MR2 Shifter

[DMC7492]

Hi Guys I am looking for the MR2 shifter information that was discussed here. I searched but "MR2" does not show up. how do i search for a short three letter search topic? I though it was in a thread named shifter mod, but that is also very vague...

[Samiam1017]

I'm installing a mr2 shifter and would like to see this too.

[Mechie3]

I think Matteo might have purchased one. I forget who else I think bought it. Its the older mr2 shifter not the mr2 spyder shifter. Assuming you're talking about the non FFR shifter that let's you flip the cables backwards.

[DMC7492]

Yes early 90's, the newer ones are plastic, and the throw is off the bottom of the pivot,for 1-2 motion, I saw the u tube video here on the forum. Cables exit rear wards.

[Scargo]

I have one and have posted about it, but I have no done anything with it yet.
Bob n Cincy has.

[matteo92065]

I have installed an MR2 shifter and a K-Tuned, on two different 818's. They both operate the same. I have some pictures on my build thread. As previously mentioned, the cables are meant to exit to the rear. I think my cables ended up being 94 inches.

The MR2 shifter is all metal and is very compact. Even lower profile than the K-Tuned. The stroke on all the shifters is about the same ~ +/-.75"

I have not driven any of the shifters yet, so I can't give a review of that... YET!

good picture of MR2 shifter (not in 818):
shifter MR2 b.jpg

^^^^ I am wrong, the K-Tuned and MR2 are opposite each other when you move the gear shift lever "left and right". "Forward and back", they are the same. I put up a few pictures on my build.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I have got the MR2 shifter pictured above.
The cables come out the back, so you need much shorter cables.
The connection to the transmission is the same as FFR standard.
Bob

[Scargo]

And how are you guys dealing with reverse lockout? A small, separate cable on the side?

[Bob_n_Cincy]

And how are you guys dealing with reverse lockout? A small, separate cable on the side?

The reverse lockout function is part of the transmission in the mt5.
It prevents you from going from 5 to reverse.
lockout.jpg
There is no button or pull handle on any 5mt Subaru to allow reverse.
Bob

EDIT: added 5mt to the last line

[Scargo]

I guess I am ignorant. It's been since 2002 that I drove a WRX five-speed. I have only known/owned STi's six-speed, where you lift a ring under the shift knob to access reverse. That lifting of the ring pulls on a cable which rotates a lockout lever on the side of the trannny. Is reverse gated in the five-speed, where you have to go to neutral before you can access reverse?

[Jaime]

Yes. Although technically you would always have to go through neutral to get to reverse. With the 5 speed, you have to move the lever back to the left enough to allow the gate to slide by the shift arm.

[STiPWRD]

I have got the MR2 shifter pictured above.
The cables come out the back, so you need much shorter cables.
The connection to the transmission is the same as FFR standard.
Bob

Bob, did you shorten the cables yourself? Or have someone shorten them? Just wondering what this would cost. Thanks

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Bob, did you shorten the cables yourself? Or have someone shorten them? Just wondering what this would cost. Thanks

Right now I have a big loop using ffr cables. Each bend in the cable adds backlash. So the loop is causing about 1/8" of backlash. I plan to buy shorter or get it shortened. I don't know the pricing on modifying. a couple of years back there was marine place down in Tennessee that built the custom length for my boat steering.
Bob

[wleehendrick]

there was marine place down in Tennessee that built the custom length for my boat steering.

The K-tuned shifter kit I got from Wayne had a sticker on the cables for the supplier he uses. I don't have them handy now, but you could ask him; they're nice.

[matteo92065]

Our cables were custom made and delivered for ~$90 each.

[STiPWRD]

Our cables were custom made and delivered for ~$90 each.

Matteo, which shop did you use? I just (impulsively) bought one of these MR2 shifters on ebay so looks like I'll be giving it a shot.

Also, does anyone know which car the FFR provided shifter comes from?

[matteo92065]

They were from Custom Control Cables part number was 100-04222-0095 $81/each
They were 95 inches long which works for the shifting mechanism that we built.

FFR: linkage.jpg Ours: IMG_9024.JPG

[Bob_n_Cincy]

They were from Custom Control Cables part number was 100-04222-0095 $81/each
They were 95 inches long which works for the shifting mechanism that we built.

FFR: linkage.jpg Ours: IMG_9024.JPG

Great job Matte
Did you route the cable under or around the engine?
Bob

[STiPWRD]

They were from Custom Control Cables part number was 100-04222-0095 $81/each
They were 95 inches long which works for the shifting mechanism that we built.

FFR: linkage.jpg Ours: IMG_9024.JPG

Thanks! and man that shift mechanism looks great. Did you have any spares made? I'd love to take one off your hands

[wleehendrick]

man that shift mechanism looks great.

Gorgeous... nice job!

[matteo92065]

Great job Matte
Did you route the cable under or around the engine?
Bob

As it stands now... One car is routed under the engine, but that car has lots of custom work that allows the cables to go under the gas tank and has almost a straight shot to the shifter.
The other car is routed over the gas tank, and around the side of the engine.

Both cars are using the 95" lengths.
If you were going between the motor and intake manifold, a shorter cable would work better.

And thanks for the complements. We actually have a newer version of that shifter that is getting anodized. Once installed I post some updated pictures. The new version has the cables tucked closer to the transmission and is closer to the shift rod.

[Mechie3]

Matteo sent me CAD models for that shifter a while back.

[CU9DZ]

Hi Matteo I have chassis #224. Does anybody have pics of the MR2 shifter installed in an 818? Also what year/years MR2 does the shifter come from?
Dave

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Found a picture of my installed shifter.

[gwarden]

I have an MR2 shifter I bought but didn't use will sell for best offer

[EODTech87]

$1.99

[CU9DZ]

$10 for shifter if still available.
Dave

[Samiam1017]

anybody doing his figure out if its possible to shorten the FFR cables????

[DMC7492]

Hi guys first off a big thanks to our frontiers in building this project, Bob n Cincy , Matteo and Rm1sepx for their work on the MR2 shifter. Here is my version of the MR 2.
Custom plate for shifter mount and teleflex cables 7'.
Custom transmission mount and Teflon rod ends from McMaster Carr.
image.jpg image.jpg

Here is a vid of the linkages.https://youtu.be/64X3552Jl4M


IMG_0862.JPG image.jpg

[Hindsight]

Woah, that's the cleanest looking setup I've seen so far.

How did you cut those aluminum pieces??
Did you drill another hole in the transmission shift selector output shaft to secure your shift arm to it?

Interesting take on the bell-crank.... having it vertical with a custom horizontal shift arm. Very cool!

[Scargo]

All I'm seeing is two different pictures, BUT IT'S GORGEOUS! Really nice work.

[RM1SepEx]

now I'm jealous!

[flynntuna]

That's a work of art!

[Mechie3]

Very nice. I've been designing my own shifter in solidworks but at this point I think I'll just buy the MR2 setup and do what you've done. It looks great.

[STiPWRD]

I'm also using Matteo's design with a few tweaks. A local machine shop made the parts for me. I'll be using the MR2 shifter and 7' teleflex cables as well.
IMAG1081.jpgIMAG1082.jpgIMAG1083.jpg
I debated on making the aluminum parts myself with a little creative angle grinding and cutting but in the end decided to go with a machine shop for a cleaner end result.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Hi guys first off a big thanks to our frontiers in building this project, Bob n Cincy , Matteo and Rm1sepx for their work on the MR2 shifter. Here is my version of the MR 2.
Custom plate for shifter mount and teleflex cables 7'.
Custom transmission mount and Teflon rod ends from McMaster Carr.
image.jpg image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
Here is a vid of the linkages.https://youtu.be/64X3552Jl4M

Great job Don,
You do cleaner (professional) work than I.
P1050234c.jpg

Bob

[DMC7492]

Hindsight, the aluminum pieces wer cut on a vertical band saw and then cleaned up on a vertical belt sander,finer and finer down to green scotch brite pads with warm soapy water. The shift shaft was drilled to a 1/4" hole for a roll pin and the shaft stub cut off. The shaft material was not hard at all, drilled very easily.
image.jpg

[Mechie3]

See, almost anyone that knows how to run a CNC can put parts in and get nice stuff out. Now, making stuff with a bandsaw and sanders and fooling people into looking like it was made with a CNC? That's skill.

[Hindsight]

Now, making stuff with a bandsaw and sanders and fooling people into looking like it was made with a CNC? That's skill.

Uh, yeah. I would have bet money those were laser/water/CNC machined. Hats off to you DMC for some serious craftsmanship!

[Mitch Wright]

Very Nice DMC, you planning to make some extra pieces to sell?