08,09 STS install with pics!

[Bu11dogg2]

On a scale of 1-10 this install is about a 4.

It should take no longer than 20 minutes if you have the right tools :)

Here's what you need:

Snap Ring Pliers
1/2" socket
1/2" wrench
Phillips head
Flat head
Beer

This is the stock shifter.... ridiculously huge and throws like a row boat.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/001-10.jpg


The first thing you need to do is remove the fake leather e-brake surround. You do this by getting underneath the clips and pulling up.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/002-7.jpg

Once the surround has been pulled up it will expose a silver Phillips head screw, remove it.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/003-4.jpg


This will allow the armrest console to be moved out the way of the center cubby.

I SUGGEST that you put tape over the gray plastic where it meets the armrest console to prevent scratching as they overlap each other.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/004-4.jpg

The center console cubby is only held on by snaps, pull up and then towards you to remove it.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/006-2.jpg

Remove the **** knob

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/005-3.jpg

once the shifter boot and center console are removed unscrew both white plastic bolts shown below and remove rubber sound deadening material.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/007-3.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/008-3.jpg

[Bu11dogg2]

Next, remove the shifter from the throw arm

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/010-2.jpg

Use your snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/011-3.jpg

once the snap ring is completely out, pull straight up on the shifter and it will come out of the assembly, ensure that you BOTH black O-rings are on the white plastic surround

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/013-2.jpg

as you can see the aftermarket STS does not come with the plastic bushings. Stick a flat head screw driver through the center and push out the metal sleeve, then push out each plastic bushing

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/014-2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/015-2.jpg

now reinstall everything the way it came out and you're done

BEFORE:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/001-10.jpg


AFTER:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/018-2.jpg

Enjoy a beer:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/015.jpg

[method]

Should have done at least the front bushing too. Firms things up nicely.

And your mountain isn't blue. Warm beer :(

[Bu11dogg2]

:lol:

I agree 100% about the bushings.

When he gets them I will do an install for those too :)

[FREAK]

nice work!

[Joe]

I would've had the front bushings, but I don't think we could have squeezed the original back into the 08..... soon enough!!

[Bu11dogg2]

If you have small hands, the bushings are easy.

I think it's worth the $30 to buy new and not have to try shove the stock one back in :lol:

[method]

Yeah the rear bushing is kind of a pain in the ass if you dont take the shifter bridge all the way out.

[Bu11dogg2]

:lol: I think we dropped 100 F bombs when we tried to get his stock one out :lol:

[Pulski]

I may do this soon so my car won't shift like a truck, so this will come in handy. :)

[Bu11dogg2]

it's super easy to do

[BrosWRX]

Old thread but looks like I might have some ordering to do.. LOL. Any particular recommendations on brand, bushings, etc?

[2.5guy]

Should have done at least the front bushing too. Firms things up nicely.

And your mountain isn't blue. Warm beer :(


Old can lol! :spin:

[batorr]

Love it :D

[Bu11dogg2]

Old thread but looks like I might have some ordering to do.. LOL. Any particular recommendations on brand, bushings, etc?
Kartboy :)

[method]

On a budget? Kartboy...I have one, love it.

If you have some money to spend I would get the factory option one. I have driven cars with the factory short 5 and 6 speeds and like the feel better than the aftermarket short shifts.

[BrosWRX]

Yeah I was thinkin kartboy and well.. Kartboy 90ish vs Subi 200+ from what I've been told.. heh.. 90 sounds better to me!

[08vtwrx]

Dude that thing feels nice and crisp. factory is like rowing a conoe through a swamp :lol:

[FREAK]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/fmic%20install/005-3.jpg






I see shoes are an optional tool :D

[Joe]

HEY!!!



thats my foot. :lol:

I am not a fan of shoes around the house. But yea, go with the Kartboy. Worth every penny.

[FREAK]

:lol:

I have cobb in the leggy and kartboy in both GC's. I love both products

[kburnell]

HEY!!!

thats my foot. :lol:

I am not a fan of shoes around the house. But yea, go with the Kartboy. Worth every penny.

We were in the garage not the house Joe :lol:


The kartboy rocks :D

[Joe]

We were in the garage not the house Joe :lol:


The kartboy rocks :D

The garage is my home :(

[kburnell]

The garage is my home :(

:rofl:

[MAINIAC SPEC B]

The garage is my home :(
I thought I recognized that leg Joe :lol:

[BrosWRX]

Yeah I just ordered the kartboy with the bushings from subimods. I'll be installing it along with the rallitek street sway kit and the whiteline rear sway braces on Wed. Those long with the tune from Brentuning is going to be sick! The tune alone is omfg.

[BrosWRX]

+1 for the kartboy sts!!

[Bu11dogg2]

Yeah I just ordered the kartboy with the bushings from subimods. I'll be installing it along with the rallitek street sway kit and the whiteline rear sway braces on Wed. Those long with the tune from Brentuning is going to be sick! The tune alone is omfg.


get it in?

[BrosWRX]

get it in?

That's what she said......... er... Sorry had to.

Yeah I got the shifter in along with replacement bushing. Still the stock knob though but it's awesome! Love how shifting feels now!

[Bu11dogg2]

nice :)

[CTATV]

so hows the bike coming along?

thats yours behind the Coors right?

[Bu11dogg2]

it's on hold till $$$$ starts coming back in

[Jaketips42]

On a budget? Kartboy...I have one, love it.

If you have some money to spend I would get the factory option one. I have driven cars with the factory short 5 and 6 speeds and like the feel better than the aftermarket short shifts.

On a budget. Modify your existing one. Cut a section out of the top portion below the threads about .5" - .7". I weld the rubber damper portion closed and than weld the threaded portion back on top. Cut off the bottom section right below the shaft the bolt goes through.. Weld in the portion to the shaft you removed from the top. Then weld back on the part you cut off the bottom extending the bottom section now. You don't end up with a polished finish or a steel ball. But I did this in many many cars in my Nissan era of ten years. And have done it to mine and many other Subarus now. Works the tits!

If you guys need a walk through with pics, I can do that. I have a few shifters lying around.

[Bu11dogg2]

that's a lot of welding

[Sinitron]

I threw the kartboy shifter on last weekend... feels great. Much better than the stock one which feels like a rowing simulator. Now I need to go back and try to put those bushings in too.

[Bu11dogg2]

Bushing really firm things up :)

PITA to install though if you have big hands....

[Joe]

Bushing really firm things up :)

PITA to install though if you have big hands....

You know what they say about big hands........





:lol:

That front bushing is a pain though.

[Bu11dogg2]

it took us 2x's longer to do the bushings than it did the STS :lol:

Next time it will go much quicker ;)

[squeethebee]

I will attest that BrosWRXs car shifts VERY nicely. I still like my frankenstein shift linkage ending with my Forester shifter, puts the knob up nice and high!

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

bump

[2007st3]

I'll respond to the bump.

I have a 2010 I did the Perrin slide-over STS on. It was a pretty easy job, though I did have to cut a little of the foam out of the boot. I adjusted it right in the middle of its range and it feels great. Also did the Perrin front and KartBoy rear bushings at the same time. Short and crisp.

[Bu11dogg2]

Suring up all those bushings is key :)

[Bu11dogg2]

bump!

Such an easy mod to do, and cheap!