Shortly after getting our 2008 STi it was apparent that the stock shifter must go.
And this is KartBoy cames in :)
After taking the stock shifter out, it was apparent that Subaru did a slight change of design, and used a different sized barrel. After getting in contact with TIC we had some new STi 6speed pivot bushings.

The interior is a little bit more complicated to take apart over the previous GD, however its nothing that cant be done.


Parts You will need:
KartBoy 6 Speed Shifter
TIC 6spd Pivot Bushing
Lithium Grease

Tool you will need.
10mm Socket
12MM Open end wrench,
12mm socket
Flat head screw driver
3/32 Punch
Rubber hose(to hold the reverse lockout toggle under the car, in the up position)
Hammer
Rag
Pliers to cut zip ties.
Jack, and jack stands.


1) Remove the 2 bolts that are in the arm rest that are bolting down the arm rest to the chassis.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash1.jpg

2) Pop up the Ebrake boot to gain access to a bolt under it. Be careful as not to damage the leather and the plastic.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash2.jpg

3) On the under side of the center dash piece, between the seat and the carpet there are some hidden clips that you will need to pull over the tabs that are on the plastic. There are 2 of these clips. One if the front and one in the back part of the leather boot.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash3.jpg
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash4.jpg


4) Remove the bolt that is under the Leather E brake boot, and pull the armrest portion BACK. DO NOT LIFT AS YOU WILL BREAK THIS LITTLE WHITE CLIP.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash5.jpg

5)Then grab the tray and the shift boot portion and pull it straight back as well. However BE VERY CAREFUL, as there are small finger that hold the whole assembly to the lower part of the dash.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash6.jpg

6) After you get it off this is what you will see. Just take out the 2 plastic white nuts that hold the rubber boot over the bottom of shifter.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash7.jpg

7) Take off the Zip tie that is on top of the shifter holding the reverse lockout cable.
Then take out the bolt that holds the shifter barrel to the U shifter rod.
Then prosed remove the C clip.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash8.jpg

8) Get under the car and have your friend pull on the Reverse lockout.
Jack up the car and put it on jack stands.
Clime under and follow the reverse lockout cable from the shifter all the way to the transmission. As your friend is pulling on the lockout you will notice that there is a little arm moving on the tranny. Put a rubber hose between the arm and the tranny to keep it in the pull up position.

9) After you get the lever arm on the tranny in the up position, proceed to knock the reverse lockout pin out of the shifter.
Careful as the reverse lever on the shifter is spring loaded. Its weak spring tension, however make sure you dont loose any of the parts.

http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash8a.jpg
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash9.jpg

10) After the pin is out and the C clip is pulled out, proceed to pull the shifter out of the cup. There will be 2 rubber O rings. Make sure you don't loose or damage them.
This is what the bottom of the shifter looks like after you get it out.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash10.jpg

11) Take out these 2 little screws and the piece that they hold will slide off.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash11.jpg

12) OEM next to a Kartboy :banana:
Your 1/2 Way there!
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash12.jpg

13) Transfer all the parts onto the KartBoy Shifter.
NOTE: YOU WILL NEED TO USE THE TIC 6spd Pivot Bushing. As the OEM ones will not fit into the KartBoy barrel(Thanks Subaru for the design Change).
Place a little grease back into the cup that holds the bottom of the shifter.
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dash13.jpg



Then prosed to do everything backwards.
You will also need to use a second zip tie to tie up the Reverse lockout cable away from the drive shaft.

Now clean up and enjoy your new KartBoy Short Shifter.

http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/img_6340.jpg

Kirill
RallySportDirect.com

words of advice on this install:

-Buy a c-ring remover, I failed to do this and it ended up taking 20 minutes to get it out

-make sure with the 3/32 tap that you use is not tapered close to the tip. I used a tap that was tapered too close to the tip and ended up putting a hairline crack in my reverse lockout ring.

great writeup

I would point out that in pic 12 of both shifters side by side, you can see the place you are to connect the Reverse lockout cable to the new short shifter from Kartboy is a bit lower than the OEM. That bit lower places the cable below the car closer to your drive shaft. I found out the hard way.

After install I was driving down the highway and noticed a horrible noise when in 5th or 6th. When I got home to investigate, I found the cable had been worn by the drive shaft. I ended up using a zip tie to bring the cable up further into the cabin. Just needed a bit of tension while the shifter was in 6th to ensure the cable didn't dangle lower and hit the drive shaft again. :o

I would point out that in pic 12 of both shifters side by side, you can see the place you are to connect the Reverse lockout cable to the new short shifter from Kartboy is a bit lower than the OEM. That bit lower places the cable below the car closer to your drive shaft. I found out the hard way.

After install I was driving down the highway and noticed a horrible noise when in 5th or 6th. When I got home to investigate, I found the cable had been worn by the drive shaft. I ended up using a zip tie to bring the cable up further into the cabin. Just needed a bit of tension while the shifter was in 6th to ensure the cable didn't dangle lower and hit the drive shaft again. :o

This i correct. it is also why we include two zip ties with every shifter.

Tom

pretty well made, thx

Yeah, nice write up. I'll refer to this at a later date. (Hopefully soon! Looking for an 08 AW STI right now :banana: )

PM sent :D