just installed gotham racing short shifter: impressions
#1
Rotor Shaped Blood Cells
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just installed gotham racing short shifter: impressions
first off, this thing is nice. Simple, beefy unit that seems like it can take much more of a beating than the stock one. Its stiff, short and to the point. Its not THAT much shorter, but its def an improvement.
However, yes....HOWEVER.
I do have some new noises that come with it. Of course, it does make more noise when I go from gear to gear (click...click...), but theres a hissing sound I get from the transmission when Im on the gas, and in gear...esp. 4th gear. Consequently, shifting to 4th feels the shortest, and as this shifter has relocated the pivot point, Im wondering if this new shifter doesnt put the actual gearing far enough into place. It seems like the shifter needs to be longer, but that defeats the entire purpose of the modification in the first place. Anyways, the car drives fine, it just makes that transmission hiss...like its halfway in gear or something. In addition, since the shift boot doesn't stay up anymore, I have noticed that there is an incredible amount of heat on the shifter. I can't keep my fingers on the shifter for more than 10 seconds before the heat from the metal shift rod becomes unbearable, and I can feel the heat come up through the boot. Thank god I have a shift **** (stock one) otherwise, I would literally burn my hand everytime I try to shift gears. I never noticed this amount of heat with the stock one, but then again, I never had access to the actual shifter rod since the boot was held in place by the thicker stock shaft. Is this normal?
However, yes....HOWEVER.
I do have some new noises that come with it. Of course, it does make more noise when I go from gear to gear (click...click...), but theres a hissing sound I get from the transmission when Im on the gas, and in gear...esp. 4th gear. Consequently, shifting to 4th feels the shortest, and as this shifter has relocated the pivot point, Im wondering if this new shifter doesnt put the actual gearing far enough into place. It seems like the shifter needs to be longer, but that defeats the entire purpose of the modification in the first place. Anyways, the car drives fine, it just makes that transmission hiss...like its halfway in gear or something. In addition, since the shift boot doesn't stay up anymore, I have noticed that there is an incredible amount of heat on the shifter. I can't keep my fingers on the shifter for more than 10 seconds before the heat from the metal shift rod becomes unbearable, and I can feel the heat come up through the boot. Thank god I have a shift **** (stock one) otherwise, I would literally burn my hand everytime I try to shift gears. I never noticed this amount of heat with the stock one, but then again, I never had access to the actual shifter rod since the boot was held in place by the thicker stock shaft. Is this normal?
#2
Bye Bye FD , Hello MKIV
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Im not an expert , but I dont think thats normal , someone recently broke my RAZO shifter **** , so I have kinda been driving with just the stick LOL... and its not hot at all.... So if yours is burning hot , I think there is a problem..
#4
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I have the gotham short shifter as well, and yes mine does the same. I can feel the warm (hot) air coming up through the gap between the rod and the boot. This is caused by the thinner rod because the rubber boot does not seal around it anymore. The metal gets extremly hot especially now in the dead heat of summer. Mine also makes the noise you are talking about. This is also normal with almost all short shifters (some more than others). There are numerous threads that talk about the noise if you search you can find more than enough information about it. I've found that if you take out the cushion stuff thats under the leather boot, the leather itself does not become nearly as hot and makes it much more comfortable to have your hand on the shifter. Hope this information helps you.
#7
Does not drive a WRX!!!
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I have it as well and its a fairly decent part. It was fairly cheap so I wasn't expecting much. I was a little disappointed that it didn't really shorten the shift throw very much over stock. One thing it did do is eliminate an issue I had shifting from 2nd to 3rd. I used to grind it every once-in-awhile but now it just goes straight into third every time without even thinking. I don't notice the heat at all(I have a fairly new shift boot) and there is occasional rattling even though I did install a new OEM shift bushing with the short shifter. The car is so loud though I can hardly even notice it if it does rattle. …besides everything else in these cars already rattles so what’s the big deal? Overall, I would probably try to find a shifter with a shorter throw if I had the choice again.
Just remember that the short shifter may take some time to 'break in' and for you to get used to it.
Just remember that the short shifter may take some time to 'break in' and for you to get used to it.
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#8
Originally Posted by wReX
Just remember that the short shifter may take some time to 'break in' and for you to get used to it.
Oh and I got the hissing and what not w/ my B&M. It happens. You learn to ignore it. Heck, I forgot all about it until you just reminded me...
#9
Rotary Freak
Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Yep
Oh and I got the hissing and what not w/ my B&M. It happens. You learn to ignore it. Heck, I forgot all about it until you just reminded me...
Oh and I got the hissing and what not w/ my B&M. It happens. You learn to ignore it. Heck, I forgot all about it until you just reminded me...
As for the heat, why dont you just take the boot off and use a zip tie to make the opening smaller(its what i had to do when i replaced my stock boot). I dont see the shaft, the boot goes all the way to the shiftknob.
#14
Mr. Links
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Originally Posted by JebenKurac
I believe Razo makes a weighted ****, I'm searching for it myself right now actually.
#16
First off, I believe the short shifter moves the pivot further from the transmission so that smaller hand movements make larger input at the tranny... which I only mention because you should be able to play with it and see if it sounds better when you pull the **** a bit towards neutral, just to set your mind at ease...
But I'm certain the shifter is fine (I have the same one). The noise from the transmission does change a bit, but you'll get used to it. Obviously if you didn't replace all the boots and sound insulation it will definitely be louder. You can always add more insulation, too...
The heat in the shifter is normal. It is heat from the exhaust. Wrapping your dp will help a lot, removing the cat will help even more
But I'm certain the shifter is fine (I have the same one). The noise from the transmission does change a bit, but you'll get used to it. Obviously if you didn't replace all the boots and sound insulation it will definitely be louder. You can always add more insulation, too...
The heat in the shifter is normal. It is heat from the exhaust. Wrapping your dp will help a lot, removing the cat will help even more
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