Ultimate Shifter...Installed..."UPDATE" 11/15/05

phattey · 10-06-2005, 02:01 PM

I just picked up my car after the "Ultimate" shifter was installed. Ultimate as defined as SPT/STi Short Sifter Assesmbly, with TIC STi Super Shifter Set.

I've only driven about 15 miles, commute from dealer, and it feels really good.

It reminds me of my 996 shifting and gearbox feel. If you've never driven a 996 and you want to get a feel for how this setup feels, go to a Porsche dealership sit in a 996 and there you go...it feels more like that than anything else I can think of..or just come by my house and drive mine..

1. Tight feel...very "upscale" kinda feeling. As if you're in a more expensive car.
2. Increased effort folks talk about..?? I call it controlled and "better" effort.
3. A little click, click to it...which is cool.
4. Very whinny though. I don't think this'll be a problem for me though. My Pcars had very noisy gearboxes. And actually it's not bad.
5. I was worred the lever height would be too low...nope it's really good.

Haven't really spent enough time to evaluate it in depth, but so far it's a very good mod.

Next step is to get a custom Redline shift boot which is 2.5" shorter in gray leather and I'll be good...

phattey...

pantag · 10-06-2005, 02:52 PM

So, you have more noise to the cabin ehhh? I am wondering if the cause of that noise if the shifter itself or the bushings. Maybe both...

DamnYank! · 10-13-2005, 06:25 AM

i didn't want a lowered lever height so i went with a used STi short shift lever along with the front and rear KB bushings and the TiC bushings.

pretty straight forward, those TiC bushings were TOUGH to get the sleeves into!

very happy with the outcome. noticably shorter throws and the 'slop' that one could feel while in gear or shifting between gears is gone. much closer to my 6spd shifter feel from my 94 Z28 (top loaded trannies rule!).

great improvement for about $100

Kirv · 10-13-2005, 06:49 AM

I'm having XXtuning (http://xxtuning.com) install my kartboy short lever and TiC super shifter kit this weekend for $135.

I'm putting in the redline violety blue/black two tone shift and e-brake boots tonight. the boots look nice, really good color match to the seats, but the fit isn't perfect, the velcro around the top of the shifter boot is in the wrong place, so it doesn't velcro on nice and snug. http://www.redlinegoods.com/SubaruWRX05shiftboot.shtm

I'll give my impressions of the TiC SS kit on monday.

I heard that if the bolts are torqued to the correct settings, the tranny whine will be reduced, so you might want to check that.

Chris05STi · 10-13-2005, 07:13 AM

I just ordered my whole entire kit from TIC! I already have the short throw shifter package when I got the car new, so this should feel amazing. Also got the rear clunk killer kit, that should be nice while shifting hard.

HLS2k6 · 10-16-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirv

I'm having XXtuning (http://xxtuning.com) install my kartboy short lever and TiC super shifter kit this weekend for $135.

Did you buy the shifter and bushing at XXTuning? I'm looking to get them, and I'd prefer to give the local guys business.

-Mike

P.S. XXTuning did a perfect job with the Rockblocker on my new STI!

GregB · 10-16-2005, 08:38 PM

I would recommend getting the TiC Kluink Killer too. Makes the shifts feel even tighter than the super shift set, and if you lube the bushings and torque everything properly, it doesn't add any NVH. Also makes the rear end of the car feel much tighter.

Kirv · 10-17-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLS2k6

Did you buy the shifter and bushing at XXTuning? I'm looking to get them, and I'd prefer to give the local guys business.

-Mike

P.S. XXTuning did a perfect job with the Rockblocker on my new STI!

No, I bought the kit online from turninconcepts.com site. XXtuning said they installed about 5 of these in the last few months, but that's not enough business for them to be a reseller, so they don't even sell the kit.

The install went smoothly, they had the car in the shop for about 3 hours, and charged me the $135 + tax that they quoted, no surprises.

My impression of the TiC Super Shift Kit is two thumbs up. It feels nice and taught. Gives a solid feel, you are 100% sure when you disengage/engage your gears. The tranny whine is a bit loud until it warms up, then it's just a little background noise hardly louder than stock. Once in a while when RPM is coming down in 2nd or 3rd gear I hear a clacking noise @ about 1500 rpm, if it doesn't go away in a week, I'll ask them about that noise.

I also went with the Kartboy short shift lever, depending on your preference you might not like the short lever because you need to reach an extra inch or two to grab the lever, not might be ideal for the track. Then again, the shifts are quicker which is ideal for the track, so it comes down to your personal preference. I'm keeping mine in.

Just a side note, the redlinegoods violety blue/black shift boot matches the interior great, and adds some bling in a tasteful way.

HLS2k6 · 10-17-2005, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirv

No, I bought the kit online from turninconcepts.com site. XXtuning said they installed about 5 of these in the last few months, but that's not enough business for them to be a reseller, so they don't even sell the kit.

Cool. Guess I'll need to buy it online then.

On similar note, did XXTuning have a nice selection of Rota wheels? It's getting to be winter-wheels time, and, again, I'd prefer to buy local.

-Mike

Kirv · 10-18-2005, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLS2k6

On similar note, did XXTuning have a nice selection of Rota wheels?
-Mike

I looked at their wheels, but didn't see any Rotas.

pantag · 10-18-2005, 06:57 AM

XXTuning just became an authorized Rota dealer. I don't think that they keep them in stock yet, but you can place an order.

Kirv, thanks for the review!

White05sti · 10-18-2005, 06:59 AM

just wait, your going to get a lot of vibration from your shifter soon...i get mine in 2nd and 4th....it makes me want to get rid of it. thats how bad it is.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 10-18-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White05sti

just wait, your going to get a lot of vibration from your shifter soon...i get mine in 2nd and 4th....it makes me want to get rid of it. thats how bad it is.

Have you read through the threads on things to check if you are getting a vibration?

**Turninconcepts.com** · 10-18-2005, 07:57 AM

You know what - I went looking for that long thread that discusses the vibration, and things to check, and I can't seem to find it easily. Therefore, I'll just post up the list of things to check here, and make life easier for everyone involved.

1) Check the torque of the bolt at the fulcrum. Spec is 8.3 lbs. Any more and if feels like crud, and any less and it will make noise.
2) Check the torque on the linkage bolts. You want 11 lbs.
3) Definately check to make sure the lockout cable is zip tied in two places. First on the lever near where the end of the cable goes into the lever, and second, that the cable is zipped to the stay under the car so the cable doesn't rub on the driveshaft. This is probably the number one reason for noise that I get emails about.
4) Check to make sure the control arm off the shifter is not rubbing on the metal surround for the rubber boot. turning the plate 180* or grinding a little will fix this. There are details on scoobymods in the 6mt lever instructions.
5) Make sure you have grease inside the lever for the lug at the end of the lockout cable. Unscrew the shift knob, take a q-tip with some grease on the end, and smear it around down in there. Give it a couple of days to spread inside the shaft.
6) Make sure the cup for the ball at the end of the lever is fully seated, and that the snapring is fully seated in the groove.
7) Make sure it's not the lockout pull rattling. When you hear the noise try lifting on the lockout pull very slightly. If that fixes it, then you need to add a little bit of pretension to the cable. The adjuster is on the washer for the front stay, and adjusts like a bicycle brake cable.
8) Make sure you reused the foam donut thingie (sorry, that's the best way I can describe it) from the stock shifter. It sits on that flat "washer" on the lever below the spring for the lockout pull.

I think that might be everything to check, but if I remember more I'll put it on here.

-Clint

[moderator edit: added Clint's "one more" to this post as #8 above]

yellowducman · 10-18-2005, 09:17 AM

I installed my super shifter set with kartboy shifter this weekend and what a differance. The shifts are so positive and firm now without the rubber feeling from the stock shifter. I do get some gear whine from the shifter but not bad. I'm going to go back and torque everything down this weekend and see if that helps. This kit is highly recomended by me and so is turn in concepts. They are an awsome vender. Just my two cents.

10-06-2005, 02:01 PM	#1
phattey STI Driver Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Overhead & Glassy... Location: Jacksonville Beach, Flori Posts: 209 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Ultimate Shifter...Installed..."UPDATE" 11/15/05 I just picked up my car after the "Ultimate" shifter was installed. Ultimate as defined as SPT/STi Short Sifter Assesmbly, with TIC STi Super Shifter Set. I've only driven about 15 miles, commute from dealer, and it feels really good. It reminds me of my 996 shifting and gearbox feel. If you've never driven a 996 and you want to get a feel for how this setup feels, go to a Porsche dealership sit in a 996 and there you go...it feels more like that than anything else I can think of..or just come by my house and drive mine.. 1. Tight feel...very "upscale" kinda feeling. As if you're in a more expensive car. 2. Increased effort folks talk about..?? I call it controlled and "better" effort. 3. A little click, click to it...which is cool. 4. Very whinny though. I don't think this'll be a problem for me though. My Pcars had very noisy gearboxes. And actually it's not bad. 5. I was worred the lever height would be too low...nope it's really good. Haven't really spent enough time to evaluate it in depth, but so far it's a very good mod. Next step is to get a custom Redline shift boot which is 2.5" shorter in gray leather and I'll be good... phattey... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by phattey : 11-15-2005 at 03:38 AM. Reason: Updates

10-06-2005, 02:52 PM	#2
pantag Spec C Club Car: 06 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: My right foot... Location: Waterford CT Posts: 1,996 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	So, you have more noise to the cabin ehhh? I am wondering if the cause of that noise if the shifter itself or the bushings. Maybe both... Last edited by pantag : 10-06-2005 at 02:56 PM.

10-18-2005, 07:57 AM	#14
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Posts: 4,747 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (50)	You know what - I went looking for that long thread that discusses the vibration, and things to check, and I can't seem to find it easily. Therefore, I'll just post up the list of things to check here, and make life easier for everyone involved. 1) Check the torque of the bolt at the fulcrum. Spec is 8.3 lbs. Any more and if feels like crud, and any less and it will make noise. 2) Check the torque on the linkage bolts. You want 11 lbs. 3) Definately check to make sure the lockout cable is zip tied in two places. First on the lever near where the end of the cable goes into the lever, and second, that the cable is zipped to the stay under the car so the cable doesn't rub on the driveshaft. This is probably the number one reason for noise that I get emails about. 4) Check to make sure the control arm off the shifter is not rubbing on the metal surround for the rubber boot. turning the plate 180* or grinding a little will fix this. There are details on scoobymods in the 6mt lever instructions. 5) Make sure you have grease inside the lever for the lug at the end of the lockout cable. Unscrew the shift knob, take a q-tip with some grease on the end, and smear it around down in there. Give it a couple of days to spread inside the shaft. 6) Make sure the cup for the ball at the end of the lever is fully seated, and that the snapring is fully seated in the groove. 7) Make sure it's not the lockout pull rattling. When you hear the noise try lifting on the lockout pull very slightly. If that fixes it, then you need to add a little bit of pretension to the cable. The adjuster is on the washer for the front stay, and adjusts like a bicycle brake cable. 8) Make sure you reused the foam donut thingie (sorry, that's the best way I can describe it) from the stock shifter. It sits on that flat "washer" on the lever below the spring for the lockout pull. I think that might be everything to check, but if I remember more I'll put it on here. -Clint [moderator edit: added Clint's "one more" to this post as #8 above] Last edited by wdb : 10-21-2005 at 05:26 AM.

10-18-2005, 09:17 AM	#15
yellowducman Silver Member Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Sways Location: Concord, NC Posts: 254 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	I installed my super shifter set with kartboy shifter this weekend and what a differance. The shifts are so positive and firm now without the rubber feeling from the stock shifter. I do get some gear whine from the shifter but not bad. I'm going to go back and torque everything down this weekend and see if that helps. This kit is highly recomended by me and so is turn in concepts. They are an awsome vender. Just my two cents. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

10-13-2005, 06:25 AM	#3
DamnYank! Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 PSM STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 34 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	i didn't want a lowered lever height so i went with a used STi short shift lever along with the front and rear KB bushings and the TiC bushings. pretty straight forward, those TiC bushings were TOUGH to get the sleeves into! very happy with the outcome. noticably shorter throws and the 'slop' that one could feel while in gear or shifting between gears is gone. much closer to my 6spd shifter feel from my 94 Z28 (top loaded trannies rule!). great improvement for about $100

10-13-2005, 06:49 AM	#4
Kirv Professional STI Racer Car: 05 STi Silver Fav Mod: Rumble + Torque = COBB Stg2 Location: CT Posts: 727 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	I'm having XXtuning (http://xxtuning.com) install my kartboy short lever and TiC super shifter kit this weekend for $135. I'm putting in the redline violety blue/black two tone shift and e-brake boots tonight. the boots look nice, really good color match to the seats, but the fit isn't perfect, the velcro around the top of the shifter boot is in the wrong place, so it doesn't velcro on nice and snug. http://www.redlinegoods.com/SubaruWRX05shiftboot.shtm I'll give my impressions of the TiC SS kit on monday. I heard that if the bolts are torqued to the correct settings, the tranny whine will be reduced, so you might want to check that.

10-13-2005, 07:13 AM	#5
Chris05STi I Has a Turbo Timer Car: 2005 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Every single one! Location: NJ Posts: 9,342 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (23)	I just ordered my whole entire kit from TIC! I already have the short throw shifter package when I got the car new, so this should feel amazing. Also got the rear clunk killer kit, that should be nice while shifting hard.

10-16-2005, 08:38 PM	#7
GregB STI Driver Car: Cars Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 286 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I would recommend getting the TiC Kluink Killer too. Makes the shifts feel even tighter than the super shift set, and if you lube the bushings and torque everything properly, it doesn't add any NVH. Also makes the rear end of the car feel much tighter.

10-18-2005, 06:57 AM	#11
pantag Spec C Club Car: 06 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: My right foot... Location: Waterford CT Posts: 1,996 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	XXTuning just became an authorized Rota dealer. I don't think that they keep them in stock yet, but you can place an order. Kirv, thanks for the review!

10-18-2005, 06:59 AM	#12
White05sti Grassroots STI Racer Location: Maryland Posts: 533 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	just wait, your going to get a lot of vibration from your shifter soon...i get mine in 2nd and 4th....it makes me want to get rid of it. thats how bad it is.