Well I installed my new Cobb short throw today... pretty easy once I got a rubber mallet instaed of wood and my hammer. I have it adjusted pretty short. I would recomend to anyone trying this to turn the plate 180 degrees as mentioned in the directions instead of grinding it. I ground it 3 times (15 minutes at least) and still didn't remove enough metal, but it took like 1 minutes to break off the tabs and flip it and it was back in the car. A lot easier....

Now for my question. It seems very "firm" going into 1, 3, and 5. I though the bolt was a hair too tight, but I took the console apart and loosened it a lot so that it was very loose and the feeling is still there. I have the throw adjusted to be as short as I could and still attach the linkage. Is this what makes it so stiff, or is there something else I'm missing. The throws are nice and short, but it feels different going into all the top gears, but 2, 4 and reverse all feel normal.

Any Help would be great!

Thanks!
Ben

You may have it adjusted for too short a throw. Try lengthening the throw a little. I have read that the linkage does bind if the angle of the linkage gets too much out of stock (as would happen as you adjust the throw shorter and shorter).

did you install shifterbushings at the same time?
you might have put the washer on backwards so it will interfere with the linkage
tom@kartboy.com

Originally posted by tom@kartboy
did you install shifterbushings at the same time?
you might have put the washer on backwards so it will interfere with the linkage
tom@kartboy.com

That was the problem with me and at least one other guy. Just take that gold washer that holds on the bushings and turn it around. The hook on the washer is rubbing on the underside of your car.

Thanks for the help guys, but that isn't it... I have the bushing under my driver's seat for the time being. They were back ordered on the transmition mount and I figured I only wanted to go under the car once and do both. It is still a bit firm going into the top gears... I have rotated the plate 180, so I know it's not hitting there.

Any other suggestions???

I think I might just lengthen the throw a tad more and see if that helps. It almost feels like since the attachment point is so high now, it is rubbing on something else as the linkage goes forward out of site. I can get it in, and haven't missed yet, but it's just "firm".

On a side note, I have been trying to sneak mods into the car without telling the wife. Funny thing was that she drove the car Friday night after it went in, and imediately she could tell something was different. My car is the only manual she ever drives, and I could see she could tell a difference right off the bat. After about 5 minutes of driving she finally said:

"OK, what's different with this thing (shifter)"

I said:

"Nothing"

She just kept driving and never mentioned it again...

Good for me...

Ben

You need to check the rubber boot that the shift rod passes thru under the car. It maybe rubbing on the body. The boot is quite a bit larger than the shaft.

I have the Cobb setup also.
The bushings transmit too much transmission whine. Its a high picth whine, loudest with little or no load. Real annoying cruising in 4th or 5th. I took it out.

The trans mount is nice. It will transmit some noise also, but it is a good noise. Alittle more gear whurr( not Whineeee) and it adds some exhaust noise since the exhaust bolts direct to the trans.

Its just enough to feel alittle more connected to whats going on with the (stock) car.

On a side note, I have been trying to sneak mods into the car without telling the wife. Funny thing was that she drove the car Friday night after it went in, and imediately she could tell something was different. My car is the only manual she ever drives, and I could see she could tell a difference right off the bat. After about 5 minutes of driving she finally said:

"OK, what's different with this thing (shifter)"

I said:

"Nothing"

She just kept driving and never mentioned it again...

Good for me...

Ben


This has NOTHING to do with post. I apologize for an 'off comment'. The sentiment just sounded very familiar :)

Heh. This is 'sorta' the same deal with me, however the wife is smart enough to come on here and check all the messages I have posted to see what I am trying to do.

Wife: "So, you are trying to buy rims still"

Me: "Um, no.... I am not"

Wife: "You are posting all over NABISCO about it"

Me: "Um, yea... about that... a friend is looking for some parts..."

I never will win :alien:

- dow

Originally posted by dowroa


[i][u] Wife: "You are posting all over NABISCO about it"



I have told my wife about the boards, but she is too out of it to check on me. She can't even check her e-mail often enough...


Originally posted by dowroa


[i][u] Me: "Um, no.... I am not"



Sounds familiar...


GDR,
I think you might be on to something with the rubber bit. I am going to look into the whole thing tonight and play with a longer throw, and mess with the rubber, but something isn't quite right yet. I'm sure I will be able to sort it out though...

Ben

OK, So I got my new MOMO shift knob today. I was waiting for it to come before going after the cobb short throw since they are in the same place... I lengthened the throw by shortening the bottom part of the shifter. It only took 2 turns and there is no "firm" feeling anymore... It's VERY NICE now. It's funny how the 2 turns made the shift movement longer though. I didn't think such a small adjustment would be noticable, but it is.

Now when I shift it's a very nice mechanical feeling like before. Shorter throws for sure. It takes a bit more effort to get into gear, but that's just because of the shorter lever. I like it a lot.

Now for the best part. I haven't decided what height I want the shifter to be at yet. I though I would hate it low, but with a quick trip around the block it turn out I do. With my new knob on, I didn't hold the boot up with anything, but the upper cobb nut that locks it into place. the boot can slip over this, so it holds the boot in place now that I have it lower, but I can slide the boot down and try the stick in a higher possition. I think I'm going to get a second nut to hold the whole thing together when I've figured out how high I want it.

Any questions, let me know. I can now rip appart the whole thing and get it back together in under 10 minutes.

I will try to post pictures tomorrow...

How do you hide a shift knob from your wife?

Ben

Don't hide the shift knob. Talk to your wife about how cool you think it is and how good it makes you feel to customize your car. Let her talk to you about things that make her feel good, then spend time to help her get what she wants. Sharing is better than hiding!

OK - I'm off my soapbox now. Flame away!!!

Don't worry, I'm letting her talk to me all she wants about things she wants right now. At the top of the list, and we are picking it up today, is her very own MINI cooper! I'm just glad that I have a wife that enjoys fun cars. I'm going to tell her I bought it for the WRX so that it wouldn't feel bad with all the attention the new MINI is going to get....

Hope it works!

Ben