View Full Version : Shifter position question??????
Made_In_America
11-24-2012, 01:07 AM
I notice that the shifter is really long and slanted forward. I really dislike the position of it and wanted to know how or if you can position it to be an upright short shift like in current Mustangs. I haven't driven a MK4 but the shifter just looks awkward. I'm not sure if transmission choice matters here but I would use a 3650 or T56?
David Hodgkins
11-24-2012, 01:35 AM
The TKO series transmissions from Tremec allow a mid-shift position. That will give you the throw you are looking for. I have the mid shift position in mine and I love it.
:)
Made_In_America
11-24-2012, 02:03 AM
Do you have any pictures of what it looks like?
michael everson
11-24-2012, 06:04 AM
Here is a picture of one done with a mid shift conversion.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/michaeleverson/FFR5140/DSC02326.jpg
Its a fair amount of money to do this if you dont already have a tremec transmission. If you do its about $500 to convert it. To be honest with you, its not really worth the money. Ihave owned them both ways. The layed back shifter is a very natural feeling when shifting. Plus you get the advantage of the long lever.
This is my latest build using the stock location.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/michaeleverson/FFR5143/DSC05189.jpg
edwardb
11-24-2012, 06:42 AM
Two comments about the slanted forward shifter -- (1) It's completely about appearance. It drives and shifts just fine. It's not awkward at all, and takes (literally) one or two drives and it's completely natural. I was a skeptic too until I started driving my Mk3 during the past two seasons. (2) That's how the originals were set up. Because the engine was set so far back (part of the genius of the design) it was necessary to "turn around" the shifter. I'm a little amazed that guys go to such lengths to make original looking modifications, but then change this one sometimes at pretty high expense. FWIW
Jeff Kleiner
11-24-2012, 07:01 AM
To each their own but FWIW I completely agree with Mike and Edward.
Jeff
riptide motorsport
11-24-2012, 09:26 AM
I agree With mike Edward and Jeff.
Made_In_America
11-24-2012, 04:55 PM
I love classics but If I build one I am more about modern custom looks over historically correct. I'am sure they both shift the same but I like the shifter position in the first picture. I would also plan on customizing the dash and center console but I am just throwing around ideas. Right now I am planing on an SLC build but I still have my eyes open for a good deal on a MK4 as I have been looking at them for years now. Thanks for the information guys.
CraigS
11-24-2012, 06:11 PM
It really isn't about being historically correct. It's just about the money needed to convert. I am 64 and have only had two auto trans daily drivers in my life. When i got my mkI in 05 I was driving a 5 speed Eclipse GT. In 07 I got my MkII. In 08 I got a 08 Civic 5 speed. in 11 I got an auto trans tacoma. So for 6 yrs I switched between a stick trans daily driver and an FFR w/ the traditional shifter. There was NEVER ANY problem. The traditional shifter works absolutely fine so it's up to you whether to waste the money on a change.
Made_In_America
11-24-2012, 07:25 PM
Wow, Really Craig? A waste of money isn't dictated by a preference decision but rather by spending money on something you didn't do right the first time. I don't view this as a right or wrong decision. I never once said there was a mechanical problem with the traditional shifter. I simply stated that I dislike the way it looks and to me, "IF" I build one of these, it would be worth the money to make it the way I want it. Kind of the whole idea of a kit car I think? Thanks everyone for the information, I appreciate it.
3yearplan
11-25-2012, 02:33 AM
There are no "wrong" choices, or "wastes of money" when it comes to building these cars. We are all, for the most part, building pleasure vehicles. To each his own. We could all get from point A to B on a Craftsman riding lawnmower, time dictating of course...
GThompson
11-25-2012, 01:21 PM
Taking a look through some books & magazines quickly showed me that the 427s had the angled shifters but the small-block cars, both roadsters and coupes, had the vertical shifters.
As far as cost goes, the mid-shift mod can range from essentially free to whatever a new transmission costs. I did the S-10 mod to my T-5 and it turned out to be at the free end of the range (one of my friends gave me his old pickup, I grabbed the transmission parts I needed, sold the rest of the truck for $250, and rebuilt my T-5 myself). It all depends on what you can or want to do...
CraigS
11-25-2012, 06:18 PM
Sorry about my choice of words above. I didn't mean to sound nasty. Obviously it's your choice since it's your car. I was just trying to say that I think you would be surprised how normal the slanted shifter actually feels.
I was using the supplied shifter handle for a couple of years and it was/is fine. Easy to use, hand finds it without looking etc. Then, my daughter bought me a 5-speed shifter ball for Fathers Day and if I would have put in on the standard handle, you wouldn't be able to see the pattern. So, being overly Scottish, I took the handle that I pulled from my '93 donor and bolted it to the trans, but reversed it, so it bends forward. Works really well and looks good. Is it better than the FFR handle? In my opinion, no just different.
Ray
As Ray stated spinning the stock mustang one around backwards gets you about the same reach as the slanted one while remaining upright.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L76idoe2MDc/UJhOu2m_MwI/AAAAAAAAAPk/8F7ZwiMyH1Q/s1600/IMG_6497.JPG