Gear Stick shortening- anyone done it ? | FerrariChat
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Gear Stick shortening- anyone done it ?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by peajay, May 30, 2005.

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  1. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2002
    454
    near Paris, France
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #1 peajay, May 30, 2005
    I just put a new Chrome gear knob from Hill Engineering on my 328 and it does look muich better than the old plastic one, and feels better to drive as well. But I have always thought that the gear stick is too long and would shift better, be more comfortable, and look better if it were about 1 1/2 inches shorter. I was wondering if anyone has done it ??
     
  2. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
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    Mike Charness
    #2 Mike C, May 30, 2005
    Ric Rainbolt did it by putting in a 308 GT4 shifter assembly. I've got one here but never did put it in my 308QV.
     
  3. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
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    Komrade Jung
    #3 jungathart, May 30, 2005
    I asked my Urologist about this once, and he said: "Vat, are you out ov your mind? Iz zat thing already not short enough??"
     
  4. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

    Jan 20, 2002
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    #4 rivee, May 30, 2005
    I shortened the shifter on my 308 by about 1".
    It was pretty easy.
    I tapped the threads 1" longer on the shifter and then just cut an inch off the top.
    If you do decide to do it, make sure you have the correct size and a sharp die.
     
  5. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2002
    454
    near Paris, France
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    Paul
    #5 peajay, May 30, 2005
    Rivee

    Were you happy with the result, more comfortable ? look better ? do you have a photos by any chance ?
     
  6. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
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    #6 Mike C, May 30, 2005
    I thought the 308s use rolled threads with the thread O.D. is larger than the main shaft, so that wouldn't work... I'll have to take a closer look.
     
  7. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
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    THE Birdman
    #7 Birdman, May 30, 2005
    Keep in mind that a shorter shift lever will mean increased shifting effort as you are reducing the mechanical advantage of the shifter.

    Birdman
     
  8. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
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    #8 Mike C, May 31, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yeah, that's why I didn't ever put my GT4 shift assembly in. The 3x8 series isn't built for speed shifting anyway.

    Here's a picture of Ric's car with it done.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2002
    454
    near Paris, France
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #9 peajay, May 31, 2005
    I think that shifter looks a little too short, I wouldn't plan on shortening by that amount, an inch or so wouldn't make a lot of difference to the force.
     
  10. plasmid

    plasmid Karting
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    Mar 28, 2005
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    #10 plasmid, Jun 1, 2005
    It looks short likely due to the console slope.
    In a GT4 it looks like - http://www.ilikeu.de/fotos/308GT4/interior2.jpg
     
  11. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2002
    454
    near Paris, France
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    Paul
    #11 peajay, Jun 1, 2005
    The GT4 photo does look better, I think a touch shorter than this would be OK, anyone know what the console to bottom of knob height is in the GT4 ?
     
  12. plasmid

    plasmid Karting
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    Mar 28, 2005
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    #12 plasmid, Jun 1, 2005

    ~5 3/16 (in the photo above)
     
  13. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2002
    454
    near Paris, France
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    Paul
    #13 peajay, Jun 1, 2005
    Excellent - thanks Plasmid !!!!
     

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