Celica 5spd shifter position in relation to bench seat??

[Oldnblue]

Hi guys

I'll be fitting the following set-up to my EK shortly: 186, Celica 5spd, HR disc front end.
I know that the bench will be in the way of the shifter as it runs now, and am trying to work out my choices now so a decision can be made before we start the conversion - means the car is off the road for a shorter period of time.

I basically have 3 options to choose from that I can see:
1. Modify the bench to accomodate shifter
2. Modify shifter to dogleg around front of bench
3. Install bucket seats

Is anyone currently running the same engine/trans set-up while retaining the bench seat, and if so, how far does the shifter sit back into the seat area? An actual measurement would be awesome.
If the bench wasn't cut/modified to allow room, has there been any problems using a doglegged shifter? Slippage, problems shifting, etc??

I think I'd prefer to keep the bench, but don't think it'd look any good if too much had to be cut out.

Cheers, Scott

[Trev]

I would prefer to dog leg the shifter before modifying the seat, Trev .

[Oldnblue]

Yeah, I agree.
Just hoping someone will be able to indicate (from personal experience) exactly how far into the seat the shifter would need to be accomodated. If it's just a small scallop required, then I may lean towards that. If it ends up being quite a large cut howevere, then I'll almost certainly go for the buckets or, as a secondary option, the doglegged shifter.

[Smooth customs]

I use to do transmission conversions 5 days a week, twenty years ago as part of my buisness.

There is a short stick conversion for one of the celica 5 speeds to move the stick foward, but I don know by how much

Instead of cutting a complete piece out of your bench seat for the stick, you can remove a section from the front of the seat that does not come up into the main section.
And then fit a bent stick like Holden did in the one tonners.

Valiant did the same in its "R" Series models


But you still have to deal with the tunnel size and the mounting of the new transmission crossmember

[Oldnblue]

Cheers for the info. Transmission mounting and tunnel will be done by a pro so I know it's getting done right and will be ok for engineers approval, but want to try working out how I'll get around the issue of the shifter/seat clearance beforehand so it'll be ready to go when the work's getting done.

I'm liking the idea of a shallower cut with the bent Holden stick. Can you tell me if I'd need to have a shifter fabricated to suit, or would a tonner shifter fit the job as is?

Cheers, Scott

[rosco]

I have a Celica 5 in my FJ and Corona - the stick actually sits and operates within the box............ my Aus 4 sp has external selector levers......

frats,
Rosco

[Smooth customs]

Have alook here

This shows the many stick position options on Celica 5 speeds

http://www.retrotech.co.nz/toybox.html

Hope that works!

I have just modified an Australian 4 speed shifter, so when its fitted to a mates EK the stick will be in front of the bench seat.

[Oldnblue]

Thanks heaps for the info and link. Has given me more food for thought and opened up better possibilities for keeping the EK bench, with required mods.
Cheers, Scott