Factory Short Shift Kit Install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
Factory Short Shift Kit Install
I found myself with a free afternoon yesterday so I decided to install the factory short shift kit in my 81 Targa with 139,000 km. I started at 1 pm and finished at 10:30 (with a 4 hour dinner/beer break in the middle 
) so about 5 1/2 hours elapsed time. I just changed the shifter out, I did not do the coupling at this time because overall shifting was OK and I did not want to open up to many cans of worms with adjustments, etc.
Some observations--
If you have the lock nut on the front pivot pin, loosen it while the shifter is still bolted in the car! Everyone who has said that in the past is RIGHT! An hour of the 5 1/2 was wasted taking the shifter out, screwing around trying to loosen the lock nut, running to get the right socket (22mm) then bolting the shifter back in to break it loose.
Yes, I launched one of the cover plate nuts and lock washer across the basement, and I found them! Note for future--have extras.
I did manage to get the cover plate back on without the aid of a vise, C clamp or extra set of hands.
The original shifter seemed pretty tight for the miles, but the ball cup was toast. That stayed in the holder when I pulled the old shifter out. There was a M8 or M10 nut laying in the bottom of the holder serving as a spacer to elevate the top of the ball cup even ewith the top of the holder.
Everything went back together and bolted back in easy. Now that I've done it 3 hours should be no problem;
Results-- Very happy with the outcome. Obviously shorter throws, but also feels firmer and more precise. All gears found with no adjustment necessary. It does not change the nature of shifting, ie you still need to shift smoothly and deliberatly (no power shifts here) but does give it a more modern feel. It also gives me more legroom on the 1st to 2nd shift, so very happy about that.
I will probably look at the coupler next. I have a new factory coupler but will consider a Wevo or Stromski ( might be overkill, the car is strictly a cruiser, not tracked or autocrossed).
) so about 5 1/2 hours elapsed time. I just changed the shifter out, I did not do the coupling at this time because overall shifting was OK and I did not want to open up to many cans of worms with adjustments, etc.Some observations--
If you have the lock nut on the front pivot pin, loosen it while the shifter is still bolted in the car! Everyone who has said that in the past is RIGHT! An hour of the 5 1/2 was wasted taking the shifter out, screwing around trying to loosen the lock nut, running to get the right socket (22mm) then bolting the shifter back in to break it loose.
Yes, I launched one of the cover plate nuts and lock washer across the basement, and I found them! Note for future--have extras.
I did manage to get the cover plate back on without the aid of a vise, C clamp or extra set of hands.
The original shifter seemed pretty tight for the miles, but the ball cup was toast. That stayed in the holder when I pulled the old shifter out. There was a M8 or M10 nut laying in the bottom of the holder serving as a spacer to elevate the top of the ball cup even ewith the top of the holder.
Everything went back together and bolted back in easy. Now that I've done it 3 hours should be no problem;
Results-- Very happy with the outcome. Obviously shorter throws, but also feels firmer and more precise. All gears found with no adjustment necessary. It does not change the nature of shifting, ie you still need to shift smoothly and deliberatly (no power shifts here) but does give it a more modern feel. It also gives me more legroom on the 1st to 2nd shift, so very happy about that.
I will probably look at the coupler next. I have a new factory coupler but will consider a Wevo or Stromski ( might be overkill, the car is strictly a cruiser, not tracked or autocrossed).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
I forgot to mention my shift **** dilemma. At first I couldn't get the original shift **** off, and while I have a very nice Alan Gun leather shift ****, I really wanted to find a new factory shift **** (NLA of course). So this morning, I again finally decided to pay attention to something I had read and used a 15mm wrench and a hammer and the old one popped right off. So now I have my original shift **** on the new short shifter, and I am a happy camper.
I would still like to find a NOS **** if someone has one laying around....
I would still like to find a NOS **** if someone has one laying around....