MR2 Shifter

[RM1SepEx]

Mitch, hand craftmanship takes time... $$$ would be too much. You want to make multiples, go to CNC

[Scargo]

Don, You had a pic of the shifter that's now gone. I'd like to see the details of how you attached the cables (seeing as how I have a MR2 shifter also). Thanks

[DMC7492]

Okay I re did the original post to include the shifter picture.
For some reason the pictures don't show and some do... whats up with that??

[Hindsight]

I have trouble with the image uploading here too. Easiest thing to do is set yourself up an imgur.com account. You can then just drag and drop pictures from your desktop into your web browser and it uploads them to imgr. For each picture, you can then copy a little BBC code link and paste it into your message here and when you submit your message, the pic will show up inline. Works 100% of the time and won't sometimes show as an attachment.

I feel compelled to again say how impressed I am with your shifter/bracket setup, especially given the fact that you did them by hand. Seriously impressive work sir.

[Mitch Wright]

Dan, amazing hand work, I went back and read through your post I would have never guessed you did all that on a band saw, impressive. But you have given me and I am sure others some great idea's, thanks.

[Mechie3]

Got mine in the mail yesterday. The top plate is a bit rusty and it was full of dog hair, but the important bits were there.

[Mitch Wright]

Just ordered my shifter cables from Custom Control cable, they custom make them the length you want both cables are $167.00
I am using the MR2 shifter mounting plate and FFR hardware on the trans (Modified) so the cables ends and travel are the same as the FFR supplied cables but much shorter.
https://www.cccables.com

[Mitch Wright]

MR2 shifter install complete, it feels great has a nice short crisp throw.
IMG_1680shifter mount.JPGMR2 Shifter.JPGRear Shift linkage.JPG

[Hindsight]

Looks great! That shifter handle seems kind of high.... higher than the one that came on my Mr2 shifter anyway. Is that stock? I ask because mine is so short that I think it's going to hit the side bolster of my seat.

Looks like an Eastwood TIG 200 you have there....

[Mitch Wright]

Eastwood 200 which is nice small and easy to move around and works great for my home shop, also have a Lincoln 175 Mig machine
When I moved I made the mistake of selling my Sycrowave 250 machine a couple of moves ago.
The shifter is completely stock as far as I know, bought on Ebay for $20.00. I would guess the shift lever is 10-12", I will measure it next time am down at the shop. My seat is on the deck so might be that I am sitting lower in the car but I am not even close to any interference.

[Hindsight]

I have the same TIG welder. I wanted a Miller but couldn't justify the cost for home/hobby use. So far the Eastwood has performed great for me though I'm so new to welding that I couldn't really compare.

My shifter handle is only 6 or 7 inches in length max. Maybe they are different between the years or someone put a short shift kit on it at some point. Guess I could cut it into two pieces and weld on an extension.

[longislandwrx]

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.

yeah man holy ****. gorgeous.

[Mitch Wright]

The throw is really short (at least with what I have) so I don't think you would be hurt by adding some length. I have a meeting this afternoon downtown and will stop by the shop and measure the lever, now I am curious.

[STiPWRD]

Looks great! That shifter handle seems kind of high.... higher than the one that came on my Mr2 shifter anyway. Is that stock? I ask because mine is so short that I think it's going to hit the side bolster of my seat.

That length looks about the same as the one I have (also stock). I'm planning on welding tabs to the bottom of the MR2 plate to locate the shifter assembly 1" below the tunnel rails.

[Hindsight]

Here is the shifter I got off eBay. Think it's got an aftermarket short shift kit on it or something? Even if I mount this to the top of the tunnel, it's going to be too low.

[Mitch Wright]

Mine is 6.5" to the top of the threads on the lever. I will post a better picture when I get to my computer

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Here is the shifter I got off eBay. Think it's got an aftermarket short shift kit on it or something? Even if I mount this to the top of the tunnel, it's going to be too low.

Hindsight
I have the MR2 shifter dropped into the tunnel about 1.5". My cables will be in the tunnel with a flat plate on top the tunnel. Michael and I think its great. Our butts are only an inch of foam (uncompressed) off the floor.
There are different heights for the shifter as I have 2 that are different.
P1050234c.jpg

Bob

[Mitch Wright]

I have mine on top of the rails just to get it closer to the steering wheel, its a good fit for me.
Shifter.jpg

[Hindsight]

Looks like you can get an extension on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-ST...e6e886&vxp=mtr

[RM1SepEx]

I bought the extension, to be able to thread onto the existing shaft it is too large a diameter for the stock shift knob to fit... Won't allow the aftermarket knob I have to fit either, it extends down over the shaft so if you buy the extension remember that when you choose your knob

[Hindsight]

Hey Dan, would it be possible to grind down the shaft a little bit for knob clearance?

[CU9DZ]

So what are you guys using to attach the FFR cables or other cables to the MR2 shifter? The ends of the FFR shifter cables are close to M6 1.0 but the thread pitch is slightly different. I'm trying to fit my shifter now.
Davis

[matteo92065]

The cables are 1/4-28 thread. I used these: 60685K321 From McMaster-Carr

[RM1SepEx]

Hey Dan, would it be possible to grind down the shaft a little bit for knob clearance?

Sure easy mod with a lathe

[CU9DZ]

Thanks Matteo. Some metric and fractional parts are very close. I found the end pieces on McMaster-Carr and will order them. I have serial nbr 224.
Davis

[Hindsight]

Dan, I got the shifter extension from eBay and the one I receive actually won't need to be turned down at all.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281184495750

I received it the other day and the OE Toyota shift knob fits on over it with room to spare. It seems a lot of people are selling shifter extensions on eBay so I'm sure the diameters and lengths vary quite a bit. This one is steel, so a bit heavy, but very strong. Most of them are aluminum.

[RM1SepEx]

I have a Subaru knob, that's why it doesn't fit the extension. I have an aluminum knob somehwere that I bought for my daughter but didn't use. I'll see if I can find it and I'll powder coat to match the orange interior accents on the steering wheel center and the door pulls.

[STiPWRD]

Here are some pics of my MR2 setup (sorry for the crappy quality). I used 1" spacers so everything fits under the tunnel. I basically welded on some steel bars I had lying around to extend the mounting holes and extended the back cable mounts to give the rod ends a longer distance to flex (less severe angle). After I took these photos I also welded on a rib between the cable tabs to stiffen up that area. I also used a 0.040" aluminum shim per Dan's suggestion between the ball joint cup and the shifter plate.
IMAG1259.jpgIMAG1256.jpgIMAG1257.jpg

Can you tell my cables are too long? I'll be getting some custom ones made soon. I now see the shifter slop everyone is talking about - glad that's taken care of.
IMAG1253.jpg

[Hindsight]

Very nice! Let us know how it feels with the custom cables.

[Scargo]

Seems no one has addressed:
Can you modify your FFR cables? Are they worth modifying and using? I see that better grades are offered...
Can you shorten them yourself? Obviously, you will need a few items or, if you have a lathe, you could make some or all of the pieces required. Do the cable companies sell a new uncrimped end, for example? I like the idea of getting my cables "exactly" the right length and nothing more. I've done motorcycle cables before. It's not an impossible undertaking. If the parts are offered I might have better things to do.
I have an MR2 shifter. I will do a custom bell-crank linkage or buy the mechanism if it's offered by someone here.
Since I'm running a close-ratio six-speed I am not sure if a bracket/mechanism are being offered. Any advice?

[Mitch Wright]

Custom Control Cables will make they cables the length you want. Total for both my cables with shipping were under $185.00 delivered in 3 days.
Can't offer any assistance on cutting the cables or the Sti trans.
My MR2 Shifter and cable set up has exceeded my expectations, very please with the feel.
shifter.JPGMR2 Shifter.JPGRear Shift linkage.JPG

[RM1SepEx]

Here is a repost of my setup to get them in one thread for folks. I used as much of the original FFR pieces as I could at the transaxle

P1120574.JPG P1120573.JPG P1120572.JPG

P1120571.JPG P1120570.JPG P1120569.JPG

[Mechie3]

For the bell crank, if I offer my set, you could use about 75% of the parts for a 6 speed. You'd need a different plate to mount the cable brackets and the crank.

[Mechie3]

Here's my MR2 shifter. I posted before in my build thread.

[longislandwrx]

looks like a winner... under $600?

[Mechie3]

No clue. lol. I need to tweak some parts for the rear bell crank before I send them out for quote. I was recommended a shop (in VA?) that had good pricing. We'll see what happens.

[FFR-ADV]

Wow... Very nice work!!

[FFR-ADV]

I just noticed the Audi keys in your hand in the picture.

Does your MR2 shifter in the 818 application feel crisp and buttery smooth like the Audi?

[Mechie3]

Well...I haven't finished setting up the Mr2 shifter yet and the Audi has a paddle shifted DSG so......no?

[Mitch Wright]

Mine feels crisp like a Miata with a nice mechanical feel as the detents lock in.