Thank you for the video! Your walkthrough really helped me get this installed. I reused the factory shifter resulting in no additional noise nor vibration. Besides my carbon fiber steering wheel (your video helped me again) this is one of the best mods!! Thanks again!!
I installed the short shifter a while ago & love it. I changed out the boot, and it is a pita. Took a lot of fiddling but it does fit. I also use the stainless steel shift knob. It looks & feels great but boy does it absorb the heat on a sunny day!
Hi Mike, I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for this video. I just installed the short throw shifter from DDM and having their instructions along with your video made this a very simple easy to do mod. I was a little worried about cutting the rubber boot but with the inner one in place and the insulation on top of it I'm confident that it will be zero problems. Thanks again and keep the videos coming!!!
Nice. I'm glad the video helped. I hope to be coming out with more soon. I've been a bit busy with work and have been doing autocross on the weekends. But now that the weather is getting cooler, I should be working on a few new mods. Unfortunately for me, one of my videos is going to be about swapping out a bad thermostat soon.
It appears that you installed the top rectangular plate upside-down. The lip of that plate should be facing down. Also, the top wavy washer clips onto the plastic bushing. If you look closely there are small recesses on the bushing and small metal clips on the wavy washer. The side allen bolt on shifter is 4.5 mm. I do like how you visualized the difference between stock and modified shift distance.
MrPolak. If I remember right, I believe the directions say to flip that piece upside down during the installation. A few weeks after I installed it, I actually took it back out. I wasn't a fan.
I just learned as to why I don't need a short shifter....lol. the factory throw is still shorter then most other cars with a short shifter installed. I could see installing a short shifter on vehicles that have like a 5+ inch long throw but at a 3 inch throw stock I do not see a need to go through all that just for one inch less of a throw. But hey that is just my opinion and I am very comfortable with how mine is stock.
QUESTION, Mike. Have the short-throw shifter in my Sky Redline, already. I'm not in love with it because it has the chrome gearshift knob you said you didn't use. Feels very harsh, and somewhat clunky. I don't have the OEM one. When you compared the DDM knob furnished to the OEM knob, how would you describe the difference? I was about to change back to the longer throw OEM, but I think I should try just the padded leather knob first. Thanks! Love your videos.
Damn, Mike. I've bought a new shift knob, but I'm unable to twist off the original knob on my GXP. I used brute force, wrenches and I even took off the boot hardware to get better angles. But the damn thing won't twist off. How did you take yours off?
Hey Mike, first off your videos are great, it's nice to see someone making content regarding our kappas. I was wondering what you decided to do with the shift knob adapter, if you still have it and know you won't be using it then I'd very much like to talk about possibly taking it off your hands ;) Not quite sure how to get in contact with you, so thought I'd try here first. Thanks!
Hi David. Thanks for watching my videos. I'm glad you like them. Unfortunately, I did sell the shift knob adapter and knob to someone already. DDMWorks has them fairly cheap on their website if you'd like to buy a new one though.
Hi,you are doing a really nice work with all the videos! I am from Europe and I own this car as an Opel gt.It is exactly the same car,you know.I have one question Mike.I want to change the gear knob,and I mean only the upper part.Just the knob.How can I do that? I can get the hole piece out like you did in the video but then how can I remove the knob?It does not seem to unscrew or something like that. I am waiting for your help. Thank you.
Unfortunately, that knob isn't made to come off. You pretty much have to use the DDM adapter to change the knob and use a different boot. I wish they made it to come off because I'd be changing mine too.
Thank you for this video! After reading through comments I’m thinking short shifter may not be my preference. I’m a small 5’ tall lady with short arms lol I have a gxp & the round plastic plate on the top of my shifter knob is cracked and worn. I’d really like to just switch out the knob, can you tell me what I need for that? Would it just be the $40 adapter and then I reuse the leather cover? Thank you for these videos, you really do a great job of breaking things down for this girl to be able to follow!
Mike I just picked up a 2007 Saturn Sky 2.4L automatic (I love a manual but disabled vet who can’t use one leg) while I binge watch your channel anything you recommend I check first? She in great shape and have a found a few things you pointed out like the little wings that should pop up when you raise the top have the new plastic pieces coming soon, Thanks!
First off, thank you for your service. I think the military is very unappreciated nowadays and I'm proud of you. Also, congratulations on your Sky. You're gonna have a blast with it. As for recommendations, make sure you keep an eye on the water pump. Although it's more rare with the 2.4, it can crap out on you. If you see a coolant stain under your car some day, that's what it might be. If you're looking for something to liven up your engine with quicker throttle response, you may want to look into the Sprint Booster. It doesn't add any more power...just more fun. I have a couple of videos on that. Have a great time on your drives.
Mike! A gentleman wants to give me his saturn sky on a trade for my 2000 mercedes benz convertible and my mercury grand marquis 2008. His car is a 07. Is that a good trade? Im worried about finding parts since this company is gone. Any advice?
Would love to see the OEM and short shifter assemblies side by side. It looks like this kit didn't actually change the fulcrum position of the shifter, just shortened it overall? Also (Miata owner here) I think you will get a lot of heat coming through that cut inner shift boot. I personally would have tried to pull the whole center console and if possible inner shift boot. As a general rule I never cut anything I am not wholesale replacing with a new part.
Nothing lost cutting that inner shift boot. The other shift boot is reinstalled along with the sound/heat deadening material. Only way to complete job if transmission isn’t dropped.
I installed it. It was a bitch but it's possible. I used little metal office paper clips to hold the boot on the frame and a hair dryer to stretch it .
HI Craig. To change the shifter knob, you'll need to get a shift knob adapter like the one that DDMWorks sells. However, you'll also need to get a new leather boot as well since the Sky's knob is pretty much glued onto it's boot. Maybe you can be very careful and save the Redline boot and use it, but be prepared to need another one if it doesn't come off the knob easily. The DDM adapter can be viewed here. www.ddmworks.com/DDMWorks-Shift-Knob-Adapter-for-SolsticeSky_p_601.html
Hmmmm. Is it something on the actual shifter that's rattling, or the entire shifter itself? And it's strange that it only happens after 4K RPMs. I'm wondering if it's the motor mounts that is causing lots of vibration with the transmission and in turn rattling the shifter. You may want to see if your motor mounts are bad. If not, then maybe the shifter knob itself is loose (I've heard that happen). Some people use a rubber band to tighten it down as a temporary solution.
i wish the adapters were still available every time i look it says temporarily out of stock but no answer as to when they will be never been a fan of the stock knob and really want to change it but haven't figured out how to do so without that adapter.
Hey mike Changed my shifter with new knob and boot but has a rattle noise So i purchaced the ddm short shifter and shaft Was wondering if you had any noise from yours after install Thanks
Thank you for being the only saturn sky video creator out there. Takes alot of the worry out of things I want to do to my car 🚗
Thank you for the video! Your walkthrough really helped me get this installed. I reused the factory shifter resulting in no additional noise nor vibration. Besides my carbon fiber steering wheel (your video helped me again) this is one of the best mods!! Thanks again!!
I installed the short shifter a while ago & love it. I changed out the boot, and it is a pita. Took a lot of fiddling but it does fit. I also use the stainless steel shift knob. It looks & feels great but boy does it absorb the heat on a sunny day!
Hi Mike, I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for this video. I just installed the short throw shifter from DDM and having their instructions along with your video made this a very simple easy to do mod. I was a little worried about cutting the rubber boot but with the inner one in place and the insulation on top of it I'm confident that it will be zero problems. Thanks again and keep the videos coming!!!
Nice. I'm glad the video helped. I hope to be coming out with more soon. I've been a bit busy with work and have been doing autocross on the weekends. But now that the weather is getting cooler, I should be working on a few new mods. Unfortunately for me, one of my videos is going to be about swapping out a bad thermostat soon.
Thank you. Very detailed. Appreciate you making these videos.
What was the reason to put that top plate upside down?
Probably one of the best mods I have done to my car.
Great video, I love my sky, I wanted this mod as well, now I'm defenetly getting it. Thanks for making it look easy hahaha
It appears that you installed the top rectangular plate upside-down. The lip of that plate should be facing down. Also, the top wavy washer clips onto the plastic bushing. If you look closely there are small recesses on the bushing and small metal clips on the wavy washer. The side allen bolt on shifter is 4.5 mm. I do like how you visualized the difference between stock and modified shift distance.
MrPolak. If I remember right, I believe the directions say to flip that piece upside down during the installation. A few weeks after I installed it, I actually took it back out. I wasn't a fan.
@@MikesHouseOfMods you took the short shifter out?
I just learned as to why I don't need a short shifter....lol. the factory throw is still shorter then most other cars with a short shifter installed. I could see installing a short shifter on vehicles that have like a 5+ inch long throw but at a 3 inch throw stock I do not see a need to go through all that just for one inch less of a throw. But hey that is just my opinion and I am very comfortable with how mine is stock.
Yeah. I went back to stock not long after I posted this video. I just couldn't get comfortable with the short shifter.
Mike Martin maybe you just couldn’t handle it... jk! Is it for sale??
QUESTION, Mike. Have the short-throw shifter in my Sky Redline, already. I'm not in love with it because it has the chrome gearshift knob you said you didn't use. Feels very harsh, and somewhat clunky. I don't have the OEM one. When you compared the DDM knob furnished to the OEM knob, how would you describe the difference?
I was about to change back to the longer throw OEM, but I think I should try just the padded leather knob first. Thanks! Love your videos.
Thanks Martin! I've been thinking about this mod since I bought my Sky
I was thinking about this mod for my sky, now, I'm going to do this... Thanks Mike!!
john williams It's a fairly simple and popular mod. If you like to feel like you're shifting a real sports car, then get it.
will do!!
Awesome i just got mine in and this is going to make it easier to install. Thank you 👍
Hi Mike because when you reinstall the metal plate you install the metal plate upside down and not as stock position?
Very good job!!!i do this job today..
keep walking
Damn, Mike. I've bought a new shift knob, but I'm unable to twist off the original knob on my GXP. I used brute force, wrenches and I even took off the boot hardware to get better angles. But the damn thing won't twist off. How did you take yours off?
More videos Mike finally someone makes kappa video
Hey Mike, first off your videos are great, it's nice to see someone making content regarding our kappas. I was wondering what you decided to do with the shift knob adapter, if you still have it and know you won't be using it then I'd very much like to talk about possibly taking it off your hands ;) Not quite sure how to get in contact with you, so thought I'd try here first. Thanks!
Hi David. Thanks for watching my videos. I'm glad you like them. Unfortunately, I did sell the shift knob adapter and knob to someone already. DDMWorks has them fairly cheap on their website if you'd like to buy a new one though.
Mike Martin Ok thanks for the reply, sadly they are out of stock right now, so I'll just have to hold back the excitement a little while longer.
David Taylor well that sucks. If I remember right, they were out of stock before I bought mine...so I'm sure they'll be back in stock again.
Thanks mike but I have a automatic solstice gxp.
Hi,you are doing a really nice work with all the videos! I am from Europe and I own this car as an Opel gt.It is exactly the same car,you know.I have one question Mike.I want to change the gear knob,and I mean only the upper part.Just the knob.How can I do that? I can get the hole piece out like you did in the video but then how can I remove the knob?It does not seem to unscrew or something like that. I am waiting for your help. Thank you.
Unfortunately, that knob isn't made to come off. You pretty much have to use the DDM adapter to change the knob and use a different boot. I wish they made it to come off because I'd be changing mine too.
I understand..Many thanks for your help!Keep up the good work!
Thank you for this video! After reading through comments I’m thinking short shifter may not be my preference. I’m a small 5’ tall lady with short arms lol I have a gxp & the round plastic plate on the top of my shifter knob is cracked and worn. I’d really like to just switch out the knob, can you tell me what I need for that? Would it just be the $40 adapter and then I reuse the leather cover? Thank you for these videos, you really do a great job of breaking things down for this girl to be able to follow!
how did you replace the shift knob? I thought the saturns shift knob was molded/glued to be non removable.
Very great video, thanks for your videos
Mike I just picked up a 2007 Saturn Sky 2.4L automatic (I love a manual but disabled vet who can’t use one leg) while I binge watch your channel anything you recommend I check first? She in great shape and have a found a few things you pointed out like the little wings that should pop up when you raise the top have the new plastic pieces coming soon, Thanks!
First off, thank you for your service. I think the military is very unappreciated nowadays and I'm proud of you. Also, congratulations on your Sky. You're gonna have a blast with it.
As for recommendations, make sure you keep an eye on the water pump. Although it's more rare with the 2.4, it can crap out on you. If you see a coolant stain under your car some day, that's what it might be.
If you're looking for something to liven up your engine with quicker throttle response, you may want to look into the Sprint Booster. It doesn't add any more power...just more fun. I have a couple of videos on that. Have a great time on your drives.
Mike! A gentleman wants to give me his saturn sky on a trade for my 2000 mercedes benz convertible and my mercury grand marquis 2008. His car is a 07. Is that a good trade? Im worried about finding parts since this company is gone. Any advice?
Would love to see the OEM and short shifter assemblies side by side. It looks like this kit didn't actually change the fulcrum position of the shifter, just shortened it overall?
Also (Miata owner here) I think you will get a lot of heat coming through that cut inner shift boot. I personally would have tried to pull the whole center console and if possible inner shift boot. As a general rule I never cut anything I am not wholesale replacing with a new part.
Nothing lost cutting that inner shift boot. The other shift boot is reinstalled along with the sound/heat deadening material. Only way to complete job if transmission isn’t dropped.
I installed it. It was a bitch but it's possible. I used little metal office paper clips to hold the boot on the frame and a hair dryer to stretch it .
Hi Mike, I was wondering if you have a video on how to change just the shifter knob on a 5-speed Redline. Thanks
HI Craig. To change the shifter knob, you'll need to get a shift knob adapter like the one that DDMWorks sells. However, you'll also need to get a new leather boot as well since the Sky's knob is pretty much glued onto it's boot. Maybe you can be very careful and save the Redline boot and use it, but be prepared to need another one if it doesn't come off the knob easily. The DDM adapter can be viewed here. www.ddmworks.com/DDMWorks-Shift-Knob-Adapter-for-SolsticeSky_p_601.html
I followed your steps but my shifter rattles at 4k+ rpms... I made sure everything was tight :(
Hmmmm. Is it something on the actual shifter that's rattling, or the entire shifter itself? And it's strange that it only happens after 4K RPMs. I'm wondering if it's the motor mounts that is causing lots of vibration with the transmission and in turn rattling the shifter. You may want to see if your motor mounts are bad. If not, then maybe the shifter knob itself is loose (I've heard that happen). Some people use a rubber band to tighten it down as a temporary solution.
i wish the adapters were still available every time i look it says temporarily out of stock but no answer as to when they will be never been a fan of the stock knob and really want to change it but haven't figured out how to do so without that adapter.
Nice I just ordered my mines ,for Pontiac GXP
Hey mike
Changed my shifter with new knob and boot but has a rattle noise
So i purchaced the ddm short shifter and shaft
Was wondering if you had any noise from yours after install
Thanks