5 speed Short Shifter

[craigh]

Has anyone found a direct replacement for the 5 speed shifter that would reduce the throw? I figure that there must be a BMW shifter that works. Anyone looked into this?

 

[HRLNKN]

The manual in the LS (& the S-Type) never really was all that popular anywhere, so upgrades will be few and far between. The only short-throw I could find for the Getrag 221 was this one on eBay. If you actually get & install it, make sure you post up a review about it

 

[craigh]

I am not looking for an aftermarket upgrade to the LS shifter. Many of the BMW's use a Getrag gearbox. The shifter balls and the connection to the shift lever appear to be similar or the same. I was wondering if anyone has found a shifter from a BMW that has a longer throw below the ball and thus would be a short shifter. My calculations are that a 1 inch increase in length below the ball would still fit in the car and not hit the driveshaft but reduce the throw 40%. I understand that I would need to find a BMW shift knob to finish it properly. Has anyone with a 5 speed even thought about this?

 

[milehighmikey]

I have not. I have about 340K miles driving the LS manual over 2 cars, both built in 2000 and have never been interested. I don't even try to shift fast, just smoothly.

 

[craigh]

milehighmikey I am looking to reduce the throw, not shift faster. I am an old man and I usually drive like one. The reach for 5th gear is long for me and I sometimes miss the shift. I would like to have a shorter tighter pattern.

 

[milehighmikey]

Ah I see, I actually tend to push the shift knob toward 5th with the back of my fingers with my palm facing down on that shift. And I may be older... 64 in 2 months.

 

[craigh]

60 for me in June.