[s-cars] VW Shift Knob ~ Short Shifter

Sun Jan 25 19:27:49 EST 2004

If it is a ready made, ready to go short shift kit for the UrS4/6's there is
a ready made, ready to use, tried & tested version out there, already in
several listers cars, i.e. I believe Frank, the Don, Amoroso has one, Hap's
got one, as well as others available now from:

  www.apikol.com  or
call 303-494-4340.

FWIW, I'm told I have, or had two short units, but as they are installed, or
to be installed on cars that move so fast they appear stationary to the
unaided human (& animal for that matter) eye, I can't tell you much more
about the kit/part except that it's something you want to take care of when
& if you are moving/replacing the transmission.  Otherwise the install is,
well a lot like Pizzo's sister can be at least once a month --- or so I've
been given to suspect.

On a related note, the previous owner of one of my cars tried the cheap,
Eytalian "cut off the head" trick.  IMO, I found that solution, especially
if you don't (& the PO didn't) have the tools to rethread the stick a very
unsatisfactory "short stick" solution.

HTH

Mike

~-----Original Message-----
~From: s-car-list On Behalf Of Richard Hoffman

~
~As Billzcat1, I thought I'd throw in my input.
~
~The S2 shifter is completely different from the S4/S6.  The S4/S6 has the
~fulcrum at the bottom of the shaft and the selector rod is between the knob
~and pivot.  In the S2, you move the knob forward, the rob moves backward.
~In the S4/S6: move the knob forward, the rod moves forward.
~
~YES I have a design and I'm working on getting a prototype.  Since
~there has
~been such a huge stir lately for this kit I thought I could maybe push a
~couple projects around and get it done.
~
~Any questions on the various linkages, feel free to ask!
~Richard
~90 CQ 221k 6-speed converted
~70 100LS 47k 4-speed
~----- Original Message -----
~From: "Richard Tanimura" <richard at tanimuras.com>
~To: <kirby.a.smith at verizon.net>; "chris chambers"
~<fastscirocco_2000 at yahoo.com>
~Cc: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
~Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:52 PM
~Subject: RE: [s-cars] VW Shift Knob
~
~
~> Kirby,
~>
~> You can hack off a bit but won't that put the shift knob a little low?
~>
~> Here is how the inside of the shifter looks on my S2. Remember YMMV. The
~> shifter rod is tubular and threaded on top. It runs through a plastic
~> monoball down into the gearbox. The plastic monoball is the fulcrum for
~> shifting action. The monoball is built into a housing that is
~fixed to the
~> chassis.
~>
~> What the Billzcat kit does is replace the OEM monoball housing. The new
~> housing is taller by about 1". This raises the monobal about 1" higher up
~> the shifter rod. The fulcrum is now higher. This then changes the amount
~of
~> mechanical advantage and shortens the throw without shortening the rod.
~>
~> Rather than saw off a bit of the stick, try and find an
~alternate monoball
~> housing that fits your car. One that raises the fulcrum.
~>
~> My BTDT for what it is worth,
~>
~> Rich
~>
~>
~> -----Original Message-----
~> From: Kirby Smith [mailto:kirby.a.smith at verizon.net]
~> Sent: den 22 januari 2004 06:19
~> To: chris chambers
~> Cc: Richard Tanimura; jeff posto; s-car-list at audifans.com
~> Subject: Re: [s-cars] VW Shift Knob
~>
~>
~> hmmm.  what keeps us from removing the assembly, cutting off 30 mm, and
~> using a die to rethread the shaft.  I haven't looked in there on my S6.
~> Is it tubular or threaded on a square rod?
~>
~> kirby
~>
~> chris chambers wrote:
~> >
~> > The Billzcar short shifter won't work with our cars..
~> >
~> > I emailed Richard about this and here is his reply to me:
~> >
~> > "Hello Chris
~> > Unfortunately, this kit is not compatible with the Ur-S cars although I
~> > really wish it would work.  I have some ideas for an Ur-S shifter but
~> > they
~> > are rather involved and my machinist is quite lazy :-( So they have not
~> >
~> > made
~> > production.  Funny thing; his shop is failing from a lack of business
~> > and
~> > when I have work for him it still takes a month (if he even does it at
~> > all!!)
~> >
~> > I'll be moving to a new area and I'll have a new machinist in a couple
~> > months.  If I come up with a short-shift solution I am certain you will
~> >
~> > hear
~> > about it if you travel the quattro or s-cars lists."
~> >
~> > --- Richard Tanimura <richard at tanimuras.com> wrote:
~> > > I posted this directly to Brian earlier. It is the Billzcat short
~> > > shift kit.
~> > > It fits the S2, RS2, some 80's, 90's, 100's, 200's. Not sure about
~> > > the
~> > > urS4/S6. It's one of the best little mods I have ever installed.
~> > > Richard
~> > > Hoffman is also a great guy to deal with. Took 90 minutes from start
~> > > to
~> > > finish. Just needed to remove the e-brake cover. It shortens the
~> > > throw by 32
~> > > mm (I measured) and makes a huge difference in the feel of the
~> > > gearbox.
~> > >
~> > > http://mywebpages.comcast.net/desmo888/billzcat.htm
~> > >
~> > > Rich
~> > >
~> > >
~> > > "In addition, are there any short shifter kits available for the
~> > > stock
~> > > 5-speed? What of Frank's lead kit?"
~> > > I think that kit was built with component changes from Brendan Rudak.
~> > > I also
~> > > think he works for ASW in Boulder CO now. AutoSport Werks. I have
~> > > photos in
~> > > here someplace.  Installation apparently requires transmission
~> > > removal.  be
~> > > careful..
~> > >
~> > > Because if you follow Bill Mahoney's slippery slope, that short shift
~> > > kit
~> > > will cost you a 6 speed tranny, flywheel , clutch.. yadda etc.  while
~> > > you
~> > > have the tranny out!
~> > > JP
~> > >
~> > >
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