Manual transmissons require shifters, also called sticks or throws, to allow the driver to manually go from one gear to another. Most stock shifters feature medium-to-long throws because they are easy to use in everyday situations and even easier yet to manufacture. Yet many car owners opt to go for shorter sticks because they provide several benefits in all sorts of driving situations.
The most obvious benefit of a shooter shifter is the shorter throw between each gear selection. In this regard, the shorter your stick, the shorter the distance your stick must travel between each selected gear. This means that your car will run more quickly--the gears will fall into place with a much greater fluidity.
A shorter shifter can also lengthen the life of your car's transmission because it makes it much more difficult to "over-shift" the gear; over-shifting is a cause of shift fork damage. Car owners who are looking for cost-effective longevity upgrades can consider shorter shifters to prevent transmission problems.
A shorter stick is just gaudy and cumbersome than larger variations. Depending on the make of the vehicle, a standard throw can be anywhere from 8 to even more than 20 inches. Shorter shifters allow for more space center counsel and between the front seat space. Additionally, shorter stick length increases the durability of the shifter itself because more stress is placed on longer shafts.
