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Old 03-05-2011, 04:20 PM   #1
nationalflood
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Member#: 275243
Join Date: Feb 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: nj
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11 wrx prem sedan
white

Default SPT Short Shifter vs Kartboy Short Shifter

hey all, gettin 11 wrx soon and wanted to know...... should i get the spt short shifter with rear bushing for like... $330 (will be installed in boston when allocated car arrives, no install charge i suppose??)

OR cancel that accessory and get Kartboy short shifter lever/bushing kit with rear bushing and kartboy knob - total price - $255. some tech at subaru said i can bring it to dealer and he will install $$$$ ?????

is it night and day difference???
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Old 03-05-2011, 04:25 PM   #2
tom@kartboy
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the competition.

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where are you getting 225? is that with install?
our shifter combo is 175.00 http://www2.kartboy.com/x4/product.p...4&bestseller=Y

Install you can do yourself if you are handy with tools. or better yet. meet some subaru friends in your area that are doing an install day.

Our setups are a good bit shorter than the SPT optional setup. We've been having great results with our kits on the new platforms.

Congrats on the new car. What color did you wind up ordering? sedan or 5 door?

Tom
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Old 03-05-2011, 05:05 PM   #3
tyinman04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom@kartboy View Post
where are you getting 225? is that with install?
our shifter combo is 175.00 http://www2.kartboy.com/x4/product.p...4&bestseller=Y

Install you can do yourself if you are handy with tools. or better yet. meet some subaru friends in your area that are doing an install day.

Our setups are a good bit shorter than the SPT optional setup. We've been having great results with our kits on the new platforms.

Congrats on the new car. What color did you wind up ordering? sedan or 5 door?

Tom
Yup! I wouldnt go with anything other than Kartboy. I've had a Kartboy SS in every subie i've owned. Hands down the best SS your money can buy.

Like Tom said, get on your regional forum and meet some people who would be willing to help you out. All you gotta do is ask. There are guys who will charge you a six pack for the install.
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Old 03-08-2012, 06:15 PM   #4
STiNemesis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom@kartboy View Post
where are you getting 225? is that with install?
our shifter combo is 175.00 http://www2.kartboy.com/x4/product.p...4&bestseller=Y

Install you can do yourself if you are handy with tools. or better yet. meet some subaru friends in your area that are doing an install day.

Our setups are a good bit shorter than the SPT optional setup. We've been having great results with our kits on the new platforms.

Congrats on the new car. What color did you wind up ordering? sedan or 5 door?

Tom
Hey Tom,

I was looking at getting the kartboy SS for my '11 Sti, because I hear nothing but good things. However, I am just alittle hesistant seeing the black zip ties in the pic on the Kartboy Website. What is the purpose of the zip ties? Do they use zip ties stock or on the SPT?

Thanks,

Brian
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Old 03-05-2011, 04:36 PM   #5
Supraru
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I would highly recommend going Kartboy. I have not had one bad experience with mine. Got one for my Rs, then got a new one once I did my swap since they were slightly different. Pretty much have been running them for 11 years now. Whenever anyone ever asks I always recommend them. The function and quality is top notch. I work at a dealer and have installed the spt shifters and I can't say that I'm to impressed. Better then stock but not better then kartboy.
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Old 03-05-2011, 04:37 PM   #6
nationalflood
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well $255 came from 175 for lever/bushing kit, 45 for knob (gotta have a knob) and i think 35 for rear shifter bushing.

oh, what about TWM or TMW Short Shifter, I had one on my cobalt, anyone have one for 11' wrx or sti ???
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Old 03-05-2011, 04:53 PM   #7
nasiocjunkie
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kartboy hands down!
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Old 03-05-2011, 05:08 PM   #8
jetski247
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kartboy for me..........
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Old 03-05-2011, 05:09 PM   #9
CSibbs
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Kartboy
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Old 03-05-2011, 06:12 PM   #10
noodleface
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Since you're in Boston, do what I did. Purchase the Kartboy shifter and bushings kit, bring it to DSG in Norwood, and pay them to install. I'm pretty sure it cost $95 for install and they're one of the most recommended shops in the area.
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Old 03-05-2011, 06:21 PM   #11
manz79
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Kartboy, i'm a sales man at a Subaru Dealer in MD (Fitzgeralds) and I have driven both back to back and the Kartboy is a better product and alot cheaper too. Install is not hard at all all you need are hand tools and a rubber hammer it only takes 30min max.
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Old 03-05-2011, 09:42 PM   #12
mrkyle3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manz79 View Post
Kartboy, i'm a sales man at a Subaru Dealer in MD (Fitzgeralds) and I have driven both back to back and the Kartboy is a better product and alot cheaper too. Install is not hard at all all you need are hand tools and a rubber hammer it only takes 30min max.
Hah I just bought my WRX from you guys exactly a week ago ! My salesman was Jim, hope his leg is doing better.
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Old 03-05-2011, 07:17 PM   #13
ThreeEleven
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I've had the Factory STi 5mt SS for 62,000 miles. It leaves me wanting more and I've had the Kartboy SS on my list of parts to buy for years now. Do it right the first time. $95 labor is too expensive...install it yourself.
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Old 03-05-2011, 07:33 PM   #14
Supraru
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThreeEleven View Post
I've had the Factory STi 5mt SS for 62,000 miles. It leaves me wanting more and I've had the Kartboy SS on my list of parts to buy for years now. Do it right the first time. $95 labor is too expensive...install it yourself.
It's not hard at all. But for someone who has no clue what they are doing it could be the best bet to leave it to a pro. Had someone with a legacy gt come in with a shifting concern. I would try to get it into first and there was crazy resistance. saw he had that weird perrin short shifter adapter and installed it wrong and he tried hacking everything to make it work. It was bad news. lol
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Old 03-05-2011, 08:05 PM   #15
wrxpassinU
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Contrary to what others tell you, I'd say stick with the SPT.

I've driven kartboy STS's before on my old 04 WRX and I personally think the SPT is a better product. I have the SPT STS on my '11 with the STi Duracon Shift knob and love it. Shift are very crisp and noticebly shorter than the stock shifter. The overall feel is very solid as well. The SPT dosen't signifigantly reduce the height of the shifter so it won't have that ultra low look so if you're going for that look you may want to re-think your decision.

You're going to love your new car. It's going to blow you away.
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Old 03-05-2011, 08:17 PM   #16
tyinman04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wrxpassinU View Post
Contrary to what others tell you, I'd say stick with the SPT.

I've driven kartboy STS's before on my old 04 WRX and I personally think the SPT is a better product. I have the SPT STS on my '11 with the STi Duracon Shift knob and love it. Shift are very crisp and noticebly shorter than the stock shifter. The overall feel is very solid as well. The SPT dosen't signifigantly reduce the height of the shifter so it won't have that ultra low look so if you're going for that look you may want to re-think your decision.

You're going to love your new car. It's going to blow you away.

Leave it to the guy from P-town to be different
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Old 03-05-2011, 08:21 PM   #17
srcjrs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nationalflood View Post
hey all, gettin 11 wrx soon and wanted to know...... should i get the spt short shifter with rear bushing for like... $330 (will be installed in boston when allocated car arrives, no install charge i suppose??)

OR cancel that accessory and get Kartboy short shifter lever/bushing kit with rear bushing and kartboy knob - total price - $255. some tech at subaru said i can bring it to dealer and he will install $$$$ ?????

is it night and day difference???

kartboy ftw, Tom's the man, and his product is top notch.
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Old 03-05-2011, 09:18 PM   #18
SlickMoney
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I have the factory SS in mine, had it in my WRX as well. Shifts are shorter and smoother than stock. Kartboy is a great product as well, but I prefer the lever near stock height.
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Old 03-05-2011, 09:44 PM   #19
CSibbs
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Old 03-08-2012, 12:10 PM   #20
Psycareyo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CSibbs View Post

Our 2010 STi hatch came with the SPT STS and we loved it. Our 2011 STi doesn't have one and it's a huge difference.

This video was basically just the STS install. This is the first time I've ever seen anything this detailed so forgive my ignorance here.

Is there a DIY vid of the shifter and the KB bushings that are part of the kit that aid in the crisper shift feel or did I just see that in the video and he simply took the OEM bushing and moved it to the KB STS?

I'd want to do the STS and the bushings. I have all these tools and the STS install itself looks extremely easy.
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Old 03-05-2011, 09:58 PM   #21
tooquick
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Definitely go with the karboy
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Old 03-05-2011, 10:16 PM   #22
Kunk
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If you get the Kartboy one do you need to get a new knob or will the stock one work?
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Old 03-05-2011, 10:52 PM   #23
tooquick
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kunk View Post
If you get the Kartboy one do you need to get a new knob or will the stock one work?
the old one will screw right on. I have my stock knob on a kartboy now

Last edited by tooquick; 03-05-2011 at 11:09 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old 03-05-2011, 10:23 PM   #24
darkcrave
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+1 to kartboy! The only SS/ bushings that will touch my subies!
Also agree, self install is no problem at all! Cake!
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Old 03-05-2011, 11:06 PM   #25
Derek E
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Just got the Kartboy and bushings in my 08 today, love it.
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