Short Shifter Install

I did a little digging and we should have the shift plates available for sale at the end of the month.

-Derrick
 
So far, I'm ecstatic with mine.

Just gotta re-train my old brain. It keeps thinking I'm half way there when its already in the next gear. Driving my wife's Fit doesn't help. It is such not a "Driver's Car".............

John
 
Yup... mine too... this would be worth braving the cold garage for :-)

We're talking like.. end of month.. like.. 2 weeks? I've got my card out already...
 
I must be the only person here that does not like short shifters. I have yet to drive a single car with a short shifter where the gear box did not feel notchy. Personally I think the stock gearbox in the 2 is great, and the throw is awfully short for a stock econo car. If you think the car feels disconnected stock you should try driving it with the awr mount, now that is a night and day difference. I cannot see the short shifter improving the driving feel the way that mount does.
 
To me, I equate notchy with feeling the gears, which means feeling what is going on. Do you mean something else?

I agree with you, the stock shift length feels good. I'm sure I can keep myself from spending the $ until i drive somebody else's car with one in it ;)

If you want a less notchy feeling, add weight to your shift knob.
 
To me, I equate notchy with feeling the gears, which means feeling what is going on. Do you mean something else?

I agree with you, the stock shift length feels good. I'm sure I can keep myself from spending the $ until i drive somebody else's car with one in it ;)

If you want a less notchy feeling, add weight to your shift knob.

To me notchy gear changes implies it does not shift smoothly into gear, its more of a forceful, clunky endeavor. I cant count on my fingers and toes how many cars I have driven with short shifters from different manufacturers and I have yet to find a single one that shifts as well as stock and not a single one has made the car any faster or more fun to drive. To be fair they all did their job and shortened the throw and if you install a short shifter in a car and drive it gently it should still shift smoothly initially. However in my experience the increased mechanical leverage most short shifters create when altering the shifter geometry has a tendency to reek havoc on synchronizers in the long run. I think in certain instances some older cars can definitely benefit from a refined gear selector assembly but I cant think of any cars from the last decade that need a short shifter. Most new cars have phenomenal gearboxes in my opinion and the 2 is no exception.
 
I was a little skeptical of adding a short shifter to the shop 2 at first but with the kit in there it is really good.

I will have our shop 2 racing at the SCCA majors event in late april in button willow if you want to try it out.

-Derrick
 
WOD.. take up that offer.. I would if I could haha. But $59?! That's fantastic.. I'll most likely get one right around when it becomes available for purchase.
 
Hmm I hope you make a bunch of these, it seems like most people want one and I don't want to miss out on getting one.
 
Definately looking forward to getting this. I put a kartboy short shifter and replaced every shifter and tranny bushing with poly in my n/a forester and that car was so much fun to drive. Also had stiffer motor mounts and engine pitch mount, and inverted STi dampers that loved to take a beating....way too much fun considering it was an "suv". For some reason, the most enjoyable cars I've owned also were the slowest to accelerate. Strange.

I've yet to regret installing a short shifter on any vehicle.
 
Thanks for the offer derrick, but unfortunately buttonwillow is not exactly a short drive let alone one i would make to test out something i dont intend on buying haha. now if your going to be at acs i might be willing to drive there.

Crg the price is irrelevant, i honestly dont think the car needs or will benefit from it. I have been tracking this car for the last 8 years, stock gear box and love it.

Picture is from buttonwillow headed up to omega.

normal_83.jpg
 
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$60? Hell at that price, I wouldn't even be upset if I tried it as an experiment and didn't love it! I agree with the above poster, sounds like you guys should make a bunch of these for the first run,!
 

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