Their are a couple problems with a short shifter
The first problem requires that we once again have to remember our basic high school physics. All these shift kits do is bring the holes for the shift linkage closer together. That means you have to move the lever a shorter distance. Now go back to what you learned in high school. A shorter lever means that you'll have to use more force. When you use one of these kits you may not have to move the lever as far but you'll have to push the lever harder to engage the next gear.
There's one more reason to keep the stock shifter arms. While you're driving on the track, it's very easy to tell which gear is engaged by simply touching the shift lever. A simple touch on the lever will remind you that you're in third gear, and not fourth. When you shorten the lever arms all the gears seem to be too close. If you're going fast enough then you often need this quick sense of touch. If you're going slow, then it's not a problem. It's a lot like reading a tachometer. If you have time to look at the tachometer, you're going too slow. If you always know what gear you're in, you're going too slow.
