Manufacturer: TRi Tuning (www.trituning.com)
Price: $75 shipped (yes, I'm that lazy that I didn't drive up to get it)
Vehicle: 2001 2.5RS

At first glance: Looks pretty standard to me, definately a big change in the fulcrum point vs. stock. My only complaint is that one of the welds was fairly sloppy, but my shift boot will cover it, no worries there.

Installation: Installation was pretty straight forward, but I managed to have to call TRi for some tips. You'll need a #2 phillips screw driver, mallot and two 12mm box wrenches. First, remove the center console (you'll have to unscrew your shifter as well). It will come out in two pieces. The back piece has the power window controls, make sure to disconnect it. And the front piece has the shifter boot attached to it.

Next, use the two 12mm wrenches to unbolt the shifter from the linkage. Now, here's where I screwed up. I tried to pull the shifter straight up out of the socket, this simply would not happen. Pull the shifter back toward you and push down on it to pry the ball out of the socket. It should pop right out with ease.

Grab the TRi shifter and coat the ball with grease. Put the new shifter in position, get the rubber mallot and "smack the **** out of it" (thanks Chris) until the ball seats itself into the socket. Now, take the bushings out of your stock shifter, place them in the TRi shifter and reconnect the shift linkage. Verifty that you can shift into all gears and that you have the shift installed the right way :)

Put your console back together and go out for a drive :)

Road Test: A slight amout or effort is now required for 1st and reverse, but anyone that complains about it shouldn't drive a sports car, that's how it should feel. The shifter itself sits damn close to stock height, which is a bonus for me. The overall shift throw fomr gear to gear is decreased by at least 40%, with minimal effort required to shift. The shifter also cleared up the sloppyness of the stock shifter. Using stock bushings and the TRi shifter, there is absolutely no side to side play in any gear. My stock shifter allowed me to wiggle the stick about 1 inch left or right, yes a total travel of 2 inches. It is now non-existant.

Comments: This has to be the best mod for the 2.5RS under $100, period. The shifter gives the RS that "sporty" feel it should have when shifting. And anyone who races and doesn't have an STS, needs to go to TRi right now and get this one. You won't regret it.

hey dave,
wait till u get the kartboy bushings for it! the shifting will "feel" MUCH better. they are a PITA to install but worth it.
-jet-

Originally posted by jetfire67
hey dave,
wait till u get the kartboy bushings for it! the shifting will "feel" MUCH better. they are a PITA to install but worth it.
-jet-

I think I'm going to go with the engine and tranny mounts first, then get the kartboy bushings.

:confused: Everyone keeps saying the bushings are a pain to install, but mine were in in less than 10 minutes. Sheesh, I hope I installed them correctly:( :) .

I got the kartboy shifter, myself. Though I bet they are pretty similar in feel. Have fun with your new toy!

dave,
the kartboy bushings are only $25. the engine/tranny mounts are much more. heh, i need those mounts too...

Originally posted by jetfire67
dave,
the kartboy bushings are only $25. the engine/tranny mounts are much more. heh, i need those mounts too...

Yeah, they are expensive .... but I'd prefer to get them first. The stock mounts are going to see a lot of stress when I start spraying nitrous. So, I want to replace them first. I'm not sure if I'm even going to get the shifter bushings or not, I'm 100% happy with my shift action as it is now (we'll see).

TRI has bushings to go along with the shifter if you need them, and last time I talked to chris the manufacturer found a way to clean up all the welds, I saw one of the latest models, stainless steel and beautiful welds!! first class stuff TRI!

The one that I received was steel, but it wasn't polished or anything. I may get it chrome dipped so I can setup a custom shift boot.

It's stainless steel, and a bad welder was used. The new machine will make everything pretty.

Glad you like the shifter.

Camber plates coming next.

Chris
TRiTuning

i wish that i could agree or disagree with you guys, but i've been waiting for mine for 3 months now. i'm sure that i'll like it whenever i get it.

will the Kartboy / TRi shorties work on the WRX? Diff tranny, same shifter? Just wondering, b/c the WRX shifter had a lot of play to me, after driving w/ the Kartboy shifter in my GT.

The WRX shifter is different than the RS or Legacy. However, we are almost done with our WRX shifters, should be done this weekend.

Chris
TRiTuning

well, i got the shifter in on saturday...saturday delivery is a nice touch, but it took 3 monts to get it. overall aesthetic of the shifter was poor, the welds are ugly and the cotterpin holding the plastic ball had to be filed down flush to keep it from destroying the cup. luckily i had a good file and the shifter is hidden by the boot.
I installed it last night, which took a lot of effort. but it clicked in and works fine
the commute this morning was a blast. the feel is a lot more solid from before, though i think that the overall length of the lever is a bit long and the throw to 5th is pretty far. oh well, it is much better than the stock throw.

now if only TRi would send me the 18mm swaybar i ordered 3 months ago, i would be all set and ready to rock and roll.

Ben Pratt

Originally posted by Reflex-Arc
:confused: Everyone keeps saying the bushings are a pain to install, but mine were in in less than 10 minutes. Sheesh, I hope I installed them correctly:( :) .

I got the kartboy shifter, myself. Though I bet they are pretty similar in feel. Have fun with your new toy!
Are you Superman???

In the end I had so much trouble trying to pop the stock bushing out that I grabbed an old steak knife and cut the sucker off. Many heat-shield assisted skin mutilations later I finally managed to torque down both bushings by using the screw to squeeze it in.

The trick to the bushungs is to use the bolt it was on to pop it out. Alot easier than trying to pry it out, that's for sure. After about 20min. of trying to push it out by hand, I realized I could use the bolt. Not that you'll ever do it again. ;)

Rev-lab.com have short shifters for old RS and new age RS,WRX ,TS