i just purchased kartboy... people said throws were shortest with it, i still need to get the bushings, but anyways: i'll tell u as soon as install it

 

It depends on what you are looking for. The Kartboy shifter has short throws and lowers the stock shifter **** height. The Cobb Double Adj shifter can be set so you have short throws a lower or higher shift **** height. both are pretty easy to install. The STi shifter has stock **** height but costs more. All can benefit from shifter bushings if you like the more positive (notchy) shifter feel.

STi Lever comparison

Kartboy shifter and bushing install

Cobb shifter install

The STi shifter is more complicated to install. It has the whole linkage which is similar to the OEM linkage. There is a bend in the shaft that prevents impact with the surround plate that holds the rubber dust boot. However just flipping the plate 180° will prevent that with all other aftermarket shifters. It is made by Subaru. Some people feel more comfortable with OEM parts.

It comes down to personal pref

 

Doh! I wish that would've occurred to me when I did my Kartboy install. Instead, I spent a careful ten minutes with the Dremel. Thanks for passing that along, Peaty - I'll remember it when someone asks for install tips in the future.


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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I took a dremel to a few people's WRX's when I installed them. It seems the older GC8's did not have the problem of the shaft hitting the top left like the WRX's do when in first gear. Even the STi shifter rod became modified because of this. The early STi shifter linkages I messed with had no bend to the rod (there was no WRX here at the time) later even the STi (SPt) setup was hitting the plate. Then they modified the shaft with a little bend.

 

i have the kartboy without the bushings and i like it alot

 

need one too maybe I'll get the kartboy one.

 

I think it's best to install both the shifter and bushings at the same time. Total time is about 30 minutes if you've never done it before - even less than that, if you have.

The short shifter mainly shortens the throws at a slight expense of effort. It actually feels 'sportier' with the weighted effort. The bushings take out much of the slop and imprecision that results from using the factory mushy rubber bushing. They are so soft that they are easily compressed between two fingers.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I had a KB in my RS and now one in my F-XT. I agree that the bushings should be done even if you don't get a SS.

 

I was installing the STI tranny mount last weekend on my WRX. I noticed how soft the stock shifter bushings are. Changing the bushings would be my first choice.

 

1st. Kartboy

2nd. If you need adjustable than Cobb but I think it is not nessesary.

STi i think is a total waste of money. why pay for the whole shifter assy, when all but two parts are the exact same as what you will be taking out.


I agree with the STi tranny mount as the next step.

 

STI tranny mount tightens the drivetrain slop a bit, but for the full effect one needs motor mounts too...