Empi Shifter for '08 Vintage Speedster

OK, most of the issues I have were minor. However, I still have difficulty downshifting the empi shifter-- grinding gears. I must be anal in moving the shifter to the left and double clutching. Vintage suggests returning to the stock shifter.

Any advice? I do like to enjoy spirited driving with downshifting whenever appropriate.

Thanks.

Alan

swing axle? (what kind of tranny?)

are you grinding when downsifting to 2nd?

it's probably the adjustable reverse lock-out plate. they are a massive PITA to adjust. lots of trial and error. i get it garage-good, don't torque it down (but have it snug), then go for a drive. try reverse, get through the gears, fiddle with adjustment.

you should be able to get it sorted in ~20 minutes

try docs way of adjusting:
loosen adj. plate ,put in reverse and move plate as far back and as far left as possible, then tighten

I have an EMPI shifter on mine that hates first and third on occasion. I'm going to take one more crack adjusting as stated above, then it will be on to something else.

I have tried a couple of different types of shifters - have a Empi on mine now - In my opinion it just takes time to get it right - try Doc's idea and work from there. A new one might work for you but most likely you will end up w/ two shifters and the same problem - take your time w/ small adjustments on a side road some place.

Dale

It should be noted that these things will only shift properly dependent on how accurately the shift rod was shortened.

~WB

I did Doc/Bob's adjustment. Not a homerun but much much better. Still a little notchy into 1st but I did not make anyone miss a green light all weekend.

Thannks, you all, for your responses. I am going to try a polyurethane block for the top of the shifter to see if it will work. I must admit that I have been able to adapt to virtually every shifter I have encountered, starting with the fifteen ton four wheel drive forestry fire truck I had to drive off road in 1961. So this has been a bit of a hassle.

Alan

Do you have the correct reverse lock out plate on?

Alan--with your EMPI shifter, does the based of the shifter dit directly on the metal if the top of the tunel? If there's carpet between the shifter and the tunel you may never get it adjusted correctly.

Have you considered a CSP shifter? Mine shifts like butter and was super easy to adjusr that is, after I cut the carpet away so the shifter can sit on the metal.

EMPI= Chinese
CSP = German

I'll take German every time it's available.

I hope you work this issue out because nothing is nicer to drive these cars with than a great shifter.

I just got my stock shifter in the mail today from bugcity.com. I'll have it in by the weekend and get back to you on how it works. It is a little "rough" in condition so I'll test it, then need to remove and strip/paint it.

Put the stocker on, and 85% sure it is on right. Can't miss a gear but it is not like other 4 speeds I've owned. I can get reverse, but not always on the first try and sometimes when not wanted. It does seem more adjustable front to back and side to side so I'll be fiddling more tommorrow. Only got to put 5 or so mile son it though. Either way it feels sloppy (like a 70 bug) so I MAY take a crack at a different aftermarket shifter, maybe with less of as short-throw aspect to it.

Steve, unless you like to double clutch and grind gears your going to need to step up to something like this (for spirited driving). If you are just a cruiser, than just just get a stock one dialed in.


http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C31%2D711%2D120%2D202K

or:

http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=181&category_id=9&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80

That's the CSP. Smooth as silk in every gear.

Had SGS Motorsports in SLO adjust the shifter. Was told that VW transmissions have downshifting issues. With the 59 Bug, 74 Bus, and 83 Vanagon, this really wasn't the case for me.

Took the Speedster for a country drive from SLO to Morro Bay, Atascadero, Creston and returned down the Cuesta Grade. A little cool, but enjoyable.

As time went on, the shifter absolutely would not let me downshift from third into second. I tried double clutching, shifting from third to fourth and back to second. Nothing but gear grinding.

Change shifter? Change mechanic? Get an automatic?

PS I reviewed all of your responses, leading me to lean toward a new shifter and changing transmission oil to Red Line (GL 4 rated).

Just read this whole thread. Why all this talk blaming the shifter? How do you know that the synchro's aren't just shot? The downshift from 3rd to 2nd was my problem also. Mine went early on and I swapped in a VW freeway flyer..all fixed! I have an Empi shifter and can smoothly bang gears up and down all day. I'd try contacting a VW transaxle service such as Rancho or the like and get it checked out. There should be more than a few in Cali.!

~WB

Wondered about the transmission, too. Good suggestion to follow.

I'll have a tranny for sale real pronto. 3.88 R/P. FYI. Just in case.

ALAN I HAVE AN EMPI SHIFTER IN MY COUPE
HAVE HAD IT FOR 6 YEARS SINCE THE COUPE WAS A SPEEDSTER
HAVE NO PROBLEMS AND LOVE IT ALTHOUGH ON MY FIRST RUN TO PASO I HAD ALL THE PROBLEMS U R DESCRIBING
WARREN AND I FIXED IT ON THE SPOT WITH A PHONE CALL TO JOHN AT JPS
IT WAS ADJUSTING SCREWS AT THE BASE OF THE SHIFTER
PERHAPS WARREN REMEMBERS AS I HAVE NO MECHANICAL SKILLS
MAYBE U COULD CALL JOHN AT JPS AND ASK

Took a long drive yesterday with the stock one on and the dang thing started acting up again. I'm gonna go mess with the EMPI again, but I don't believe that I have a shifter problem any more. It seems to only happen when really warmed up.

Gerd:

Thank you for your observations. I took the Speedster in today, with the hope that the problem was the shifter and not the transmission's internals. Learned that the diagnosis is a damaged shift plate for reverse which means that every time I tried to downshift, the shifter was trying to engage reverse gear. Solution is to replace the Empi shifter. For right now, I am replacing the Empi with a stock shifter. Depending on how this works out, I may want to go with something else later.

Steve W:

I am hoping that the stock one will work. Sounds like I have the reverse (no pun intended) problem you have.