Poll: Short Shifter Recomendations

[MikeL]

I want to put a Short Shifter kit on my 2005 WRX...

I would like to hear cheers and jeers from people and their experiences. I
want to reduce the throw without getting extremely short on height.... I
like the looks of the KartBoy model but others (like at www.rallitek.com)
are equally appealing. Only stipulation would be price - I'd like to keep
it on the less-than-expensive side. Thus in the ballpark of $125.

MikeL

 

[TG]

I have never considered a short shifter for a Subaru because the way the
linkage is I think it would make the shifting too difficult for my taste.
Are there any that come with a better linkage as well to replace the stock
stuff? That may be worth a look. TG

 

[mulder]

The Kartboy is the most popular, and is within your budget. Some of the
other ones on the market are lesser-quality knockoffs of the KB. It does
reduce the height though, the KB lever is an inch or so lower than the
stock one.
The Subaru optional short shifter retains the stock lever height, but is
more expensive. It incorporates a complete replacement linkage rather
than just the lever, so install is a bit more difficult.
Whichever shifter you choose, also consider installing a set of the
Kartboy bushings in place of the stock rubber one. This relatively
inexpensive mod (about $35) will eliminate much of the fore-aft play in
the shifter and noticeably improve the feel and mechanical feedback.

 

[MikeL]

What about the subaru STi 5-speed shifter kit? It's around $240 at
allsubaru.com but is that a worthy expense? I've already got the KartBoy
bushings, btw, and like the improvement!

----- Original Message -----
From: "TG" <(e-mail address removed)>
Newsgroups: alt.autos.subaru
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: Short Shifter Recomendations

 

[mulder]

I have the Subaru shifter, it was a port-installed option on my car when
I got it. Given its cost, and the available alternatives, I might not
have purchased it separately otherwise. OTOH I am happy with it, and I
do also have the Kartboy bushings. Although the lever on the STi shifter
is at stock height, I decided to cut mine down a bit to suit my personal
preference.
If you do a bit of shopping, the STi shifters sometimes turn up for much
less than that price, both new and used. Keep an eye on Ebay and the
Private Classifieds on the forums such as NASIOC. Just be sure that if
you get one this way that it's the complete setup.

 

[JaySee]

I have the STi linkage with Kartboy bushings.
I also used to have the Kartboy shifter.
The STi is by far superior. Shifting is short, without the extra
effort needed with the Kartboy. The STi actually shortens the throw
forward and back and also laterally. The Kartboy shortens the throw
by changing the angle of the lever and shortening it. The Kartboy
takes a lot more effort. I'm 6' tall so I hated the shortened height
as well.