Again, no photos for this one, but next mod is done...sort of.
Since my business is currently closed due to another COVID shutdown, I decided to use my "free time" to move ahead with a couple of things I was going to leave until the summer.
First up, I installed the STI short-throw shifter...but I ran into some issues. I followed this DIY video, which was very helpful:
Everything was going really well. I even managed to get the accursed dust boot on pretty smoothly, and I had gotten to the stage of reinstalling the reverse lockout collar, but something was not right.
Turned out, when inserting the new shifter through the base, because I pushed down on the lever itself (instead of seating it with the white plastic collar), the "ball" had popped free of the plastic collar, so I had to undo everything again...and tore the damn dust boot in the process.
Then, when reassembling everything (sans dust boot - I have a new one on order from the local dealer), I somehow managed to push out the plastic bushing and O-ring from inside the bottom of the shift lever. FML...out it all came again, then back it all went.
Long story short, it's now all reinstalled, but without the dust boot. Again, I have a new one on order from the dealer, and I think I may try to install it from under the car instead of fighting with it all again. I know it will be a pain working around the driveshaft, but I'm fed up with trying it the other way.
SO - word to the wise: when installing the new shift lever, DO NOT push down on the lever itself to get it seated! Instead, seat it by pushing down on the white plastic collar.
The second thing I was going to install today was the auto dimming rearview mirror with compass...but the dealer didn't give me the mounting adapter on the order, so now I have to get THAT as well.
To be continued...
EDIT: 2021.04.04 - Here are my impressions on the STI Short Shifter:
IIRC from when I had them side-by-side, the length of the lever below the pivot point (the ball) is a *tiny* bit longer on the STI unit, and the length of the lever above the pivot point is a *tiny* bit shorter, so I wouldn't expect a massive difference in feel / throw length. Aside from that, the construction of the original and the STI shift levers looks basically identical. In fact, they looked so similar / the differences were so miniscule side-by-side that I didn't bother taking a photo.
So, the weird thing is...the shifts definitely feel smoother. Even cold 1-2 shifts feel smoother. Having not measured the shifter throw before and after, I can't give you exact numbers/percentages, but the throw feels a *little* shorter as well, but as expected, not hugely different.
Would I do it again? For $600+ CDN, it's an expensive upgrade, but after reading all the problems with rattling, etc. folks had with basically all the aftermarket shifters, I figured it was the way to go. For me, the improved shift smoothness is definitely worth something, but is it worth that much money? Probably not, but I'd likely do it again...because STI...LOL!