How to install TWM Short Shifter on 9th Gen Accord

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

Hello everyone! I was talking with TWM Performance about a STS for the 9th gen Accords. They seemed to think that their shifter for the 08+ Accord would work. And it did!

As you can see the stock shifter is WAAAAAY out to the right. The TWM STS is angled slightly more towards the driver. Taller people, like myself, won't have to reach so far for 1st, 3rd, and 5th. It is so much more comfortable.

You will need:

Phillips and Flathead screwdriver (and or small prybar)
Trim removal tool
Mechanics pick or very small flathead screwdriver
10mm socket
Maybe a 1/4" Shaft collar.

Ok here we go.

Sorry for the crappy MS Paint pics. Feel free to ask any questions!

Ty77064 · Apr 22, 2013

how much did it cost? does it feel shorter/better or do you like it because it's closer to you?

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

The throws are ALOT shorter. The height of the shifter is lower too. I love that its angled a little closer to the driver. i wouldnt mind if it was even closer still. I know i could have gotten the CT engineering adapter, but then the shifter would still have that STUPID bend in it. The shifter and a weighted knob will fit the 2013 models. I don't know about the compatibility of the cable or base bushings. I have the first 9th gen Accord with this mod.

http://www.twmperformance.com/short...m/shortshifters/hondashortshifters/honda-accord-2008-and-plus-shortshifters.htm

MJL · Apr 22, 2013

200 for this straight shaft, am i reading that right? I already have my old neuspeed ssk adapter from my previous 7th gen that i tried to use but couldnt because the shift housing needed trimmed and i didnt want to do that yet. if its necessary to trim the housing for the straight rod, i can just use my adapter and deal with the bend until im ready to upgrade the rod.

as far as trimming the housing, did you have to trim down into the "meat" of the plastic to allow clearance? or was just trimming the lip enough to allow the linkage to move freely?

Great post btw! this is very helpful with all the pics.

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

I just had to trim the lip to allow free movement of the cable. I wanted to get the adapter and use a torch and vise to bend the stock shifter. But my wife yelled at me

Woah wait. The plastic shifter housing is different between the coupe and sedan. So I don't know.

MJL · Apr 22, 2013

its different? how do you know or where do you see they are difference? you did this on a sedan didnt you?

redhat · Apr 22, 2013

Very nice writeup!

On the 8th Gens, the shifter assembly has a bolt and washer+nut instead of the pin and compression washer setup.

I'd assume you could also substitute a:

"nut->washer->assembly->spring->assembly->washer->bolt" setup if needed.

On a side note, it is nearly impossible to find the shifter assembly for the 8th gen M/T. I really messed mine up (was trying to remove my short throw adapter) and needed one badly. Got one on eBay from a salvage yard.

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

MJL said:
its different? how do you know or where do you see they are difference? you did this on a sedan didnt you?

Yes on a sedan. I looked up the parts diagrams online. They might be similar. Who knows.

redhat said:
Very nice writeup!

On the 8th Gens, the shifter assembly has a bolt and washer+nut instead of the pin and compression washer setup.

I'd assume you could also substitute a:

"nut->washer->assembly->spring->assembly->washer->bolt" setup if needed.

On a side note, it is nearly impossible to find the shifter assembly for the 8th gen M/T. I really messed mine up (was trying to remove my short throw adapter) and needed one badly. Got one on eBay from a salvage yard.

8th gens did use a bolt. But the 9th gens use a pin of varying thickness. Is 1/4" by the washer but 1/2" by the side arm. Look at the next picture and you'll see what I mean. Also the pin is not threaded.

stealthhtm · Apr 22, 2013

"They ""seemed"" to think that their shifter for the 08+ Accord would work" .....no thanks. but a great detailed write up none the less

redhat · Apr 22, 2013

JohnnySasakiMGS said:
8th gens did use a bolt. But the 9th gens use a pin of varying thickness. Is 1/4" by the washer but 1/2" by the side arm. Look at the next picture and you'll see what I mean. Also the pin is not threaded.

Ah ha, thanks for the clarification. Assumptions can only go so far.

The shaft collar is a great idea though. I'm sure a lot of the 9th Gen M/T Guys will want to take this project on.

Wonder if this will work? Looks like the same blue cup?

http://throwdownperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2682

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

stealthhtm said:
"They ""seemed"" to think that their shifter for the 08+ Accord would work" .....no thanks. but a great detailed write up none the less

They said if it didn't fit, then I could return it. Not a big deal. The sooner they got a test car, the sooner everyone can have a short shifter. If only I could get to California and get my car fitted for an intake! >=(

redhat said:
Ah ha, thanks for the clarification. Assumptions can only go so far.

The shaft collar is a great idea though. I'm sure a lot of the 9th Gen M/T Guys will want to take this project on.

Wonder if this will work? Looks like the same blue cup?

http://throwdownperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2682

Yeah those will work.

I think it would be awesome if they made some different shifters. Kinda like the dual bend vs single bend shifters for the older civics.

MJL · Apr 22, 2013

redhat said:
Ah ha, thanks for the clarification. Assumptions can only go so far.

The shaft collar is a great idea though. I'm sure a lot of the 9th Gen M/T Guys will want to take this project on.

Wonder if this will work? Looks like the same blue cup?

http://throwdownperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2682

This is what i plan on using since i had it from my 7th gen. i tried it when i first got the car and found that material from the shifter housing needed to be cut down to allow the linkage to drop, like shown in pics here, and didnt feel like going that route yet. since its necessary for the straight rod too, ill just use the adapter until i can get the rod.

Another note, this adapter plus the thread from earlier that describes cutting lower threads on the stock rod will give you pretty much the same result. only thing different is the angle of the knob. some people prefer the knob to be angled more toward the driver, but if youre looking to save money, this is another option.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=79574&highlight=short+shift

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

Thank you everyone for your compliments and advice!

MJL · Apr 22, 2013

Thanks Johnny for being the first to do this mod and take the chance on trying different parts. without this, i probably never would have tried installing my ssk adapter again. i just installed my neuspeed short shift adapter on the stock rod and wow just that alone makes a huge difference. i had to cut the lip off the shifter housing but even on the coupe it didnt take much. i just used my oscillating saw and ran it back and forth until it was basically flush with the rest of the housing. and had just enough clearance to pop the rod on the ball.

I said it with my 7th gen and the same goes for this model. this is probably one of the best mods you can do for a mt accord. its something you notice every time you drive and makes shifting a lot better.

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 22, 2013

I saw your post about the first time you tried to install the adapter and was able to plan for that part of the install. So I thank you as well! I'm glad I could help

flushem · Apr 23, 2013

JohnnySasakiMGS said:
I saw your post about the first time you tried to install the adapter and was able to plan for that part of the install. So I thank you as well! I'm glad I could help

danke.

JohnnySasakiMGS · Apr 23, 2013

Bitte

jons · Jun 23, 2013

anyone else care to post pictures and their experiences?

JohnnySasakiMGS · Jun 23, 2013

Do you need more pictures? I'm going to edit one of the steps. I found it easier to lift the shifter out and then disconnect the shifter from the cable cup. I may just rewrite the whole thing, actually. It's not necessary to remove the side and back console trim panels.

stealthhtm · Jun 24, 2013

JohnnySasakiMGS said:
Do you need more pictures? I'm going to edit one of the steps. I found it easier to lift the shifter out and then disconnect the shifter from the cable cup. I may just rewrite the whole thing, actually. It's not necessary to remove the side and back console trim panels.

I'd love to see an easier way, you might convince me to install this!

How to install TWM Short Shifter on 9th Gen Accord

JohnnySasakiMGS

Ty77064

JohnnySasakiMGS

MJL

JohnnySasakiMGS

MJL

redhat

JohnnySasakiMGS

stealthhtm

redhat

JohnnySasakiMGS

MJL

JohnnySasakiMGS

MJL

JohnnySasakiMGS

flushem

JohnnySasakiMGS

jons

JohnnySasakiMGS

stealthhtm

Our Vendors

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities