SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] - Focaljet

**natedog_1959** · 09-25-2005, 08:37 PM

I saw a post a while back stating that one of the powerworks SVTF cars had the shift linkage counterweight removed. It was stated that the shifter felt much better after this mod. My questions is, has anyone done this, and if so what were the results? How hard was it to do, tools, time, etc? Thanks for any input. Nate.

**Jeffro** · 09-25-2005, 09:06 PM

You would have to remove the air box to gain access, then remove the pivot bolt for the counter weight. I think it was a 13mm or 15mm head bolt. A ratchet and socket will do the trick.

The counterweight is removed during the powerworks install because it will not clear the throttle body. I like it better without it installed, it has move of a "positive engagement" feel.

**natedog_1959** · 09-26-2005, 07:16 AM

Jeffro, are you referring to the standard 5spd zx3 or the 6spd svt tranny? Does just the counterweight come off or does the bracket it attaches to come with it? Thanks, Nate.

**natedog_1959** · 09-28-2005, 05:25 PM

I took a leap of faith and removed the whole counterweight assembly from the shift linkage. Here's how it went. I removed my steeda intake. I pushed the linkage to the far right (toward the driver side). I proceeded to loosen the one bolt that holds the counterweight in place. I removed the counterweight along with the arm. It was a bit of a pain in the ass loosening the bolt becuase I didn't have the proper tools. However, once completed, I buttoned everything back up and took it for a spin. I must say the shifts are much lighter and more precise without the heavy counterweight dulling things up. Overall, I think it should have come this way from the factory. Nate.

**Jeffro** · 09-28-2005, 08:14 PM

I'm referring to the Getrag 6-speed. Removing the pivot bolt will allow for removal of the counterweight only, and will not affect the bracket. When you remove the bolt, you can then remove the counterweight and a bushing, and leave the bolt out permanently.

**Jeffro** · 09-28-2005, 08:16 PM

I agree with you nate, I like the feel with the counterweight removed.

**DisrupTer911** · 09-28-2005, 11:45 PM

any detrimental effects to removing this counterweight?

**natedog_1959** · 09-29-2005, 07:14 AM

None that I noticed on my first short drive. I took it to 7300 rpm and did a little hard shifting and it seemed like it wanted to go to the next gear instead of you having to "put it in gear" which I take as a good thing. The shifts with the steeda short throw shifter are lighter now than when I had the stock shifter installed if that is any comparison. I will update this thread in a week or two with regards to how the mod is working out. Remember if something starts acting up all I have to do is rebolt the weight on and I'm good as gold. Nate.

**Jeffro** · 09-29-2005, 09:18 AM

I don't think there are any detrimental effects from removing the counterweight. We have a car with 10,000 miles on it since the removal, and it has had no issues at all.

**3 Stripes** · 09-29-2005, 10:16 AM

Glad you figured it out natedog.

It kept me wondering last night after you mentioned it in the chat.

**rallyrat** · 09-29-2005, 06:34 PM

Has anyone removed the counterweight on the MTX linkage?

KK

**Smoe** · 09-30-2005, 12:27 PM

If my memory serves me right (haven't touched my car in almost 2 years). On the MTX you would have to remove the shift tower from the tranny and do some grinding to get it off. I think its kinda "clamped" on there.

**3 Stripes** · 09-30-2005, 02:01 PM

You are correct Smoe

Just pulled a tranny last night and looked at the counterweight. It is clamped in somehow looks like it would need to be grinded off.

**PhocusZX3** · 09-30-2005, 09:35 PM

Hmmm...I'm going to have to give this a shot.

**SVTFoki** · 10-12-2005, 05:09 PM

I just tried this out on my SVT. Took me about 10 minutes to remove. I took a quick drive around the block and shifts feel a lot lighter and faster. I'm quite happy with it.

I'd recommend that anyone that thinks that their SVT could shift a little better give it a try. If you don't like it, it'll take you about 10 minutes to put it back on so it's an easy and free mod.

**BrokenSVT** · 10-14-2005, 07:22 AM

Could we get pic(s)? Sounds like an easy enough mod, but just to be certain...

**SVTFoki** · 10-18-2005, 10:38 AM

If you really need a picture I could post one. I don't think it's neccesary though.

Just remove the airbox. I set the intake/maf tube up near the firewall so it wasn't in the way. The counter weight is just a gold colored solid metal cylinder riveted to the end of an arm. There is one bolt that the arm pivots on. I used a 1/2" socket and it came right out. Then put the airbox back on and you are good to go.

**secret0ct** · 05-14-2007, 07:28 PM

i would appreciate pictures cause on mine everything is gold hehe and when i take off the counterweight, the other lever looks like it needs the counterweight lever to operate the tranny thx wes

09-25-2005, 08:37 PM	#1
natedog_1959 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,201	SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] I saw a post a while back stating that one of the powerworks SVTF cars had the shift linkage counterweight removed. It was stated that the shifter felt much better after this mod. My questions is, has anyone done this, and if so what were the results? How hard was it to do, tools, time, etc? Thanks for any input. Nate.

09-25-2005, 09:06 PM	#2
Jeffro Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 67	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? You would have to remove the air box to gain access, then remove the pivot bolt for the counter weight. I think it was a 13mm or 15mm head bolt. A ratchet and socket will do the trick. The counterweight is removed during the powerworks install because it will not clear the throttle body. I like it better without it installed, it has move of a "positive engagement" feel.

09-26-2005, 07:16 AM	#3
natedog_1959 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,201	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? Jeffro, are you referring to the standard 5spd zx3 or the 6spd svt tranny? Does just the counterweight come off or does the bracket it attaches to come with it? Thanks, Nate.

09-28-2005, 05:25 PM	#4
natedog_1959 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,201	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] I took a leap of faith and removed the whole counterweight assembly from the shift linkage. Here's how it went. I removed my steeda intake. I pushed the linkage to the far right (toward the driver side). I proceeded to loosen the one bolt that holds the counterweight in place. I removed the counterweight along with the arm. It was a bit of a pain in the ass loosening the bolt becuase I didn't have the proper tools. However, once completed, I buttoned everything back up and took it for a spin. I must say the shifts are much lighter and more precise without the heavy counterweight dulling things up. Overall, I think it should have come this way from the factory. Nate.

09-28-2005, 08:14 PM	#5
Jeffro Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 67	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? I'm referring to the Getrag 6-speed. Removing the pivot bolt will allow for removal of the counterweight only, and will not affect the bracket. When you remove the bolt, you can then remove the counterweight and a bushing, and leave the bolt out permanently.

09-28-2005, 08:16 PM	#6
Jeffro Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 67	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] I agree with you nate, I like the feel with the counterweight removed.

09-28-2005, 11:45 PM	#7
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 14,928	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] any detrimental effects to removing this counterweight?

09-29-2005, 07:14 AM	#8
natedog_1959 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,201	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] None that I noticed on my first short drive. I took it to 7300 rpm and did a little hard shifting and it seemed like it wanted to go to the next gear instead of you having to "put it in gear" which I take as a good thing. The shifts with the steeda short throw shifter are lighter now than when I had the stock shifter installed if that is any comparison. I will update this thread in a week or two with regards to how the mod is working out. Remember if something starts acting up all I have to do is rebolt the weight on and I'm good as gold. Nate.

09-29-2005, 09:18 AM	#9
Jeffro Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 67	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] I don't think there are any detrimental effects from removing the counterweight. We have a car with 10,000 miles on it since the removal, and it has had no issues at all.

09-29-2005, 10:16 AM	#10
3 Stripes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 1,546	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] Glad you figured it out natedog. It kept me wondering last night after you mentioned it in the chat.

09-29-2005, 06:34 PM	#11
rallyrat TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA Posts: 134	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] Has anyone removed the counterweight on the MTX linkage? KK

09-30-2005, 12:27 PM	#12
Smoe Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cannon AFB, Clovis NM Posts: 4,663	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] If my memory serves me right (haven't touched my car in almost 2 years). On the MTX you would have to remove the shift tower from the tranny and do some grinding to get it off. I think its kinda "clamped" on there.

09-30-2005, 02:01 PM	#13
3 Stripes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 1,546	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] You are correct Smoe Just pulled a tranny last night and looked at the counterweight. It is clamped in somehow looks like it would need to be grinded off.

09-30-2005, 09:35 PM	#14
PhocusZX3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Tampa/Brandon, FL Posts: 5,801	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] Hmmm...I'm going to have to give this a shot.

10-12-2005, 05:09 PM	#15
SVTFoki TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 457	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] I just tried this out on my SVT. Took me about 10 minutes to remove. I took a quick drive around the block and shifts feel a lot lighter and faster. I'm quite happy with it. I'd recommend that anyone that thinks that their SVT could shift a little better give it a try. If you don't like it, it'll take you about 10 minutes to put it back on so it's an easy and free mod.

10-14-2005, 07:22 AM	#16
BrokenSVT Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 1,917	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] Could we get pic(s)? Sounds like an easy enough mod, but just to be certain...

10-18-2005, 10:38 AM	#17
SVTFoki TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 457	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updates] If you really need a picture I could post one. I don't think it's neccesary though. Just remove the airbox. I set the intake/maf tube up near the firewall so it wasn't in the way. The counter weight is just a gold colored solid metal cylinder riveted to the end of an arm. There is one bolt that the arm pivots on. I used a 1/2" socket and it came right out. Then put the airbox back on and you are good to go.

05-14-2007, 07:28 PM	#18
secret0ct Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Location: tampa,fl Posts: 6	Re: SVTF Getrag shift linkage counterweight? [Updated] i would appreciate pictures cause on mine everything is gold hehe and when i take off the counterweight, the other lever looks like it needs the counterweight lever to operate the tranny thx wes

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