Miata Mailing List: August 1998, Message #193

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If you feel adventurous, you can make your own short shift kit from your
stock shifter. I think other people have done this, but here is how I
did it.

I bought a metric tap and die set from Sears for $20. Make sure it has a
threading die for 9mmX1.5 (I think). You can compare the thread size
using the thread tap to the shaft thread.

Use the die to turn more threads on the stock shifter. I threaded down
about 3/4". While the die is still on the shaft, cut 3/4" of the shaft
end off. Back the die off, cleaning the shaft end, so that you have nice
clean threads.

Cut about 3/4" off the bottom of the gearshift knob, and use a Dremel
tool to carve out the inside into a cone shape. Do not carve into the
threads inside the knob.

Some day I will replace the stock knob with a nice wooden knob when I
have finished with my other modification. So far, everybody who has
driven the car likes the short shifter.
-----Original Message-----
From:	John Taylor [SMTP:jtaylor@horvitzlevy.com]

Can anyone comment on the differences between the Dealer Alternative
short shift kit (selling for around $250) and the versions sold by PBC 
and Brainstorm (for around $150)?  Anyone tried both?  Which is better
and why?

Is it worth paying the extra $100 for the Dealer Alternative kit?