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Old 09-28-2011, 12:23 AM   #26
BoDacious
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Default Cobb short throw

Has anyone felt the difference between the Kartboy short throw and the Cobb? Getting my 2011 on Monday and I need to make up my mind on which one to get.
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Old 09-28-2011, 12:30 AM   #27
Saeven
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Alrite, so I've got a noob question to toss onto the pile. I bought an STI, and am waiting for delivery (December or so they mentioned). Big diff between this Kartboy, and the OEM short-throw option I purchased?
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Old 09-28-2011, 01:31 AM   #28
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Forgive me as I'm new to the MT world (my last WRX was Auto), but if I'm correct, the Subaru (Factory) Short Shifter kit actually replaces the stock linkage. The Kartboy SS is a shorter "shifter rod" providing for a shorter throw. Though I don't remember where I read it, someone put it well by saying that the OEM Short throw option and something like the Kartboy SS option pair to make for much better/shorter throws together.
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Old 09-28-2011, 07:12 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Psyk View Post
Forgive me as I'm new to the MT world (my last WRX was Auto), but if I'm correct, the Subaru (Factory) Short Shifter kit actually replaces the stock linkage. The Kartboy SS is a shorter "shifter rod" providing for a shorter throw. Though I don't remember where I read it, someone put it well by saying that the OEM Short throw option and something like the Kartboy SS option pair to make for much better/shorter throws together.
This, but to me it's a waste of money. Yes the SPT SS changes the linkage as well:

(STI shown):


But it keeps the knob @ the stock height (also, if installed @ port, it keeps you in the stock class for Auto X).

The COBB / KB shorten the knob height a tad as well.


If you have the money, do both I guess.
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Old 09-28-2011, 11:45 PM   #30
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Cool - thanks!
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Old 02-06-2012, 04:09 PM   #31
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I just ordered one of these kits for my wife's 2011 WRX. I hope to install it next week. Thanks for the write up and I definitely plan to keep this with me while I do the work. Finding the parts with pictures handy is a great asset to keep. I have a 2008 STi with the SPT shifter. My wife loves how it feels vs her stock shifter, so I hope this will work out well for her. She also had a 2009 Civic SI before the WRX, and I'm pretty sure it was a short throw as well. Never researched it though. Thanks, and I should be able to do a pretty good comparison when it's done.
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Old 02-06-2012, 04:19 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nucklez View Post
I just ordered one of these kits for my wife's 2011 WRX. I hope to install it next week. Thanks for the write up and I definitely plan to keep this with me while I do the work. Finding the parts with pictures handy is a great asset to keep. I have a 2008 STi with the SPT shifter. My wife loves how it feels vs her stock shifter, so I hope this will work out well for her. She also had a 2009 Civic SI before the WRX, and I'm pretty sure it was a short throw as well. Never researched it though. Thanks, and I should be able to do a pretty good comparison when it's done.
That's Awesome!! I love when the wife is into mods!

Good luck with the install and If you have any questions, just send me a message!!

Cheers mate!!

- Jason
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Old 02-06-2012, 04:34 PM   #33
sans meaning
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Excellent job with the write up!
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Old 02-06-2012, 09:32 PM   #34
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This added sound thing scares me. Seems like every great mod comes with trade-offs that could be deal breakers for some. I agree the factory option is pricey, but I haven't heard of any issues with gear noise, even using the STI bushing option. I would love to do this, but I'm absolutely not interested in adding any more cabin noise.
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Old 02-06-2012, 10:45 PM   #35
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I only have the Kartboy rear shifter bushings installed. Is it worth installing the front bushing? Thinking of getting the Perrin since Kartboy doesn't sell the front by itself.
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Old 02-06-2012, 10:52 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Divinitus View Post
This added sound thing scares me. Seems like every great mod comes with trade-offs that could be deal breakers for some. I agree the factory option is pricey, but I haven't heard of any issues with gear noise, even using the STI bushing option. I would love to do this, but I'm absolutely not interested in adding any more cabin noise.
It's all good... What I found out was the bolt that goes through the middle of the short throw was too tight and it created a lot of noise in first and second gear. I re-torqued it to 6 lbs like factory and all noises went away!
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Old 02-06-2012, 10:54 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 11SubieWRX4D View Post
I only have the Kartboy rear shifter bushings installed. Is it worth installing the front bushing? Thinking of getting the Perrin since Kartboy doesn't sell the front by itself.
I'd say do it... it inexpensive and super easy to change, it will only make it that much better not having that squishy stock bushing. Also the transmission mount was a big difference but it's not as easy and cheap to do!
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Old 02-07-2012, 12:14 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Overland04 View Post
It's all good... What I found out was the bolt that goes through the middle of the short throw was too tight and it created a lot of noise in first and second gear. I re-torqued it to 6 lbs like factory and all noises went away!
What tools would i need to make sure of this? (I'm the least handy person in the world)
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Old 02-24-2012, 04:57 AM   #39
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I notice someone posted and was worried about cabin noise. If you just installed the kartboy shifter and not any of the bushings, would that reduce some of the possible noise?
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Old 02-24-2012, 10:43 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by austinmccomb View Post
I notice someone posted and was worried about cabin noise. If you just installed the kartboy shifter and not any of the bushings, would that reduce some of the possible noise?
Yeah, it would be lower but mostly the problem comes from the center bolt being a little bit too tight. The torque spec is 5-6lbs and if it's over tightened it will still work but it transmits so much more noise. I don't hear mine at all with all the bushings changed.

Last edited by Overland04; 02-25-2012 at 11:16 AM.
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Old 02-24-2012, 10:47 AM   #41
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Same here, I have all the bushings and it's not loud at all. You'll hear a little more whine from the tranny sometimes, but other than that it's not noisy at all.
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Old 02-24-2012, 10:51 AM   #42
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^^Yes it would. The front and rear shifter bushing provide a direct path to transfer gear whine from the trans to the body. Subaru uses nice soft rubber to keep it quiet. The Subaru short shifter has a firmer bushing, and if you use the rear SPT bushing that is firmer too. It does transfer more gear whine to the cabin. Some people can't even tell the difference, and some people don't like it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Divinitus View Post
This added sound thing scares me. Seems like every great mod comes with trade-offs that could be deal breakers for some.
QFT! This is the fact of life with mods. If there was no trade off, Subaru would just put firm bushings and short shifters in every WRX...well maybe not, the profit margin on the accessories has got to be pretty sweet...

Personally I feel the WRX compromise Subaru chose is to be a softy daily driver so the short shifter and firmer bushings work better for me than stock but there is always a tradeoff.

I notice some people list the "stock height" of the SPT short shifter as downside but I am tall, seat all the way back on the tracks, so it is an upside for me to have the extra reach. I wish I could shorten the shift just a little more without changing the shifter height!
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Old 03-23-2012, 01:28 AM   #43
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These are the tools you need for the kartboy SS install
13mm wrench or monkey bar and 13mm lock + wrench
flat head screwdriver, + sign screwdriver
pliers and gloves.. and the snap ring pliers

I found your installation guide extremely helpful. I finished the installation in about 1hr and 45 mins and i'm a total noob in DIY's.
I rather do this install than a rally armor mud flaps install lol.

Some extra info to help those who were stuck.
It's easier to take the metal screw out from underneath the ebrake cover when you first unscrew the center console and lifted it up a bit. Then hold the further back lower end of the ebrake cover and push up while moving the console downwards.

The ring clamp can be moved / rotated. Mine was stuck in a bad position and I spent about 10 mins before rotating it so I can get a better grip or even reach it...All you need to do is to separate the snap ring pliers and poke it in and rotate.

Another thing is when you transfer all the old parts to the new. You'll need a flat head screwdriver to push out the sides of the plastic bushing (shift link?)... use pliers to pull it out completely when you've got it poking out from all around.

When you're putting everything back together, make sure everything is level and secured... I had to take it apart 3 times again because my center console was a bit wiggly.

My review of the kartboy SS: Definitely worth the $100... didn't think that it would be such an amazing difference but it was. The shift knob height wasn't significantly changed.. I can't tell much of a difference with that. The throw is great.. I wonder why a SS doesn't come stock with the car... I can't wait to install the bushings to see how that is. If anyone is in SCIC san diego I'd be more than glad to help an install.
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Old 03-24-2012, 03:04 PM   #44
natedogtown
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The kartboy comes with extra long threads. Saw off about a 1/2 inch and it's the perfect height.
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Old 03-27-2012, 12:37 PM   #45
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Watch out when pulling the ebrake cover off. I sliced my knuckle on the foot that contacts the ebrake on/off switch. Also, overland, you don't mention to cut that lock wire until after you have put everything back together. Made life a PITA for someone who follows instructions to the "T". That being said, I thank you for your efforts in this write up and I could have read ahead to find out about that wire. I was kind of in a hurry as I was on my fathers time clock for 3rd shift. P.S. always thank your parents after you have moved out for them giving the opportunity to use their garage. Darn apartment life.
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Old 03-28-2012, 10:37 PM   #46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Power6 View Post
I notice some people list the "stock height" of the SPT short shifter as downside but I am tall, seat all the way back on the tracks, so it is an upside for me to have the extra reach. I wish I could shorten the shift just a little more without changing the shifter height!
The Cobb short shift lever will take care of that since its double adjustable (shift knob height and throw length). You can't go wrong with the Kartboy, but if your finicky like me, the adjustability of the Cobb will keep you happy. I just installed mine today on my 1 week old WRX. Tomorrow is the front/rear bushings. I definitely overtightened the pivot bolt on the lever because its stiffer than stock and the gears are whining!

Edit: Overland04 - Thanks for the post! And all of your other DIY contributions. I'm sure they have helped more people than you even realize.

Last edited by WRXinpa; 03-28-2012 at 10:45 PM.
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Old 04-23-2012, 07:33 PM   #47
DeadGeneration
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Nice thread, I have had short shifters on all my cars. I am thinking about throwing in a SS and keeping the stock bushings.
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Old 04-23-2012, 08:37 PM   #48
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I have the Kartboy SS and front/rear bushings in my 08 2.5i. The difference is night and day over the stock setup. Great notchy feel and no more shifter play. Haven't really noticed to much in cabin noise.. but then again, I kind of like that.
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Old 05-07-2012, 09:58 AM   #49
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Impreza WRX 2012 WRX Notes

Also wanted to say thanks for your post! I just installed the Cobb shifter + Cobb bushings (front and rear) last weekend on a 2012 WRX 4-door. The instructions that came with the parts from Cobb were wrong and I don't know why they bothered including them at all...

The Cobb instructions suggest cutting both a corner of the metal plate around the shifter and also the rubber boot since, they say, this will make it easier to get into 1st and 3rd. I did cut the metal plate with a dremel, but I didn't want to cut the boot. So far, I don't find any appreciable resistance going into 1 or 3. I think that the Cobb is 'shorter' throw than the Kartboy and that's why they recommend this.

For my install, I removed the 4 screws holding the heat shield, but I didn't remove the shield itself since that would require removing the oxygen sensor and I just didn't want to mess with it... I just kept moving the heat shield from side to side while I was working underneath.

Also, I took off the old bushings and installed the new ones without removing the stabilizer bar from the car It's cramped up there, but by moving everything around, I was able to get everything removed and then installed!


How do I like it? I adjusted the shifter to its maximum throw and minimum height and so far, it feels great It does feel like I have to reach a bit farther to get to the stickshift, but that might just be my perception. ie, the new part seems to me like it's tilted away from myself more than the stock part.

I did drive the car with the old bushings and new shifter for a while. Even with my car with 2.5k miles on it, I could feel a big difference when I finally put in the Cobb bushings.

V
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Old 05-07-2012, 10:17 AM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Voltron6000 View Post
The Cobb instructions suggest cutting both a corner of the metal plate around the shifter and also the rubber boot since, they say, this will make it easier to get into 1st and 3rd. I did cut the metal plate with a dremel, but I didn't want to cut the boot. So far, I don't find any appreciable resistance going into 1 or 3. I think that the Cobb is 'shorter' throw than the Kartboy and that's why they recommend this.

How do I like it? I adjusted the shifter to its maximum throw and minimum height and so far, it feels great
If you set the shifter to a shorter throw (ie. lengthen the bottom section), then the linkage will eventually rub on the boot and could hit the metal plate. This is why COBB recommends that modification. The way you have it now, I would not expect any interference. Even if you set it to be about the same throw as the Kartboy, then you shouldn't have any issues.
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