jbrob007

Car is an 86.5 / S3. I have the Lizard Shifter new in the box. The directions call for removing the entire center console which is a PITA. Is there a DIY thread with a simplier way, step by step, etc..? I've searched and there are tons of threads that come up but havent found what I need.

Thanks!

Silver79

When I installed mine I just, removed the left and right under dash storage bins, the center console side covers, the screws on the left and right side at the rear of the center console, and the screws at the front of the center console by the dashboard area.

After this I was able to pivot the rear of the center console high enough to allow installation of the shifter. I hope you already have a new or freshly rebuilt rear shift coupler as even after a rebuild i had to adjust the the shift coupler on the splines so that I was able to engage all gears. Hope this helps. Joe

the flyin' scotsman

This is on my winter project list for the GTS........looking forward to the replys

Lizard928

You can do it without fully pulling the center console. And on the later cars I may consider not pulling the console. But the early cars the console is so easy and quick to pull there is no reason not to!

The rear coupling will need new bushings to be installed and will need to be adjusted to ensure that all gears can be used.

Herman K

I installed mine without taking the center console out and it's been over 2 years now working like a "Champ"

jbrob007

Thanks guys! Really looking forward to using the shifter. Roger included the rear bushings so we should be good there... Also going to drop / inspect the clutch - got some grumbling / shuddering going on in first with clutch pedal on the floor - intermittenly comes and goes... frustrating at times. Previous owner had EVERYTHING (master, slave, hoses, pressure / intermediate plates, both friction discs, throwout & pilot bearings) replaced in 2009 so I'm not quite sure what could be the problem.

Any ideas?

jbrob007

Oh yeah.. not many miles put on the car before I bought it, but I've put on 27K miles in last year or so... Love driving this damn car!!!

jbrob007

I MUST have done something wrong... I got it installed, everything LOOKS correct and finally got it adjusted so I can get all six gears. I understand you've got a shorter lever so its going to be harder to shift, BUT sometimes it doesnt want to go into any of the lower gears and downshifting into 2nd is virtually IMPOSSIBLE Installed new bushings in the rear coupler so cant understand why its so hard to shift. Seriously, I feel like I've been arm wrestling... Any pointers??

Lizard928

Joel,

What fluid do you have in the transmission? Have you adjusted your clutch intermediate plate?
Are you 100% sure that your clutch isnt dragging at all?!

This shifter doesnt have the leverage to be able to force the syncros. I find that after having the shifter installed for a week or so they do partially loosen up. However if you have the rpms close to where that gear will be, the lever will slide right in without any force. I do tend to rev match when shifting, though do not double clutch. But if your clutch is dragging some it will make it much harder to shift gears as you dont have the leverage to overpower the syncro. This does mean that you will be less likely to cause damage to your box as well, as when you overpower the syncro you can cause damage.

jbrob007

I just adjusted the intermediate plate so I think were good there... I called a buddy who has the shifter and he said to adjust the rear coupler in 4th gear - is that correct? Everywhere I've read it was 5th or Reverse, but neither seemed to work very well.

Thanks!!

SQLGuy

Could bad transmission mounts be part of the problem? The stock setup is isolated from the body, so, if the transmission is moving around a bit, the shift rods will move with it. I'm thinking that if your transmission mounts are shot, the transmission may be moving relative to the shift lever, now that the front part is attached to the body, and this may be leaving you with bad alignment to get into gear.

...just a theory... I don't have a Lizard Shifter myself, although I am considering one, since my six month old ball cup just popped of the ball today.

jbrob007

Tranny mounts are good... Kind of puzzling. Gonna try to adjust it again tomorrow... Starting to be a PITA

Lizard928

I use 4th.
You can use 4th 5th or 1st/R but I wouldn't use 1/R due to the spring.

The issue you describe is not to do with shifter adj, but clutch or gearbox.

What method was used for adjusting the adjusters? I feel this is likely where the problem is.

jbrob007

Pulled the shiftfork all the way out to pull the throw-out bearing & disengage the clutch. Moved all three tabs all the way out then back until I have equal distance on either side of the intermediate plate. Checked / adjusted them about five times each. Turned the crank shaft without any drag on either side.

jbrob007

Oh... Mobil One Syn gear oil...