VWvortex Forums: $1 Short Shifter Mod - DIY inside!

EDIT: Briskoda fabia-specific guide (with pics) here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/guide-diy-fabia-vrs-short-shifter-mod/70642/

I simply HAD to put this in a new thread so that it wouldn't be missed:

The ONLY thing that's a real PITA about the fabia is that you cannot get any Short Shifter to work from the tranny end - I took the whole thing apart several times and measured. (polished the mating surfaces and lubed them while I was in there..).The cable ends are very close to the shifter arm and cannot be shifted more than about 0.5cm.

On the other end (kn0B) is the only place you can do something worthwhile. Gonna do this mod this weekend- I like this quick and dirty DIY option - this is a really great link with pics, setup seems to be identical to the fabia's:

Tips: Use a pipe-cutter to cut the shaft if you want to make it easy, and a dremel can extend the slot...

HTH all fellow ShortShifter-frustrated fabia owners!

Cheers

Bas

did this on 205 i had, must admit it worked a treat!

dont think i could put a hack saw to my vrs though i'd probably **** it up

did something similar on an old golf i had:)....but didnt bother with any drilling!!...just chopped off a few inches of the stck then stuck momo **** on top and tightend the grub nuts!!...lasted years:)

k:)

i did this in my old 1.4 fabia, was good though it took a long time to get used to the shorted shifts! kept grinding 3rd gear! was good though!

Seems to be an awful lot of trouble to go to.

How much difference does this make?

Enough for my mum to comment when shes was driving my car

If you haven't noticed - I did a Fabia-specific pictoral guide that's now in the guide section. Pretty easy DIY.

HTH

Bas

Seems to be an awful lot of trouble to go to.

How much difference does this make?

Anyone??

Seems easier than fitting a whole short shift kit - may well give this a crack at the weekend. Trying to think if there's a way to tidy up the crumply gaitor after as well. I'll have to take a look when it's done, but I'm wondering if I could cut an inch around the skirt, and then re-attach it to the plastic frame?

The inside of the gator is attached to the frame inside with staples - you can open them with a notched flat screwdriver and re-staple.

Didn't notice if the gaitor if wide enough to tighten downwards tho.

And Jas, for goodness' sake don't go at it with your fav tool - the angle grinder. (You don't really keep it under your pillow, do you???)

BTW, how's the new BMW bike running???

Cheers my Mate

Bas

Seems to be an awful lot of trouble to go to.

How much difference does this make?

very easy mod to do difference is pretty good, shifts are far shorter and less travel to change gears, can easily fly thru the gears quicker than the normal length.

very easy mod to do difference is pretty good, shifts are far shorter and less travel to change gears, can easily fly thru the gears quicker than the normal length.

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry but for every day motoring its a waste of time and effort...IMO

1. Can it be put back to stock...Not without a new gear lever. Could be expensive

2. Useful on an every day basis...IMO...No

3. Track days..Possibly. How many are you likely to go to?

Just my thoughts

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry but for every day motoring its a waste of time and effort...IMO

1. Can it be put back to stock...Not without a new gear lever. Could be expensive

2. Useful on an every day basis...IMO...No

3. Track days..Possibly. How many are you likely to go to?

Just my thoughts

Respect your opinion mate but:

For every day motoring, easy-style driving - Really LIKE it!

1- No it can't be put back to stock without a lot of work - agreed

2- Useful on an every day basis - I like it

3- Track days and spirited driving - you don't want to be without it IMHO

Modding a car is a question of personal preference. There isn't a short shifter available that will fit/ work easily with the Fabia. People are willing to spend GBP260 to have them fitted.

For short-shifter-deprived Fabia owners, the guide is put up purely as a money-saving service.

Respect

bas