Short Shifter Bushing Less to remove Slopy shifting

Unread post by **Randy** » February 10th, 2009, 9:05 pm

This is actually a short shifter mod I came up with a while ago, you can apply the same parts to your current shifter, the ball is the same size.

Here is my short shifter mod.
I (my son and I) came up with this going through the Honda parts CD looking at the different set up's for shifters and their components trying to find a solution for the lack of parts available to restore the original shifter and linkage.

Short Shifter Conversion
A simple solution to a bushing less situation

Here is the deal.

This conversion was done on a 1200 with a 5-speed Transmission. It should also work on the CVCC Models. It may also work on other first generations as well. (But has not been proven yet) One aftermarket 1994-1998 Acura Integra Short Shifter. One new Honda Acura shifter change lever ball seat, bushing like item number 9 in the picture below, Part# 54110-SH3-003. And all the other parts that normally go with the stock shifter. One minor modification is required of sanding down the outside diameter or the shifter ball bushing, it is made of soft plastic and only took 2-3 minutes of sanding to get it down to size to fit. Qty-2 5/16\' bolts with nylon locking nuts, one for the bottom of the shifter and one to replace the worn out pin on the end of the shifter rod. I also put a new spring and clip while I was at it.

The shifter I purchased is bushing less and uses sealed bearings. To attach the shifter to the rod underneath I had to only put some very thin washers on each side of the bearings to take up the minor gap. Works great with very little effort to change gears. Before it was like driving with a limp piece of spaghetti, now its solid and you can really feel you are shifting better and a lot faster too. I have stock OEM exhaust on my car and have no clearance problems at all . The shifter actually sits above the exhaust and to the right a bit, or the exhaust is to the left and just below the bottom of the shifter rod. I hope this helps anyone considering a short shifter conversion.

If Upgrading to 2? Exhaust, consider the placement as it may interfere slightly. Cost of this mod can be as cheap as $50.00 to $150.00 depending on the cost of your short shifter. Parts can also be obtained from your local wrecking yard. Enjoy Please leave feedback on this mod if you have had good or bad news.

Here it is in the stock floor console with a new Honda Red stitch leather shift boot.

: Dsc00215f.jpg (40.59 KiB) Viewed 4754 times

Old Forum Topic Here

One other area you should consider checking for a shudder or play is underneath. Check the shift rod connection to the transmission. There may be play in there. Mine had a nut and bolt, as you can see there is wear on the outer sleeve is worn bigger. I put in a slightly bigger bolt and had to just do a minor re-drill to oversize the inner shaft.

You may also want to make sure the bushing is still good and solid on the shifter steady rod below.

: picture_057sm_249.jpg (24.37 KiB) Viewed 4754 times

Also inspect the main floor bushing and assembly for any play, Check bolt number 3 make sure it is snug and properly secured. If you are not replacing the shifter to a bushing-less version then you need to also inspect items 4, 5, 6 and 9 below.

: mt_shift_lever.jpg (25.99 KiB) Viewed 4754 times

: adc.jpg (15.11 KiB) Viewed 4754 times

If that's too short for you.

Then you need one of these from Summit Engineering. You can get any length you want.

I found a video on real live shifting of the shifter.

This is with the Summit extension there, Imagine how short the throw would be without it.

Christoph · Unread post by **Christoph** » March 1st, 2009, 2:31 pm

Another great write up Randy. Question: With the conversion do you still get the chronic Civic "gear shift buzz" at highway speeds?

Unread post by **Randy** » March 2nd, 2009, 7:56 am

Christoph wrote:Another great write up Randy. Question: With the conversion do you still get the chronic Civic "gear shift buzz" at highway speeds?

Buzz, what is a buzz, I hope you don't mean like smoking a joint while driving.

Christoph · Unread post by **Christoph** » March 2nd, 2009, 11:01 am

Buzz, what is a buzz, I hope you don't mean like smoking a joint while driving. Laughing

I would NEVER smoke a joint ... before or while driving... :D

The buzz I'm talking about is a nasty little rattle/vibration/"buzz" that comes directly from the gear shift at highway speeds. I'm pretty sure I experienced it on most of my manual transmission 1st gens. If you move the gear lever around a little bit with yer fingers you can find "spots" where it doesn't vibrate. C'mon,.. someone back me up here

Unread post by **Randy** » March 2nd, 2009, 1:11 pm

Christoph wrote:
Buzz, what is a buzz, I hope you don't mean like smoking a joint while driving. Laughing
I would NEVER smoke a joint ... before or while driving... :D

The buzz I'm talking about is a nasty little rattle/vibration/"buzz" that comes directly from the gear shift at highway speeds. I'm pretty sure I experienced it on most of my manual transmission 1st gens. If you move the gear lever around a little bit with yer fingers you can find "spots" where it doesn't vibrate. C'mon,.. someone back me up here

Oh you mean when you drive an old VW Bettle? The Buzz is from the exhaust at the back of the car, even though you might expect it to come from the front of the car with the motor behind you.

Bill · Unread post by **Bill** » March 3rd, 2009, 12:20 am

replace the bushings and o-rings on the shifter and that will take care of the buzz...

Kurt · Unread post by **Kurt** » March 11th, 2009, 11:19 pm

Quick question the Summitt engineering extension......what size extension do I need to bring it back up to the stock height? I have short arms :D Also which one is it? There are several listed for VW's, Toyota,s ect...

Lastly, I am going to order that Honda part tomorrow (plastic bushing). Anything else I should order? I am buying a bushingless short shifter.

I take it all this stuff slides into the stock "housing/bracket" where it mounts in the floor?

AND...........I have found short shifters in Billet Aluminum or Steal (chromed)...other than the weight difference...any idea which is better ?

I am doing this mod for sure!

Frankaj · Unread post by **Frankaj** » March 12th, 2009, 10:35 pm

Kurt wrote:anyone ?

Is this the extension?

http://cgi.on line auctions.links/on line auctionsmotors/HONDA-AC ... otohosting

Exclusively from Summit Engineering!

New 3" Shifter extension is a must have for race applications! Fits all Hondas Acura's, Civic's and Integra's shifters with 10MMx1.5 threads and manual transmissions.
Simple to install just remove the knob and thread on the extension then reinstall the knob.

With the lack of standardazation with manufactures, it's the buyers responsibility to check correct thread size before ordering. This extension has 10MMx1.5 threads. Remove the knob and check with a bolt from home depot. If you need another thread size, we have many sizes in stock. We custom make these in house so if you don't see what you need E-mail me.

See my other auctions for different makes, models and years. We custom make these in house so if you don't see what you need E-mail me.

CNC machined from 6061 aluminum. You can paint it if desired.

Kurt · Unread post by **Kurt** » March 13th, 2009, 12:13 am

I think thats it, thanks.

- Kurt

Kurt · Unread post by **Kurt** » March 23rd, 2009, 6:34 pm

Randy does this look like the right part from the dealership

Just waiting on the short shifter and extension to arrive now...

1StGenOfDurham

1StGenOfDurham

Short Shifter Bushing Less to remove Slopy shifting

Short Shifter Bushing Less to remove Slopy shifting