NOTE: I did this mod following Phil Becker's instructions found on www.Audiworld.com. I have recieved permission to use the pictures found in this article. All pictures curtesy of AudiWorld
Tools and materials
Drill
Vise
1/4" drill bit
12mm - 1.50 hex die (try your hardest to find 1.50, 1.75 will work)
Hacksaw
13mm socket
10mm socket
1" deep socket or 1" open box wrench
Allen keys
10mm open box wrenches x2
White lithium grease

Step 1: Remove the shifter

a. Remove the shift knob by turning it counter clockwise.
b. Remove the shift boot. This is done by prying on the side facing the rear of the car.
c. You will see a plate with 2 bolts in it. The top bolt is 13mm and the lower bolt is 10mm. remove these bolts using the correct wrenches.
d. Remove the foam covered plate. NOTE: there are two cresent moon shaped thingies. DO NOT LOSE THESE. they are located underneith the foam covered plate. These are loose so be carefull not to knock these off.
e. You will see an aluminum "L" shaped bracket connected to the bottom of the shifter. The shifter is connected to this bracket with a 10mm bolt and 10mm nut. Remove these using any method you wish. NOTE: there is a metal sleeve located in side the "ball" of the shifter located at the very bottom tip. Be very carefull not to lose this.
f. The "L" bracket is secured to the transmittion control arm via a allen bolt. use the allen keys to remove this. NOTE: this bolt is on very tight. I had to use a pair of blunt nose pliars to twist the allen wrench. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN EXACT FIT. I am not sure what size allen the bolt is b/c the wrench i picked up just so happened to fit.
g. Fish that "L" bracket out.

Step 2: Modifiing the "L" bracket

a. PLace the "L" bracket on the workbench on its side so that looking at it you see "L" \
b. Drill a 1/4" hole in line with the stock hole. HINT: On my shifter there was a little circle symbol thing that said "97" I drilled there.

Picture Curtesy of AUDIworld

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Step 3: Modifying the Shifter

a. PLace the shifter shaft in a towel and position it in a vise. Crank down on this vise ad hard as possible. I even was hitting the tightener with a hammer. NOTE: The shaft is made out of a very soft metal and will scar b/c of the vise.
b. Locate the correct side of the Die and begin threading it down the shaft. make sure you get as far down as possible. I had mine threaded 2" in total. (INcluding the factory preset threads, so i made 1" of new threads) NOTE: This will become very hard the further down you go.
c. Measure 1" down on the shaft.
d. cut 1" of thread off the top of the shifter using the hacksaw.

Step 4: Modifying the spacer thing

a. because we have cut 1" off the shifter we know have to cut 1" off the spacer located inside the shift boot. NOTE: On older models the spacer is white on newer models the spacer is black.
b. measure using the old peice of shifter that was cut off.
c. cut the spacer accordingly.

Reinstalling the shifter

This is self explanitory.


NOTE:I found it easier to connect the "L" bracket to the transmition control arm thing first. But you can also install the "L" bracket to the shifter first. Either way its going to be a bitch to get back on.

NOTE:YOu can slide that plate forward and back by loosing the allen nut. this makes it easier to position your hands inside that little space.

NOTE: after installing the shifter apply lithium grease to the white plastic ball. put the shifter in first gear and apply 3 or 4 drops of lithium grease. Next move the shifter to revearse and do the same. now put the shifter in neutral and move it left and right. you will fell the action getting smoother.

YOU ARE DONE!!!!!!!

PLease be very carefull. Dont screw this up. It is a good idea to have $200 on hand in case you do screw this up. IF you mess this up take that 200 dollars get online an order a short shifter.

pictures curtesy of AUDIworld

[IMG]local://upfiles/1969/D1CCEE5448254D66AD912F970A68F8B4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/1969/70615E076FBB4A2DA99D1C374B64B731.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/1969/6BEBBC9BB80C407E81BBE6F5F6C5C86B.jpg[/IMG]