i have used da search link n found a few things bout it....
i wanna ask, is this a common problem?
wuts da best way to solve da problem?
its not much contact but u can hear a tink when goin left-right in neurtal n it takes a tiny bit more strength to shift 4-5 cuz thats where its crossing da exhaust pipe...
o yea, 96 civic ex

 

I have a 97 civic with an aftermarket exhaust and short shifter they contact going into fifth but theres not much I can do the exhaust is just to big. I am pretty sure this is a common problem as long as it doesnt interrupt you from going into a gear I wouldnt worry about it to much.

 

yep mine does it too. I've got an ebay short shifter and cusotm 2.25" piping. It doesn't rub as much anymore than when i first installed it, so maybe it just takes a while to break in? lol idk, either that or my exhaust is sagging now.

 

I had a 97 ex, and I had the same problem. I found that the counter weight at the end of the linkage was hitting my exhaust and made it hard to shift. I took my linkage off and grinded it down a little bit, just enough for clearance. After that, smooth shifting.

 

well when i got my 94civic its shifter linkage was clicking against the factory heat shields... i removed them and no more clicking noises.