I just installed a short shifter on my zed, I used the bronze bushes for the new shifter but I need to know if I need to install the middle part of the bushes?(circled in red) It does not appear to fit with the new bronze bushes so I have left it out. Also do I need to grease up the bronze bushes? they where very hard to fit in and I had to used the hammer to bang them in.
As long as it's a tight fit but there must be no slop once fitted again. I would have assumed you'd need that sleeve for it to fit snug.
Nah it doesn't fit and the shifter fits really really tight and it's very stiff. Also the gear changes are very hard now and it's hard to get it into first, will changing the oil make the shifting a bit smoother?
Hi Luis, the bronze bushes are used without the stock spacer. they are much thicker as you have seen.
Not sure if its relevant but the bolt that holds the whole unit, the one that you screw a nut on top to raise the unit. If its low, it'll make shifting a real pain in the ASS. Just adjusted mine yesterday and WOW even when the stock shifter, makes a massive difference. Shifts smooth as butter now. Back when it was lower, you would have to apply a good bit of force to shift into any gear. If you need more clarification i'll throw a picture up. Bit lazy atm *Edit- Tighten the nut that sits on this bolt further to raise it. -/edit* MoulaZX
Maybe too far then? on mine it has about 1-2mm of thread when its done up. I used washers on the other side for it to hold still. Rock solid and super smooth. This is with the standard shift though. I'll be getting my short shifter either today or tomorrow, once I get it, I could help out more. MoulaZX
Luis if the bushes are in leave them, you don't want to damage them. ZRATED posted this a while back in response to a similar question to yours: "The majority of people install the shifter too tight where the shifter connects to the gear selector. This will cause a really stiff shifter feel and it really feels like s#*t!" To get a perfect shift, just finger tight the nut & bolt then give it a LITTLE nip with the spanner and that's it... UOTE=luis;790051]Cool, thanks for clearing that up. Do they need greasing up too?[/QUOTE]
Put them in the freezer!! I read somewhere that if you leave them in the freezer overnight before you fit the bronze bushes it helps??........makes sense because the metal will contract??......but by enough to make a difference??.......not sure as I haven't tested the theory yet? ..........although this doesn't really help now that you have them fitted! ......but it might help others!
Just make sure you use a nyloc or some locktite, not something you want coming off Pfft, just use the hammer like a real man.
Just installed my short shifter I got from Caz today. I ended up using the sleeve, its a little too snug. Hard to move the stick, the shifts are really close together but its a pain now to move the stick. I'll take it out and grease up some more some other time. Worst case, maybe find a thinner sleeve or modify the existing one to take off a tiny tiny bit off its diameter. Otherwise still happy with the new shifter MoulaZX
It will loosen up a bit over time and a big portion of it is getting used to it. Once you got it down pat it's no hassle
I thought about that too, and also wouldn't it put more pressure on engine / gearbox mounts? Cause as you're hammering it say from 2nd to 3rd, change at 6.8k rpm, part of the force is absorbed by the syncros the other part by mounts. I dont see it as too bad though cause seriously what nut drives like that everyday on the street? I reckon it would apply more to guys who take their cars frequently to the tracks. Any confirmation on this? MoulaZX
Just 2 days before I just figured out how to make it the standard shifter, smooth as a hot knife through butter lol. I was still getting used to that then straight the opposite end being hard as f**k hahaha. MoulaZX
Ahh, no. Force won't be 'absorbed' by the synchros. A ham fisted moron will kill a normal gearbox quickly. A short shifter won't wear the synchro's quicker than a normal one IF you are a good driver, the better you are the less the synchro's actually do anything. Mechanical sympathy, everyone should have it but few seem to...
Well of course that comes into play, knowing exactly when the best spot to shift, so you minimize the stress on your gearbox and keep the engine in a good rev range. Practice makes perfect MoulaZX
