EMPI shifter vs options

CSP shifters are the only way to go!

Hello doogles, I have had an IM 2004 for 5 years and that Empi shifter worked great for me. I also had an original 356A 1959 and the shifter was better than the VW type one that I had for many years in a bug.. There are some list guys who have another shifter with a trigger pull that they like a lot. A 915 tranny is a better shift as it is rather newer technology and a SUBIE 5 speed tranny is even newer technology so you have many choices that could be used in a 356 repliCAR, some more original looking and some less ... CHOICES ... hard at times. Ray 

I am a big fan of the Vintage Speed shifters.  Original look, robust build, nice throw reduction, and if you have room for a 13.5" vs the standard 11.5", they have a replica 356 version with the "kick-back" in the shaft that is really nice.  Give you the tall look, but with the throw reduction it is still shorter throw than stock VW.

Chines1

 

Are you referring to this one  http://vwparts.aircooled.net/V...-p/155-795-50700.htm

 

from aircooled.net.    Vintage Speed Classic 13 1/2" Speed Shifter, Beetle and Super Beetle, Ghia, and Type 3, 155-795-50700

I like the 50-900 better! Traditional 356 look

 

http://shop.vintagespeed.com.t...sc.12/category.34/.f

 

Art

That's because you never tried a Vintage Speed.

"an AT 4 speed transmission" - you don't mean the semi-automatic VW trans with no clutch pedal?  The AT is throwing me.  If so it requires the disengagement switch in the shifter to activate the vacuum controlled clutch arm.

Love the feel of my Vintage Speed shifter. You won't be disappointed. My EMPI fell apart

I have a CSP.  But I recently had the opportunity to sample a Vintage shifter.  I think they are both very good.  The CSP mindlessly just falls into gear with no effort at all.  With the Vintage you need to be a bit more deliberate with the shifts.  I think if I owned the vintage shifter it would likely be more intuitive.  But if you want the vintage look, no brainer, get the vintage. 

Thank you all.  I just ordered the Vintage Classic shifter for 356 cars from TopLine.  I am hopeful it will be both a cosmetic and functional improvement.

 

I just got the http://shop.vintagespeed.com.t...sc.12/category.34/.f  and I got the ivory shift knob, because I like the traditional look.  I also had an Empi shifter, but did not care for it.  I have heard lots of happy CSP customers tho. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

I find myself smiling to myself as I like a "traditional" looking shifter in my replica speedster. I guess I am easily amused........

 

Gary

I know you've already ordered yours, but if you contact the owner of Vintage Speed directly he can customize your shifter.

I ordered the 'speedster' shifter and had him shortened a bit (I can't remember how much-think it was an inch).

Greg, I think by AT he means it's a later code VW Bug transmission.

 

Not an auto-stick or anything like that.

If you want the best shifter you get a Gene Berg.
Now if you want a period correct looking shifter that does the job, get what they suggest.

I simply don't think Chinese stuff compares well to German stuff.  The Vintage exhaust I tried was crap and the baffle welds came apart---what a racket that made and I had to replace it---Shudda gotten an A-1 in the first place. 

 

 

how does the vintage do the reverse lock-out function??

Vintage S. Reverse lock out is a "pull up, and slide to the far left and back".

 

my experience has been great with both their shifter and exhaust.

 

The owner customized the shifter for me- black rod, cut down 1", and re- threaded to 10mm so I could use P- car knobs.  I know other owners have had the entire shift rod painted Ivory by VS as well.  Owner is great to work with and quality product IMHO.

 

 

 

 

Yes the links from twinpoodles and art are the two shifters I was referring to.
Only words of advise are: 1) don't worry about how tight everything feels "out of the box", just get it bolted up, greased up, and adjusted. 2) install grease fittings into the threaded holes in the shifter base. Use them.  3) pay attention to how it adjusts. The shifter base stays in place and you use a punch/screwdriver to move the reverse lockout plate itself. Adjusting is easy, it is just different than stock VW.

Installed the Vintage Speed shifter and it has a much better feel than the EMPI shifter plus as a bonus it looks more original.  Well worth the price.