08+ WRX 5 Speed Short Shifter Comparison (Stock, SPT, Kartboy) - Page 2

Paul88 · 11-22-2012, 12:16 AM

Great job xluben! So now if anybody knows where can I find an experience handy man in Memphis area, please please let me know. Thanks in advance.

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xluben · 11-22-2012, 07:09 AM

That is very odd. Lol.

evilspoons · 11-22-2012, 12:52 PM

Can anyone comment on the differences in short shifters for the STi? I'd love to see this comparison and measurements for stock vs aftermarket on my 6-speed!

RoadKillDMD · 11-22-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilspoons

Can anyone comment on the differences in short shifters for the STi? I'd love to see this comparison and measurements for stock vs aftermarket on my 6-speed!

I got the Cobb shifter. Being adjustable, you can make it feel and look almost exactly like the stock shifter, you can have stubby knob height with a throw shorter than almost any other shifter, or anywhere in between to have it exactly how you want it. Sorry, I don't have any comparison pics or measurements...

xluben · 11-22-2012, 02:47 PM

Sorry. I don't have experience with the STI shifters.

The COBB should have just about any adjustment you could want but I don't think you can make it as tall as stock.

Bov_Rider · 11-22-2012, 08:24 PM

Cobb looks better than the kartboy and I think it is better while shifting and its adjustable. personally, i like Cobb products over other brands.

xluben · 11-22-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bov_Rider

Cobb looks better than the kartboy and I think it is better while shifting and its adjustable. personally, i like Cobb products over other brands.

LOL. It's only better if you happen to prefer a setting that is different than the Kartboy. If they were set similarly, there's really no way you're going to know the difference when shifting.

fancyfootwork15 · 11-22-2012, 08:56 PM

Great write up Ben. I've had the Kartboy SS and bushings in my 2.5i for over a year. The feel is perfect.

I plan on buying all 3 for the 04 Wrx soon.

HeroCrank · 11-22-2012, 09:54 PM

nice, well put together thread, great job

MaddMax · 11-23-2012, 12:42 AM

I really love your threads and this is a great comparison test.

You let me know when you want to sell that STI shifter

I have no interest in lowering the lever, but a shorter throw would be nice. I already have a Lathewerks ball which lowered the shift knob position by over an inch. I contacted Lathewerks and they sent me an externally threaded hex nut that goes inside the knob so that I could bring the knob position up about 1/2". The height is perfect now. The Kartboy would be too low. I hate shifters that I have to reach for. I can leave my elbow on the adjustable armrest and literally shift with my wrist.

Yeah, yeah. My whole post sounds a bit sexual.

KB303 · 11-26-2012, 12:23 AM

Although this is my third car in which I installed a short shifter, I'm still surprised by what a huge difference these make. I went with the Kartboy shifter and spent a day driving with it before installing the front and rear bushings. The shifter alone was a drastic improvement over stock in terms of throw and feel, but it was a little hard to get into gear at times. After installing the bushings (and losing a lot of skin off my hands; should have worn some mechanics gloves), the shifts were precise and easy to get into gear. The only issue is sometimes I have to let the parking brake off before trying to get it into reverse.

Overall, best mod I've ever done when considering the improvement over stock. Although the install instructions that I collected from various sources on the web were straight forward, in retrospect I would have been happy to pay my Subaru specialist to do this install (especially the bushings). It just required a lot more time and a lot more skin off my hands than I expected.

xluben · 11-26-2012, 09:34 AM

In terms of parts to install on the car, this is one of the easier ones. Even the bushings. That being said, working on cars isn't for everyone.

KB303 · 11-26-2012, 09:54 AM

I agree that the job was technically pretty easy. I just saw some posts where people replaced the bushings in 30 minutes, whereas my over-analytical self took a couple hours. It was time I wouldn't have minded spending somewhere else. So you're right; maybe working on the car isn't for me.

xluben · 11-26-2012, 09:55 AM

Yeah, if it's your first time doing it, I could see it taking a couple hours pretty easy. But if you've done it before you could easily do it in 30 minutes plus the time it takes to get the car up in the air and back down.

KB303 · 11-26-2012, 09:59 AM

I could see that as well. If I had to do it again, I'm sure it would go a lot quicker.

KB303 · 11-26-2012, 10:31 AM

Also when following the COBB instructions for their bushings, I wasn't expecting to have to remove an O2 sensor and heat shield. They only listed that for the six speed. So I had to go out and borrow a sensor socket from the auto parts store. That was a bit of a surprise.

xluben · 11-26-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KB303

Also when following the COBB instructions for their bushings, I wasn't expecting to have to remove an O2 sensor and heat shield. They only listed that for the six speed. So I had to go out and borrow a sensor socket from the auto parts store. That was a bit of a surprise.

Are you sure you have to remove them? I don't think you do. It's usually easier to remove the rear tranny brace, but that should be it.

KB303 · 11-26-2012, 10:54 AM

I didn't think about the tranny brace, but I definitely couldn't get to the bushings without removing the heat shield. And it looks identical to the pictures that COBB has for the 6-speed transmission. I just figured some of the STI bits trickled down.

xluben · 11-26-2012, 11:04 AM

I don't remember off hand. I know that heat shield is there, but I'm not sure if it has to be removed. Even if it does need to be removed, I think you can get it off by unplugging the O2 sensor, and not removing it.

KB303 · 11-26-2012, 04:45 PM

Ah, that sounds like it certainly would have been easier. The picture in the instructions shows it completely removed.

ChesterWRX · 11-26-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xluben

I don't remember off hand. I know that heat shield is there, but I'm not sure if it has to be removed. Even if it does need to be removed, I think you can get it off by unplugging the O2 sensor, and not removing it.

the issue i had besides being on my back was that you can't just remove it w/o breaking off the zip tie that holds it done to the _________..... -whatever it's secured to.

so trying to unscrew the o2 sensor without unplugging it and / or removing the heat shield may or may not be advantageous

i did my SS and bushings w/o removing the o2 sensor. but i did remove the heat shield bolts which allowed me to just move it around while i did the rear bushing.

*going off memory here so bear with me.

-and i was on my back with the car on ramps.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2417067

^ that ^ was my cry for help.

but i got it done.

CLIFF NOTES: just take the heat shield bolts off so you can move it out of the way. you do NOT need to remove the o2 sensor, but it will make your life easier. I have zip ties so when i did my down pipe, it was no big deal.

that harness is way too close to the drive shaft to leave unsecured IMO.

xluben · 11-26-2012, 07:50 PM

Mine has been unsecured for about 30k miles now, lol.

ninjabob · 01-08-2013, 02:35 PM

xluben is my hero. just dont have a different opinion than him. or he will block you on youtube and you cant tell him how FREAKING AWESOME his car is

your car rocks you are my hero!!!! i wish you didnt hate me so much. im sorry i am an individual. did i mention i LOVE your car!!!!!

k bye

luan87us · 01-08-2013, 03:05 PM

Nice write up! The only difference I can see from the Kartboy vs. the SPT is that the knob on the kartboy will sit lower than the SPT's knob. Well and the material they made out of. If I would have done better research before ordering my car I probably would have went with stock shifter and get the Kartboy shifter.

xluben · 01-08-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjabob

xluben is my hero. just dont have a different opinion than him. or he will block you on youtube and you cant tell him how FREAKING AWESOME his car is

your car rocks you are my hero!!!! i wish you didnt hate me so much. im sorry i am an individual. did i mention i LOVE your car!!!!!

k bye

Haha. I block anyone who seems to be trying to start trouble on Youtube. I'm not trying to make enemies, but I'm not interested in the BS arguments that somtimes pop up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by luan87us

Nice write up! The only difference I can see from the Kartboy vs. the SPT is that the knob on the kartboy will sit lower than the SPT's knob. Well and the material they made out of. If I would have done better research before ordering my car I probably would have went with stock shifter and get the Kartboy shifter.

Yep, the Kartboy has a similar feel to the SPT but it is a little shorter overall. The metal ball also may provide a slightly more solid feel. I definitely think it is a better option (for more people) than the SPT when you consider the price.

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11-22-2012, 12:16 AM	#26
Paul88 Scooby Newbie Member#: 218884 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: South East Location: NC Vehicle: 2009 WRX premium 4D Dark Gray Metallic	Great job xluben! So now if anybody knows where can I find an experience handy man in Memphis area, please please let me know. Thanks in advance. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-22-2012, 07:09 AM	#27
xluben NASIOC Supporter Member#: 261612 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 Door NF Performance Stage 1	That is very odd. Lol.

11-22-2012, 12:52 PM	#28
evilspoons Scooby Newbie Member#: 321311 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Edmonton, AB Vehicle: 2012 STi 5-door World Rally Blue	Can anyone comment on the differences in short shifters for the STi? I'd love to see this comparison and measurements for stock vs aftermarket on my 6-speed!

11-22-2012, 02:47 PM	#30
xluben NASIOC Supporter Member#: 261612 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 Door NF Performance Stage 1	Sorry. I don't have experience with the STI shifters. The COBB should have just about any adjustment you could want but I don't think you can make it as tall as stock.

11-22-2012, 08:24 PM	#31
Bov_Rider Scooby Specialist Member#: 142667 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MEA Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR Metallic Gray	Cobb looks better than the kartboy and I think it is better while shifting and its adjustable. personally, i like Cobb products over other brands.

11-22-2012, 08:56 PM	#33
fancyfootwork15 Scooby Specialist Member#: 262503 Join Date: Oct 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minneapolis Vehicle: 2008 Impreza 2.5i	Great write up Ben. I've had the Kartboy SS and bushings in my 2.5i for over a year. The feel is perfect. I plan on buying all 3 for the 04 Wrx soon.

11-22-2012, 09:54 PM	#34
HeroCrank NASIOC Supporter Member#: 301089 Join Date: Nov 2011 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: MAINE Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 door TP stage 2	nice, well put together thread, great job

11-23-2012, 12:42 AM	#35
MaddMax Scooby Specialist Member#: 9264 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City Vehicle: 2012 WRX 5dr Ice Silver	I really love your threads and this is a great comparison test. You let me know when you want to sell that STI shifter I have no interest in lowering the lever, but a shorter throw would be nice. I already have a Lathewerks ball which lowered the shift knob position by over an inch. I contacted Lathewerks and they sent me an externally threaded hex nut that goes inside the knob so that I could bring the knob position up about 1/2". The height is perfect now. The Kartboy would be too low. I hate shifters that I have to reach for. I can leave my elbow on the adjustable armrest and literally shift with my wrist. Yeah, yeah. My whole post sounds a bit sexual.

11-26-2012, 12:23 AM	#36
KB303 Scooby Newbie Member#: 338912 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2013 WRX 5-door WRB	Although this is my third car in which I installed a short shifter, I'm still surprised by what a huge difference these make. I went with the Kartboy shifter and spent a day driving with it before installing the front and rear bushings. The shifter alone was a drastic improvement over stock in terms of throw and feel, but it was a little hard to get into gear at times. After installing the bushings (and losing a lot of skin off my hands; should have worn some mechanics gloves), the shifts were precise and easy to get into gear. The only issue is sometimes I have to let the parking brake off before trying to get it into reverse. Overall, best mod I've ever done when considering the improvement over stock. Although the install instructions that I collected from various sources on the web were straight forward, in retrospect I would have been happy to pay my Subaru specialist to do this install (especially the bushings). It just required a lot more time and a lot more skin off my hands than I expected.

11-26-2012, 09:34 AM	#37
xluben NASIOC Supporter Member#: 261612 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 Door NF Performance Stage 1	In terms of parts to install on the car, this is one of the easier ones. Even the bushings. That being said, working on cars isn't for everyone.

11-26-2012, 09:54 AM	#38
KB303 Scooby Newbie Member#: 338912 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2013 WRX 5-door WRB	I agree that the job was technically pretty easy. I just saw some posts where people replaced the bushings in 30 minutes, whereas my over-analytical self took a couple hours. It was time I wouldn't have minded spending somewhere else. So you're right; maybe working on the car isn't for me.

11-26-2012, 09:55 AM	#39
xluben NASIOC Supporter Member#: 261612 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 Door NF Performance Stage 1	Yeah, if it's your first time doing it, I could see it taking a couple hours pretty easy. But if you've done it before you could easily do it in 30 minutes plus the time it takes to get the car up in the air and back down.

11-26-2012, 09:59 AM	#40
KB303 Scooby Newbie Member#: 338912 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2013 WRX 5-door WRB	I could see that as well. If I had to do it again, I'm sure it would go a lot quicker.

11-26-2012, 10:31 AM	#41
KB303 Scooby Newbie Member#: 338912 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2013 WRX 5-door WRB	Also when following the COBB instructions for their bushings, I wasn't expecting to have to remove an O2 sensor and heat shield. They only listed that for the six speed. So I had to go out and borrow a sensor socket from the auto parts store. That was a bit of a surprise.

11-26-2012, 10:54 AM	#43
KB303 Scooby Newbie Member#: 338912 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2013 WRX 5-door WRB	I didn't think about the tranny brace, but I definitely couldn't get to the bushings without removing the heat shield. And it looks identical to the pictures that COBB has for the 6-speed transmission. I just figured some of the STI bits trickled down.

11-26-2012, 11:04 AM	#44
xluben NASIOC Supporter Member#: 261612 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 Door NF Performance Stage 1	I don't remember off hand. I know that heat shield is there, but I'm not sure if it has to be removed. Even if it does need to be removed, I think you can get it off by unplugging the O2 sensor, and not removing it.

11-26-2012, 04:45 PM	#45
KB303 Scooby Newbie Member#: 338912 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2013 WRX 5-door WRB	Ah, that sounds like it certainly would have been easier. The picture in the instructions shows it completely removed.

11-26-2012, 07:50 PM	#47
xluben NASIOC Supporter Member#: 261612 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5 Door NF Performance Stage 1	Mine has been unsecured for about 30k miles now, lol.

01-08-2013, 02:35 PM	#48
ninjabob Scooby Newbie Member#: 342963 Join Date: Jan 2013	xluben is my hero. just dont have a different opinion than him. or he will block you on youtube and you cant tell him how FREAKING AWESOME his car is your car rocks you are my hero!!!! i wish you didnt hate me so much. im sorry i am an individual. did i mention i LOVE your car!!!!! k bye

01-08-2013, 03:05 PM	#49
luan87us Scooby Specialist Member#: 335013 Join Date: Oct 2012 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: SL,UT Vehicle: 2013 Premium WRX 5dr WRB	Nice write up! The only difference I can see from the Kartboy vs. the SPT is that the knob on the kartboy will sit lower than the SPT's knob. Well and the material they made out of. If I would have done better research before ordering my car I probably would have went with stock shifter and get the Kartboy shifter.