Someone Has Used Stock Shifter w/an A3
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I am trying to do the TH400 swap and I desparately want to use the stock shifter. Anyone, Someone Please tell me that u did it. Here is your chance to be a hero. Post any info u have.
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#3
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Yep...pretty easy. Mike Brown showed me how. This only works with a reverse valve body. Just need a Dremel and a welder.
- With the shifter out of the car, use the Dremel to grind the metal part of the gate so there is no stop between first and second gear. This will allow shifting from 1st ("D") to 2nd ("3") without using the button on the handle.
- Cut out a stiff piece of sheet metal about 1"x1"....move the shifter to the 3rd gear position ("2")...tack weld the piece of metal to the shifter housing so that the gear selector can't move any further back than 3rd gear.
- Confirm movement and final stop location, and then add a few extra welds for strength.
You should be able to shift from 1st to 2nd without the button, and from 2nd to 3rd using the button. The shifter should stop at 3rd firmly and no be ably to pull all the way back to the 4th position (what would be 1). Works like a champ. Mike even went so far as to have a graphics guy make a new sticker which displays the gears correctly as:
P
R
N
1
2
3
- With the shifter out of the car, use the Dremel to grind the metal part of the gate so there is no stop between first and second gear. This will allow shifting from 1st ("D") to 2nd ("3") without using the button on the handle.
- Cut out a stiff piece of sheet metal about 1"x1"....move the shifter to the 3rd gear position ("2")...tack weld the piece of metal to the shifter housing so that the gear selector can't move any further back than 3rd gear.
- Confirm movement and final stop location, and then add a few extra welds for strength.
You should be able to shift from 1st to 2nd without the button, and from 2nd to 3rd using the button. The shifter should stop at 3rd firmly and no be ably to pull all the way back to the 4th position (what would be 1). Works like a champ. Mike even went so far as to have a graphics guy make a new sticker which displays the gears correctly as:
P
R
N
1
2
3
![Cheers!!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_cheers.gif)
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Originally Posted by Reckless
Yep...pretty easy. Mike Brown showed me how. This only works with a reverse valve body. Just need a Dremel and a welder.
- With the shifter out of the car, use the Dremel to grind the metal part of the gate so there is no stop between first and second gear. This will allow shifting from 1st ("D") to 2nd ("3") without using the button on the handle.
- Cut out a stiff piece of sheet metal about 1"x1"....move the shifter to the 3rd gear position ("2")...tack weld the piece of metal to the shifter housing so that the gear selector can't move any further back than 3rd gear.
- Confirm movement and final stop location, and then add a few extra welds for strength.
You should be able to shift from 1st to 2nd without the button, and from 2nd to 3rd using the button. The shifter should stop at 3rd firmly and no be ably to pull all the way back to the 4th position (what would be 1). Works like a champ. Mike even went so far as to have a graphics guy make a new sticker which displays the gears correctly as:
P
R
N
1
2
3
![Cheers!!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_cheers.gif)
- With the shifter out of the car, use the Dremel to grind the metal part of the gate so there is no stop between first and second gear. This will allow shifting from 1st ("D") to 2nd ("3") without using the button on the handle.
- Cut out a stiff piece of sheet metal about 1"x1"....move the shifter to the 3rd gear position ("2")...tack weld the piece of metal to the shifter housing so that the gear selector can't move any further back than 3rd gear.
- Confirm movement and final stop location, and then add a few extra welds for strength.
You should be able to shift from 1st to 2nd without the button, and from 2nd to 3rd using the button. The shifter should stop at 3rd firmly and no be ably to pull all the way back to the 4th position (what would be 1). Works like a champ. Mike even went so far as to have a graphics guy make a new sticker which displays the gears correctly as:
P
R
N
1
2
3
![Cheers!!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_cheers.gif)
P
R
N
3
2
1
??? Thanks.
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Originally Posted by Reckless
I suppose it could? I'd have to look at the factory gates. But since they are set up that way already, you could prolly just make a stop for the last position since it won't exist for the 3-speed.
...long ways away that is though, I'm sure someone will do it before me
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The gear vendors comes with a brain, or you can operate it manually with a switch. It comes with a floor mount switch that is just like the old light dimmer switches. I would not use the button on the shifter. Everything in there is plastic anyway, so it would take some work to pull it off.
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Originally Posted by Reckless
The gear vendors comes with a brain, or you can operate it manually with a switch. It comes with a floor mount switch that is just like the old light dimmer switches. I would not use the button on the shifter. Everything in there is plastic anyway, so it would take some work to pull it off.
I wonder if you can get a transbrake switch to go there?
I just realized you coming to DFW, might be cool to meet you sometime.
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I will be managing the new HPE shop when it opens there (formerly MMT) out in Royse City. Stop by!
Be careful where you put that t-brake switch. Keep it somewhere out of the way where it can't be bumped driving down the road. If you bump it, your tranny will effectively lock up while you are driving. Could be dangerous
Be careful where you put that t-brake switch. Keep it somewhere out of the way where it can't be bumped driving down the road. If you bump it, your tranny will effectively lock up while you are driving. Could be dangerous
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Originally Posted by Reckless
I will be managing the new HPE shop when it opens there (formerly MMT) out in Royse City. Stop by!
Be careful where you put that t-brake switch. Keep it somewhere out of the way where it can't be bumped driving down the road. If you bump it, your tranny will effectively lock up while you are driving. Could be dangerous![EEK !!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_eek2.gif)
Be careful where you put that t-brake switch. Keep it somewhere out of the way where it can't be bumped driving down the road. If you bump it, your tranny will effectively lock up while you are driving. Could be dangerous
![EEK !!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_eek2.gif)
I know where the shop is, never been their though but I know some of the crew.
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Yeah I was thinking of that. I want to make it as stock looking as possible, maybe some-sort of safety switch can be put in to prevent the solenoid from being engaged, like a hidden cut-off switch.
I know where the shop is, never been their though but I know some of the crew.
I know where the shop is, never been their though but I know some of the crew.
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I am doing this also. Just for any others that might want to attempt this should read carefully what Reckless wrote. I didnt and almost screwed up the process. I made the first mistake of trying to grind it with a head porting bit and went to far back. Then I realized I need to use the button to get into 3rd "what an idiot" so that's about the time I just quite. All screw ups were the result of alcohol. I'm going do it right tomorrow and try and post pics up for reference.
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For anyone searching about using the stock cable, i didn't specifically ask if the stock mounting bracket that gets bolted to the trans can be used as well......it cannot. through many pages of searching, i found out you can use the stock shifter and cable but you need to make your own bracket to hold the cable in place.
just thought i'd throw that out there to save someone else some time.
just thought i'd throw that out there to save someone else some time.
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