Short Shifter Install
01-01-2006, 04:58 PM
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Short Shifter Install
Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I thought this info might be useful to someone.
I just installed my short shifter in my TL. Up front I want to let everyone know that I have very little experience working with the interior trim on vehicles! Given this I was able to install the short shifter in about 2.5 hours.
The Comptech install instructions have you take out the center console, driver side dash (under the steering wheel), and the glove compartment. All this is so that you can access and remove the two center consol side panels. I made the decision to only remove the drivers sied under dash and left center consol side panels. Of course I still had to remove the center consol panels to access the shifter.
The toughest part of the install was the first part of removing the silver metal trim on both sides of the center consol. I used a butter knife wrapped with a paper towel and started gently prying under the bottom side of the left side trim starting at the seat belt buckle. Once the tabs "popped" loose I used my hand to gently work my way up (gently prying) the trim to the top to release is.
Once I got all of the panels that I planned to take out removed. I was able to disconnect the shifter from the access hole on the left side. Everything else went just as the Comptech instructions indicated.
Once back together...wow! What a difference. This is is the best mod yet next to the Comptech swaybar! The shift is dramatically shorter, and a bit notchy (which I like). Shifting is much quicker and I couldn't be happier.
I you have the short shifter (or want one) and are afraid to install it...don't be. It is much easier than you think.
My 2 cents. Hope this helps.
I just installed my short shifter in my TL. Up front I want to let everyone know that I have very little experience working with the interior trim on vehicles! Given this I was able to install the short shifter in about 2.5 hours.
The Comptech install instructions have you take out the center console, driver side dash (under the steering wheel), and the glove compartment. All this is so that you can access and remove the two center consol side panels. I made the decision to only remove the drivers sied under dash and left center consol side panels. Of course I still had to remove the center consol panels to access the shifter.
The toughest part of the install was the first part of removing the silver metal trim on both sides of the center consol. I used a butter knife wrapped with a paper towel and started gently prying under the bottom side of the left side trim starting at the seat belt buckle. Once the tabs "popped" loose I used my hand to gently work my way up (gently prying) the trim to the top to release is.
Once I got all of the panels that I planned to take out removed. I was able to disconnect the shifter from the access hole on the left side. Everything else went just as the Comptech instructions indicated.
Once back together...wow! What a difference. This is is the best mod yet next to the Comptech swaybar! The shift is dramatically shorter, and a bit notchy (which I like). Shifting is much quicker and I couldn't be happier.
I you have the short shifter (or want one) and are afraid to install it...don't be. It is much easier than you think.
My 2 cents. Hope this helps.
01-01-2006, 07:51 PM
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Wow! No experience needed, huh? Iv'e wanted the short shift in my car since I heard about it, but I couldn't bring myself to pay $50.00 for a part and $300.00 for installation. Maybe I'll try it! Thanks-
01-02-2006, 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by skyy406
is the "throw" really much shorter? I am very interested!
Comptech says that the throw is 38% shorter. It may be, but it feels like it is 50% shorter to me. Shifting is now really slick and fast. I can now just glide through the gears.
01-02-2006, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by skyy406
is the "throw" really much shorter? I am very interested!
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01-02-2006, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by wizlb
I have a SC, will the short shifter increase my speed or the shifting is shorter.
Which one is it?
Which one is it?
01-02-2006, 06:57 PM
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Thanks for the technical support!!! If it is as easy as you said then I shouldn't have any problems installing it since I've put in several honda short shifters. Thanks again. 
If it is as easy as you said then I shouldn't have any problems installing it since I've put in several honda short shifters. Thanks again.
01-04-2006, 05:12 AM
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Originally Posted by KilroyR1
I would guess having a short shifter would not be worth much on a TL. The engine seems to hang on to revs during shifts.
01-04-2006, 05:15 AM
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Originally Posted by TL-CrAzIe-05
Thanks for the technical support!!! If it is as easy as you said then I shouldn't have any problems installing it since I've put in several honda short shifters. Thanks again.
If it is as easy as you said then I shouldn't have any problems installing it since I've put in several honda short shifters. Thanks again. Like I said the scariest and toughest part was taking off the initial metal side trim pieces with the butter knife. After that it was easy.
01-04-2006, 07:45 AM
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I ordered mine straight from Comptech... it was 49 with 5 for shipping.... On Ebay Acura of Lynwood had it but it was 45 plus 16 shipping... 
rip...
When I get it and have the time I will take pictures and post an install thread....
rip... When I get it and have the time I will take pictures and post an install thread....
01-04-2006, 10:53 AM
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dose this make the shift knob physically shorter. any pics? it doesn't touch internal. just make it shorter in length therefore shift faster right? if that's the case we have to apply lil more power to shift? i have seem others not like this one. just curious about this one. Thanks.
01-04-2006, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by ttliang
dose this make the shift knob physically shorter. any pics? it doesn't touch internal. just make it shorter in length therefore shift faster right? if that's the case we have to apply lil more power to shift? i have seem others not like this one. just curious about this one. Thanks.
There is no more effort that I can see to shift once installed. The shift gate becomes a little knotchy but is short, sweet, and smooth.
01-04-2006, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mporter410
It does not affect the height of the shifter at the shift knob end. It lengthens the shifter at the other end that connects to the shift cable, thus shortening the throw at the shift knob end.
There is no more effort that I can see to shift once installed. The shift gate becomes a little knotchy but is short, sweet, and smooth.
There is no more effort that I can see to shift once installed. The shift gate becomes a little knotchy but is short, sweet, and smooth.
01-12-2006, 05:44 PM
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this thing rocks.
however it's a b**** to install. half way thru it i thought i was putting in an antiroll cage or something. ha ha ha.... broke one clip under the steering wheel but no problem afterward (tired of being carefull at that point).
this is how i imagined TL would shift before i bot the car. dream come true.
$300+ labor charge is not an exaggeration.
however it's a b**** to install. half way thru it i thought i was putting in an antiroll cage or something. ha ha ha.... broke one clip under the steering wheel but no problem afterward (tired of being carefull at that point).
this is how i imagined TL would shift before i bot the car. dream come true.
$300+ labor charge is not an exaggeration.
01-13-2006, 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by ttliang
this thing rocks.
however it's a b**** to install. half way thru it i thought i was putting in an antiroll cage or something. ha ha ha.... broke one clip under the steering wheel but no problem afterward (tired of being carefull at that point).
this is how i imagined TL would shift before i bot the car. dream come true.
$300+ labor charge is not an exaggeration.
however it's a b**** to install. half way thru it i thought i was putting in an antiroll cage or something. ha ha ha.... broke one clip under the steering wheel but no problem afterward (tired of being carefull at that point).
this is how i imagined TL would shift before i bot the car. dream come true.
$300+ labor charge is not an exaggeration.
Anyway, aren't you glad you saved the $300?
01-16-2006, 03:54 PM
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mporter410- Thanks for the info....I took a wack at it today and finally finished. It wasn't that bad at all and the only little damage I did was to the plastic cover under the steering wheel while trying to pull it out, I cracked it a little but it is very small and doesn't show at all. I'm definately glad that I installed this by myself instead of the $320.00 price quote I got from my dealer.
I would like to blame this thread for this purchase 
01-17-2006, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by trancemission
yeah no shit, thanks guys.... 
01-17-2006, 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by trancemission
^^^sweet ttliang, I cant wait man. I dont have much experience with short shifters so I relaly dont know what to expect.
please b carefull with all "C" hooks. i really recommend you get that L-shape tool they mentioned or something similar. otherwise you'll just have to kinda brute force it. extra careful with the aluminum trim. if they bend, they gone. not fixable. about $70+ a pop.
see this for the revised acura SM
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B050100.PDF
it's on our site as well. comptech instruction still uses the old SM procedures. good luck.
01-19-2006, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Excelerate
Hey guys I have a number of these coming to my shop. They should be here early next week. They will be $50 shipped. Let me know if anyone is interested.
Two things, when clicking on your website says Account Suspended??..anyways with a 203 area code wher in CT are you??....can we do a pick up??
Thanks
01-19-2006, 02:35 PM
#37
Originally Posted by HEK
Two things, when clicking on your website says Account Suspended??..anyways with a 203 area code wher in CT are you??....can we do a pick up??
Thanks
Thanks
01-19-2006, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by baysic tl
this thing is not a replacement part but a add on the stock bottom? how does it work screw in or what? a little confused about it
01-20-2006, 01:44 PM
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Can people who have the short shifter comment on the "smoothness" of the shifting? Has it changed? Is it still as buttery as stock? I'm seriously considering one.