Mid shift kit?

[racecartom]

I saw an article in a Kit Car mag that showed a linkage system to move the T 5 shifter about 8 inches forward. Does anyone know of a kit to buy? It looks easy enough to fab and install but why reinvent the wheel.
Thanks
RCT

[tcoon]

I agree. Many challenge racers use the s10 tailshaft from early 1990's chevy s10. You can buy the Tailshaft and new tranny top shifter plate on EBay or Craigslist for $100 or so. This moves the shifter to a great location and is very durable. You will also need the tranny mount from the s10 which require you to drill a single center hole in the crossmember. Not a big deal. I raced with this for 4 seasons without incident, it works great!

-T

[racecartom]

Can the S 10 mod be done with the tranny still in the car?
RCT

[MPTech]

I really like my S10 midshift conversion. I'm sure there's a way to convert it while still in the car, but I think it would be MUCH more difficult. I'd highly recommend removing it for this swap. Also, I got an Energy suspension trans mount from Mike Forte, didn't require any drilling on my tranny brace.
I was just checking the location for mine last night as I was sitting in the drivers seat and the reach / location is PERFECT. VERY comfortable and no un-natural movement. (I also installed and MGW short shifter and the movement is very smooth and precise). I did have to replace the rubber boot with a leater one. The rubber boot was too stiff and actually kicked it out of 1st, 3rd, and 5th gears. New leather boot (last picture), no issue)
I highly recommend this mod, and think it would be ideal for any racing / auto-x)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/P8190013.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/IMG_0319.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/IMG_0317.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/IMG_0456.jpg

[racecartom]

Thanks great info. I haven't decided if I'm pulling the engine this winter or not. I am still looking for any info on the linkage system I saw. The linkage connects the existing shift lever to another lever about 8-10 inches forward and is above the existing tunnel cover. Looks kind of funky actually.

[FFRSpec72]

I agree. Many challenge racers use the s10 tailshaft from early 1990's chevy s10. You can buy the Tailshaft and new tranny top shifter plate on EBay or Craigslist for $100 or so. This moves the shifter to a great location and is very durable. You will also need the tranny mount from the s10 which require you to drill a single center hole in the crossmember. Not a big deal. I raced with this for 4 seasons without incident, it works great!

-T

Agree, works great and for racing the stock tail shaft sucks big time

I originally had the make shift linkage that racecartom talks about but that also sucks, sloppy and looks like hell, spend the $150 to do the tail shaft.

[Gale K]

MP,

You probably covered this a hundred times (other forum maybe?), but where'd you source the new leather boot? It looks great.

[Chepsk8]

You mean this system?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/QRwithMomo.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/DoorBar1800.jpg

I tried to get some interested in making a few, but it looked to raw and race-car'ish for them. True, my car is a race car, so I build as such. But, it works great, and the feel is perfect.

I have parts drawings if you are feeling up to some fabbing....

[MPTech]

Gale K ; it's actually the FFR boot for the E-brake.
I got an extra one in some parts I got from a forum member. I shortened and it worked great.

[racecartom]

Yes please parts drawings would be helpful...................tom

[tcoon]

You need to remove the tranny from the car for the tailshaft swap. To perform it you remove both the top plate and obviously the tailshaft. Can't do that in the car. If your T5 is old and you make more that 225 hp it would be good to have the tranny rebuilt while you're at it. With anything more than stock hp they tend to cook third gear really quickly. We always carry a spare tranny in the challenge series because they frequently fail!

[FFRSpec72]

We always carry a spare tranny in the challenge series because they frequently fail!

You must be rich ! I can only afford the one in my car ! Broke the input shaft once, rebuilt with all new gears and no issues in 4 seasons

[Martin]

I really like my S10 midshift conversion. I'm sure there's a way to convert it while still in the car, but I think it would be MUCH more difficult. I'd highly recommend removing it for this swap. Also, I got an Energy suspension trans mount from Mike Forte, didn't require any drilling on my tranny brace.
I was just checking the location for mine last night as I was sitting in the drivers seat and the reach / location is PERFECT. VERY comfortable and no un-natural movement. (I also installed and MGW short shifter and the movement is very smooth and precise). I did have to replace the rubber boot with a leater one. The rubber boot was too stiff and actually kicked it out of 1st, 3rd, and 5th gears. New leather boot (last picture), no issue)
I highly recommend this mod, and think it would be ideal for any racing / auto-x)


I really like the layout of your dash MPTech.

Nice job.

Martin