while and seems fine so far.

[CELICASUPRA7M]

i have one made by serpent engineering and has been in my car for 30,000ks. no prob at all.
great mod.
as for the oil....... prob not the best idea, just run a good quality gearoil.

[reecegze]

For anyone wanting the same shifter as mentioned, I have one that is brand new $150 rrp $250 on ebay. Bought In group buy

[andrew_mx83]

synthetic ATF is the bomb in a manual box

makes em smooth as silk between gears

[timbosaurus]

Mine is the same (didn't come with the fancy gearknob though ) and has been fine.

Bit notchy and definately makes selecting gears more of a precise stab rather than a click, but definately an improvement.

[RA35GT]

I use this style TRD knob on both of mine. its way better than the supplied ones.