Are short shifter kits worth installing on my speedster. What are the advantages and downsides?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Been there and done that. I finally went this route with a Vintage Speed unit and its fantastic. Drove the mountains last fall and shifting like Popeye on an overload of spinach and it works, not to mention it looks good doing it.
Not cheap but as they say "buy once cry once"
I installed one of these years ago. $5 as best as I can remember. I couldn't tell enough difference to be bothered with it.
Thank you
Thank you for the information. I will look into this.
Lots of people are using Vintage Shifters, and a few less are using a different version (CSP?) from Germany and even fewer (like me) are using the Berg short shifter. I think most people like the feel and the fact that you don't have to reach waaaay over there to find third. Those three I mentioned are high quality and you should really feel a difference in "tightness", meaning that the lever is more precise and doesn't wander around in gear.
Of course, all of what Gordon says is dependent on the condition of the three transmission mounts, shift rod bushing, and shift rod coupler.
Add in to that the Bowden tube for the clutch cable having the proper bow in it...
Thank you
@Renfrance @DannyP order the vintage speed shifter with the PORSCHE BUSHING....and install the EV4U brass bushing in the hanger...and make sure your shift rod is not worn out ....so danny is correct ALL those things conjunction will insure SMILE for MILES for an extended duration 
I have yet to try the Vintage shifter but it seems on this forum to be displacing the EMPI shifter with trigger reverse gear.
I had the Empi on my old IM full type I and it was a nice shifter, it is spring loaded, has a shorter throw and comes in different lengths and is relatively inexpensive. The ball colour is optional.
I have an Empi modified without the trigger for reverse, for use with my subie 5 speed. You can always hide the bae with a boot.
Attachments
Images (1)
I liked my CSP a lot but changed to a Vintage for the 5-speed.
Is the reverse lockout easy to remove for the vintage 5 speed setup?
The lockout is also needed for 5th gear.
The lockout is a ring that slides up on the shifter shaft. It is easy to remove but would leave slots in the shaft visible. You could cover them with a sleeve.
With a non-Berg 5-speed, the 5th gear lockout might be eliminated with modification to the plate under the base.
Thank you for the photo and information. I am narrowing down my choices.
Renfrance
@Michael McKelvey posted:The lockout is also needed for 5th gear.
Probably due to the vw reverse pattern but on a subie you would not need it so you would have to do something or put a sleeve on the shifter like was done on my Empi when we pulled the trigger.... off.
Thank you for the information.
Subaru transmissions use springs internally for the shift gates, so all you have to do is delete the VW reverse lockout plate and slightly change the geometry of the shift coupler and the VS shifter (and others) will work on a Subaru 5 speed in a rear engine configuration.
Thanks Carey For this info, Since you have actually installed all of these what is your opinion on changing from an Empi to a Vs in a subie tranny 5 speed usage would it shift any better? Is it worth the effort? What do you recommend?
On my IM they use a standard metal box receiver as you know welded to the frame.
Attachments
Images (1)
I am a big fan of the VS shifter for both aircooled and rear engine Subaru, but I have never used the EMPI shifter so I can't offer a comparison to it. I like the VS better than stock and better than CSP. for whatever that is worth.
Translation: Carey Hines is NOT your "beta tester" LOL!
Hey, Ray, buy the EMPI and let us know if you like it.
Thanks Carey for the feedback, the Empi for me is better than stock but I have no experience with the others.
@chines1 posted:I am a big fan of the VS shifter for both aircooled and rear engine Subaru, but I have never used the EMPI shifter so I can't offer a comparison to it. I like the VS better than stock and better than CSP. for whatever that is worth.
@IaM-Ray posted:Thanks Carey for the feedback, the Empi for me is better than stock but I have no experience with the others.
In my hand, the stock shifter is unusable - so I'm not sure "better than stock" is glowing praise.
I've got an EMPI (Hurst copy) trigger shifter in my "to sell' tote. I've got one for a T2 bus as well. Until the Vintage Speed parts came along, they were the best bang for the buck.
That hasn't been the case in 10+ years.
It all comes apart with only 2x 8mm bolts (13mm wrench). The stock VW ball works just fine, ASSUMING that Henry used a stock VW shift rod end, but if you bolted up a non-modified EMPI shifter, then that's the shift rod you'll have and the VS will bolt up the same as the EMPI did.
My 2cents just because I’ve had all 3.
1. VS
2. CSP
3. EMPI
I personally think the EMPI is a piece of crap. The CSP is incredibly well made but a little clunky. The VS is super smooth and has the best feel when you are shifting.
@550 Phil posted:My 2cents just because I’ve had all 3.
1. VS2. CSP
3. EMPI
I personally think the EMPI is a piece of crap. The CSP is incredibly well made but a little clunky. The VS is super smooth and has the best feel when you are shifting.
Great Stuff Phil, experience is everything, and thank you Carey, it's great to have contribute your builders perspective to the forum. Ray
The EMPI shifters weren't quite as good as the Hurst shifter they copied.
My only issue with the Vintage shifters is that the rubber boot isn't attached at the bottom. I have replaced it with a leather boot extending down to the tunnel. I feel a little bad that the nice base of the shifter is hidden.
If your building an outlaw exposing the base works as well it depends on the look you are wanting to have.
@Michael McKelvey the updated vintage speed shifter with the PORSCHE bushing is the best thing you can add to our racy little cars IMHO...and i also like the leather boot better than naked
Attachments
Images (1)
Clean
Very nice !!
I initially replaced the rubber boot with first, a cut-down 911 boot and then a cut-down CV joint boot.
Now I have a leather boot made by a little shop in Poland.
I replaced the knob with a 356 knob. It feels better but is an expensive pleasure.
Attachments
Images (1)
Isn't it all expensive on the other side.
BTW, leather for me is always nicer than anything in vinyl or rubber 
@Michael McKelvey do you remember the length of the shifter you chose or the model ? Thanks in advance.
@IaM-Ray, I am looking at the Vintage Shifter website under Replica 356 speedster shifter.
They show 5 different shifters and only 1 has the pull-up lockout ring. So, that must be the one I have, 12". You could probably use one of the others without the ring. Maybe the one with the ring is the only one that would work with my Berg-5.
Thanks
.
It's possible they're using old photos just to illustrate color of finish.
I think they switched to the lock ring design for all of their models a few years back. The older design had no ring, but required you to lift up the entire lever to get reverse (or fifth gear). The five-speed levers are the same as the four-speed, but come with a modified plate at the base to accommodate the extra gate.
Mine is about six years old and the older design. The model number starts with a '155' and I see all of their current models start with '255'. Mine is the 11.5" length, and I find it places the knob at just the right height in a Speedster.
If I were ordering today, I think I'd exchange emails with them, telling them just what car I have and confirming all the details.
.