Moving the shifter location?

[TeeJayHoward]

I've got an '81 SC. In order to hit 1st, 3rd, or 5th gear, I have to sit up off of my chair back and bang my fingers into the lower dashboard. I'm fine with how the transmission shifts, but these ergonomics? Bleh.

I drove a 993 recently, and the shifter seemed to be in a much nicer place - by my mid thigh instead of shin. Is it possible to retrofit the center console, ebrake, shift lever, shift linkage, and all of that into an impact-bumper car?

[snbush67]

When in neutral is the lever vertical or does it seem to far forward? The clamp at the coupler might be a bit off. A clamp adjustment can bring the handle back a bit.

Before you make any changes use a marker and mark the couplers position on the shaft so that you can always go back.

Check the coupler and the clamp and see if you slide it forward on the shaft a bit without moving it left or right.

[smadsen]

You can move the gate to where ever you want it. You can move it back until until 2, 4 & rinse interfere with the seat cushions (or your knees if you're tall).

I'd put the transmission in 1st gear. Then loosen the clamp on the coupler and put the shifter ball where you want it for 1st gear. Then lock it down & try it a few times. I'm 6'4" and it took me a few adjustments to move it a bit to the right so 1st gear wasn't under my knee.

The next Munchkin that buys my car will prolly want to move it back.

[TeeJayHoward]

I had no idea I could do that. I'm totally down for trying a free fix first!

Just in case it doesn't work, though... The G50 shifter swap - is it doable?

[Uwon]

A short shifter and bending the lever slightly back solved “reaching” issue.
Johan

[walt]

As one poster noted you can move the lever back a bit, too far and you may not fully engage and find it pops out of gear. Excellent advice to use a marker spot so you can return to original position if needed. Take it a for test spin before you close things up.

[snbush67]

You can fix it. But the real joy is having a short throw shifter that centers with a solid coupler. I just installed the numeric racing shifter in my car and it’s a huge difference.

[911pcars]

In neutral, the shift lever should be vertical. There's only so much room within the opening of the shift housing. Moving the static position might prevent full engagement of a gear. If you want the lever closer, add heat and bend it accordingly.

Sherwood