Kartboy shifters...are they really all that? Or just hype?
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Don't buy it new...its a rip, buy it used at like half cost and be happy with it 
I've had it on both my RS's and find the KartBoy version to be very comfortable. I have the stock shifter too just incase if I ever want to go back, but I don't see a need to do so. Honestly its obviously not going to give you a performance gain of any sorts just a mod for comfort really.

I've had it on both my RS's and find the KartBoy version to be very comfortable. I have the stock shifter too just incase if I ever want to go back, but I don't see a need to do so. Honestly its obviously not going to give you a performance gain of any sorts just a mod for comfort really.
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I've had it on my WRX + the shifter bushings for 3 years and almost 40K, and I bought them used . . . no problems, shifting is more crisp then before. I think the big difference is the bushings. Mind you, I have no experience how these would be for the STI.
I've had the Kartboy ss installed on my '05 for months now and I love the shorter throws. Every time I see my buddy shifting, I laugh b/c I can count to 100 before he gets to the next gear (not really but the Kartboy is much shorter). Not to mention, they have great customer service.
Alex
Alex
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I've had my Kartboy ss + front and rear stay bushings + pivot for about 2 months and love it. I feel like my downshifting techniques improved with it because of the shorter throw and less margin for error.. but thats just me.
+easy install!
+easy install!
All of the Kartboy products are great. Tom is a stand up guy. I had the short shifter and all the bushings. I thought the knuckle ball shifter was a bit low. I bought an extended prodrive shift **** and it was great.
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I have a Perrin short throw shifter that I've been using for the past 4+ years. The advantages it has over the Kartboy are:
1) uses the stock shifter (rotated 180 degrees), so it is at the same height and retains the vibration absorbing qualities (supposedly)
2) cheaper than the Kartboy (though still a ripoff for what it is...)
3) easier installation (since you just flip the stock one around)
4) adjustable throw length (you should be able to match the shortness of the Kartboy if you want)
The only minor disadvantage is if you have a directional **** since the shifter must be rotated 180 degrees. Since I installed the Perrin after my Kartboy ****, the Kartboy logo now appears upside down
While I haven't tried the Kartboy shifter personally, I'm happy with the Perrin and can recommend it.
The Kartboy bushings help clean up the slop, particularly when you move the shifter into a gear and wiggle it around there. However, don't expect a huge/noticable improvement over the stock bushings when you actually row through the gears.
1) uses the stock shifter (rotated 180 degrees), so it is at the same height and retains the vibration absorbing qualities (supposedly)
2) cheaper than the Kartboy (though still a ripoff for what it is...)
3) easier installation (since you just flip the stock one around)
4) adjustable throw length (you should be able to match the shortness of the Kartboy if you want)
The only minor disadvantage is if you have a directional **** since the shifter must be rotated 180 degrees. Since I installed the Perrin after my Kartboy ****, the Kartboy logo now appears upside down

While I haven't tried the Kartboy shifter personally, I'm happy with the Perrin and can recommend it.
The Kartboy bushings help clean up the slop, particularly when you move the shifter into a gear and wiggle it around there. However, don't expect a huge/noticable improvement over the stock bushings when you actually row through the gears.



+1 for bushings too