im gonna cut the shifter on my 280zx down about 2 inches for short shifting effect. is this a good idea or bad?

 

How are you going to re-thread the shift ****?

 

I took 2 inches off off my shifter, and just put an AutoZone shiftknob and boot on it. I didn't even thread it - just drilled some divets on the shaft for the mounting screws. I'm not sure how to post pics, but if you'd like a couple snaps, shoot me an email ( dorifto_motorsports@Yahoo.com ) ... I can send ya some hi-res pics.
I must say, it's loads easier to bang through the gears with a simple ~snick~snick~ of the short throw versus stock.

 

I did the same to my Z. it did make a huge difference in shifting. I also did the drill and screw deal for a mount.

 

ok thanks ill do er! wouldnt mind the pics either! ill shoot u an email

 

hey Dorifto :how do i cut the shifter, with what tool ??

 

I used a cutting wheel and 5000 rpm drill. But if you want to get technical ...

Hacksaw.

 

Hey guys i'd use one of those high speed spin saws with a cutting wheel like Dorifto suggests. Should make things a lot easier then a good ol'hacksaw and if you still want the threads at the end after its all said and done, just drive it over to a plumbing shop and have them use their tap and die set to put the threads right back on i.e, after they match the threads on the section you just cut off and viola you can screw the old **** back on or whatever

 

ok, pardon me if I got it wrong, but I thought a "Short-Throw" shifter was when the length from the mount/(bushings) to the linkage was increased to shorten travel distance when shifting thus resulting in a slight reduction, I don't see how hacking a couple of inches off of the stock shifter height you get the same effect :ranton:

 

By shortening the height of the shifter, the **** has less distance to travel between shifts. It's like shortening the radius of a spinning object; the edge has less distance to travel before reaching the same point again.

 

Aftermarket short throw shifters do relocate the shifter linkage for a closer gate spacing while retaining stock **** height and movement effort. By hacking off the stock shifter, you get the same effect, although the **** is the part that is relocated. While this allows closer spaced gates, the effort required to move it is increased. Cutting it off is simply a "ghetto" way of making your own short throw for the price of a cutting wheel or hacksaw blade ... cheap and efficient, I say .

 

i cut my shifter about 3inch, it gives the same feelin like a real short shifter (works niice)*

 

I have the tooling to do this in a lathe and re-thread it. I've done 26 of them so far with no complaints. I also make new bushings. It makes a huge difference!

 

While you've got it off, definitely put in new bushings. This will make a tremendous difference in the feel and will prevent you from having to 'hunt' for the gears.