A "short shifter," also commonly referred to as a "short shift kit," is car-enthusiast speak for a redesigned or modified mechanism that shortens the distance the gear shift must travel when shifting to another gear. High quality shift kits improve the feel of the shift lever and can make shifting quicker, more efficient and more enjoyable.
A true short shifter is not just a shorter shifter, but one that reduces the angle that the shift lever travels from gear to gear. Simply shortening the lever does shorten the distance that the lever must travel, although it may affect the feel of the shift action. A true short shifter modifies the geometry of the shifter so that the angle of the shift lever is reduced. That is accomplished by moving the shifter's fulcrum, or where the shift lever pivots from its attachment point. Many short shifters include a short shaft so that the reduced action of the angle of shifting is complemented by the height of the lever.
There are several types of short shifters available. There are aftermarket applications available for most cars. Some manufacturers, such as Porsche, offer factory-optional short-shift kits that keep the knob at the same height as a stock shifter, but shorten the throw considerably.
Installing a short shift kit can vary from an easy, 30-minute job that can be done with a few tools to much more complicated kits that should only be installed by professionals. Before purchasing a kit, look into what is involved in installing it.
While a short shifter is a great way to quicken shifting and improve the responsiveness of the shift action, a poorly designed short shift kit can actually make shift action much more notchy or stiffer feeling than stock. In that case, quick shifting can actually be impeded.
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