Miata Mailing List: September 1995, Message #82
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   From: fpotter@his.com (Frank Potter)
Subject: RE: Shortened Shifter
   Date: Sat, 2 Sep 1995 09:22:48 -0400

>Robt. Holland notes that "shortening the shifter doesn't happen at the top
>of the shaft, but below the fulcrum point."  I don't understand.  I thought
>the whole point of this was to reduce the length of the shift throw at the
>top end of the shift lever - so you don't have to move your hand so far.  If
>so, then shortening the end below the fulcrum would require a greater
>movement of the knob end, to move the rest of the transmission shift linkage
>the same distance, wouldn't it?  I'd think if one were to make up a
>completely new shift lever for this, one would want to raise the fulcrum of
>the lever, to put it closer to the shift knob and farther from the shift
>linkage.  Thus, a shorter movement of the upper or knob end, would result in
>the same distance at the lower end of the lever.  Or am I missing something
>here?

You're right - the Short Throw Shifter raises the fulcrum point higher, by
maybe .75 inch. And - as one would expect - the throw is in fact shorter...

Frank

Frank Potter
MEOWTA - 1993 Black/Red LE #290