short shifter

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:57 pm

Any one who has an 02-07 WRX or Forester want a new unused short shifter? It's the Megan racing chomoly version w/ the STi look shift knob.
Got it for Matt's LGT and it's not anywhere close to the same.

$30 and it's yours. (I'll even help install it if you want)

I have one in the ForesterXT and I love it. Noticibly shorter throws and more positive engagement. I re-used the factory shift knob.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:14 pm

Hmmmm. I think me wants.

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:23 pm

If you have the STi short shifter, this isn't much shorter.
But if you have the stock shifter, it's a big difference.

Post by **complacent** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:30 pm

Would this fit my GC? If so, I'll take it.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:10 pm

Could we do the exhange and install at the next vinny's meet?

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:01 pm

complacent wrote:Would this fit my GC? If so, I'll take it.

Yes, it will fit, but it may not be that much shorter than what you have.
The Kartboy website claims that WRXs with the STi short shifter should get the GC model short-shifter.

I have seen this shifter next to WRX STi short shifter and it is just slightly shorter in total length and the distance from ball to linkage barrel is almost identical.

So you may find it to be very similar to the stock GC shifter. Here are the measurements in mm if you want to compare it to your stock shifter.

Stem-from bottom of the shifter ball to bottom of linkage barrel=55mm.
Shaft-from top of shifter to top of lingage barrel=150mm.

Bluestreak2006 wrote:Could we do the exhange and install at the next vinny's meet?

I may be able to attend the next Vinney's meet, I think it's thursday the 25th. If Colin decides it isn't worth the swap it's all yours. Here's what you need to install:

The center console for the WRX dosen't have screws holding it in like the RS. Rather, there are some hidden tabs and clips as shown in the pictures. The way I removed the console was to pull up the emergency brake, and open the hatch to it's rear compartment. Using a flat blade screwdriver, that I wrapped with a towel to scratching the plastic, pry up the back half at the slots shown in the picture. After it's up enough to grab the back half I just tugged firmly to remove it. Unplug the mirror controls so you can put it aside. Note where the clips are and put them back on the upper part before installing it. For the front half, I first unscrewed the shift knob all the way. It's attached to the boot so just let it rest there when it's unscrewed. Next remove the front half of the console top. Grab the back part that's exposed and tug up. It sort of hinges at the front under the radio section. Now the shifter will be exposed. Using 2 - 12mm wrenches remove the nut and bolt that holds the shifter to the rod. To remove the shifter from the car just bend it back till it pops out of the socket. Notice that there is a lot of grease around the socket. You can use this on the KB shifter when you install it. Just smear it on the ball. Now that the shifter is out you will have to remove the small bushing (2 rubber parts and one metal cylinder) and put it in the KB shifter. Removing the small bushings and cylinder is pretty easy. You can just push out the center cylinder with a large screwdriver or something that is a little wider than the cylinder. The pic below shows one bushing on the metal cylinder and one off. They both can come off though. Now install the KB shifter in the socket. Be sure the bend in the shifter points towards the back of the car and not the front. If you put it in the wrong direction. The shift knob will hit the dash. Popping it in place is relatively simple with the proper tool. A plastic hammer. A good wack or two and it should pop right in. If you don't have a plastic hammer I've heard that screwing on the shift knob then hitting it with your palm will work but I can't say I've given that a try. Once the shifter is in put the bolt back in (insert from the drivers side with the nut going on the passenger side) Tighten the nut but don't go crazy tight. It only needs 8.7 ft / lbs. Too tight and you may make the shifting stiff and there will be more noise transmitted into the cabin. Here is a watch-out. Some people have had the rod that is attached to the shifter contact the surround plate when in first gear (see pic) When I installed this one, it would hit the plate if I pushed up on the shifter. There are a few simple solutions. First I'd try and loosen the 4 - 10mm bolts that hold the plate that's being contacted (see pics). The holes under the bolts are oval to the right and left and will allow the plate to be adjusted a little. With the bolts loose shift the plate up and to the left then tighten it down. This may be enough to help. If not and you need more clearance, remove the plate by taking out the 4 bolts. It will lift right off. Now you can do one of two things, make the bolt holes a little bigger so you have more adjustment or use a flat file (or Dremel) and remove some of the metal where the rod contacts by beveling it. I used a file and took off a small amount of metal. That did the trick for me. Putting the plate back on is easy. Just be careful to get the small rubber tips in the centering holes at the center of the top and bottom.

Once you have the plate back on you can reassemble the console. It will press back into place.

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:23 pm

The meet is one week away.
Complacent have you measured the shifter in the RS yet?

Bluestreak2006 are you still interested?

We may be able to do it there, but light may be a problem.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:37 am

I am still interested. I just dont know if I will have the time before the meet to tear the console pieces off.

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:46 am

It's really not that difficult.
It will only take about 20 minutes with the two of us working both sides.
You only need a thin screw driver, 12mm socket or gear wrench and a rubber mallet.

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:39 am

if the shifter socket's anything like the one on my baja, you'll DEFINITELY want to have a rubber mallet handy. it's pretty much impossible to get the new shifter in there without it.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:48 am

Well does anyone have a rubber mallet we can borrow?

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:37 am

I have a mallet I can bring.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:44 pm

Great..

So how do you like your short shifter?

Is it a pretty good improvement over stock?

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:12 pm

i love my Kartboy SS. I think it's much better than the STi short shifter that I test drove. the Subaru still doesn't compare to a Honda transmission but the SS is a big improvement over stock.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:52 pm

So what time would you like to meet there to start this project?

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:52 pm

I probably can't make it any sooner than 7-7:15.
I'll bring the shifter and some tools (including the rubber mallet).
If you beat me there, you could start by getting the shift knob screwed off and use a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the shifter/e-brake cover from the console. There are two slots on the left and right of the clip that holds the arm-rest console in place. Then pull up on the shifter cobsole cover. Remove the shifter using a 12mm socket or box wrench (you will need two). Pull the shifter back (towards the rear of the car) to pop it out.