I have the KAD installed by my car's 1st and only other owner. Incredible piece of the kit and highly recommended. The golden rule of Classic Mini parts is KED or MED or DEAD.
I actually use both alternatives on my different Minis. Frankly, on the road there's no difference to me. I have to say though that my simpler version - the second one in the video - is also a KAD, made before KAD developped the new version. Might be why they these also fit very well. I installed a later version to one of my Minis as the spring had broken and couldn't be used with the new shifter. Fitting is just as easy but the problems start, when you try to put back on the boot: it doesn't go over the pull-up ring on the stick. That's fixed and can't be removed. I was stuck and so you'll be, especially if you have one of the later minis in which the boot is finished off with that little chrome ring on top. All I could do was to take my leather boot to the upholsterer who opened the thread, inserted the stick and re-sewed the boot. My boot luckyly doesn't have the chrome ring. There's no way to keep the original looks with the later KAD shifter and the chrome ring. The simpler version needs to be greased thoroughly just like the newer one. My newer version doesn't have the grease nipple yet, so also to be greased from the top by removing the stick. Another down to the later version: no standard know will fit. You have burr walnut? Time to use it as decoration on the shelf. The hole in the new hilfters knob is about double the size, so no way to drill out the existing knob. This is because the stick acutally is asleeve to allow pulling the rod up internally with the security grip. On mine, I also had to have the knob ground down as it was too long: the knob was so long that you were not able to pull the lock fully up with the knob fully tightened. So, you can either have the knob shortened (it has something like a little collar on the downside and isn't rally a globe) or you insert suitable washers that allow you to tighten the know and still pull up the lock far enough. If both the knob and the boot are no issue to you, go for the new one... On the Mini I recently bought, I installed the simple version again as I will keep the boot and also need to keep the original knob for originality. Both not possible with the new one. Great video though, covers everything but the boot issue and the knob.Aso the other video in which you show the installation is great - spot on but there also you don't install the boot :-) Keep up the good work!
Had people tell me not to get a short shifter for my MPI, but I did it anyway. Got the KAD one and boy did it make shifting nice and snappy. No issues finding any gears, works a treat!
Loving the comparison videos. I think its fair to say that KAD stuff is all very good quality. Mini Spares is certainly not bad but you do get what you pay for. Good work, thanks.
As another option I would highly recommend the KAD internal gear shifter that I have fitted to my Cafe Racer Traveller. Basically the same short shift but with a pretty awesome ally bracket set up to mount in board.
Great comparison video between the two Quick Shifters Philip! I still have one of the first versions in my '90 Mini, as far as I know there was no KAD version. I wish there was a way to give my Morris Mini Cooper S MK1 a more precise gearstick, the car's shifting is so wobbly and spongy that it's not much fun to change gears, but I guess you have to make friends with that if you want to drive a Mk1! ^^ If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful for any tips.
Good review of the shifters. There's definitely a clear winner 🏆. But given the difference in the price it blows my budget so it would have to be the budget one for me then do a mod on the base to eliminate the movement. Loving all your posts.
Something i think you missed by not driving the car with the shifters installed is the annoying rattle of the lift ring on the KAD. I have mine apart now, it has about 2 years use on it and 16,000 Klms. The large flange section on the reverse lock out plunger has worn a flat on one section, down to the diameter of the smaller section of the plunger. I have made a lockout plunger in stainless steel, 304 grade and am going to upsize the reverse lift cable from 1.5 mm mild steel cable to 2 mm stainless cable. I will try shortening the cable it may just need a little tension to stop the rattle. The other thing i have to modify is the weight of the knob, in my opinion the knob is too heavy. If i can't hollow it out i will look at making a lighter version. The above are not criticisms as such, just my observations. I wouldn't be without a KAD quickshifter after using one on my car.
@@therza03 Yes rattle is now gone, I found that the spring is a near perfect match for a stainless steel spring used for aluminium scaffold braces so I fitted one of those as well.
love your videos! Been driving minis here in the UK for 25 years. I had an original KAD quickshift, absolutely love the new design so I think I'll be getting one soon
Had my engine/transmission rebuilt two years ago. Dropped in a KAD short shifter last week. Shift felt great. But 80kms later, my gearbox has 3 neutrals, and is good to throw to the trash. Not sure that the shifter is too harsh on the gearbox, not sure that it is related. But it really does feel like causation to me...
The KAD is a good shifter, the best thing you can do for a rod change box is to secure the engine from rocking. I made the stock steady much bigger and added one to the water outlet to the firewall. The ones sold that mount to lower parts of the gear box are junk
Good point. The higher the mounting points of the steadies, the better they seem to work because they are further from the fulcrum point and therefore have more leverage to hold the engine in place 👍👍 We like the thermostat housing steadies as well.
I bought my mini already fitted with the cheaper model. Great video by the way. I have had so many problems finding revesrse, I even had to push it back in a country kane as a bus was coming. What a joke. Returned to original now thank god. I'll put up with a little play thanks 😊
Budget build the mini spares shifter would be great! I believe with a drill and a little know how you could modify the budget one so the it dies not rock back and forth on the shifter housing.
Hi all.. Interesting survey of both shifters. Mine as had the cheaper after market fited at some point not very well either it was held on by a snapped drill bit🙄!.. Anyway I cleaned it all up re affixed it properly. You answer my question to myself of why it still had the shifter housing wobble so cheers for that.. Ive also replaced rubber mounts too!.. Not had chance to try on the road as welding on car for a few months,but gears feel more connected. As I was having trouble with 3rd to 4th change but only on occasion usually at higher speed I'm hoping this will of helped & it's not a gear box issue.. Thanks for the videos cheers Rich
Thanks Rich. There are a lot of comments from others saying they had success with shimming up the housing, so maybe that will help with the ever-satisfying 3-4 shift.
Another great video. In the restomod project I had a 5 speed installed. There is a lot of swing side to side and up and down going from gear to gear. Can a KAD short shifter be installed on a 5 speed Trans? I live in Seattle and if the border was open I would've loved to bring the car to you to look it over and improve on a few things, short shifter being one of them. Grrrrr... it will have to wait.
You will never find better products than KAD products. Not the cheapest option I know but buy something good and you’ll only have to pay once. By cheap and you’ll end up buying the more expensive one afterwards anyway. I lucky enough own two minis, both KAD powered cars and one has a KAD 16v head, well KAD everything actually. Their service is second to none, even if you are buying the cheapest product they will treat you as if you have an unlimited budget. Their products are very well designed, made in house and are extremely reliable. About the only thing that the UK that is these days.
If only there was a way to use your own knob on the KAD!! (And completely understand why you can not of course) My 94 has a very rare and personally cherished JCG leather shift knob that I just can’t bring myself to part with. Kills me not to have that KAD feel in my life...
Echoing Scott Melvin's comment, yeah you can get uprated bushes. You'll want to also make sure that the engine steady bushes and the engine mounts are all doing their job at holding the drivetrain in place as well, because if the engine/transmission are rocking around and the shift lever housing bushes can't flex with the movement, it will probably pop out of gear.
Great video but you missed actually testing these units on the road. Would have been nice to see if 2nd to 3rd are the same between the two. At the end of the day, people buy these to enhance their driving experience.
Question after installing the mini mania shifter not the KAD one have you ever had trouble getting first gear while the car is on? I can find first when the car is off but it grinds when the car is on. I installed one and am having a lot of trouble with it.
I know where to find the shifters but does anyone know where we can find the rubber bushings needed for the shifter? I would like to replace mine as they are quite old
This is a bit late for this vid and you may not see this but I have a question. What do you think about adding a 3mm spacer to the bottom of the non-KAD shifter to take up the slop?
In this case we didn't have any issues, buttery smooth second gear with both shifters! We have seen some KAD shifter-equipped cars where 2nd is more difficult to find, but it might have more to do with the piece that the shift lever's bottom end fits into. It's possible for that to wear out as well.
I have the KAD installed by my car's 1st and only other owner. Incredible piece of the kit and highly recommended. The golden rule of Classic Mini parts is KED or MED or DEAD.
Or steveston motor co
I actually use both alternatives on my different Minis. Frankly, on the road there's no difference to me. I have to say though that my simpler version - the second one in the video - is also a KAD, made before KAD developped the new version. Might be why they these also fit very well.
I installed a later version to one of my Minis as the spring had broken and couldn't be used with the new shifter.
Fitting is just as easy but the problems start, when you try to put back on the boot: it doesn't go over the pull-up ring on the stick. That's fixed and can't be removed. I was stuck and so you'll be, especially if you have one of the later minis in which the boot is finished off with that little chrome ring on top. All I could do was to take my leather boot to the upholsterer who opened the thread, inserted the stick and re-sewed the boot. My boot luckyly doesn't have the chrome ring. There's no way to keep the original looks with the later KAD shifter and the chrome ring.
The simpler version needs to be greased thoroughly just like the newer one. My newer version doesn't have the grease nipple yet, so also to be greased from the top by removing the stick.
Another down to the later version: no standard know will fit. You have burr walnut? Time to use it as decoration on the shelf. The hole in the new hilfters knob is about double the size, so no way to drill out the existing knob. This is because the stick acutally is asleeve to allow pulling the rod up internally with the security grip.
On mine, I also had to have the knob ground down as it was too long: the knob was so long that you were not able to pull the lock fully up with the knob fully tightened. So, you can either have the knob shortened (it has something like a little collar on the downside and isn't rally a globe) or you insert suitable washers that allow you to tighten the know and still pull up the lock far enough.
If both the knob and the boot are no issue to you, go for the new one...
On the Mini I recently bought, I installed the simple version again as I will keep the boot and also need to keep the original knob for originality. Both not possible with the new one.
Great video though, covers everything but the boot issue and the knob.Aso the other video in which you show the installation is great - spot on but there also you don't install the boot :-)
Keep up the good work!
Had the same lower housing play with my Hopkirk shifter. I made a couple of nylon shims to take up the space.
Well played. Shims are almost necessary if there is a gap there! Did it sort out any slop you had from that in the throw?
Had people tell me not to get a short shifter for my MPI, but I did it anyway. Got the KAD one and boy did it make shifting nice and snappy. No issues finding any gears, works a treat!
Loving the comparison videos. I think its fair to say that KAD stuff is all very good quality. Mini Spares is certainly not bad but you do get what you pay for. Good work, thanks.
As another option I would highly recommend the KAD internal gear shifter that I have fitted to my Cafe Racer Traveller. Basically the same short shift but with a pretty awesome ally bracket set up to mount in board.
Well done. Thanks for doing this comparison. Looks like I'll be turning a little 3mm shim.
Thank you and you're very welcome. A shim would sort that issue right out :)
Great comparison video between the two Quick Shifters Philip!
I still have one of the first versions in my '90 Mini, as far as I know there was no KAD version.
I wish there was a way to give my Morris Mini Cooper S MK1 a more precise gearstick, the car's shifting is so wobbly and spongy that it's not much fun to change gears, but I guess you have to make friends with that if you want to drive a Mk1! ^^
If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful for any tips.
Good review of the shifters. There's definitely a clear winner 🏆. But given the difference in the price it blows my budget so it would have to be the budget one for me then do a mod on the base to eliminate the movement.
Loving all your posts.
In sure there's never been an actual KAD advert as nice as this.
Also nice Teddy on the back seat.
Something i think you missed by not driving the car with the shifters installed is the annoying rattle of the lift ring on the KAD. I have mine apart now, it has about 2 years use on it and 16,000 Klms. The large flange section on the reverse lock out plunger has worn a flat on one section, down to the diameter of the smaller section of the plunger. I have made a lockout plunger in stainless steel, 304 grade and am going to upsize the reverse lift cable from 1.5 mm mild steel cable to 2 mm stainless cable.
I will try shortening the cable it may just need a little tension to stop the rattle. The other thing i have to modify is the weight of the knob, in my opinion the knob is too heavy. If i can't hollow it out i will look at making a lighter version.
The above are not criticisms as such, just my observations. I wouldn't be without a KAD quickshifter after using one on my car.
Were you able to fix the rattle of the lift ring? I have the same annoying rattle and its brand new
@@therza03 Yes rattle is now gone, I found that the spring is a near perfect match for a stainless steel spring used for aluminium scaffold braces so I fitted one of those as well.
love your videos!
Been driving minis here in the UK for 25 years. I had an original KAD quickshift, absolutely love the new design so I think I'll be getting one soon
Had my engine/transmission rebuilt two years ago. Dropped in a KAD short shifter last week. Shift felt great. But 80kms later, my gearbox has 3 neutrals, and is good to throw to the trash. Not sure that the shifter is too harsh on the gearbox, not sure that it is related. But it really does feel like causation to me...
That's hard to say without knowing exactly where the slop is coming from, but unfortunately it does sound like accelerated wear
Perfect comparison! I prefer the low budget shifter,
Very similar
Thanks from Italy
Cheers Matteo, stay safe
good timing on this! was planning on grabbing the KAD shifter...
Awesome vid guys, I’ve always been a little weary of short-shifters but this has definitely helped me with my decision of shifter
Thanks and glad to hear it!
Great video. Next time would be even better if you could video some road testing of the different parts too.
The KAD is a good shifter, the best thing you can do for a rod change box is to secure the engine from rocking. I made the stock steady much bigger and added one to the water outlet to the firewall. The ones sold that mount to lower parts of the gear box are junk
Good point. The higher the mounting points of the steadies, the better they seem to work because they are further from the fulcrum point and therefore have more leverage to hold the engine in place 👍👍
We like the thermostat housing steadies as well.
Great vid. Congrats on the sponsorship.
I bought my mini already fitted with the cheaper model. Great video by the way.
I have had so many problems finding revesrse, I even had to push it back in a country kane as a bus was coming. What a joke. Returned to original now thank god. I'll put up with a little play thanks 😊
Budget build the mini spares shifter would be great! I believe with a drill and a little know how you could modify the budget one so the it dies not rock back and forth on the shifter housing.
Mini Mania really should have added 2 or 3 quid to the price of the shifter and included the spring and the nylon cup.
That price difference though!! Wow real shame they don’t supply the minispares version with a spring and cap
True, although it's probably a big added cost for the mold needed to stamp that cap. One way of keeping the price reasonable I guess.
Mini Matt TV the KAD shifter is only £115 in the uk 🇬🇧
Hi all..
Interesting survey of both shifters. Mine as had the cheaper after market fited at some point not very well either it was held on by a snapped drill bit🙄!.. Anyway I cleaned it all up re affixed it properly. You answer my question to myself of why it still had the shifter housing wobble so cheers for that.. Ive also replaced rubber mounts too!.. Not had chance to try on the road as welding on car for a few months,but gears feel more connected. As I was having trouble with 3rd to 4th change but only on occasion usually at higher speed I'm hoping this will of helped & it's not a gear box issue..
Thanks for the videos cheers Rich
Thanks Rich. There are a lot of comments from others saying they had success with shimming up the housing, so maybe that will help with the ever-satisfying 3-4 shift.
@@Stevestonmotorco hi.. yeah sounds like a plan!.. saves stripping gear box if it's not necessary.. mucho appreciated!
owens fabrication shifter is by far the best out there!
For £435 it should be
awesome video!
Thanks!
Great video and great camera quality! Subscribed! Does the KAD shifter work in the 1996-2000s Rover Mini Sports?
Thanks. To answer your question, yes they make a variant that works
I got the cheaper one years ago and still have it but I put a spacer 3mm in there and all good wish I could afford KAD!!
Thanks a lot for this comparison
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
Another great video. In the restomod project I had a 5 speed installed. There is a lot of swing side to side and up and down going from gear to gear. Can a KAD short shifter be installed on a 5 speed Trans? I live in Seattle and if the border was open I would've loved to bring the car to you to look it over and improve on a few things, short shifter being one of them. Grrrrr... it will have to wait.
Hopefully this year! The 5 speed mini transmissions have their own specific shifters, unfortunately.
short shifter differently feels different to standard.... I had the budget short shifter on my mini :)
I more grub screw in mounting cheap 1 will solve the play
Brilliant video 👌
Thanks!
Can you provide a review for the mini CAE Ultra Shifter. I know it's a tad expensive but you need to.....DEEEW EEEET!
You will never find better products than KAD products. Not the cheapest option I know but buy something good and you’ll only have to pay once. By cheap and you’ll end up buying the more expensive one afterwards anyway. I lucky enough own two minis, both KAD powered cars and one has a KAD 16v head, well KAD everything actually.
Their service is second to none, even if you are buying the cheapest product they will treat you as if you have an unlimited budget. Their products are very well designed, made in house and are extremely reliable. About the only thing that the UK that is these days.
If only there was a way to use your own knob on the KAD!! (And completely understand why you can not of course) My 94 has a very rare and personally cherished JCG leather shift knob that I just can’t bring myself to part with. Kills me not to have that KAD feel in my life...
is there any way to increase the stiffness of the assembly? like making a bracket screwed to those four holes?
Mount your shifter assembly with harder poly bush mountings and not standard bobbin rubber bush. Makes changing gear much better
Echoing Scott Melvin's comment, yeah you can get uprated bushes. You'll want to also make sure that the engine steady bushes and the engine mounts are all doing their job at holding the drivetrain in place as well, because if the engine/transmission are rocking around and the shift lever housing bushes can't flex with the movement, it will probably pop out of gear.
Could you guys do a riding review? To have your feeling regarding the shift speed and the throw on th road... Cheers :)
Up ! ;)
Great video but you missed actually testing these units on the road. Would have been nice to see if 2nd to 3rd are the same between the two. At the end of the day, people buy these to enhance their driving experience.
I installed a kD shifter and I’m only getting first third and reverse and reinstall the stock shifter and I’m getting all the gears except reverse
Hi your channel is insane! Can you do a Tech Tip on how to remove the engine of the engine bay? (from France)
Nice video, but I have a question before I buy anything. Will the gear lever gaiter still fit with the KAD quickshift?
It should
Stevestonmotorco is it possible for you to try it?
KED is tricky to install in a Moke. There isn’t enough room to tighten the retaining bolts.
Thanks for pointing that out. Haven't had the pleasure of installing one in a Moke before.
Fit it while you have the mount dropped after getting the pins out?
i got the mini sport one but it doesn’t fit in a 850 with a magic wand
Hi, with the KAD shifter can you remove the gear knob to install the oem gaiter.
great video,will this work on my 67 998 cooper with remote shifter
I’m having trouble with a mini I’m working on I’m not finding reverse and my su carburetor is flooding and I can’t get it to stop
Question after installing the mini mania shifter not the KAD one have you ever had trouble getting first gear while the car is on? I can find first when the car is off but it grinds when the car is on. I installed one and am having a lot of trouble with it.
I know where to find the shifters but does anyone know where we can find the rubber bushings needed for the shifter? I would like to replace mine as they are quite old
This is a bit late for this vid and you may not see this but I have a question. What do you think about adding a 3mm spacer to the bottom of the non-KAD shifter to take up the slop?
It's a great idea. Others in the comments have mentioned that they have fashioned one up themselves with a good result.
@@Stevestonmotorco Thanks. Sure enough, looks like I missed that one.
I've heard to NOT use a short shift kit with a 5 Speed gearbox. I was wondering what your thoughts are on that???
the gates are closer on a 5 speed, so a standard ratio is better suited
@@jakestn5482 Makes sense. If you use a short shifter, you might "crunch" your synchros by shifting "too fast" if it makes any sense.
Maybe stupid question but why/how were you shifting without using clutch?
The engine wasn't running
I just learned this too and was wondering the same thing. Had no idea all this time that you can shift when the engine is off.
Had a short shifter but always found it more difficult to find 2nd with them, did you find the same with KAD
In this case we didn't have any issues, buttery smooth second gear with both shifters! We have seen some KAD shifter-equipped cars where 2nd is more difficult to find, but it might have more to do with the piece that the shift lever's bottom end fits into. It's possible for that to wear out as well.
What thread is the KAD? Something standard that I can get a classic style knob for?
It's very off the wall. It's something like 31/64 UNF (don't quote us on that) which no one will make a shift knob for.
Just came across that info on the KAD website, m14x1.25mm
Is possible that you can contact me, I have some questions to make conserning the shifter.
Only want to know one thing:
How much less does it take doing 0-60 with one of these shortshifters?