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.

 

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-

 

is the "throw" really much shorter? I am very interested!

 

about 30-40% reduction i'd say ... I cant even tell anymore though ...

 

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.

 

The throw IS THAT much shorter. I was pretty impressed. Although like Ludachrisvt mentioned...I don't notice it anymore...since I got it installed about 15K miles ago.

 

I have a SC, will the short shifter increase my speed or the shifting is shorter.

Which one is it?

 

It increases the speed of you shifting. Therefore there is less speed loss in between shifts. You may have noticed that when you are off the line on someone you lose about a 1/4 of a car length on someone when shifting. Expecially if they are driving an auto. The short shifter should minimize this loss.

 

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.

 

Oh man, so many mods and so little money.......

this one sounds doable though....

 

I have also been wanting to do this but was hesitant about the install.... Im doing it now though.... Im going to order it today....

 

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.

 

Actually, I noticed that the "hang" is less with the short shifter. I think for me it has to do with better timing between moving the shifter and working the clutch with the short shifter installed.

 

As far as the install went...the only tools I used were a philips & regular screw drivers, needle nose pliers, butter knife, 12 mm socket and wrench, vise (in the basement to pull the nylon bushing off the old shifter), and a torque wrench.

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.

 

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....

 

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.

 

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.

 

alrite here i go...

 

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.

 

Glad to see you got it in! I broke one clip under the steering wheel as well. It was the one on the lower right side of the panel where the only external fastener is located.

Anyway, aren't you glad you saved the $300?

 

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.

 

cTLgo and I ordered ours today. I cant wait......

 

I would like to blame this thread for this purchase

 

yeah no shit, thanks guys....

 

if anybody has any pics of the install I would greatly appreciate it...

 

man i was like "why did i just buy that?". i bitched and blamed mporter half way thru the installation. then i shifted for the first time......eh.......we'll wait for ur personal feedback.

 

^^^sweet ttliang, I cant wait man. I dont have much experience with short shifters so I relaly dont know what to expect.

 

hee hee u just wait and see....

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.

 

thanks bro......

 

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.

 

Count me in, I almost just bought the one on ebay. About how long will it be before I can pay and have it shipped?

 

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

 

They're coming in this Monday and can ship the same day. It will be $50 shipped plus 3% for Paypal.

 

I am doing my install this weekend and I will take pics and do a write up for everyone if people are interested.....

 

^^^Im 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

 

That is b/c I have a new website being designed and I will be using the designer's server. Therefore I stopped using that server so they shut the acct down. I am in New Haven County CT. You can pick up if youw ant. It will only save you a few bucks.

 

the shift thing is overall like and "L" shaped linkage. it basically adds a 3" stick on top of the existing shift joint. that makes your veritcal shaft longer therefore shorter travel from a user's stand point. it does require a wee bit more effort to shift. it's pure physics. nothing is for free. ;-). i didn't take any pics cuz i was so tired and pissed tearing all that stuff out. u'll have to wait for some other members' pics.

 

clarification -> the total upper shifter (what you can see) length don't change. it's the lower part they lengthened.

 

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.