ST202 shifter into ST165? I don't think so

simple

Member
I've got these two side by side. Plastic base is ST202 and overbuilt metal one is ST165.
Mechanism is different. 90 degree prong on shifter metal body is used for spring support on ST165 while on ST202 the spring support is on the forward axle.

Has anyone successfully done this mod? I just can't see how it would be done without machining a groove for the spring to sit in the proper spot.


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abeans

Member
lol... Yeah i'm not a fan of long throw my self.

Thats an awful lot of work. I'd take the stock shifter arm, cut it down and run a die at the top for same size shifter knob threads. Free.99


I've got a 185 shifter assembly if you are interested, but it might be the same as 165, looks very similar.
 

dbucks2k

Member
You pull the shaft out of the st202 shifter and put it in the metal st165 base. You also need to either cut the hole in the bottom to be bigger, or hammer it down to clear the bottom of the shaft/cable.
 

simple

Member
Thanks for the clearance suggestion. What about the spring perch difference i mentioned? Without it there would be slop in the mechanism.
 

dbucks2k

Member
I put the st202 shaft in the st165 base the same way the st165 shaft is in. And it's worked just fine for years. There isn't any slop at all. I'll take a picture of mine tomorrow.
 

simple

Member
Cool! Good to hear as getting it milled down doesn't look easy.

You are talking about cut or bend this area right? For the ball end to be able to swing. Same on the back side maybe.

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simple

Member
Finally did this mod. Easier than I thought. Well obviously I overthought it.

Car isn't together still so no idea on improvement but it should fit better in my hand.
 
I'm pretty sure I did this in my st165 back in the day. Unfortunately, I don't remember all the details, but it didn't take major work, and I felt it was an improvement in shifting feel.

I was thinking maybe I used washers to lift something in the base...but could very easily be remembering the install of a short shifter into my '00 GT-S instead. Actually, that's very likely. :doh:
 

simple

Member
Thanks! I did end up hacking the ST165 base to make the ST202 shift rod work. I was hoping it would smooth out the shifting but it is still pretty notchy. Honda definitely had the smoother linkages back in the 80/90s so I was spoiled.
 
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