Darkmatterx DM-1 Chassis Mount Shifter - Install and Review on GD

[REX_WGN]

tylerroberts7, how is the neutral play? In comparison to your previous setup? That slight slop as you move it laterally in the neutral gate?

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[tylerroberts7]

Originally Posted by REX_WGN

tylerroberts7, how is the neutral play? In comparison to your previous setup? That slight slop as you move it laterally in the neutral gate?

I would say it is very minimal for sure. The kartboy I had is the only thing I can really compare it to. It is maybe about a quarter inch less than that. So I would think that is pretty good

[K3rm1tth3fr0g]

Originally Posted by tylerroberts7

I would say it is very minimal for sure. The kartboy I had is the only thing I can really compare it to. It is maybe about a quarter inch less than that. So I would think that is pretty good

The bushings should need time to break in. The play will increase as you wear in the new Bushings

[tylerroberts7]

Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g

The bushings should need time to break in. The play will increase as you wear in the new Bushings

There is no real bushings with this setup. The only thing there is, are two spacers that go in where the shift rod connects to the shifter it self. So technically, there shouldn't be anything to really break in

[K3rm1tth3fr0g]

Originally Posted by tylerroberts7

There is no real bushings with this setup. The only thing there is, are two spacers that go in where the shift rod connects to the shifter it self. So technically, there shouldn't be anything to really break in

What are they made of?

[tylerroberts7]

Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g

What are they made of?

That is a question for DarkmatterX, in the prototype kit they are some type of plastic, but I cannot confirm if that is what will come with the production kits

[darkmatterx]

Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g

How much longer will it be in pre-production for pre-order?

Pre-order pricing will be available until we get closer to receiving our first batch which is on schedule for end of November. We will be keeping everyone updated on these timelines through social media.

Cheers,
-Erik

[darkmatterx]

Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g

What are they made of?

Great question,

Pictured in this specific prototype in question, the production sleeve bearing and thrust washer are being used.


We use 3 components in this area, (1) linear sleeve bearing inside the shifter, and (2) thrust washers that go in-between the shifter and the shift arm.

The (1) linear sleeve bearing transfers loads from inside the shifter and into the shank of the 8mm bolt connecting into the shift arm.

The (2) thrust washers enable the shift arm to be securely tightened with the 8mm bolt onto the body of the shifter. Because of the relatively low friction coefficient of the thrust washers, these three materials (Shift arm, thrust washers, Shift body) can be secured together and still function with ease.

Cheers,
-Erik

[darkmatterx]

Originally Posted by tylerroberts7

There is no real bushings with this setup. The only thing there is, are two spacers that go in where the shift rod connects to the shifter it self. So technically, there shouldn't be anything to really break in

Correct, there are sleeve and thrust bearings in the DM-1 for this connection.

The OEM Subaru design uses two flange bearings with a lower shore hardness rating which may be the reason why it feels more like a bushing and tends to wear out more. The reason it can tighten is because of a metal spacer that passes through both flange bearings and maintains a set distance of 36mm on the STI's. Another place where the OEM design wears out is the 8mm bolt and the fact that the bolt and its shank make direct contact with this metal spacer creating higher friction and wear.

During the design of the DM-1, this is a problem that was identified with the OEM shifter and aftermarket packages, and now has a solution designed into the DM-1.

Cheers,
-Erik

[tylerroberts7]

Hey everyone, Quick update. Took some time this past weekend to work on a finalized setup. I trimmed a bit more of the shifter plate and managed to utilize the shorter throw setting (upper hole) on the shifter. It is a very nice difference, managed to get the already short shifts even shorter and crisper.

In addition, I added a VA rubber shift boot to help keep down the noise and fill up the open hole to bottom of the car. Pretty straight forward, after removing the foam that comes on the bottom of the VA boot. Just had to trim up the opening at the top to fit the larger shifter assembly through. Then used the shifter plate to sandwich the boot to the chassis.

Finally, I decided to make a shift boot delete plate with some scrap carbon fiber I had here at the shop. I think it came out pretty cool, I really just wanted something different.

[MezJr]

My current setup for context:
2016 STI, TIC tallboy lever, Kartboy stay and chassis bushings, TIC linkage bushings, Raceseng Slammer Knob.

Questions:
- Gear wine; the setup above has some, how is this?
- 2-3 shift; currently if I don't get the angle right it binds, would this alter that or is that behavior inherent to the transmission.
- aftermarket accesories; Assume knobs is no big deal, but things like reverse lockout etc, how do they work here.
- fitting under the regular boot; does it work here, or does the area have to be open?

[tylerroberts7]

Originally Posted by MezJr

My current setup for context:
2016 STI, TIC tallboy lever, Kartboy stay and chassis bushings, TIC linkage bushings, Raceseng Slammer Knob.

Questions:
- Gear wine; the setup above has some, how is this?
- 2-3 shift; currently if I don't get the angle right it binds, would this alter that or is that behavior inherent to the transmission.
- aftermarket accesories; Assume knobs is no big deal, but things like reverse lockout etc, how do they work here.
- fitting under the regular boot; does it work here, or does the area have to be open?

So I can definitely help here. To start the gear whine is more inherent to the trans itself and not the shifter assembly. I had almost identical setup to you before going with this.

For the 2-3 shift, and really everywhere else for that matter, the shifts are perfectly smooth. I have had no issues with biding or hanging up anywhere. Shifts are very nice and confidence inspiring

As for accessories, the kit does include a reverse lock out ring to fit with the shifter.

And finally for the shift boot, It fits perfectly fine under a shift boot. The shifter assembly even has a shift boot retainer ring built into it just like factory. I just chose to go with the open look to show off the shifter a bit more

[MezJr]

For the Dark matter guys, what's the difference between the preorder and the discount listing on your site?

[MezJr]

Originally Posted by tylerroberts7

So I can definitely help here. To start the gear whine is more inherent to the trans itself and not the shifter assembly. I had almost identical setup to you before going with this.

For the 2-3 shift, and really everywhere else for that matter, the shifts are perfectly smooth. I have had no issues with biding or hanging up anywhere. Shifts are very nice and confidence inspiring

As for accessories, the kit does include a reverse lock out ring to fit with the shifter.

And finally for the shift boot, It fits perfectly fine under a shift boot. The shifter assembly even has a shift boot retainer ring built into it just like factory. I just chose to go with the open look to show off the shifter a bit more

The gear wine for sure increased after the Kartboy bushings. This looks like it only attaches to the chassis, so just wondering if it would be quieter than the current setup.

So this wouldn't fit with a raceseng or Cobb lockout pull?

[darkmatterx]

Originally Posted by MezJr

For the Dark matter guys, what's the difference between the preorder and the discount listing on your site?

The difference in the two pre-order options is that one option ($699) provides a one-time payment with a massive discount on the shifter.

The second option ($399) is a deposit for those who wish to split the payment up, such as those who utilize payment plans when purchasing items. The second payment is $540 which will still result in a $150 discount from the MSRP once the production shifter is available.

There are further details on each respective page on the website if you wish to know more!

Does that answer your question?

-Erik

[darkmatterx]

Originally Posted by MezJr

The gear wine for sure increased after the Kartboy bushings. This looks like it only attaches to the chassis, so just wondering if it would be quieter than the current setup.

So this wouldn't fit with a raceseng or Cobb lockout pull?

Correct, the DM-1 shifter will not be compatible with any other brands lockout mechanisms.

-Erik

[MezJr]

Originally Posted by darkmatterx

The difference in the two pre-order options is that one option ($699) provides a one-time payment with a massive discount on the shifter.

The second option ($399) is a deposit for those who wish to split the payment up, such as those who utilize payment plans when purchasing items. The second payment is $540 which will still result in a $150 discount from the MSRP once the production shifter is available.

There are further details on each respective page on the website if you wish to know more!

Does that answer your question?

-Erik

This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks! Look for my order.

[darkmatterx]

Originally Posted by MezJr

This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks! Look for my order.

Received, and thank you!

-Erik

[car_freak85]

What is the weight of a production unit compared to the OEM shifter?

[K3rm1tth3fr0g]

Was able to get on the list for the pre-orders! Can't wait to get mine.

[K3rm1tth3fr0g]

Originally Posted by car_freak85

What is the weight of a production unit compared to the OEM shifter?

Email DMX

[car_freak85]

Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g

Email DMX

Nah, it was more out of curiosity than anything. I'm still trying to understand the benefit of a $1,000 short shifter over, well, anything else on the market.

[K3rm1tth3fr0g]

Originally Posted by car_freak85

Nah, it was more out of curiosity than anything. I'm still trying to understand the benefit of a $1,000 short shifter over, well, anything else on the market.

Yeah it's more than just a short shifter which is the whole point.

Its a chassis mounted assembly

[car_freak85]

Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g

Yeah it's more than just a short shifter which is the whole point.

Its a chassis mounted assembly

I mean, cool, it's chassis-mounted and adjustable... And?

Who adjusts their shifter more than once after the initial installation/test drive? Do folks actually adjust it for the street, shorten it when you get to the track, then re-adjust it for the drive home...? At some point, you're adjusting in a mechanical advantage that the syncros were never spec'd for.

Hyper-adjustability aside, I've never had an issue shifting the OEM-trans-mounted stock, or OEM short shifters on 5-speeds or 6-speeds. What benefit(s) does chassis-mounting provide? Less shifter wiggle when paired with OEM engine/trans/pitch mounts?

Don't take the above as me trying to bash the product. It seems like an interesting engineering design challenge, and we need fresh blood and innovation in the GD-aftermarket space... But the cost/benefit analysis on this product just doesn't pencil out for me.

[xtremewlr]

Originally Posted by car_freak85

I mean, cool, it's chassis-mounted and adjustable... And?

Who adjusts their shifter more than once after the initial installation/test drive? Do folks actually adjust it for the street, shorten it when you get to the track, then re-adjust it for the drive home...? At some point, you're adjusting in a mechanical advantage that the syncros were never spec'd for.

Hyper-adjustability aside, I've never had an issue shifting the OEM-trans-mounted stock, or OEM short shifters on 5-speeds or 6-speeds. What benefit(s) does chassis-mounting provide? Less shifter wiggle when paired with OEM engine/trans/pitch mounts?

Don't take the above as me trying to bash the product. It seems like an interesting engineering design challenge, and we need fresh blood and innovation in the GD-aftermarket space... But the cost/benefit analysis on this product just doesn't pencil out for me.

Agreed. I dig the ingenuity and engineering that went into this and would love to have it for my 06. But the price tag is way prohibitive, even for most all out race cars out there. There are equally as effective and 10 times cheaper solutions for the shifter on the market already