CravenSpeed Shift Well Cover

I’m wondering what my Alta short shifter that I’ve been running for years would look like with that plate – will have to pull up the trim and have a look what she looks like underneath. I really don’t like that the adjustment is viable.

Oh, and I’d also have to change those Phillips head screws to some nice polished chrome cap heads or similar.

my friend just took a hacksaw to the shift nob on his GTi 1.8T- get it short shifter. he told me people really do that. is this true?

While this approach might be true for your friend he is not getting a measurable gain of a engineered short shifter. The connection point of the shift cable is changed or moved further away from the pivot point of the shifter. I found the following on the web.

In physics the product of a force by its effort arm is called a moment of the force; the general conclusion known as the principle of moments states that equilibrium is established when the sum of the moments of the forces acting in a clockwise direction is equal to the sum of the moments of the forces acting in a counterclockwise direction. It is possible, as a result, to overcome a very large force at a short distance from the fulcrum with a very small force at a great distance from the fulcrum.

The original shift lever uses the later of force, using small force a greater distance from the fulcrum. This gives you a larger shift pattern or movement of the lever. When you install a short shifter the fulcrum is moved and the force required effect the cable is greater and thus the pattern is smaller or shorter. The feel of a short shifter is more precise but it takes a little more physical effort.

GMG

It’s really red. It looks better in person.

I’ll second that.

Craven Speed includes a replacement wire tie to use your stock cover/shift boot. You can still make adjustments by lifting the bottom of your stock cover to get to the lock ring.

I do like the idea that the shift well cover can be custom engraved.

I have always loved the metal gates in Italian cars like Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s, and this is a way to get that basic look and feel in our MINI’s. I applaud CravenSpeed for thinking outside the box, and developing an option that isn’t just another leather bag.

Point well taken, I should have been more specific. I meant that if the shifter handle above shift well could be shortened it would give another option. I have seen other shifters with this design and it is dramatic but there could be a market for it. Just a thought.

BTW Ken I don’t think the piece can be designed to offer a even shorter throw because of clearance issues with the exhaust heat shield…

Y’all should also probably know that installation is no joke, and made significantly easier with an overhead lift — therefore I would recommend for any but the most competent home mechanic that you have a professional like Randy do the install.