Hey guys. So, I finally got my car back after the wreck but have not had a chance to put the pictures up yet. I do not have any mods on the car and plan on some initial ones soon. To do that, I have done some basic research but need some advice. I'd appreciate any responses I can get to my questions below. Thank you in advance. 1. I plan on installing the kartboy short throw with bushings. What does the rear shifter bushing do? Do I need it? What is the difference between the kartboy and the spt short throw? Does anybody have experience with both? 2. STI pink springs versus prodrive springs. I know that they are both supposed to work with the stock struts. Question is if you drive on the regular roads here in Atlanta without autocross or anything, how long do the typical stock struts last and if you do either of the springs (STI or prodrive), how much of a shorter life do you expect on the stock struts? 3. I also plan on installing the STI pink sway bar 21mm. If my plan is to improve the driveability of the car without participating in autox and stuff, is this sufficient? Do I need sway bars for the front as well? Does it improve dramatically or I can try the rear ones and see the difference before deciding if I need the front ones? I think those are all the questions I have at this point in time. I am sure more will come up when some nice wrxatlanta member takes the time to answer some of my questions. I appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
Rear bushing just helps give the shift more stiffness. I use both the bushings and love how I can feel it go into gear. Its hard to install, but worth it. I don't know about the spt, as I only use the kartboy. The Prodrives will probably look a little better than the STi pink's, because the drop will give more wheel gap in the front than the rear. I would go with the Prodrives for your application. The stock struts should last a very long time, probably into 100k miles range. The springs won't change the strut life by that much, maybe 20k miles or something. The 21mm bar is not that much different than the stock 20mm bar. If you really want improvements, you need to go to 24mm. This is fine even for daily driving.
I installed prodrives last night in my 05 wrx (stock struts) and must say, the ride is damn near stock. I really cant feel any noticeable difference when I'm just crusing around. I drove down a bumpy road this morning and I could swear that the Prodrives actually feel more comfortable than the stock springs. I can feel the diffrerence when I corner hard, though. Progressive springs at work i guess. Some q's: Are the stock springs progressive? Does anyone know how the rates of the prodrives compare to the stockers?
1. In terms of price, Kartboy is much cheaper than the SPT as far as i know. 2. Pinks are great, prodrives are good too. The benefit of prodrives here, if you plan on buying used, is that they're more widely available than the pinks. Pinks carry a slightly higher price tag, and if you do get them be sure to get the JDM ones, not the USDM (SPT) ones... 3. You dont really need the "STi" branded one, Id suggest you buy a Whiteline rear adjustable and paint it pink for the same effect (& you get adjustability)
okay. i just bought the kartboy shifter from turn-in-concepts. hopefully it will get here by the weekend. if that is the case, would anybody here be able to help? I do not have any tools or a place to work on the car. please advise. would be willing to buy beer and food..
I could help if you are willing to drive to Clemson. I have a garage and all of the tools, plus I have done this install several times. I would suggest, since you are going to be under the car to also replace the bushings. The short shifter alone is not that great, as the shift is not crisp, but still sloppy. FYI, tools needed to do this job are quite simple. You just need jack stands, couple of sockets and endwrenches (less than $50 in tools). The job will only take an hour for a noob, and maybe like 20 min. for someone having done this a few times.
1. the rear bushing is actually the part that allows you to feel the shifter has "clicked" into a gear, plus it gives it a more stable feeling when you shift quickly 2. I would suggest the JDM STi pink spring because it lowers the car the least and it is actually an OEM part that was designed to fit the strut perfectly. With that in mind, you do lose a slight bit of suspension travel but it is not enough for you to worry about and strut life shouldn't decrease since JDM STis comes out of the factory with them. With the road conditions in Atlanta, I say get the Pinks for their mild drop and spine-friendly spring rates. 3. Get whiteline sway bars like others have suggested, best value and you can probably find the best price@ turninconcepts.com, to further enhance the feel of decrease body roll, get some kartboy endlinks.
Do you have a WRX or an STI? Prodrive springs are designed very well for both applications but the STI springs are much stiffer and will wear out your struts much quicker than on the WRX version. The WRX prodrive springs are linear which adds to the crisp turn in you're feeling after the install. I dont know if the Prodrive STI springs are progressive or not. Siegel had a set of Cobb sway bars front and rear for sale for $200. Thats a steal and should be a very good setup.
hey guys. so i got my shifter today and the front and rear stay bushings. i was planning on getting it installed next week with a buddy but I can't wait. Would anybody be available today to help install it? I am in Norcross - do not have tools or a place to install it. Please PM or let me know. Would be willing to buy beer and pizza. Thanks!
I'd be happy to help install. Front is pretty easy. Rear took me half an hour of screaming out obscenities.
You can always remove the rear drive shaft to make it easier, just kidding, although you really could.
okay.. pheew.. so i finally got the short throw and bushings installed today. what a difference night and day. one thing that i came to realize was when i shifted to 5th gear when the car isn't started (without keys in ignition or anything), there is a slight clicking sound. does anybody know what that is? please advise. thank you.
It sounds like you may have installed the large washer on the front bushing incorrectly. I am not 100% certain of that, but its a possibility since that washer is so large and has that long tab.
Hey clemson. That is what I was thinking. However, when we did the install, we checked and double checked but the sound didnt seem to come from the washer. FYI - we made sure that the "H" on the washer was on the outside.. The long tab does not attach to anything, so we left it facing the top. And it only makes that clicking sound when you shift into the 5th gear (without the car starting or anything). When you are driving, all is normal and well, the shifts are crisp, 5th gear - no sounds. Maybe it is something I had not noticed before?
Well the tranny is sort of loud when shifting, especially if its not on. With the crisper bushings, the sound isn't dampened as much without the rubber. This may be all you are hearing.