I've had my GS-R for about a year now, and everyone that drives my car comments on how short my shifter is! It's a stock throw, but others have said that it's even shorter than non-GSR models??? Also, my brother in-law even says it's shorter than his BMW shift (BMW 318iS). I think I'd like to try a short throw shifter because when i sit in a WRX at car shows, im absolutely amazed at how short the throw is. Anybody have any suggestions on which shifter to get? How much? Ive seen B&M shifters go for $130!! But APC has them for like $40...Does it improve performance? Do I have to get it professionally installed? How much to get it installed...Because I don't know how to install it myself, and I'm afraid I'd fawk up my tranny if i do.

 

It's pretty hard to mess up the actual transmission by replacing the shifter. The transmission is totally under the hood, the shifter is connected to it by a couple of rods that are underneath the car. Essentially to replace the shifter you need to pull off the center console, then get underneath the car, pull apart the exhaust heat shields and some of the exhaust, pop out the shifter, and then do the reverse for installation.

As for pricing I'm not sure where you saw the B&M shifter for $130, it's $43 here.

It's also a good idea when replacing the shifter to replace the shifter bushings with polyurethane.

 

Try to find a car that already has the short shifter you want installed in it so you can see how it feels.

I have yet to find a shortshifter that I actually like, SS's are just so notchy for me. Sure it's a shorter throw, but I feel I can shift a "long" shifter faster. It's all personal preference.

 

Is this step absolutely necessary? Is the shift rod covered up by the exhaust?

 

At the very minimum you have to pull off the heat shields, and I'm pretty sure you have to drop the mid pipe.

 

i ahve a 2002 wrx and the trow of the shifter is much longer then my gs-r the new sti has an awsoum tranny but not hte stock wrx

 

Mike's right, you need to drop part of your exhaust to install the short shifter. And definately get the poly bushings like he said as well.

As for short shifters I like the Skunk2 dual bend for Integras. When I replace my axhaust I am going to put one in my GSR.

 

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You have to remove the heatsheild (I got a type-r cat so I didn't bother replacing the heat shield as the ss hits it) however I did not need to drop the exhaust. That would have made it easier but with the right tools it's not necessary.

I will also suggest polyeurethene bushing at the same time!

 

i have a skunk2 short shifter with the sk2 knob and i love it! those run about 80-90 bux...

my friend made a custom short shifter for his car since he welds for a living...if your interested i could talk to him and see if he will make u a super short shifter :P if your interested let me know...