Short shift kit

[printhead at usinternet.com]

I am not sure how this individual on the Vortex plans on having one kit
that fits this wide range of cars. They are different. However, there was
a nice short-shift kit detailed on the list a few years ago. It was very
simple in that it entailed using the shifter ball from a 5-speed gen-I
water-cooled VW. It sounds bogus but works great. (knowledge of 88-95
80-90 series only). The ball ain't cheap at $50.00 dealer, but that is
ALL you need to buy.

Here is what you do: (this is general only, if anybody is interested,
I'll dig up the old detailed instructions)(all from inside the car)
Remove knob, remove boot, remove c-clip. Unbolt stock ball, slide it up
and off including bushings and spacers.

VW shifter-ball will cause the pivot-point to rise. The math done by an
individual involved in this project calculated a 40% reduction in throw.
It needs to be modified slightly with a Dremel or equiv. to clearance the
mounting holes.

The reverse lockout is designed into the Audi ball, so you lose this
function, but I have not missed it. I have never accidentally shifted
into reverse. The detent is too strong. It has just never happens. I'm
glad this stupid feature is gone.

So, you have to move a bushing that used to be above the ball to below,
and I remember having to cut some of the bushing off to shorten it. Also,
you trash the reverse lockout push-down spring. A couple of 1/2" id
washers and a rubber o-ring need to be added to take up the last of the play.

Result? Awesome. A bit notchy. But the throw is finally where it should
have been all along. As a bonus, if your Audi ball was worn out, you got
rid of that problem as well. I have thought of adding weight to the relay
rod to reduce the notchyness, but have not done it.

Tom LH
1995 90Q