Shorty shifter on their SS?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
Shorty shifter on their SS?
Hey guys, I was j/w if anyone has put (if it even exists) a short shifter in instead of the stock 6" one? I had one in my 350z and it made a huge difference in shifting comfort and speed...
thanks,
thanks,
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
For the initial part of the CL203's lifecycle, there was a "sport" option, the C7, which had a shortened throw on it. I'm not sure exactly how much shorter it is (I do have it, but have never driven it back-to-back with a 6-speed without it), nor am I sure if it can be transferred to a newer car.
Otherwise, there is nothing in the aftermarket. I do know that:
A) If you go with an aftermarket knob, it will PROBABLY sit lower, as the MB knob is pretty tall
B) You could cut the shaft to reduce the height that the knob sits at. Won't change the throws, obviously, and will increase the required effort to shift. Someone did a thread on it here a while ago, so if you're interested, do a search
I've got a Sparco Racing knob on my car (in smurf blue, of course) - the knob sits much lower than stock, so while I considered doing option B, it seemed overkill. Just remember that if you do go aftermarket, you'll probably have to deal with the boot not working properly, so if you're worried about cosmetics, it would be best to stick with Brabus, Carlsson, Renntech, etc.
Otherwise, there is nothing in the aftermarket. I do know that:
A) If you go with an aftermarket knob, it will PROBABLY sit lower, as the MB knob is pretty tall
B) You could cut the shaft to reduce the height that the knob sits at. Won't change the throws, obviously, and will increase the required effort to shift. Someone did a thread on it here a while ago, so if you're interested, do a search
I've got a Sparco Racing knob on my car (in smurf blue, of course) - the knob sits much lower than stock, so while I considered doing option B, it seemed overkill. Just remember that if you do go aftermarket, you'll probably have to deal with the boot not working properly, so if you're worried about cosmetics, it would be best to stick with Brabus, Carlsson, Renntech, etc.
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From: STL
W203 C230SS
I was looking for a cheap short throw option when I was building my Focus. Wanting to spend the money on driveline and engine parts- I went cheap on the shifter. B&M made a short throw, but it was $200. I bought an aftermarket knob, but the rod with my dremel, and bolted it on. Visually- it was great, and the function was great. Only problem being, about once a week I had to tighten the set screws again. The rod was pretty hard, so the screws didn't dig in too well. I love the short throw feel but it was a bit of a pain having to keep an allen wrench in the cup holder at all times
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Same with the Mercedes rod. That's why I just surrounded it with masking tape, which gives the screws that part to bite into. Has been on for years without issue.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: STL
W203 C230SS
great tip. that knob is out the door then. for some reason I never thought of that. i tried a loc-tite, but that never worked much more than a week.
my way around the shift boot, at least for my Focus was a razor blade and a black zip tie. i cut a small slit in the top of the boot, enough to get a tip tie in, pulled it up over the bottom of the knob, snaked the zip tie through, pulled it tight, and cut it off. the slit in the boot covered the connector just fine.
i would like to have a brabus knob- but i really can't justify that much money on such a small appearance mod. hell, it was hard enough for me to part with the cash for the CF lip.
my way around the shift boot, at least for my Focus was a razor blade and a black zip tie. i cut a small slit in the top of the boot, enough to get a tip tie in, pulled it up over the bottom of the knob, snaked the zip tie through, pulled it tight, and cut it off. the slit in the boot covered the connector just fine.
i would like to have a brabus knob- but i really can't justify that much money on such a small appearance mod. hell, it was hard enough for me to part with the cash for the CF lip.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
lol sounds interesint though not quite sure what you guys are talking about...where are these screws going and why do you have screws? doesnt the knob just screw onto the top of the rod? unless what your saying is when you cut the rod you cut that off?!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
No, the MB knob assembly is one big PITA - there is no threading on the knob. That would be too easy. That's why you need the set screws to work with anything other than a tuning company's knob that is made to expressly work with the assembly, like Brabus, Carlsson...
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From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
to clarify, the C7 shifter has a different linkage that makes it "short throw"
cutting off the shifter and re-mounting another shift knob doesn't acheive this
there was a thread about this that the OG's might remember (if we're not too senile) - it was decided that the difference between the two shifters is like the difference between stirring pudding and stirring cement
cutting off the shifter and re-mounting another shift knob doesn't acheive this
there was a thread about this that the OG's might remember (if we're not too senile) - it was decided that the difference between the two shifters is like the difference between stirring pudding and stirring cement
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,191
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
lol ya i know cutting doesnt make it short throw, i had one in my 350z and its a huge difference...im not planning on cutting anything lol...i want an actual short throw linkage!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Maverick, if that's what you really want, you're going to have to go custom. Mercedes sure ain't encouraging anyone to work on aftermarket support for their quickly-vanishing manual-equipped options.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 7
From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
lol how do you go custom on a short throw exactly? and that sounds expensive! lol i mean im not gonna have this car forever!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I had talked to UUC about adapting one of their kits for our cars. They were initially interested in possibly looking into it, then decided to instead work on exhausts for the new 3 series instead, since it would make money. Go figure! 
But that would be probably the least stressful - seeing if a company already making them would look at yours to see if they could adapt it. But I wouldn't hold my breath. You're pretty much screwed.
But that would be probably the least stressful - seeing if a company already making them would look at yours to see if they could adapt it. But I wouldn't hold my breath. You're pretty much screwed.
