shift linkage questions for all the m20-2002 guys

[Guest Anonymous]

Fixin' to start working on the shift linkage this weekend and was looking for advice. I currently have a couple 02 and a 320 setups from various parts cars. I was thinking the 320 setup would work best but was wondering what others had done. Also, it looks like I will be taking about 6.5" out of it! That leaves it pretty short! Does that really work or do I need to move my shifter back, ie cut a larger hole?

TIA!

[Guest Anonymous]

okaaay. I am using a modified e21 ('82) linkage. I moved my shift hole back about...3 inches maybe? Yeah, quite short. I don't think you can get away from moving it back. A nice hole saw bit makes short work of it. I mixed and matched pieces of my stock '72 linkage to work. Now I have added some UUC EvoII pieces as well. Works good, but notchy.

I think the e21 platform is probably the best bet.

Matt

[Guest Anonymous]

I used a shortened 02 shipt platform and linkage-- but moved the shift hole rearward.

This is what I did:

The platform that I used had been previously shortened for a five speed conversion that I had in the car before I did the swap.

Since the support arm that was on the 5 speed conversion was poorly designed, I decided to simulate the rear support that the e21 has. I started by cutting about 12 inches of 3/4 box tubing, notched it for a 90 degree bend (welded on a 45 angle). Now I had an L shaped piece of box tubing with the short side about 3 inches total length. This was then drilled for an e30 airbox mount (rubber puck with two m6 bolts sticking out of it) to be located at the transmission tunnel centerline (put in place, mark, remove, drill). I slid this assembly back into the squared portion of the 02 shift platform and drove a self drilling screw through both the shift platform and the newly fabricated rear support. Once it was in place I again drilled the transmission tunnel through the same hole for the e30 aircleaner mount in the last step. Installed the mount bolts on top and in the box tubing. Later welded it in place afer a test run. Works great, looks nice, easy, cheap, will last a long time, is not notchy, and doesn't come loose.

Additionally I drilled the spot welds out of the old shift boot ring, cleaned it up and re-located it at the new shift hole. The old hole was patched with some sheet metal, welder, and sound deadening material

For the next step, a dremmel tool, plasma cutter, sawzall, hole saw, or similar tool will be needed to cut this hole. I love plasma cutters! I didn't have to take anything out to make the hole. Depending upon what is available to you you may have to remove the shift platform when you are ready to cut the shifter hole.

(just install everything drill a pilot hole from the center of the shift ball hole and cut the rest from above)

The shift linkage from the five speed conversion that I already owned was used- un modified. This moved my shift hole rearward 3 to 3.5 inches back.

Try a search to get the shortened length of a five speed converted shift linkage and platform.

The new location is not too far rearward. If anything the location is more comfortable than the shifter that I already had in the stock location.

If you want pictures, I will send them out when I return home on friday-- Dial-up at the hotel connects at 24.4