Make shifting nicer?

[johnwc723]

I was just at my local honda dealer today (dont worry i still love my 3geez) and every car from civic to s2000 that i moved the shifter stick (manual of course) it made a nice click and i barely had to move it at all, the clutch was also much easier to press.

I AM SOO JELOUS of the sticks on those cars, mine when i shift i have to move my whole freakin arm like across, and its not a smooth click its more like a fart than a click.

anyone know any way i could get my shifter closer to them new cars? (i have never messed much with the tranny b4 but i want to start)
THANKS!

[pmip]

Short throw shifter and stiffer shift bushings, but I can almost gurantee it will never feel like the s2000.

[meohmy01]

short shifter kit. my 94 makes the click and you can feel exactly where the gears are. but the clutch is tricky in reverse and on take off. so in that respect i like the 3 gee better.

[meohmy01]

oh. it's already been said. sorry

[IWLSF]

As far as the clicking, I have no idea what you're referring to. Mine doesnt make any type of noise...I mean, unless you're sitting there, with the car turned off, going through the gears. But really, can you drive your car like that? No lol, so dont worry about that. As far as the clutch pedal feel, softer is not better. That's either a sign of a stock clutch or a weak pressure plate in an aftermarket application. I love my ACT heavy duty plate, the grab is amazing.

The other main difference is the fact that they are hydraulic setups. It's a lot smoother and more efficient of a setup. We use a cable setup. Unless you try to convert to a hydro setup (that'd be nice and easy...lemme tell ya) you cant modify the tranny. Unless you get another tranny...but yeah, I dont think so.

[johnwc723]

so what would i do for a short throw? ( i have read that you can saw off part of the stick? or would i have to buy one (im low on the $$$)

[meohmy01]

i think what he means by the clicking is just the feel of the car going into gear.

[Einstein]

Things have improved greatly in the last 15 years. The S2000 shifter is amazing, it's true.

[meohmy01]

i know someone who has an s2000 an mr2 and they just bought a 2003 accord ex v6 coupe with the 6 speed manual gear box. blue. it's beutiful. the s2000 and the mr2 are the drab gray. i like the yellow a lot better.

[Einstein]

BTW you can improve your shifting by changing your fluid using Honda MTF. You could also lubricate your shifter linkage, clutch linkage, cable linkage, and even replace the cable.

[johnwc723]

i just changed it using Valvoline Max Life, was that a bad idea, do you think that H-MTF would be a lot better?

[meohmy01]

my transmission fluid hasn't been changed, or touched for that matter, since it entered my family 4 years and 50k ago. that's probably why there is no 5th gear.

[Einstein]

I assume you used max-life motor oil. Honda MTF skips the detergents, etc. required in crankcase oil, and instead puts additives that improve shift quality and gear durability.

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Honda MTF is some really good stuff!! I put that in mine last time I changed it and it really made a difference.

My guess for the newer shifters feeling different, besides overall improvements, could be because the shift linkage is different. Not sure about all the models, but on my moms 5th gen Accord it has 2 cables for a linkage instead of a solid bar with universal joint like ours have. The clutches are easier to push because they are hydraulic instead of cable operated like ours.

You want a short shifter, try driving a Mazda Miata! Several years ago I drove my neighbors brand new 99 Miata and the shifter was about the size of a large thumb, and didn't even have a 'shift knob' on the end. From 1st to 2nd and the rest, it traveled probably about 3 inches, lol. I loved driving that car :crying:

[ACCORD EX]

i know what you mean ! but it'll never be teh same !
have you ever driven a MERCEDES and a new KIA ! if yes you'll know what i mean !

MIKE

[1988starter]

I use honda MTF and one bottle lucas transmission stuff it is great

[IWLSF]

Yeah, PaceSetter makes a short shifter kit. I wouldnt touch their exhaust systems with a stick even if I got paid, but I dont think they can really fuck up a piece of metal. That or yeah, you can saw off the shifter. Saw directly underneath the last thread for the shift knob. Then saw down how much difference you want off the shifter itself. Then tig weld the threaded part back onto the top of the shorter shifter. If you know what you're doing, it wont fuck up.

[dXsquared]

get a DC shifter for a 84-87 civic. then get some energy shifter bushings for the same car. it will be much nicer that a wornout old stock shifter

Travis

[89AccordResto]

I'd like to do my shifter as soon as possible. I found this:

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=esearch.asp&N=100&Ntk=PartSearch&Ntt=ens161101r&x=16&y=8

and this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shifter-Stabilizer-Bushing-Bushings-Honda-Civic-88-00_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQitemZ80431216 46QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

However, the large bushing is 'split' in the black kit, but in the red kit it appears to be one piece. Is one better than the other? Also, where's a good place for short shifters? Cheap! :)

[A20A1]

The split might be for ease of install, allow for a tigher clearance, may add to it's life expectancy.

[89AccordResto]

So is one better than the other?

[Strugglebucket]

have your transmission rebuilt and replace the shift forks. that will make each gear click into place a lot more precisely.

poly shift bushings won't really change the feel unless you're banging on the shifter. it will keep it from moving around so much when you blip the throttle, though.

as far as fluid, honda mtf is alright. i like gm syncromesh friction modified because it gets rid of grinds whan you shift at high rpms and it makes shifts feel a little more positive with slightly more resistance engaging.

[89accorder]

i got a B&M 99 civic short shifter to fit with some modification, I have the 84-87 civic hurst shifter bushings and the work fine- Im also converting to the hybrid integra tranny with shorter ratios- probably rebuild also

[crazykamper]

what modifications were made to the 99civic shifter?? u got me interested!

[89accorder]

man, i wish i had some pictures here to help me explain, but here it goes,

My friend sold me his for $20 because he wanted a neuspeed.

Be prepared to hack on an expensive piece of metal(i think theyre around $100 new)

basically on the shifter theres a mounting plate on the bottom. you have to cut off the sides of the flange so that its perfectly circular to fit into the shifter housing on the linkage. youll also have to grind down the hex head screws to fit.

once the above is done, with the circlip out of the housing on the linkage(where the shifter sits) push the civic short throw shifter up through, It will be kind of hard because of the "O" ring that is on it, but it makes a nice tight fit.

before i ground down my screws i tightend them up all of the way. but i ground them down just enough to make it clear the shifter housing. i used a couple old large "O" rings to make it not move up and down, Or it fit perfectly, cant remember!

BTW, I did this all off of the car, much easier, especially if ur gonna be doing bushings too. those shifter and stabilizer rods can get pretty damn clean!!

ill try n see if i can get pictures,

[crazykamper]

wow. sounds like a lot more work than i would prefer doing, think i will just go to jy and get a shifter and "expirement!" lol.

[89accorder]

well its all personal preference, I wanted the B+M because it dosent use a standard plastic "cage" which tends to make a shifter feel rubbery. its cage is smaller and harder. and the shifter is a lot heavier.

[crazykamper]

oh, now i see, w.e. bien the cheap person i am, i think ill just continue makin a custom one! lol.

[AccordEpicenter]

if you replace the shifter bushings and the torque rod bushings (id prefer going to urethane), switch to either honda MTF or Syncromesh FM then that should greatly increase shift feel and quality unless your tranny is either messed up or misadjusted clutch or your motor mounts are shot

[crazykamper]

where can i get urethane bushings (or the ones that everyone always get)?? is there another bushing besides urethane?

[89accorder]

I got mine from jegs- they said they were for 84-88 civic and 9x-97 integra they fit perfectly, (Mine are hurst)

[crazykamper]

i will have to look them up... i know summit has some for 12$

is there any diff between the 2 of them? lol. or are they the same thing. just diff companys.... also, wich has faster ship (if they are both the same...)

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10551&catalogIdentifier=SportsCompact&categoryId=24809&parentCategoryId=10845

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=ENS%2D16%2D1101R&N=4294907813+4294925024+115&autoview=sku