Stillway Shifter Installation Instructions
By: Chris Romano
This document was created in hopes of making installation of the Stillway shifter easier.
Please reference the Stillway Shifter installation document (written in Japanese) when following these instructions.
When you open the instruction booklet, page 1 details all of the parts necessary for installation. Verify all components and proceed to page 2.
Page 2.
Diagram 1. This details the shifter and begins preparation for removal of the shifter. Begin by unscrewing the factory shifter.
Diagram 2. This illustrates the cover that must be removed in order to loosen the bolt that allows the shifter to be disconnected. This cover covers the bolt required to release the shifter from the transmission.
Note: When jacking up the car, please take ever precaution to avoid injury. You will need to have the car in neutral so, please double check the emergency brake. Also, a flashlight is recommended to view the necessary components.
Diagram 3. The bolt to be removed faces the
rear of the car. There are two bolts,
be sure to only disconnect the bolt, which is on the right in the picture. You will need a 9/16th socket to
remove this bolt.
Diagram 4. Remove the leather cover from the
shifter. Remove the ashtray, open the
leather cover, which attaches to the shifter and remove the plastic piece.
Page
3.
Diagram 5. With a 10mm socket, unbolt the
metallic metal cover form the bottom of the shifter. This piece helps in keeping moisture and noise from entering the
driver’s area.
Diagram 6. Now, carefully remove the metal
cover then, the rubber boot.
Diagram 7. More detail on removing the rubber
boot.
Diagram 8. Using the 10mm socket, remove the
metallic plate. Note the position of
the plate before removing it! This will
give you an idea of how the sequential shifter works.
Page
4.
Diagram 1. Remove the metal pin that holds the
factory plastic ring on the shifter.
Basically, this piece should push out.
Be very careful not to damage any of the plastic pieces inside the
plastic ring. Personally, I cut mine
off making it easier. You will not need
this piece later on.
Note:
by cutting the plastic piece, you must use the sequential shifter, Toyota does
not sell this separately, and you will need to purchase a new shifter if you
decide not to use the sequential shifter.
Diagram 2. Upon removal of the plastic ring, be
sure to replace the plastic inside guide exactly how it was inserted. Be careful not to damage this plastic piece!
Diagram 1. Take the metallic piece and place it
on the shifter. Carefully note the
position of the hole be, sure to position this exactly how it is pictured in
the diagram.
Diagram 2. After the metallic piece is placed
on the shifter, use the metal wedge provided to secure the piece. Make sure that the wedge is perfectly
centered and not sticking out on either side.
Page
5.
Diagram 1. Place the shifter back into the
proper position. Be sure not to place
the shifter on backwards!
***Diagram 2. Ok, now for the important part! There are two guides; the left guide has an
angle built in. The right guide has a
square shape. The guide with the angle
should be positioned on the left such that the angle directs the shifter
towards the 3rd gear gate.
Carefully study the #2 diagram on page 5. When the shifter is in the
center position, each guide should slightly touch the square piece on the
shifter. Now, these pieces should prevent the shifter from moving left and
right and guide the shifter into 3rd then back to 4th. Basically, in this position, you should only
be able to move the shifter into 3rd and 4th gear. Make
sure the shifter cannot be moved left and right, do not allow play yet, allow
the shifter to be moved from 3rd to fourth smoothly. Tighten the
angled guide securely and be careful not to strip the bolts! Then, place a washer on the left bottom
bolt. There are two bolts, one towards the front of the car and one towards the
rear, place the washer on the bolt that connects to the rear bolt. The reason I did this was to allow easier
shifting into 6th gear. In order to go into reverse, the shifter
will be moved to the far right and then back.
So, when you drive the car, be sure to be very careful not to over shift
into reverse.
Diagram 3. This describes how the shifter
should easily move from 3rd to 4th gear and not from left
to right. Notice how once the shifter
is between the gates, it will guide you into 3rd then, into 4th
gear…very nice ehe?!
Diagram 4. Take the metal ring and place it on
the shifter as shown in the diagram. Then,
place the C clamp so that the ring will be secured.
Page
6.
Diagram 5. First, secure
the shifter onto the transmission carefully!
Reconnect the bolt that connects the shifter to the fork. Then, place
the rubber cover back over the bolt. The kit comes with 4 rings and
instructions. On my car, I did not use these rings. My car is a 1997 so; these may not be required on other year
Supras.
Screw the
new shifter on gently and position the hole on the shifter so that the small
allen bolt will screw in the “L” guide on the metal ring.
Adjust
the shifter so that when the ring is turned into “normal driving mode” every
gear can be reached. There are two
modes, the first is normal mode, basically lift up on the ring and turn so that
the allen bolt locks and holds the ring in an up position allowing all shifts
to occur normally. Once the shifter is
at the proper height, use the bolt provided to secure the height. On mine, the allen bolt faces towards the
back of the car…use this as a guide to getting it adjusted properly. Of course, every car will be different.
Now, to
engage sequential mode, put the car in first gear and turn the ring so that the
ring drops. What will happen is, 1st
gear will shift into 2nd as normal.
Then, as you shift into 3rd, the guide will set the shifter
into 3rd gear…hence reducing the number of missed gears! Then, the guide will guide you into 4th
gear. Notice in this mode that you shifter cannot be moved from left to right.
To get it back into normal mode, lift up on the ring and turn to lock into
normal position.
Once all
steps are complete, take the car for a spin and make sure all gears are
smooth. Some adjustment may be
necessary. Note that the shifts will
feel a bit shorter and will take a little getting used to. From neutral into first, you may need to
angle the shifter towards 1st.
This is normal, the gates are designed to guide all shifts more
efficiently. However, no grinding should occur! If your car grinds, adjust the unit so that the height is correct. Once you have finished testing the unit,
replace the rubber boot and the metal cover that secures the boot. Then, place the plastic cover and secure the
leather to the shifter allowing the ring to move properly. Replace the ashtray and you’re done!
Now,
practice with the unit in a parking lot.
BE SURE TO TEST NEAR YOUR HOUSE!
IN CASE THE SHIFTER NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED!
I hope
this helps! Enjoy the unit and I’ll see you at the races!
Thanks,
Chris Romano
https://www.angelfire.com/ab/teamdevious
Disclaimer: Follow these instructions are your own risk.
The author will not be held responsible in any way shape or form for any
damage, which may occur. By following these instructions, the reader releases
all responsibility, reliability, or blame in any way shape or form.
