Question for anybody with an 08-09 SPT short throw shifter - are their any negatives to it? I have never heard of any, kind of makes you wonder why the WRX comes stock with the "long throw shifter".

Thanks

 

There generally aren't any negatives associated with quality built short throw shifters aside from the increased effort required to make the shift. The shorter the length, the more force that's required to push into a gear.

In stock trim, the WRX and most production sedans have a low-effort shifter that has soft bushings which helps keep down interior vibrations. In order to accomplish a low-effort shift, the company employs a long shifter in place. For enthusiasts, this can be seen as a draw back as most of us prefer to feel a crisper, tighter shift, even at the expense of some additional **** vibration and increased shift effort.

 

I have an 08 short throw shifter. It does take more effort to shift than the stock shifter but I found the stock one way too long for my liking.
If they put it in the WRX stock, then you wouldn't spend more money and buy one later on

 

I have the 09 short throw. I cannot compare directly to the standard as my WRX came with it. but it is the best feeling shifter I have driven with.

 

Ummm... I dont remember it being an SPT short throw. Are you talking about the STI 5-spd short shifter that comes stock in most WRX's?

Ive got the STI one and its still long...some have said that the linkage is not any shorter.

I am looking into getting a Kartboy one.

 

I've got an 08 WRX with a Kartboy shifter. No problems here. I did notice that the rubber boot that was on was "shedding" little bits of rubber into the shifter area. Sucked up the pieces when I was installing the Kartboy.

 

ah maybe I was mistaken...

 

Yeah here it is.

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/p...oducts_id=1343

They claim 30% less throw.

I wouldnt know unless I drove one without it.

 

i purchased the kartboy short throw in my 09 wrx sedan. i like it although theyre right about the rough gear changes. it came with bushings but i havent had the chance to install them yet. for me, i like the look and feel (rough or not) so it was a good choice i think. i havent heard any complaints about any of the short shift kits so id go with whatever you like or whatevers cheaper.
ps- rallysportdirect.com was super helpful and the price was right.

 

ya that is true my sti throw shifter does vibrate and there is surely more effort to get it in the gears. I came from an rsx so its a HUGE difference for me. Gotta use the man muscles haha

 

You know, you COULD just trim the top metal off of your original shifter...
Either that, or just grab the shifter at a lower position to achieve the same results.

=)
I'm just kidding.

 

Is it bad that I am actually considering that for my shifter? I guess I am just too cheap, I can't justify spending $75+ on a short shifter.

 

Hahaha, it should be alright. The whole point of a short shifter is just to shorten the length of your throws. Aside from being careful not to cut off anything else in the process, trimming your original shifter isn't too bad of an idea.

I must say though, that it greatly confuses me as to why anyone would want a short shifter on a car that already has an extremely short shifter (compared to other cars like Civic's and BMW's).

 

Umm...its not short at all.

 

+1, longest shifter I've played with... Aside from an SRT-4 floor-mounted shifter.

Short Shifters are mandatory on these cars.