Shifter questions

I see some very nice looking simple shift lever and knob, then I see others with a reverse lock out "loop" built onto the shifter. What's needed to get rid of the aftermarket looking "thumb loop" shifter?

Usually nothing more than buying the shifter of your choice and then loosening 2 bolts that hold it in place.

And you can't remove the finger loop from those that have it without having the upper section re-chromed for way more money than the shifter is worth.

KW- You have many choices- anything for a VW Type 1 will work, but not necessarily well. Nothing looks as "correct" (I hate that term) as an old, stock VW shifter re-bent to look more "356-ey"- and I've had a couple in an effort to get away from shifters that look like they belong on a '78 Firebird (as it were). I'm sure I'll get some blow-back from the stock shifter crowd- but in my humble opinion (which I'm sure you'll be surprised to hear I possess), they are so loose and vague as to be unusable.

The reason so many guys (me included) have the goofy-looking reverse lock-out shifters (EMPI) is that they work really, really well and cost <$50. A Berg tee-handle (I'm told) works even better (and costs 6x as much)- but everybody has a line they won't cross, and mine's something I wouldn't even want aesthetically in the aforementioned Firebird. My shifter looks out of place in my car. I've done what I can to hide that fact, but there it is. It stays because it works so well.

I stopped caring so much when I realized that my car wasn't a 356, and I could stop slavishly trying to replicate everything stock. I like my car for what it is, and the stupid-looking shifter reminds me that what works beats what looks good- every single time. My thinking is: a racer in 1965 would've used what worked, and not given a rat's eyelash for "originality". At some point, you'll ask yourself why it matters so much- but that's not a point you have arrived at yet.

Anyhow... to answer your question directly: Vintagespeed (find him on the Samba) makes and sells a shifter that should meet your desires. It looks stock, but has the feel of a really good, tight aftermarket shifter. It take some modification (shortening the handle) and costs $350, but it sounds like it would fit the bill for you perfectly.

http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=165&category_id=9&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80

They have a 10.5 and a 13.5 inch one that needs to be shortened a bit like Stan said.

My mistake, Marty: $230. Good looking shifter, IMHO- it looks a lot like a Wevo shifter for a 915. Terry Nuckles really likes his, and Terry knows his stuff.

But... for the time being, I'm sticking with what I've got.

I didn't mean that disrespectfully, I just feel that they look like a line lock/hurst. I really didn't mean that it looks bad, just out of place. Thanks for the insight guys!
PS- how do you select reverse with a "stick" style shifter? Just curious.

You just push down on the shifter knob thus pushing the stick into the floor mechanism and past a detent, also in the floor mechanism Where the shifter meets the floor is often called a ball and socket. The stick has the ball and the shifter rod that goes back to the transaxle has the socket

Is it only us old dinosaurs that know where reverse is on a VW bug shifter? Guess it's another one of those: "You are old if you remember . . . "

I'm only 34, but I have vIntage raced pre war cars! Formula Ford cars I've raced have VW transmissions, down against your right leg, and straight forward! The box is upside down!

The shifter I've been using is made by bugpack it uses the same base as th Berg shifter just has different handle works well . Just replaced csp shifter on Michael's car with one they sell for about $ 150.00 .Roland.

Are you saying that the 10.5 inch VintageSpeed Quick Shifter must be shortened? By how much?

if we are talking about the same shifter Terry and i each had it cut down almost 3", costs $50 at machinist.

Cole, I think the 13.5 is too long and the 10.5 depending on your seat height and placement may be a tad short. Bob, what length did you buy?

Here is a review of 11 different shifters.
http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/images/stories/product/test.pdf

marty, at the time he only offered one size, i no longer have the car but Terry does. contact him and have him measure it.

I think the Mango speedster on this forum has a slick looking shifter.

A couple weeks ago I purchased the 10.5" shifter from Vinatge Speed. I received it in the mail today. Well, I almost received it. They sent me the 13.5" shifter.

I do find it interesting that on the side of the box they have the different types, one of them being "speedster style". I guess they have some product development in mind.

The current stock shifter in my car is 10.5". Great height on my car... no complaints. I do have a much lower tunnel when compared to the VW chassis cars.

This shifter (13.5") may be up for sale. Waiting to hear back from the Vintage Speed guys. Ill also be selling my stock shifter.

paul, thats the skifter i had cut down 3" so if he is now offering a 10" that would be tits.

Bob,

Its actually 10.5" and 12 mm. Looks as if it was intended for the type 3. I'll post some pics of "the look" when i get the correct part and install it on my ride.

http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=165&category_id=9&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80&vmcchk=1&Itemid=80

Paul. i know the guy is in Taiwan, did it ship from there. He had a broker in LA for awhile but dont know if thats still happening.

I always liked the Roth "Rat Fink" shifter look - that you'd get with the longer one!

http://tinyurl.com/42dqjqb

Now that's a shifter. I drew alot of cars with one like that when I was a kid...didn't help the schoolwork though.

So Bob, the 10.5" Vintage Speed shifter is about the right height and is about the same height that comes stock in a VS?

you really need to check with Terry as he has one and can measure it. No, it is not stock with VS.

I purchased my VintageSpeed shifter from Ming-Tang Lee, personally, at the Sacto BugOrama 2-3 years ago. Mine had a modified gate to work with a Berg 5-speed. The original length was 13-1/2", far too long for a speedster. I had a machinist hack off 3" and re-thread the shaft. It now measures 10-1/2", 1/2" shorter than the Empi trigger shifter. I also had to refigure the shifting gate as it didn't work with my Berg transmission. During this time I was communicating with Ming-Tang and sending photos of the modifications. I suggested that he make a shorter version for speedsters and visit this site. I'm glad to see that he is making the shorter shifter now.
I stripped off the paint and polished the metal as I felt that looked better on my car.
I have tried almost every shifter and can say that I prefer this one. It's not as bulky as the Berg shifter and it looks more "period correct" for our cars.
After the gate modification my shifter is very close, very tight and very quick. I'm not sure how the 4-speed is.
With the VintageSpeed you pull up on the shift knob to move into reverse.

I purposely bought the 13.5" shifter (it looks more "period" IMO since it is tall & skinny )and installed it in m y Beck,but that is a lower tunnel so I can see how it would be too long on a pan based car.
If you have a Beck or InterM,then the tall shifter looks and works great.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x22/TAI-VW/sPEEDSTERSHIFTER002.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x22/TAI-VW/sPEEDSTERSHIFTER001.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x22/TAI-VW/sPEEDSTERSHIFTER003.jpg

If anyone is interested in buying this shifter let me know. You will get it much quicker and save money on shipping. $195 plus shipping. Otherwise I am shipping it back to Taiwan.

Vintage Speed came through with the correct shifter and I have not even mailed the old one back to them yet. There was no additional charge to me. This group of guys in Taiwan make a lot of american companies that brag about selling american made quality parts and having great american customer service to shame (Airkewld).

I like this shifter much better than the other. Its the curves of there classic 13.5" shifter that really bothered me. Since i have both shifters in in my posession, ill take a couple comparison pics tonight. Maybe itll help someone else to make a decision.

Paul

Paul-So it only took a week to get your replacement? That's good service. Add "Vintage Speed" to the "Shops" category/tab above right on this page-you can also give him a rating, which, in your case, should be a 10.

Paul
I sure would appreciate pictures of your install.

actions do speak louder than BS words. Its a nice shifter.
I was in Kaoushing, Taiwan twice in 69-71 on R&R and the people were very respectful of us and you didnt have to worry about getting rolled or ripped off, unlike some other port of calls i have frequented.

Some quick images of the install. I am happy.

What is the consensus on a CMC length? 10.5"?

Installed the 10.5" from Vintage Speed on my VS.

Quality was excellent and the height was good. I would have preferred a bit more bend in the shaft so that it was a bit closer to me, but it's not bad as is.

The shifting is much tighter than the stock shifter. The throw is short and precise and reverse is very nice, never a bad shift as with the stock shifter.

Because the throw is so short, it's not as easy to tell what gear you're in by feel, but I suspect after I get used to it it will be just fine.

All in all, I'd rate it a 9.5!

I have the Mamba shifter from him (Vintage Speed)and it is made well. Crisp shifts...

I ended up buying the vintage speed Speedster shifter... It's in transit.. I hope it comes with a knob. Where do you guys find those shifter boots that cover the mechanism? VS doesn't seem to cover the base... Thanks!

Autozone, Pepboys...

Hmmm, The Vintage website is now showing three lengths of shifter plus one specified for VW bus. The addition is an 11.5" job that appears to have a more pronounced bend similar to the shape of several I've seen in photos of original 356 cars. Is anyone using one of the 11.5", or shall I be the first?

http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=9&Itemid=