i have a astra, 5 speed manual. i want to put a short throw shifter in it. ive been doing research and idk what would work for the car, are most short throws universal or are they trans specific. are their differences from rwd and fwd? i js would like to know potential options. ive been looking for a week now and i found a kit but its not for the car. i figured might aswell try and if it dont work ill return it.

 

How exactly does a short throw shifter work? What's different about it physically that shortens the throw? I've never understood.

 

I can't really explain the physical differences, derf, but basically it shortens the distance you have to manipulate the shifter between gears. I don't really know how it works.

 

Thanks. I was hoping the OP could explain it to me.

 

I doubt that he can explain it either, That's why he hasn't responded! LOL

 

I don't know as I've never had the desire for one. But I suspect that they change the position of the pivot point relative to the shifter lever itself and the output link. If, for instance, a stock shifter lever moves six inches to move the output link one inch, by changing the pivot point (fulcrum) they change the relationship so that the shifter lever moves a shorter distance for the same one inch movement of the output link. Obviously, that requires a re-design of the whole shifter mechanism in the console.

 

Thanks!

Fulcrum... I don't know that I've ever seen that word used on this forum. We should start a thread of rare forum words and phrases. Like obfuscatory juxtaposition.....

 

So, sexual position language can be used as long as we can apply them to a mechanical procedure? Awesome! No, wait, I'm no longer familiar with either. Never mind.

 

Dirty old fart

 

If designed correctly the pivot ball is larger, which in turns gives you a shorter throw between shifts.