Maybe it is just me...but it is a comforting feeling when my knuckles hit the back window and then the rearview mirror as I shift from 1st to 2nd to 3rd....
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 10-21-2009).]
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10:01 PM
SCCAFiero Member
Posts: 1144 From: Boca Raton, Fl USA Registered: Apr 2006
The shifters that I make are ONLY shorter handle. I take a stock shifter, cut the shift shaft off of it, then I weld one of my shafts onto it (my shaft can be welded on at a higher or even lower height if it were to be requested. The height that I chose is a very good height that will allow you to reuse the stock shifter knob and stock shifter boot. If it were lower, you would not be able to use the stock shift knob - you would have to have an aftermarket knob.
Rodney Dickman makes "true" short throw shifters. I am not in the business of making short shifters. I have a few laying around, and as I get more stock shifters, I turn them into shorter shifters then resell them to people who want to get rid of their Fiero's tower shifter.
Ok, thanks for clarifying. I cut my original shifter for racing and used an aftermarket knob but it was just too much more effort to use on a road course. The 84 shifter I have now is better but I am thinking I need to go with the Rodney one at this point. Between the race seat, cage and other changes, every bit of movement matters.
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10:41 PM
V8IndyProject Member
Posts: 400 From: Houghton, Michigan Registered: Nov 2005
For someone who has tried them both, Rodney's and the "do it yourself" cut down shifter, which do you like best? Does Rodney's make much of a difference? -Mark
HMmm Wondering what changes there really are? eg: The bottom wheel how far out are the cables are pulled? Are they different? or is it just more leverage with a longer stick. Does the cable tension slack change when putting in a 84 stick in a 88? or in my case a 86. Sorry to hijack a thread but these questions have been plaguing me and this seems a good opportunity to really ask as i have dont the mod but havent really driven the car far since and i did have selection problems i replaced a cable at same time i did modification i am currently blaming master or slave cylinder rather than the reach of this gear stick and the tension of the selector cables. Please anyone with a real idea care to explain this....
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05:21 AM
Australian Member
Posts: 4701 From: Sydney Australia Registered: Sep 2004
And it was the best upgrade driveability wise I have had done to the car yet. I bought it off chrishahn87. He charges $35 with a trade in of your old shifter and $50 without your old shifter. I must say it works great.
Thanks Chris.
Was it a / custom made / a chop down / older model.
nahh chris makes them by cutting them down i just purchased one from him and i love it.. it fits right in.. and the reason they were so long is because people wanted more leverage i just had a 84,85 and 86 shifter next to eachother and its so weird but as the years go up they get longer
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08:50 PM
Oct 23rd, 2009
Australian Member
Posts: 4701 From: Sydney Australia Registered: Sep 2004
I notice people actually argue that the longer stick is easier to drive and maybe so but if there is anything about the fiero to ***** at it is the amount of effort required to push in the clutch my left leg is stuffed after 30 mins in the traffic of pumping that damn thing the gear stick reach is least of my worries.
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06:08 AM
chrishahn87 Member
Posts: 1584 From: East Berlin, Pa - USA Registered: Dec 2004
HMmm Wondering what changes there really are? eg: The bottom wheel how far out are the cables are pulled? Are they different? or is it just more leverage with a longer stick. Does the cable tension slack change when putting in a 84 stick in a 88? or in my case a 86. Sorry to hijack a thread but these questions have been plaguing me and this seems a good opportunity to really ask as i have dont the mod but havent really driven the car far since and i did have selection problems i replaced a cable at same time i did modification i am currently blaming master or slave cylinder rather than the reach of this gear stick and the tension of the selector cables. Please anyone with a real idea care to explain this....
The only change that I make is a shorter shaft. I posted a picture on the first page that has one of my shifters laying beside a stock '86/'87/'88 shifter. Check it out... the only difference is the shaft that I have welded on to the lower part.
There is absolutly no change in how far the shifter cables are pulled in either shifter. It is just the shorter shaft, which creates a lower shift knob height. The lower shift knob height creates a much more comfortable feel, and a shorter distance to pull the shifter during 1-2 or 3-4 shifts.
So, to answer your question about the '84 stick compared to the '88 stick... They are essentially the same, just the '84 stick is about 1" shorter than the '88 stick. No change in how far the cable is pulled. My short stick is about 1.5" shorter than an '84, and about 2.5" shorter than a '86/'87/'88 stick.
***FYI*** Since I use a threaded rod, and weld that onto the lower shift assy. I can make my short shifters a little higher for those who are worried about not having enough leverage. I had a request to make one that was about 1/2" longer than the normal height that I usually do - and the person who bought it loves it!
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08:55 AM
chrishahn87 Member
Posts: 1584 From: East Berlin, Pa - USA Registered: Dec 2004
HMmm Wondering what changes there really are? eg: The bottom wheel how far out are the cables are pulled? Are they different? or is it just more leverage with a longer stick. Does the cable tension slack change when putting in a 84 stick in a 88? or in my case a 86....
If you have ever played with a shift lever you will see that it is free to move on the shaft as much as it needs to in order to shift the gears.
With most short shifters the amount that the cable moves is unchanged.
If you do change the amount that the cable moves, (by making the arm underneath longer like Rodney's shifter) it will shorten your throws, (with increased effort as well). There is no change in cable tension, the cable will move as much as it needs to in order to shift to the next gear.