HOME VERSION 1.2 UPGRADES

STi SHORT-THROW SHIFTER

“TAKING SOMETHING OFF YOUR STROKE” ISN’T JUST FOR STICK-AND-BALL SPORTS. REDUCING ARM AND SHIFT-LINKAGE STROKES CAN GET YOU WHERE YOU’RE GOING QUICKER.

Upgrading your sport compact with improved shifting can make a significant difference when counting time in fractions of a second. At least that’s the theory. We wanted to see for ourselves, using our 2002 Impreza WRX Sport Wagon as the test mule.

We ordered an STi Short-Throw Shifter (part number C1010FA001) from SPT dealer Sommer’s Subaru in Mequon, Wisconsin. This Genuine Subaru Performance Part is for 1998-2004 Impreza models, 1995-2003 Legacy models and 1998-2002 Forester models with 5-speed manual transmission.

Yes, Legacy and Forester models can shift quicker, too.

To give our WRX’s interior some added pizzazz, we also picked up a Titanium Shift Knob with the STi logo (part number C1010FA100). Perhaps it wasn’t going to make shifting any quicker, but it’s titanium! This fits all manual-transmission, 1998-2004 Impreza models except the STi. Perhaps that’s the price of exclusivity.

OE MINUS 18 PERCENT

A short-throw shifter does exactly what you’d expect – it shortens the distance that the shift lever has to travel between gears. Change the throw to shorten shifting time. In a performance situation, this shifter can reduce elapsed times or lap times. On the street, it can give even routine drives a sense of enhanced performance.

STi engineers designed the short-throw shifter based on experience with Subaru models and with various shifter applications in motorsports. The engineers took into account the specific manual-transmission mechanicals, striving for balance between a shorter mechanical stroke and a smooth, precise performance feel.

The shifter was designed to be made from the same materials as the original equipment (OE) shifter, using the same manufacturing techniques. The two shifters exhibit the same high quality and long-term durability.

So what is different between the OE shifter and the STi short-throw upgrade? Answer: The ratio of the shift stroke and resultant length of the shift stroke. Shift stroke length was reduced 18 percent.

One of the distinct advantages of using a performance part produced by your car’s manufacturer is assurance that it will fit and that it will work correctly. In the case of the STi-designed and produced part, you’ll see by the Garage Notes that these advantages proved true for our used WRX Sport Wagon by virtue of its improved operation.

GARAGE NOTES: QUICK! THERE’S SOMETHING SHIFTY GOING ON...

INSTALL the STi Short-Throw Shifter yourself or have it installed by a Subaru service department. Our work was handled by Dan Kruegel of Sommer’s Subaru.

NOTE: Installation requires access to the car from inside and from underneath. Also, the car’s exhaust system should cool before starting any work.

The SPT/STi shifter kit includes the shift lever, linkage stay and shift rod all in one preassembled unit.

Dan started underneath, where he removed four bolts:
A. The first bolt held the stay rod in place (notice the extra “hook” on the washer).

The second bolt served as the pin connecting the shift rod to the transmission linkage – the nut is located above the linkage.

The two remaining bolts held the stay-rod bracket at the rear (NOTE WHICH END IS UP!)

Dan arranged the stay and shift rods so they wouldn’t catch on anything when pulled out of the transmission tunnel from above.

B. In the interior, Dan unscrewed the shifter knob from the shift lever. Then he snapped out the console’s two top pieces, unhooking the wiring socket from one of them.

Four bolts later, the plate securing the rubber second boot surrounding the shift lever was removed.

The shifter and linkage were ready to pull out.

C. We put the new shifter on a workbench with the old one and were surprised to find out that our used WRX already had a short-throw shifter installed by its previous owner, but produced by another manufacturer.

Installation of the new shifter reversed most of the removal procedure. Dan inserted the linkage through the hole in the tunnel and reinstalled the boot plate. Then he went underneath to bolt the stay, shift rod and stay bracket.

NOTE: Make sure the stay bracket is positioned correctly. We didn’t, and turning it 180° was a struggle.

After we reconnected the wiring and snapped in the console pieces inside the car, our reward was to crown the shifter with the STi Titanium Shift Knob!

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