KartBoy Short Shifter DIY and Review

[blkwrxwag]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Item 3: The black washer that's between the shifter rod and the cotter pin doesn't seem to be necessary if you lose it. B/c I did. I pushed the connecting rod out and heard something fall, but I couldn't see anything on the ground, though it sounded like it hit plastic instead (but it wasn't in the cabin, or on some of the stuff running underneath the transmission shifter linkage). Still, on reassembly, I just went without it. Doesn't seem to hurt anything. It was such a thin washer to begin with anyway and the bushing material that surrounds the connecting rod in the kartboy shifter is delrin and not soft, compliant rubber. So, the washer seems to be a bit superfluous. If you didn't lose it, by all means reuse it, but don't worry if you did lose it. (correct me if I'm wrong here)

I found that my KB shifter rattled at high revs without that washer... YMMV.

[SirBrass]

Well, I have absolutely zero desire to totally take apart the center console again and pull down that damn dust cover just to put a washer on. Besides, not like I can put a washer on, since I have no idea where it disappeared to.

Besides, with grease, there's nothing TO rattle with the shifter. that shifter and linkage rod are very firmly joined.

[ripper]

install and test drive complete. per the op's instructions the install was very straight forward. i found the additional info in umb frs's thread (http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...hlight=kartboy) helpful with the bushing install and some additional pictures that cleared up some questions.

this is my second kartboy shift kit. my first was on my '04 sti nine years ago and still running strong. the kit for the brz feels great. the shifting was already good in stock form and can't believe how much better with the kartboy kit installed. shifting is very precise and throw and ergonomics improvements are fantastic. almost feels like i'm clicking into gear.

great write up, definitely made the job easier!

[modena]

Installed mine last night.
To make the removal of the rubber busing on the old shifter easier:
Boil some water, and pour it in a cup that can hold your old shifter.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes, rubber bushing becomes very pliable
and can be removed without shedding any "tears".

[Kuri]

To all that have done the SS install. How well do you like it?


I've had a TWM SS on my WRX before.

[SirBrass]

I'm still getting used to it, & overall I like it. Feels hard to get into 2nd when the transmission is still warming up, but a rear bushing & weighted knob should improve things there.

I love the shortness of the shifts & as the delrin bushing & rear bushing break in, it'll start to feel even better with more positive 'click' and less notchyness.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[modena]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

I'm still getting used to it, & overall I like it. Feels hard to get into 2nd when the transmission is still warming up, but a rear bushing & weighted knob should improve things there.

I love the shortness of the shifts & as the delrin bushing & rear bushing break in, it'll start to feel even better with more positive 'click' and less notchyness.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Did you drive around with the SS without the rear bushing that comes with it?
Have not installed mine, and wanted to know if it is worth the trouble of install.
(Trying to put of to get jack stands and low profile jack)

[SirBrass]

Yes, I'm currently driving with the stock rear bushing. I haven't had the opportunity or time to find a place where the rear bushing can be installed. The shifter itself can be installed easily in the cabin itself. The rear bushing and transmission mount bushing need to have the car in the air (and with the mount bushing, you need to have a transmission jack as well), preferably on a lift. I don't have access to a lift on my own, so I'm SOL until someone offers to help me out.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Yes, I'm currently driving with the stock rear bushing. I haven't had the opportunity or time to find a place where the rear bushing can be installed. The shifter itself can be installed easily in the cabin itself. The rear bushing and transmission mount bushing need to have the car in the air (and with the mount bushing, you need to have a transmission jack as well), preferably on a lift. I don't have access to a lift on my own, so I'm SOL until someone offers to help me out.

You can do both of those bushings on the floor, easily, at the same time. It does NOT require a lift OR a transmission jack.

You can support the trans with a floor jack (I'd add a 2x4 between the jack and trans) while your car is supported by jack stands, easily. Remove the mount, insert the insert, replace mount. It's *really* easy to do and freaking about having the right tools is in this case, not paramount because it can be easily done with tools you already have.

Furthermore, I've heard the rear shifter bushing can be done in cabin while doing the shifter (you pull the stock shifter out of the stock rear bushing anyway), but you'd probably need flex head ratchets and flex extensions. In any case, this is easy to do on the ground, you simply undo the driveshaft carrier and let the DS rest on the exhaust to give you the room to get up there. It's a total of....4 bolts: 2 for the driveshaft carrier and 2 for the rear stay.

[SirBrass]

Everyone that has done this has said you need the car up on jack stands at least to get to the rear bushing and on a lift makes it far easier.

And I'm an apartment dweller. I don't have the space to do this at my place.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Everyone that has done this has said you need the car up on jack stands at least to get to the rear bushing and on a lift makes it far easier.

And I'm an apartment dweller. I don't have the space to do this at my place.

Yes, I said you need the car in the air. It does NOT require a lift OR a trans jack. Your situation precludes you from doing this in a garage, but don't spread false information.

[DrDuquette]

Finished in one Fireball!!! Now off to drive!!!

[snappy86]

Awesome DIY, very helpful....thanks!
I have definitely noticed the horizontal play while in gear.

Does the rear shifter bushing help with that? I have yet to install it..

[G_Rossney]

I noticed your re-assembly didn't show putting the shift cushion back on the car. Was there a reason for that?

This was an excellent write up! I like the images that show the actual differences in Shift throw.