Perrin Transmission Support & Whiteline Gearbox Positive Shift Kit

[gmookher]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

btw i wouldn't do this mod without engine mounts

you need to stiffen both, otherwise you're creating a hard point at the transmission while the engine remains soft, causing stress all over the place.

just ordered prototype motor mounts...

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by F1point4

That's spot on. Any bushings, bearings, and inserts will squeak over time. This is why it is important to apply grease to the surface when installing them, and periodically checking and regreasing as required. Mind y'all that we are talking about a few years, not every few months. If the Perrin doesn't require greasing, then for the set and forget it lot, that would be the better option.

The Perrin unit is aluminum. There will inevitably be more NVH associated with that; though these pieces appear to be doing two different things I'm not not mistaken or at the very least appear to accomplish the same thing through different routes.

As far as grease goes...it's part of the game with poly bushings. That said, there's better greases out there than what comes packaged with them. Energy Suspension white stuff comes to mind. A bottle will last you several cars.

[F1point4]

I had some time to see if the @PERRIN Transmission Stiffener works with the Whiteline Positive Shift Kit. I word it that way simply because I purchased the Whiteline first.

The below two pictures show is the OEM insulator with the metal slug. The insulator is just two metal plates that sandwich angled soft rubber. Emphasis on soft; the rubber twists and compresses with ease. The metal slug is designed to slightly compress and join the top and bottom metal plates.

However the metal slugs inner diameter (ID) is smaller than the insulator's ID. In additional the rectangle head is much smaller than the space it occupies. For those who installed the Cusco or Whiteline bushing, you might have noticed the slug wanting to rotate while torquing the nut that holds it in place. Therefore there is some lateral play in the insulator under compression. The advantage is comfort and ride compliance. The disadvantage is that the engine wastes energy to compensate for this flex when sending power to the rear wheels.


20121103-PerrinTrannyStiffyTestPublic-02 by VictorN07, on Flickr



20121103-PerrinTrannyStiffyTestPublic-03 by VictorN07, on Flickr


The Perrin Transmission Stiffener (below) does the same job as the OEM metal slug however better. It is made out of aluminium: there is more mass to the Perrin so it acts as a better vibration dampener. It fits the ID of the insulator perfectly, to reduce lateral flex. Last the rectangle head is machined to fill in the valley in the insulator's upper metal plate. This would help reduce any twisting motion in the insulator. Ultimately it does a better job at reducing the play, compression, and vibrations that rob your drivetrain of forward motion power.


20121102-PerrinTransmissionStiffener-1 by VictorN07, on Flickr



The question on everyone's mind: Does this product work with the Whiteline positive shift kit. The answer is simply, not at this time.

The picture below shows the insulator with the Whiteline bushing and the metal slug removed. Take notice that the Whiteline ID is bored exactly to the metal slug. This eliminates any lateral movement in the slug but doesn't help with the twisting inherent with the smaller rectangular head.

The Perrin is designed to sit flush in the insulator and join the two metal plates. The Whiteline prevents this. You can modify one of the products so they work together. I personally would modify the Whiteline because it is easier to cut urethane than to grind away aluminium. Will one of the two vendors modify their products? That's up to them to decide and they will surely announce any modifications if they do. I would not be surprised if they choose not to.


20121103-PerrinTrannyStiffyTestPublic-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr





Which is better overall? I won't say. I did not test them together from the above, or test the Perrin by itself. I left the Whiteline in there simply because its a pain to insert and remove that bushing. It wasn't because I favored one company over the other. Here are some of my thoughts in effort to remain objective

+ The Whiteline fills in the entire gap between the metal plates in the insulator. The Perrin doesn't, so I think the Whiteline would be better at handling side to side movement
+ However, most of the movement will be vertical. With respect to compression, I think the Perrin will do a much better job because of the materials used. While urethane is hard, it can still compress. It would take much more to compress the aluminium and steel used in the Perrin. I believe the Perrin would be more efficient in power transfer.
+ The Whiteline being made of urethane does require periodic greasing to eliminate squeaking. The Perrin does not require any greasing so it is definitely less maintenance in the long run.
+ I do believe it would be worth it to combine these products simply to add a bit more vibration dampening mass.

I truly believe both will do a great job at its advertised purpose. Both products are backed by vendors with long histories and experience with Subaru platforms. It just comes down to personal preference. Let's discuss!

[sbxjap]

@F1point4....

What do you think of the Cusco?

It seems the Cusco (from photos I've seen) has a small bracket that goes around the top of the metal slug. It also has a metal sleeve for the slug as well as a plate to help reduce space to compress the 2 metal plates.

Again, I could be wrong as I've only seen the photos. Hopefully you can give me your opinion on this...

[F1point4]

Please note I don't have any real world experience with this product. I'm only basing my thoughts based on the visuals provided by my mate @stevo_12v I think he'll chime on some of these comments and give some thoughts about his experience.

So the Cusco appears to come in three pieces and is made from aluminium. Like the Perrin this has better vibration dampening properties than urethane.

It seems like a hybrid approach between the Whiteline and Perrin. There is a plate that mates both top and bottom plate similar to the Whiteline. The silver piece slots under the metal slug to keep it from twisting in place. The tall blue cylinder seems to have bored to fit perfectly in the insulator like Perrin and slots in the larger blue plate. The only thing it doesn't seem like it does is fill in the pointed gaps. It is the most money out of the lot as well coming in around 55-60 dollars.

Here are some of my concerns. The metal piece to keep the slug from twisting does take away some threads that the nut can secure onto. Being made of aluminium it contributes to more NVH than urethane. This probably adds the most NVH in the lot due to its size and mass. I can't quantify because I don't have the means to measure and my star specs and exhaust are loud enough to cover it up. Instructions for Cusco probably don't say to grease the surfaces, which is expected. With that, it is logical that surface erosion can happen due to metal to metal contact. It shouldn't be a big deal. The Perrin and Cusco should last the lifetime of the vehicle.



I can't say for sure, but I will wager the large blue plate and the Perrin would work together.

Originally Posted by stevo_12v

Jacked up the car, removed WhiteLine KDT926 shift kit. Installed CUSCO shift kit in its place.

Comparison of Shift Kit thickness. WhiteLine slightly bulges out by 1.5mm




CUSCO Shift Kit installed in cradle brace



Weighed them both up for the weight conscious.

Originally Posted by stevo_12v

Just came back from an 1hr+ long 'testdrive'.
For me.. the CUSCO feels soo much better. Feels more like a race-car than a truck if I had to say it.
The CUSCO one seems slightly noisier, but has LESS vibration. VS's the WhiteLine being slightly more quiet, but more vibration.

[stevo_12v]

Originally Posted by F1point4

With that, it is logical that surface erosion can happen due to metal to metal contact. It shouldn't be a big deal. The Perrin and Cusco should last the lifetime of the vehicle.

I can't say for sure, but I will wager the large blue plate and the Perrin would work together.

Hmmm I do believe that the Perrin Stiffy kit will probably go together with the CUSCO. Hmmm to buy or not to buy, lol. Depends if the black PERRIN part is either full aluminium or a combo of a threaded core with urethane outside.

Actually, now that I think about it, I probably will order one, as the cylinder and the washer in the CUSCO seem to rattle at idle/very low speed in 1st gear.

I wouldn't go with the KDT926 and the Stiffy though, unless you really love feeling every little bump on the road. The KDT926 I feel is thicker than it has to be.

Also the CUSCO you do not get supplied with any LUBE, but you can always use the lube supplied with the Perrin rear shift kit if you are doing that combo. For the moment I'm quite happy with the CUSCO/Perrin Rear shift kit.

I'll be on the look-out for this 'stiffy' kit though.

[cobrabyte]

Originally Posted by stevo_12v

Hmmm I do believe that the Perrin Stiffy kit will probably go together with the CUSCO. Hmmm to buy or not to buy, lol. Depends if the black PERRIN part is either full aluminium or a combo of a threaded core with urethane outside.

Actually, now that I think about it, I probably will order one, as the cylinder and the washer in the CUSCO seem to rattle at idle/very low speed in 1st gear.

I wouldn't go with the KDT926 and the Stiffy though, unless you really love feeling every little bump on the road. The KDT926 I feel is thicker than it has to be.

Also the CUSCO you do not get supplied with any LUBE, but you can always use the lube supplied with the Perrin rear shift kit if you are doing that combo. For the moment I'm quite happy with the CUSCO/Perrin Rear shift kit.

I'll be on the look-out for this 'stiffy' kit though.

The Perrin part is fully aluminum without urethane.

[wootwoot]

Can someone describe what needs to be done to the whiteline bushing to make it compatible with the perrin product? It looks like you just need to make the the hole in the middle of the whiteline bushing slightly larger. A drill and a proper sized drill bit would make quick work of it I think.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

Can someone describe what needs to be done to the whiteline bushing to make it compatible with the perrin product? It looks like you just need to make the the hole in the middle of the whiteline bushing slightly larger. A drill and a proper sized drill bit would make quick work of it I think.

That's it. You just have to make the hole in the whiteline the same diameter as the hole in the insulator.

[wootwoot]

Originally Posted by F1point4

That's it. You just have to make the hole in the whiteline the same diameter as the hole in the insulator.

Sweet. I'm doing both. Thanks.

[sbxjap]

Thanks guys...

Now decisions, decisions, decisions....

I already have the Perrin shifter bushing, but didn't install yet. I was waiting to do a few things in one shot.

Even with my dealer discount on Cusco, the part is still about $60 shipped. And the store I get the parts from didn't get the Perrin or Whiteline part yet.

Going with your opinions, I may go with the Cusco. Noise I don't mind as much as vibration. The exhaust I get will probably be louder, lol. Also not having to lube every so often is a plus.

I'm already doing a SWP and blue on my BRZ, so might as well keep with it.

[Touge Monster]

I have the cusco on my car and I love it. Best mod Ive done so far and yes you will pick up some slight noise and vibrations.

[F1point4]

Here are some fun pics of the @PERRIN transmission stiffener


20121111-PerrinPressShot_GearboxStiffy-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20121111-PerrinPressShot_GearboxStiffy-02 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20121111-PerrinPressShot_GearboxStiffy-03 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20121111-PerrinPressShot_GearboxStiffy-04 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[LeavingNormal]

Ft86 speed factory sells them as a pkg so I would assume they work together.