After having tried a focus with a short shifter, I’d really like to buy one for my own car. Which are the better ones though? The block attachment for the shifter arm or the ones with the replacement arm?

Only had experience of the "block" type (Pumaspeed) on a Mk 8 Fiesta - easy to fit, shortened the throw, but made the change stiffer. Not to my taste, removed it after a short while, as did another member who tried the same one on the same car. Others seem happy with them, so personal taste, I suppose.

The replacement arm type are more expensive and more difficult to fit, but more people seem happier with them from posts I've seen. It does look a better engineered solution.

 

 

Thanks @Eric Bloodaxe 👍🏻. I’m gonna try the replacement arm option I think

So I’ve purchased a short shifter arm. I’ve removed the air box and intake pipe, removed the shifter rod from the stock arm, but I’ve discovered that there’s no drift pin so that I can remove the stock arm. Does this mean that I cannot replace the shifter arm with my new short shifter arm? 

Could you post a pic of, and link to, what you've purchased?

17 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Could you post a pic of, and link to, what you've purchased?

Thanks for your response @Eric Bloodaxe 👍. Heres an image that I took yesterday of the stock arm and heres the link to the one I purchased.

https://www.direnza.co.uk/product/engine-drivetrain/short-shifters-engine-drivetrain-2/ford-focus-mk3-st-rs-st250-12-short-shifter/

 

That product is specifically labelled as for the 2.0 RS/ST etc only, not the 1.6. So it won't fit.

 

 

16 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

That product is specifically labelled as for the 2.0 RS/ST etc only, not the 1.6. So it won't fit.

 

 

Ah right, I read it as Ford Focus mk3, ST, RS, ST250 lol

5 hours ago, Pburgess2208 said:

Ah right, I read it as Ford Focus mk3, ST, RS, ST250 lol

Yes, I guess you could interpret it that way.

Some years back now, but Iirc these short shift devices were sold as being suitable for Focus 1.6 Zetec S or Fiesta Mk 7.5 1.6 ST, like the Mountune example here:

https://www.mountunestore.com/collections/mk3-focus/products/fiesta-b299st-billet-quick-shift

This is a "block" or "billet" type. I don't recall seeing any "arm" types back in the day, and from a very quick look round that still appears to be the case.**

From your original post, I had the impression you had identified a supplier of both types and were just trying to decide between the two. Presumably the Focus you tried with a short shifter wasn't a 1.6? Or had the "block" type?

**There is this very expensive option for the Fiesta (might fit the Focus 1.6?) but at the price it's probably not worth even asking!

https://pumaspeed.co.uk/product-Coolerworx-Pro-Carbon-Short-Shifter-for-Ford-Fiesta-MK7-MK75-ST180-6-Speed_21785.jsp

 

 

 

 

As an alternative you could cut your gear stick so it’s shorter and cut a new thread into it for the gearknob - or get a spare shifter assy and do it to that. Mk2 Focus RS that’s what Ford did to reduce the shifting movement

On 6/23/2025 at 2:49 PM, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Yes, I guess you could interpret it that way.

Some years back now, but Iirc these short shift devices were sold as being suitable for Focus 1.6 Zetec S or Fiesta Mk 7.5 1.6 ST, like the Mountune example here:

https://www.mountunestore.com/collections/mk3-focus/products/fiesta-b299st-billet-quick-shift

This is a "block" or "billet" type. I don't recall seeing any "arm" types back in the day, and from a very quick look round that still appears to be the case.**

From your original post, I had the impression you had identified a supplier of both types and were just trying to decide between the two. Presumably the Focus you tried with a short shifter wasn't a 1.6? Or had the "block" type?

**There is this very expensive option for the Fiesta (might fit the Focus 1.6?) but at the price it's probably not worth even asking!

https://pumaspeed.co.uk/product-Coolerworx-Pro-Carbon-Short-Shifter-for-Ford-Fiesta-MK7-MK75-ST180-6-Speed_21785.jsp

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the links. The gear shift throw on the one that I test drove was a lot shorter than the car that I have now. Saying that, apparently that had had a new gearbox last year which is probably why if felt tighter and more precise. It didn’t have a block on the arm though so I just presumed it had a short shifter arm. Anyways, I think I shall give the block a try 👍🏻