Short shift kit install for '98 LX

I just purchased a 98 LX 4-door, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with installing a short shift kit in this model. How hard is this to install for someone with little or no mechanical experience. I also want to put a new knob on the shifter but I wouldn't imagine that would be very difficult. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, does anyone have a recommendation as to which kit to buy? I have seen a DC Sports kit online that seems to just change the pivot point of the shifter rather than shortening the actual lever. Is there a way to shorten the lever on the '98? I really have no issue with the distance between the gears as that is relatively short, I just don't like how high the shifter is. It just doesn't feel very sporty. So I guess my question is, will this DC Sports piece actually lower the height of the shifter, or just make the distance between gears shorter?

I have a 96 Ex and just bought a 99 Coupe. My 5th Gen has a Forbidden Motorsport SS and I love it. FM SS are 3 way adjustable. I wish they made them for the 6th gen. My 6th Gen Coupe feels like I'm shifting a truck. Not sure what you're talking about with the throw. The throw is far as hell. If you just want to lower the stick...Cut and Weld that shit. Just remember once you cut it you can't raise it so be sure how low you want to go because you're stuck with it after.

DC Sport is just an adaptor. It doesn't lower the height of the stick only shortens the throw. I wouldn't get an adaptor, just my opinion. I just ordered a PSPEC Short Shifter for a 97-01 Prelude that susposedly fits our cars. It is a true short shifter that shortens the throw 50% and lowers the knob about an inch or so. It should be here shortly but we'll see how it fits. My FM SS on the 5th gen was for a Prelude too and it fit just fine.

If you're not mechanically inclined...leave it to someone who is. It's not crazy difficult but if you mess something up, it's on you.

what's a short shifter? ahhaha :P I believe that you turn the knob to the left to remove it from the shaft.

OK.  I just ordered this short shifter:  http://www.prostreetonline.com/megan_racing_short_throw_shifter.html
I ordered it for my 2000 LX so the install should be identical to your 98 LX.
I will start a new thread when it comes in to let you know if it is any good. (The price seemed too-good-to-be-true.)  I ordered it on 3/22/07 and the "order status" still says "order processing."
When I install it, I will try to take pictures and see if I can do "how to" thread.

What exactly does a short shifter do???

A short throw shifter does what the name implies: it shortens the shift throw lol.  Usually it isnt as long as a stock shifter, so the knob will sit a little lower.  It also shortens the distance between gears, so you are able to shift more quickly.

I have been unable to find a true short throw shifter for a 98-02 Accord untill the one I ordered (Megan Racing) from prostreetonline.  Thanks to sir_nasty for a link to that website he posted in another thread. 
Previously a "short shift kit" I have seen anywhere else for a 98-00 Accord is just an adapter that reduces shift throw while using the same stock shift lever (thus not reducing the height of the shifter.) 
Maro, the link I provided in my post above (if it works) gives a pretty good explanation of what a short shifter does.  Let me know if the link doesn't work & I'll provide another one.

thanks for the links and explanation. I was curious as to how the drivability changes when using the short shifter. And if it helps with the classic "notchy" feeling the standard accord stick has. I checked that link and saw that for the 5th gen accord they have an adapter. I also checked out the forbidden Motorsport SS mentioned in the earlier thread. I like the idea of a full replacement shifter rather than the adapter, the asapter definitely has a lower throw percentage, however, I wondering how uncomfortable it would be to lose height from my standard shifter with a replacement. hmmmm.

I wanted a reduction in height as well as shorter throws.  My shifter is way too tall.  Doesn't feel sporty enough.  If you are satisfied with your height though, I would probably just buy the adapter.  I was about to buy a Neuspeed adapter, then I saw the link sir_nasty posted.
I'll keep you guys updated.  I hope it ships soon! The order status STILL says "processing"

Here's some more info that no one probably cares about with short shifters... *L* Due to the way that physics works if you simply cut your shifter and re-install the knob at a lower point then the distance between gears will be shorter, however it may feel a bit more stiff since you'll have less leverage.  The problem/downside to lowering a shift knob is that in a true track race like situation it is farther to reach to grab the knob and shift and those precious seconds mean everything in racing so a "true" short throw shifter will maintain height and shorten the throw to most effectivly increase the speed with which you can move your hand off the steering wheel, grab the shifter, shift, and get back to the steering wheel, it's all a matter of what you want it for on what you should do.... Personally when I had my civic I just cut off about 2 inches and got a universal glove type (sparco actually) and that lowered the shifter a bit, made it feel a little more solid (aka stiffer) and shortened the distance... Imagine on a teeter totter if someone sits halfway between the seat and the center fulcram when they go up or down the will travel less and not be has high (or as low) as the person on the end of the seat, however, since they are closer to the fulcram they will have to weigh more to lift the other end.... I hope that all makes sense for anyone who cares....

So why would a short shifter replacement be more beneficial than cutting the stick...how about an adapter?

When cutting the stick you have to cut out a section and weld it back together so the threads are still there to screw the shift knob back on (at least this is my understanding.)  So you need access to a welder.  If you cut off too much you are screwed.  If you buy a short shifter you could always go back & re-install the stock stick if you wanted to. 
Plus I haven't seen many adapters for under $90.  The Megan racing short shifter is $25 plus shipping.

You don't have to weld all of them... here's a link to the type of knob that I bought (I think I paid $50.00 for it) but you can find them cheaper, with this particular setup it has 3 screws that are pointed, you just tighten them down (use a little bit of lock-tite to keep them  from backing out due to vibration) and they grip into the stick, then the top of it threads into the globe/shift knob...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sparco-Globe-R-Chrome-Aluminum-Manual-Shift-Knob-New_W0QQitemZ330102303111QQcategoryZ33703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

With a short shifter replacement it will give you the same feel/smoothness of a standard shifter but with less throw, not to mention most of them maintain stock height, or just slightly shorter.... personally, my opinion is that unless you are doing racing application just cut like 2" off with a hacksaw and install a different shift knob, the only difficult part about this (aside from getting the cut straight) is lining up the knob and figuring out how you want to re-install the boot to make it look nice.... The reason I went with a globe is because of the height of it but that's just me....

So.....Yesterday I received what the web site told me was a "Megan Racing Short Throw Shifter."  What I got is an "L" shaped peice of metal with a bolt on one part and a hole in another.  It is attached to a thin purple piece of cardboard with a sticker on it that says "98-02 Honda Accord Shift Adapter."  Nowhere on it does it even say Megan Racing!  I am pretty disappointed.  I emailed prostreetonline and told them what I got was not what I was lead to believe I would be receiving.  I know this is a short shift kit adapter, but the website says it is the actual shifter.  They tell you it is an adapter for a 94-97 accord, but for a 98-02 Accord it says it is a short throw shifter.  There were no instructions whatsoever. They didn't even send an invoice!  It looks like it was shipped from some woman's house in California!  I need to take a picture of it and post it online so you guys can see it.  I emailed them and told them what they sent me was not what I ordered.  Oh well, I guess you get what you pay for.  I still feel like that was false advertising.  I am thinking about reporting them to the Better Business Bureau.
 

The part that was sent to me looks identical to a DC Sports shift adapter (I've been looking around on the internet for a similar part.)  The DC Sports adapter is about $70 plus shipping, but it comes with installation instructions. My supposed "Megan Racing Short Throw Shifter" came with none at all. 
So here's my question:  Has anyone bought a DC Sports short shift adapter and do you still have the instructions?  Does anyone know where I can find instructions?  I found a website where a guy was installing something that looked identical on a Prelude, but I'm not sure if the install will be the same. 

I just realized I may be threadjacking.  Sorry.  I created a new thread under "Short Throw Shifter disappointment."