Some of you are familiar with the Fi-Euro gated shifter offered years ago for the Fiero...
There were several problems with the original design and can be greatly improved on.
Rodney Dickman sells the replacement Euro Shifter which is ten times better than the original... shorter shaft, thinner shaft, better materials, smaller knob, true short-throw, well made.
The original gated plate had it issues too. The fitment lacked, the shift area was WAY too large, and the gates were tiny. The reason they designed it this way is because they wanted plenty of room for the shifter and not take any chances on the shifter hitting the plate in it's maximum positions. Problem is they were too generous with the breathing room.
I decided months ago I wanted that style shifter, but needed to make a quality gated plate to match Rodney's quality shifter. I recently designed a new gated plate to compliment Rodney's shifter. The prototype for my car is currently being made...
1/16" thick stainless steel with better fitment in console area, tighter shift area, longer narrower to scale gates, width of side areas is much larger, and the plate dimensions are balanced... basicly much nicer overall eye candy.
I am offering my gated plate to the Fiero Community. I need to get a general idea of how many would be interested in buying one. After installing the prototype in the very near future, I will have a one-time run of these plates made. I need to know how many plates to make. 10? 20? More?
Plates will arrive as you see it in the 3D image. Basicly unfinished. That way you can apply the final touches to your liking. Brush it, paint it, or polish it. You can use double-sided tape or drill 2 holes and screw it down like the original. You can put a strechy boot under it, epoxy in paint brush bristles, or leave it open. It's better to offer it this way... it keeps cost down and allows you to finish it the way you want.
Price will be somewhere around $20. That means with Rodney's shifter ($55) your looking at $75 for both..... not bad considering it's a MUCH better setup than that original Fi-Euro kit and cheaper too.
I will provide pictures of the finished product installed as soon as possible.
NOTE: for those who don't know... all the shifting takes place in the center and the gates are not used. The gated plate is strictly cosmetic, just like any leather or vinyl boot on a manual shift car. It's sole purpose is to hide the guts and uglyness. The reason it cannot be functional is because the shifter piviot point is to close to the plate
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Profile? In 20 years... Auto Detailing, Auto Body, Classic & Antique Restorations, Mechanic, Engine Performance Specialist, Porsche-Jaguar Tech, Wholesaler, Sales, Independent Full Service Repair Shop, Vehicle Vinyl Graphic Design and hard-core auto / aviation enthusiast... now searching for a new career. What a ride!
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 01-04-2005).]
not to rain on your parade, maybe everyone needs to understand one thing: according to Rodney (I asked a couiple years ago why he didn't replicate the gated part) the shifter arm will NOT go into the 'gates' as the Fiero shifter mechanism doesn't allow that kind of movement. So four speed or five, Getrag or Isuzu, manual transmissions can ALL use this, it just won't actually go into those notches unless someone wants to totally re-engineer the entire shifter mechanism. Any takers?
All said, I really like the look of the gated shifter and $20 is a terrific price.
------------------ John DuRette ***Custom 85 under construction, 87 Coupe in the driveway. The fun never ends!***
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01:06 PM
1986GTV8 Member
Posts: 1259 From: Orlando,FL,USA Registered: Mar 2002
not to rain on your parade, maybe everyone needs to understand one thing: according to Rodney (I asked a couiple years ago why he didn't replicate the gated part) the shifter arm will NOT go into the 'gates' as the Fiero shifter mechanism doesn't allow that kind of movement.
Did you read?
quote
NOTE: for those who don't know... all the shifting takes place in the center and the gates are not used. The gated plate is strictly cosmetic, just like any leather or vinyl boot on a manual shift car. It's sole purpose is to hide the guts and uglyness. The reason it cannot be functional is because the shifter piviot point is to close to the plate
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02:30 PM
Mike Smith Member
Posts: 172 From: MPLS, MN, USA Registered: Sep 2002
I am interested to. But I think you should make it out of aluminum.
Thanks. Actually I had a thread a few weeks ago getting opinions on what material to use and how thick.
To use aluminum it would have to be 1/8" thick, because 1/16 aluminum would be too thin and the gate walls would be prone to bending too easy if somebody leaning on them, pushing on them, etc.
1/8" aluminum is still a consideration. Once I see the prototype in my hands in on my car, I will have a better feel on what looks and fits right.
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Profile? In 20 years... Auto Detailing, Auto Body, Classic & Antique Restorations, Mechanic, Engine Performance Specialist, Porsche-Jaguar Tech, Wholesaler, Sales, Independent Full Service Repair Shop, Vehicle Vinyl Graphic Design and hard-core auto / aviation enthusiast... now searching for a new career. What a ride!
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02:41 PM
PFF
System Bot
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
For $20 I think I am interested. I cannot say for sure until I hear back from Rodney on a question I asked about the shifter length adn throw compared to the other shifters he has for sale.
Tom
Edit: I will let you know either way ASAP.
[This message has been edited by TG oreiF 8891 (edited 01-05-2005).]
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08:47 PM
Cheever3000 Member
Posts: 12400 From: The Man from Tallahassee Registered: Aug 2001
For $20 I think I am interested. I cannot say for sure until I hear back from Rodney on a question I asked about the shifter length and throw compared to the other shifters he has for sale.
Tom
Edit: I will let you know either way ASAP.
I don't know if this helps you or not...
Even though it looks very similar to his Sport Shifter it's actually shorter in length. It also has a slightly smaller knob. As far as I know the reduced throw is the same on the lower end due to the added lenght of the shifter on the lower part where it attaches to the shift cable.
The plate I designed..... I designed around his Euro / Fi-Euro replacement shifter. It's important to note (this applies to anyone) I would not recommend using any other shifter with this plate as I don't know if it will hit or not.
I currently have Rodney's Euro shifter in my car and put about 150 miles on it... Beautiful! I love the way it feels. Hard to describe.... it's very positive. It instills that exotic supercar feeling! I like how you can grab it anywhere. (no boot in your way) With a large knob and boot you tend to operate the shifter in a standard fashion the same every time, where with the naked shifter I find myself using it in different ways. It's more enjoyable to drive. (do you realize how gay that sounds LOL) I like the cold steel / hard knob feeling.
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 01-06-2005).]
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09:27 PM
dinomadison Member
Posts: 52 From: Columbia, SC, USA Registered: Nov 2002
Just to give those who are interested a timeline...
1. plate is currently being made by a local company, the final revisions were sent in, reviewed, and approved. It's now in the making. I do not know how long this will take. 2 days? 2 weeks? I hope sooner than later.
2. soon as I receive it I will test fit it, then take pictures and post them here.
3. at that point I will count the number of people who are interested, add 5, and have that total number produced.
4. send a private message with information on price and payment to all those who were interested.
5. when the batch of plates are finished... ship them out to everyone Priority Mail.
Even though the price isn't finalized yet... my goal is to keep the price at $20 shipped.
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 01-06-2005).]
I definately want one at 20 shipped, but I still stink 1/8th aluminum might be better. But either way I'll be buying one for my GT. a + to you for getting this great thing made.
You might be right... I'll have to wait and see when it arrives.
Here is a picture of my brothers Ferrari 308 shifter...
... there is no question it's roughly 1/8" and looks aluminum, but a key factor is that plate sits in flush. I just have to decide if that is the right thickness for the Fiero console because it will sit on top.
(by the way, it's not enjoyable to shift that Ferrari, it's like shifting a dump truck)
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Profile? In 20 years... Auto Detailing, Auto Body, Classic & Antique Restorations, Mechanic, Engine Performance Specialist, Porsche-Jaguar Tech, Wholesaler, Sales, Independent Full Service Repair Shop, Vehicle Vinyl Graphic Design and hard-core auto / aviation enthusiast... now searching for a new career. What a ride!
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 02-11-2005).]
"Plates will arrive as you see it in the 3D image. Basicly unfinished. That way you can apply the final touches to your liking. Brush it, paint it, or polish it. You can use double-sided tape or drill 2 holes and screw it down like the original. You can put a strechy boot under it, epoxy in paint brush bristles, or leave it open. It's better to offer it this way... it keeps cost down and allows you to finish it the way you want."
All you get is the metal plate. The rest you mod yourself.
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 01-06-2005).]
(by the way, it's not enjoyable to shift that Ferrari, it's like shifting a dump truck)
Ive driven quite a few Ferraris, and I like the shifter. They feel very solid, and a quick glance will let you know exactly what gear your in. In my Ferraro, during some spirited driving, ive been caught more than once in the wrong gear at the wrong time. Ive never missed a shift in a Ferrari though. When your hustling around a fast corner and spinning the steering wheel, its really easy to forget if you downshifted already, or if your already in a higher gear.
Yours looks good though, more authentic than the other one you show. Just not enough to make it a priority for me to change the one that already looks OK and works.
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05:50 PM
PFF
System Bot
Scott-Wa Member
Posts: 5392 From: Tacoma, WA, USA Registered: Mar 2002
Roger... what I didn't like about it was how tall it was. The base is practiclly on the floor, so the shifter is very long with a huge throw. It's by no means buttery smooth either, that's why it reminded me of a truck. It does not like 2nd gear at all until the trans temp gauge is fully warmed up. It is a mid-80's Ferrari, so it's not that suprising. Very nice car and very fun to drive none the less.
Shifter plate... company is currently making it. Could be 2 days could be 2 weeks.
If your interested in one speak now. Soon as that plate comes in I will post pictures, order counted amount, and private message all interested members with price and payment info.
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Profile? In 20 years... Auto Detailing, Auto Body, Classic & Antique Restorations, Mechanic, Engine Performance Specialist, Porsche-Jaguar Tech, Wholesaler, Sales, Independent Full Service Repair Shop, Vehicle Vinyl Graphic Design and hard-core auto / aviation enthusiast... now searching for a new career. What a ride!
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01:17 AM
87SEbeast Member
Posts: 354 From: Breinigsville, PA Registered: Jun 2004
Put me down for one!
I like how you can grab it anywhere. (no boot in your way) With a large knob and boot you tend to operate the shifter in a standard fashion the same every time, where with the naked shifter I find myself using it in different ways. It's more enjoyable to drive. (do you realize how gay that sounds LOL) I like the cold steel / hard knob feeling. 
