WRX Shifter adaptation...

[BAC5.2]

I was thinking about this today, and wanted some input.

As you guys know the differences between the WRX shifter and the Legacy shifter.

I was wondering if it'd be a worthy option to swap the lever, then use 2 steel "sticks" (3/4" wide, 1/18" thick flat peice of steel) to connect the lever to the shift linkage.

The stock setup uses something similar, only the sticks are welded to the lever. I'd just be bolting them on.

What do you guys think? Think it'd be an OK idea?

The stock WRX shifter is slightly shorter, and more importantly has more threads on the lever itself to allow aftermarket shift knobs sit even lower.

What do you guys think?

Oh, and with a little massaging, I'm fairly certain that a GD Shifter Bushing will bolt to our linkage I'm dropping the linkage today to get it to work.

[Legacy777]

remind me how the legacy shifter goes together. How does it compare to the WRX. I've got pics of both the sti & wrx shifters in my other thread.

[BAC5.2]

Whoops, tried it when I had everything apart today. The ball on the WRX shifter is of a significantly smaller diameter than the Legacy shifter is. It won't work unless you can replace the ball thing on the shifter?

[Legacy777]

I think I've made up my mind what I'm going to do for shifters. Use a stock WRX linkage setup with kartboy bushings, and kartboy SS.

I just don't like the feel of the Sti SS. Way to notchy, and not smooth.

The throw is only 1/4" different between the sti SS and wrx setup, and if you get the kartboy bushings, you'll have a very nice setup.

[BAC5.2]

Do you want to sell the STi SS linkage?

How much?

[Legacy777]

If the kartboy does what I want it to, yes I want to sell the sti SS setup. I'd like to get $200 + shipping for it.

I modified the one hole at the top of the linkage, because I didn't have the correct factory bolt for the newer cars. I just drilled the top hole to match the bottom one, and got a 3/8" bolt with nylon nut. If and when I do sell it, I'll sell it with that bolt and nut.

[BAC5.2]

Will you sell it with that adapter?

I think I might just decide to make use of my stock joint, and perhaps build some sort of frankenstein shift linkage using parts I have, and parts my friend Brent has from the 4 transmissions and linkages he has lying around.

[Legacy777]

I can't sell that adapter because I need it for my car Unless I decide to buy another adapter to modify.

To be quite honest, I don't know why the old adapters wouldn't work? Dave may know a little more because I think he tried to fit the sti ss without swapping adapters.....I may be thinking of something else. You may want to talk with him.

[ultrasonic]

I think I've made up my mind what I'm going to do for shifters. Use a stock WRX linkage setup with kartboy bushings, and kartboy SS.

I just don't like the feel of the Sti SS. Way to notchy, and not smooth.

I believe the notchiness is directly related too the stiffness of the bushings. There are no detents in the linkage itself, so the assumption is that the firmer bushings more directly transfer the feel of the transmission internals. If the STi and Kartboy bushings are of similar stiffness, I don't think you will feel any less notchiness using the WRX linkage with Kartboy bushings.

I have the Kartboy bushings on my Impreza L wagon and find it preferable to stock WRX, and certainly preferable to the worn out bushings on my Sport Sedan.

[Legacy777]

I believe the notchiness is directly related too the stiffness of the bushings. There are no detents in the linkage itself, so the assumption is that the firmer bushings more directly transfer the feel of the transmission internals. If the STi and Kartboy bushings are of similar stiffness, I don't think you will feel any less notchiness using the WRX linkage with Kartboy bushings.

I have the Kartboy bushings on my Impreza L wagon and find it preferable to stock WRX, and certainly preferable to the worn out bushings on my Sport Sedan.

It's not bushing related. I've tested the wrx shifter with its stock bushing, I've tested it with the kartboy bushings, I've tested the sti shifter with its "stock" bushing, and with the kartboy bushing.

wrx shifter w/ stock bushing = smooth but mushy
wrx shifter w/ kartboy bushing = smoth & precise
sti shifter w/ stock bushing = notchy
sti shifter w/ kartboy bushing = notchy & slightly more precise