DIY Integra GSR Shifter into Civic

kommon_sense · 07-26-2004, 07:24 PM

This is just a quick and dirty howto on installing a gsr shifter into a civic. Why the gsr shifter? It is a dual bend shifter (like the skunk2), has a noticeably shorter throw than the stock civic shifter and they go for cheap on ebay.

I picked up the OEM GSR shifter on ebay for $5.99 shipped.

Here is a pic of the stock civic and gsr shifter side by side.

You will notice that the handle is a little shorter/lower on the GSR and the shaft that connects to the shift linkage is a little longer than the stock civic shifter.

Measurements are as follows :

Knob to ball
Integra : 240mm
Civic: 252mm

Ball to Linkage
Integra: 55mm
Civic: 47mm

After doing the math, looks like a 20% reduction in throw using the stock GSR shifter compared to the civic shifter.

Now unfortunately this is not just a plug and play install. The GSR is wider at the shift linkage than the civic is. The Civic is exactly 25.4mm (1") wide, whereas the GSR is 35.4mm wide. To make things more complicated, the GSR is offset as well as shown in the next picture :

I've heard of some people modifying the shift linkage on the civic to install the shifter. I really wasn't too big on that idea. So I broke out the trusty dremel and a cut-off wheel and hacked 2mm off one side of the GSR shifter and 8mm off the other.

As stated the stock civic shifter is exactly 1" wide. Most masking tape is also 1" wide. so I used a strip of masking tape on the gsr shifter to use as a cutting guide. A lot easier than trying to follow a hand drawn line

When doing this mod, you will notice that the shifter has a bushing pressed into the end. Be sure to remove the bushing from the GSR shifter before cutting it down to size. You can probably push the bushing out with your fingers and be sure to wear eye protection while doing the cutting. I had metal flakes and sparks flying everywhere. When you are done, you can remove the bushing from the stock civic shifter and slide it into your modified GSR shifter.

As for the actual short shifter install part. Take a look at this : http://www.hazone.com/hshortshift.htm

So how does it feel? I'm still getting used to it, but its kinda stiff. However I'm also using Energy Suspension urethane shift stabilizer bushings

I'm sure that I'll get used to it. The throw is noticeably shorter but I like it thus far. However it helps that I also have a GSR shift knob installed on the shifter. They are a great combo.

Anyways, have fun. Its an easy and cheap mod. Its a lot better than buying those cheap knock-offs on ebay. Instead just keep your eye out for an oem integra shifter. They usually go for cheap

Accelerazn · 07-27-2004, 01:43 AM

nice diy.

hey i had a question. i was about to drop by inlinefour tomorrow to pick up a skunk2 shortshifter... would you know off hand if the skunk2 is noticeably different than the gsr? im just worried about the skunk hitting the exhaust if i do the installation. thanks.

edit... actually my lazy ass just did a search... didnt find what i was quite looking for, but got the info that i needed... thanks neways.

kommon_sense · 07-27-2004, 06:28 AM

don't know if the skunk2 will hit the exhaust, but it does reduce the throw even more than the stock integra unit. They can reduce the length of the handle which will make shifting a lot more difficult or increase the shaft to the shift linkage which could cause it to hit the exhaust.

I went the modified gsr shifter route to make sure that I didn't have any problems with the shifter hitting the exhaust + its cheap

EK9_Civic · 07-27-2004, 11:36 AM

** Sniff Sniff **

I couldn't find one on ebay... All I could find was the cheap APC shifters. Where can I find one..cause that is pretty cheap. Do you know if the guy you bought it from stll has more??

mad-ass · 07-27-2004, 11:59 AM

you have balls to try thing! rep fo that! hope everytying works out good!

rex'er · 07-27-2004, 01:26 PM

hmm.. so if you want a really short shifter, could you do the same mod with a gsr aftermarket short shifter?

kommon_sense · 07-27-2004, 01:49 PM

A lot of companies sell the same short shifter for civics and tegs. They just include spacers for installation in tegs.

kommon_sense · 07-31-2004, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kommon_sense

So how does it feel? I'm still getting used to it, but its kinda stiff. However I'm also using Energy Suspension urethane shift stabilizer bushings

I'm sure that I'll get used to it. The throw is noticeably shorter but I like it thus far. However it helps that I also have a GSR shift knob installed on the shifter. They are a great combo.

Alright, figured out why it was stiff. There is a rubber boot that goes over the ball on the shifter. I had it upside down

Fixed it this morning and put some more grease in the boot. Now it is shifting as smooth as the original/stock shifter. Great mod for < $10.

KJMagnum · 05-20-2005, 09:38 PM

This inspired me to get a GSR shifter. I am just waiting for my ES bushings to arrive and then I will install it. I will post my response after I'm done.

outxider · 05-22-2005, 12:56 AM

good work. i have done this mod 3 years ago and combined with es bushings it still best bang per buck shifter. i got mines for free from a ricer who got a shiny no name short shifter and gave me his 2001 gsr shifter. i went home and saw the problem, fired up the bench grinder, pull out the gsr bearings and slid the civic bearings in, along wit the bushings, the throws r much shorter and precise and best of all its oem quality.

kommon_sense · 05-22-2005, 03:06 PM

Almost a year later and I'm still quite satisfied with this setup. Modified GSR shifter + ES bushings is a beautiful thing

KJMagnum · 05-22-2005, 03:13 PM

Ah, I can't wait. I have the shifter and bushings just sitting here in front of me. I hate living in a tool-less house.

98civcEK · 06-10-2005, 08:12 PM

I bought a dc sports short shifter and it says its for the gsr and my civic. my friend with a gsr drove my car and siad he liked my shifter better tham he did his. Oh well

Mr GSR · 06-11-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kommon_sense

Alright, figured out why it was stiff. There is a rubber boot that goes over the ball on the shifter. I had it upside down

Fixed it this morning and put some more grease in the boot. Now it is shifting as smooth as the original/stock shifter. Great mod for < $10.

Cheap+Functional=Great!

KJMagnum · 07-03-2005, 09:03 PM

I am very happy with this setup. The gsr shifter has a noticeably shorter throw and the ES bushings tighted up the movement a lot. It's a lot more fun to shift now with this precision.