Short Shift Kit

[Tim]

that seems to just be shortening the stick and replacing a few bits.
I wouldnt recommend shortening it. it will reduce the throw slightly but it also reduces the amount of leverage u have with the gearstick. so u would probly require more force to shift the lever.

Its not like a porsche where the console comes up close to the driver. if u shorten the shifter it just makes it harder to reach in a golf i reckon. cos u just dont sit that low.

[andya]

Tim's right, but possibly twice as much as he expected!
huh. I'm not so keen on the Dieselgeek one now - most of the other seem to offer varied amount of reduction in forward back shifting, not just 35%.

L-R doesn't really bother me all that much currently, it is the length of the throw.

hmm...

Also, looking at that vortex linkmade me realise a few things. You may have to excuse some of my mechanical inexperience-my dad died when I was kid and i never really got my hands dirty in cars...

There seems to be different ways of reducing the F/B throw, and DieselGeek uses one, most others another.
But one is a Short Shifter, or another is a Short Shift!

It is obvious now why I was suprised at the DG picture - although it states picture is different, it is also clear from the instructions that you replace the "stock shift lever"

This is also what the DIY article is about - just cutting off the top of you old lever and rethreading the lever lower down.

this of course does reduce the throw, but also puts the lever further away from you - all of this work is done inside the cabin, in the centre console. Also, see http://www.hpamotorsports.com/produc...in_shifter.htm

ALTERNATIVELY...

in the engine bay... http://www.neuspeed.com/products/product_details.asp?app=26|G3&type=3&ltype=ns_euro &p_id=463


"Neuspeed's Short Shift Kit for the A3 5-speed consists of two replacement shift linkages that mount on the transmission and at the firewall. There are 2 adjustments for the reduction in throw (30% and 50%.)

Notes
2-piece lever kit with multi-position option. The stock shift lever inside the center console is not changed."

ah-ha.
similar parts:
http://www2.bmracing.com/store/komme...spx?item=45200
http://www.autotech.com/prod_drive_shortshift.htm
http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/ForSa...ftLinkage.shtm

And references to doing it yourself...
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...short+shift%22

And old wcooled threads...
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...short+shift%22
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...short+shift%22
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...short+shift%22
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...short+shift%22
Phew.

And Secondly... people have mentioned reducing side to side, but is that motion, or sloppiness? apparently as the bushings get worn, the moves around a lot more, and it is quite simple to replace them and get improvement. I have seen expensive teflon high tech ones, and also read of someon using chopped garden hose!

Finally, now.

I don't want a Dieselgeek kit.

I want a real movement reduction, and would like to be involved in a group buy.

[DubSteve]

I'm going to ring tomorrow and find out how much the dieselgeek ones are going to cost and go from there.

[rayray086]

Good to see the research happening there andya! One important thing though - I believe the VR6 and 2.0L shift mechanisms are different. The Neuspeed one that you showed in your post are for the 2.0L models only whereas the dieselgeek one with the new stalk and all are for VR6 models only. Basically, you won't be able to install the Neuspeed linkage pictured on a VR6, and you won't be able to fit a dieselgeek on a 2.0L. If you check the Neuspeed site, the short shift kits they sell for the 2.0L models and VR6 models are very different. This is due to the different gearboxes - 2.0L has the 020 whereas the VR6 has the 02A. I only just realised this while researching on short shifters for the Mk3.

[Golf Loon]

Yeah this thread is getting confusing.

The VR6 has a cable shift gearlinkage assembly and is completely different to the Golf 3 2L and 1.8, which has a rod shift gearlinkage, like a Golf 1 or 2.

You need the correct kit for your car. The pic of the linkage bar with the 2 holes is similar to ones I have seen blokes make for Mk1s.

The forward and back movement inside the car is transferred into sidways movement as you look at the top of the box in the engine bay, thus shortening the rod, or moving its pivot position will have the required effect.

Hope that helps

[andya]

Hi Loon, and Ray,

Yes, I did realise diff models require different conversions.

But loooking again, Dieselgeek actually don't seem have to have a short shift kit for Mk3 Golf 2L.

Might need two seperate buys?

[MattyT]

Thread revival!!

Am tossing up between buying a dieselgeek short shifter for the VR6 or a nuespeed one.

$225 for diesel, $499 for the nuespeed.

Link for the nuespeed: here.

What u guys think??

[sukebe]

No brainer in my opinion - Dieselgeek! Ive heard plenty good about them, so why pay twice the price for Neuspeed?

[Tim]

im happy with my dieselgeek. neuspeed one is overprices. also i think i remember reading that the install on it is harder as well. i did my own dieselgeek install. took me aout 4 hours. although i think the standard install time was sposed to be about 2 hehe

U do need a dremel though!

[MattyT]

That would be an issue, since I dont plan on installing it myself (twood probably take me ALL weekend!)

The dieselgeek site says you have to post back your old shifter so they can make another one. Wtf???