Best shifter setup
 

Hi, I want to know your opinion about what is the best shifter setup.

Option 1: Bushing? ... Whiteline? Perrin? Energy suspension? Torque solution? Kartboy?

Option 2: Transmission support/mount? ... Perrin? Cusco? Super Tek

Option 3: Short shifter? ... Kartboy? Billet pro?

Option 4: Shift springs? ... Mtec?

Option 5: Stock?

My 5 points are about different choices and brands. Do you prefer going with a short shifter? Or do you prefer using only some bushings....

Or you can also maybe combine some stuff like bushing with springs or short shifter with trany support...

1: Whiteline insert bushing, Rear mount billetproshop,

2: Forcedfabbllc transmission support.

3: Billet pro shop

4: MTEC

5: Stock is good. But after all that stock is more like a banana than a shifter compare to this setup...

My car seems to shift just fine ..... so, I'll pick #5.

I think the stock setup is pretty damn good. Granted, I haven't driven an 86 that has any bushing, mounts etc. I mplan to pick up those MTEC springs this summer only because EVERYTHING I've heard about them is awesome.

I'm curious how each mod affects the shift feel. I've also been looking into bushings etc, to improve feel but don't care for a short shifter, the throw is short enough as is. These MTEC springs sound interesting...

So far I'm considering shifter rear bushing, trans insert bushing, and weighted knob.

Personally I like my setup right now. Whiteline tranny bushing with Kartboy rear bushing. Waiting on a Shifteck short shifter. But honestly with those 2 mods there is a noticeable improvement. You could add a perrin or forced fab tranny support but with the mounts + the support installed there may be some noticeable NVH.

I installed perrin rear shifter bushing with whiteline KDT926 about 1years ago
& I installed Mtec spring last month. with this 3 mods, shift feeling is great.
NVH increase is minimal.

1. Kartboy bushing, comes with shifter
2. Forcefab trans mount
3. Kartboy
4. Mtech springs
5. Ew, what is this "stock" you speak of?

I don't understand what those MTEC springs are supposed to do.

Best shifter setup
 

My 5 points are about choices ;)

Like do you prefer bushing or a short shifter or the stock feeling is good eought for you.

My setup
- kartboy rear mount
- whiteline insert
- custom machined bushing for main mount bolt
- mtec springs

My car shifts so well with those mods, I shipped the BPS shifter back before even bothering to install it.

Could you show pictures of you custom part?

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps44d4486a.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...psd9ccf599.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps5249ade5.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps0da42843.jpg

Essentially the same thing as the Perrin option. I had a few feet of 1.5" aluminum bar stock sitting around so I simplified things. It's pretty much just a sleeve haha

Nice work, thank you for the pictures!

Are you able to use both a positive shift kit bushing and a transmission mount or is just one needed?

Kartboy short throw shifter (comes with rear bushing), kartboy trans insert, and MTEC springs. I didn't think the stock shifter could be improved much when I got the car but these parts made the feel amazing. I've also got an aluminum driveshaft which takes some slop feel out if the driveline.

the stiffer springs make the shifter want to stay center, it makes 2-3 and 5-4 shifts faster but every gear engages with a more satisfying feel. i was worried they would make the shifter too stiff and make it harder to push to the side but its perfect, feels more solid than stock.

I have installed a short shifter in every car I've ever owned. This is the only one that I haven't felt the need. The best factory shifter I have ever had. Having said that, I have installed a Whiteline trans bushing insert, Perrin rear shift bushing and have a weighted knob. The best got better. I have no interest in installing a short shifter.

I was determined to put a Billet Pro Shop shifter and shift knob in mine, I thought the stock shifter was too tall. I first put just the BPS shift knob on the stock shifter and was pleasantly surprised at how it made it look and feel shorter. Helped with the weight of the knob too.

I ended up installing the shifter, didn't want to waste the much nicer lockout on the BPS, but you might be surprised at how much just a knob would change the feel of the stock setup. :clap:

Best shifter setup
 

But at the end, If I understand correctly, you have installed the short shifter too?

Yes I did.

Even though the stock shifter had a shorter look and feel to it with just the BPS knob, I couldn't abide with the cheap look of the stock reverse lock-out.

Has anyone tried both the billet pro and the kartboy short shifters? Any noticable difference between the two?

I have the KB SS and like it, but I wonder if the billet feels any different.

I think the stock feeling is very good... Also better with Redline oil.

I don't think upgrading the shifter is necessary for the moment...

From my opinion, We will not get a better lap time on a race track with a modified shifter anyway.

I will upgrade it when I will got a problem shifting into speed.

Just make sure you're using 75W-90 GL4 gear oil, not the lighter 75W-85 GL4, as the latter is out of spec and thus if you have a transmission failure due to the oil, your warranty claim can be denied as you were using oil NOT specified by Subaru/Toyota.

You think like me, Don't worry, I have used the Redline MT-90 ;)

I always liked short shifters, though, & distinct shifts, & the factory shifter has a fairly long throw from what I'm used to. But as far as factory shifters go, it is one of the best.

Still like the kb short shifter better.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Honestly, do the mtec springs, bushings of your choice, and adjust the reverse lock out (if you have any 2nd gear grind issues) before you do a short shifter... This is probably 90% of the improvement with bushings and springs. You may not feel the need to do a SS after bushings and Mtec springs.

If you do a SS, especially with bushings, be carefull what you choose. I beleive the billet pro will be prone to rattle, based on the ebay knock off version i purchased and latter threw in the trash due to incurable rattles at high rpm. The Kartboy is Much Much better design. I have not seen the TWM design up close so that may be an option as well.

Keep in mind that the kartboy short shifter includes the rear shift mount bushing. Also, don['t forget to put the trans in neutral before installing the mtec springs (makes putting it back together easier).

One other tip, my mtec drift shift knob is more prone to make any shifter rattle than the stock knob. Whole reason i got a SS is so i could use the longer style drift knob.. it just does not have enough weight to dampen vibrations... still looking for an alternative...

Mtec springs are on the way. When I install them, the rear shifter bushing, & transmission mount bushing, I'll decide then whether to stick with the kb short shifter or go back to the stock shifter (I've still got it around here somewhere).

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Best shifter setup
 

How do you do that?

Mtec springs, motul fluid (not in yet in my case), weighted flossy shorty knob. Couldn't possibly want it any shorter and the feel is fantastic.

Act 6puck w/ light flywheel
Kart boy short shifter
Mtec shift spring
Motul fluid

Still havent got used to it

I hear you. This car has a great shifter stock. I have the Energy Suspension rear shifter bushing (not yet installed) and I think that'll about wrap up my shifter mods for this car.

I run a TWM M1 Abram on the lowest setting for street and a TWM 4" knurled competition knob for track. The extra leverage from the competition knob makes shifting a breeze and saves me from looking for the shifter when going for the next gear. It's a grab, throw, and go setup. A shorter shift will not make me a faster driver.

Best shifter setup
 

Exactly that am trying to say :)

How did you pay for the energy suspension bushing, am looking for this...

I bought it from Performance Improvements in Ontario (because I work at one of the stores). It's pretty cheap. They also make the steering rack bushings which I purchased. Not sure I'm going to install them yet, but again, they were cheap, so why not.

You just loosen the lockout plate and adjust it like you would if you were installing a short throw shifter. Check out post #6 in @F1point4 how-to for the kartboy

It may or may not help, for me it made more difference than swapping to motul 300 (which made the 2nd gear cruch worse unless the fluid is fully up to temp).

My kartboy rattles at high rpm, it's coming off this weekend. Other mods are kartboy rear stay, kartboy positive shift tranmission bushing, and mtec springs. The rattle was there before I installed either bush, was hoping the bushings would help but had no luck. Tom told me I most likely didnt grease it well enough so I tore everything down, regreased and still have the rattle/buzz so im done with it. Since I installed all parts seperately I'd say leave the stock shifter and change out everything else for best feel and least noise/rattles

Do you think this adjustment can fix the 2nd gear grind with the stock shifter?

Am not sure because in my case it's only happen on cold temp when the oil is cold...

It's also a little bit better since I replaced the trany oil by the Redline oil.

Is the kartboy reverse lock out plastic or metal? Its hard to see in the pics, if its plastic can it be removed for an after market piece?

What knob are you using?

I found the knock off ebay short shifter (same type of design as the billet pro rattled like hell from 4k and up, it was much worse with my mtec drift shift knob than with the stock knob.

My kartboy barely rattles with the mtec drift and only slightly noticeably with the stock knob. Weighted knobs seem to reduce rattle, i guess because they act like a mass damper.

Mine was the same, as soon as i adjusted the lockout more to the left it got better, much better. If your lockout plate is preventing you from lining up the gate just right it will make it notchy.