Short throw shifter install, plus better visuals

[fasterdammit]

Having relieved mrs.fasterdammit of her '05 Legacy 2.5i (by replacing it with a Forester), now I am free to fiddle with it to my heart's content. First step was putting in the short throw shifter I'd been daydreaming about. And since I was in there, I might as well tidy things up. What's the point of putting a STS shifter in if it still looks like the plain ol' factory thing, but one with stunted growth? And there's no way the stock boot would fit around the new shortness, so since I'm getting a new boot, might as well top it off with a knob, right? And those plastics are 13 years old, and they're coming out anyway, so ...

 

• Cobb Tuning shifter: 5 speed double adjustable STS
  
• Custom shift boot: Redline Goods
  
• Handmade shift knob: Knotty Shifter
  
• Carbon fiber vinyls: VVivid XPO black CF vinyl
  

 

Goodies:

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12130

 

Stock (before)

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12132

 

Out with the old:

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12133

Getting the C-clip out (and back in) is the only real P.I.T.A., especially if you've got big mitts.

 

The plastic console around the shifter just pops out. If you want to take the radio out (I did) you need to remove the plastic chrome trim pieces on the side (pop off) and undo a handful of pain in the ass screws. It's not terrible, just a nuisance.

 

Size diff:

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12134

The double-adjustable Cobb unit allows you change the height of the shift actuator and the height of the knob independently, with two separate shafts. I don't think you get a whole lot of adjustment with the actuator arm though, since there's padding & stuff in the way - but the higher you set the pivot, the shorter the overall throw, even though that seems counter-intuitive. Must be something with the overall geometry. And I wound up setting the knob height as low as I could anyway.

 

You do re-use the plastic bushing that goes around the pivot ball, as well as the bushings and sleeve where the arm connects.

 

In with the new:

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12135

 

Covering the plastics:

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12139

I was really impressed with this VVivid stuff. It's not just a picture of the CF weave; it has a slight texture. It's very convincing, even up close, but certainly at arm's length. Best way to put it on is with a couple fresh X-acto knives and a hairdryer set on low. It's very forgiving - allowing you to stick & peel it a couple times. The hairdryer does wonders to make it more pliable to help stretch it around hard corners and through complex curves. Then when you have it where you want it, heat it all up good to set the adhesive. I used a couple dabs of superglue underneath to make sure some corners were going to hold.

 

Fini!

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12140

 

Close up:

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2656&pictureid=12141

 

I looked at a bunch of shift knobs, and eventually found Knotty Shifter, Co. on Etsy. He accepted my request to make a round knob (instead of the doorknob and t-handle styles he had listed) in spalted maple so it's truly a one-off. And you can't beat the price - I think I paid $38 shipped, for a hand-turned piece. There's plastic, mass-made junk out there that's more expensive. Super friendly, very communicative - he actually talked me out of going with a satin/natural finish on the knob because he knows his stuff, and he was right. I definitely like some of the regular aftermarket stuff - but none of them are as unique as mine is.

 

And Redline Goods - although it took a while to get here, since it comes from overseas - custom fit the shift boot to work with the new, much lower shifter. I should've taken pictures of the new boot compared with the stock one, but once I got it, I was just anxious to get it all back together and completely brainfarted it. You re-use the plastic ring that you pull out of car; I used a product called E6000 adhesive I got from Michael's hobby store. It takes 24 houors to set up completely but holy crap does that stuff work good. Anyway - the boot is a wonderful bit of custom crafting as well. The only thing I know about leatherwork is it's a pain in the arse, but this is really well done.

 

That shifter though ... Well, it's like a video game come to life. Had to tweak the height some, to stop all the soundproofing from bunching up and getting in the way, but that's just fine. It's a much more positive *snick* each time you clip it into gear.

 

Next up? Once the snow's gone, I plan to go underneath and replace the shifter bushings.

[Footie]

Love it! That shift knob is super trick!

 

 

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[fasterdammit]

Thanks! He makes some nice stuff - check him out! Can't go wrong with handmade, and the price beats anything else. Calvin is the man behind it all; tell him I sent ya!