Short throw shifter Getrag

[heimue]

I put my 5-sp Getrag in the Manta in November last year, and converted/shortened the shifter linkage as described in all the great threads found here. Well, the result might be good for a GT, but not really for a Manta. Even with an increased angle for the shift stick, the stick and knob touched the dash board and radio in 1st, 3rd, 5th and reverse gear (yes, I tried even that! ).
Today, I took my shifter linkage apart again, added 15mm material to the stick below the ball to make it a short throw, and without changing the stick above the ball I changed the stick angle to bring the stick farther back in all gears, by angling the ball holder to the rear.
Before pics:
Pic. 1 shows me sitting relaxed in the car, not being able to reach the know while it is in 5th gear;
Pic. 2 shows it in 2nd gear;
Pic. 3 shows how much it can be pressed forward in 5th gear, with the stick hitting the A/C panel and the knob changing the station on the radio...

[heimue]

After pics:
The modified stick, with the distance from eye to ball raised from 30mm to 45mm;
the modified bracket, with the ball holder moved up and angled back;
stick and bracket dry mounted. You see that the stick is also angled towards the driver's side of the car.

[heimue]

Finally, pics of how it looks in the car. These pictures show 3rd and 4th gear.

Here the small print: this short throw conversion is not appropriate for weak kids. Extending the lower link 15mm is a lot! It is actually pretty hard to put it in reverse now (Gene and Dallas: stop laughing!), but I think I can get used to it. For "beginners" I suggest to start with a 10-12 mm extension.

Have fun copying it!

[soybean]

Dumb question time. In your picture Here, did you just heat and bend the shifter? Or was that accomplished by raising the rear of the bracket in picture 2? Thanks, Jarrell

[heimue]

Jarrell,

the shifter was cut and rewelded with a steeper angle in the area shown. This was already done before I made it a short throw. Without it, it would have not been possible to put it in the forward gears.
The angle of the stick towards the driver was accomplished by rotating the eye to the ball, when welding in the extension.

Dieter

[heimue]

Let's try that picture again...