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Posted by: mistro Aug 27 2004, 08:42 PM

Getting a new Rennshift shortly, right James? James has agreed to shorten the shifter to accommodate the bend in my long legs. Couldn't Porsche given the same amount of leg room in a 914 as Jaguar did in my XKE?

Anyway, I measure the length of the stock shifter from where it exits the transmission hump to the end of the shaft as 10" (no knob and ignoring the bend). James and I are talking about his fabricating the new shifter at a length of 7.5" with a slight bend to the right. While James has a lot more knowledgeable here than I ever will ever have, I'd appreciate hearing from any member who has modified the shifter by shortening it as to how short it is, any other bends in the shaft and how performance was affected. Especially like to hear from all you 914ers who could also be members of the Tall Club, i.e. over 6'2'' .TIA, Michael

Posted by: James Adams Aug 27 2004, 09:12 PM

Decide quick - the rest of your shifter is nearly done!

You have an XKE? I've got a '68 roadster.

Posted by: mistro Aug 27 2004, 09:23 PM

James, I had an 68 XKE coupe 25+ years ago in College. Drove my Senior tuition money in my Junior year! Fastest I ever went on four wheels!

See my email to you for an update. But look, unless someone on this board comes up with something that YOU agree with, I'm sticking with the expert... you. Talk or email you early next weekend. Rgds, Michael

Posted by: rick 918-S Aug 27 2004, 11:36 PM

I like the idea for shortening the length and bending the shaft to the right. I hit my leg and I'm not the tallest owner out there. I'm working on the wife. Hope she gets my subtle hints about christmas.....

Posted by: mistro Aug 28 2004, 08:19 PM

Anybody out there with a short one?

Posted by: Brad Roberts Aug 29 2004, 11:18 AM

I have customers over 6'4. We heat and bend their stock stick over to compensate for the knee bend. Works great.

I really dont see how a shorter stick would help. It will leave your hand UNDER your knee. You need full/easy access to the steering wheel.

A longer stick is something I would like to see. Something that gets my hand right next to the base of the steering wheel (think Indy car)


B

Posted by: scottb Aug 29 2004, 12:43 PM

i like this idea as i am 6'2 and r and 1 are on/under my leg. i think brads idea of stock/longer length but short throw would be great. hmmmm...b-day is coming up..

i also got rid of my console and that helped as well with room and leg postion...

Posted by: James Adams Aug 29 2004, 03:34 PM

All the "stock" RennShifters are stock stick height. My own car has a stick that is 1" longer to get the knob closer to the wheel.

I'm 5'11", so I don't have the knee-in-the-shifter problem.

Posted by: mistro Aug 30 2004, 03:24 PM

James, Give me a day, we have the time and I'd like to get this right without you to redoing things. I'll get the new momo steering wheel on the rustbucket and see what the position of my knees and the shifter is then. Maybe Brad is right. I'll email or post tomorrow. Sept 1 is an artificial deadline, the car is still 2000 miles way. Rgds, Michael

Posted by: phantom914 Aug 30 2004, 03:43 PM

Just to add my worthless opinion: I am 6'5" and don't think a shorter shifter would do a bit of good, but a shorter throw would help a bit. A smaller steering wheel helps, a little better with a spacer too.

A bend in the shifter or a different base design that places the position of the shift knob a couple of inches to the right would be great.

Andrew

Posted by: mistro Aug 30 2004, 09:18 PM

Andrew, At 6'5" your opinion counts a lot in the land of the giants... which is where I reside. Rgds, Michael

Posted by: James Adams Aug 30 2004, 10:01 PM

No problem, just lemme know!

Posted by: Brad Roberts Aug 30 2004, 10:26 PM

James,

The way your stick mounts... you could easily move it over 1 inch with a fat spacer and longer bolts. It would play hell with the rubber boot... but it would help these guy's out.


B

Posted by: Randal Aug 30 2004, 10:34 PM

I've always thought the shifter was higher than necessary as I keep hitting my gages that hang down from the dash.

How much can you cut off before it gets unmanageable, expecially with the 12lb springs?

Posted by: trekkor Aug 30 2004, 11:42 PM

I'm 5'9" and I am always dodging the shifter.

A bent extension that puts the knob up and out of the way sounds good to me.

KT

Posted by: James Adams Aug 31 2004, 06:51 AM

No need, I change the angle when I build it - you just have to ask. You are correct though, a spacer will move it over nicely.

Posted by: James Adams Aug 31 2004, 07:15 AM

Some people find the 33% unmanageable, so I can't really can't make that judgement for you.

My shifter already has 10 times the options of anything else (which makes them slow and expensive to build). I can't make every single part open for discussion unless I make the price much higher (and then it would be too much of a pain for me to bother doing anyway, and it's no picnic as it is).

The stick was made stock height because there are many complaints about the Welt short-shift with its shortened lever. Purpose-built race cars typically have the knob as close to the steering wheel as possible, for less reach and less time for hands off the wheel.

Another problem with shortening the stick is reaching 4th while strapped in harnesses. Having to lift your shoulder from the seat to shift is not a good thing.

Posted by: Randal Aug 31 2004, 08:35 AM

Good point.