Vintage Speed Quick Shifter

@808donn i have one in my soobie coupe....it is apples & oranges compared to stock "wooden spoon in a bowl of yogurt" feel.....i replaced a "worn out" shift rod (long story with brand new one...also replaced the nylon shift rod bushing with the bronze EV4U part which is good for the life of the car along with the 12" vintage speed shifter....be sure and get the "updated urethane "PORSCHE" bushing unit" not the black ball one and shifter problems are rendered MOOT.....only precise shifting smiles for miles ....a great investment and you'll be glad you did it...just IMHO   happy motoring!

I replaced the shifter in Bridget, my TD replica, several years ago with a Vintage Speed after swapping in the Subaru engine. I got a 10.5-inch handle in chrome with no bend to replicate the MG stick. It's a very good piece; easily one of the best things I did to the car.

I have no experience myself with a Vintage Speed shifter, but everyone I know who has gotten one has loved it, without exception.

It has been our standard shifter for several years, very few issues and I don't know of any other shifter that compares.  The "lift up" for reverse eliminates the issue of the reverse lockout tab wearing out like you see on a stock shifter and several of the aftermarket options.  The 11.5 is the tallest version that still has a stock look (no added appendage for reverse lockout) and a smaller diameter shift lever, so that is as tall as I go.

I had an Empi trigger shifter I moved to a Vintage, To quote a friend, It is surprising what this shifter does to the experience of driving this car.  Just saying!

I never thought there would be anything any better than the EMPI "1968 Camaro" trigger-shifter, but then I bought a Vintage Speed shifter 15 years (+/-) back (back when nobody knew Ming from squat). It was transformative - tighter even than the trigger-shifter, and near stock looking (only better). The only thing that even comes close to comparing is a Wevo shifter on a 915.

It's that good.

I have owned 4 of the Vintage shifters and have found that they are better than any of the other shifters available. They offer great looks and don't look like a cheesy aftermarket shifter. The performance is outstanding. One of the first things I do to any VW based car is to install a Vintage shifter.

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Here are photos of the 11.5" version mentioned by @chines1 above, installed in a VW pan-based Speedster. I've had this for about seven years now and like it a lot.

In the photos, it's in first gear, so as close to the dash as it ever comes. In neutral, it's more upright.

I've driven a few cars with Berg shifters (briefly, and a number of years ago), and I remember the Berg having slightly closer throws, but maybe too close. I like this better.

If your car is tube based, with a flatter tunnel, you might want a slightly longer shifter, but maybe not. Vintage is a very small operation and will work with you if you want something custom, like a different length or bend angle.

The web site shows this one (and most of their models) currently out of stock, so it's probably best emailing them to see what delivery times look like.

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I am running an 11 1/2 inch Vintage Speed shifter in my 2003 VS.  Aside from the 2180 with EFI and a turbo, the shifter is the single best upgrade done to my Speedster to date.

Is the 11.5" the one most folks are going with? It doesn't seem like the 12" would be a deal breaker, or do you run into clearance issues at the dash. I'd like to go at least 11.5" to keep more of a stock look. (Mitch has the exact one I'm looking for).

Any opinions on the base everyone is using? I'm hesitant to even ask about install - I know most of you guys could do this blindfolded, but what about a guy who struggles to do anything of a mechanical nature on our cars? (that would be me).

Thanks for any advice, Fellas. Happy New Year to everyone!

  Bill

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'Installation' involves undoing two bolts on the old shifter, lifting it out (along with its 'stop plate'), plugging the new one into the same hole, and installing the two new bolts where the old ones were.

Adjustment will take a little more patience, but no more skill.

The new shifter is a lot more precise than the VW thing. It wants to sit exactly centered and lined up with (not rotated from) the car's centerline. You will need to try shifting into all five gears (reverse included) and then loosening the two bolts, sliding the adjuster plate around a little, tightening it back down, and trying it again.

It will probably take a few 'rinse and repeat' cycles until it's in the best spot, but if I can do it, so can anyone.

The only caveat that comes to mind is that the new shifter needs to be sitting directly on the metal of the tunnel. You need to trim away any carpeting that might get caught under its base.

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I like my Vintage Speed shifter a lot.  But, I was bothered by the fact that the boot is not attached at the bottom.  I don't know why they can't design that in.

I installed a leather boot instead.  I am slightly bothered by it hiding the attractive shifter base.

Thanks for the installation info Mitch - it certainly sounds easy enough. I'll wait until they get the 11.5 inch in stock. Any advice regarding the different types of bases available?

Bill

I guess the consensus is a resounding yes for Vintage Speed.

The new Berg shifters are pretty cool too. Push the button for reverse instead of pushing down. Mine is a 9.5"

Thank you everyone for your input!  I guess it is a go... MAHALO!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

What is the Cost on the vintage shifter?

You could probably find out the cost on their website.

https://store.vintagespeed.com...CK-SHIFTER-p87541250

$307.29, as of today (the exchange rate changes).

Had anyone installed a Empi quick shift kit. If so, does it work ok?

@Popee posted:

Had anyone installed a Empi quick shift kit. If so, does it work ok?

It’s “fine” - perfectly adequate, just looks a bit like it came off a ‘68 Camaro  

If that’s good enough, then perfect. I’ve got one with a custom billet knob I took off my Intermeccanica in my spares with a nice leather boot. If you want to buy it, shoot me a private message, and we can work something out.

So what about the CSP shifter?  When I was looking to get rid of my stock egg on a coat hanger contraption, CSP was all the rage.  I got one.  Love it.  The trigger lock-out for reverse works effortlessly.  All good all the time.

I did ditch the knob that came with in favor of a wood Porsche crest one I found at the Carlisle flea market

I'll put in a second vote for the CSP.  Pricey but precise and very well made.  I painted the shift knob on mine ivory to match the other switches in my car.  Duplicolor Sahara Beige IIRC.

I interpreted Popee's question to be about the kit that is just a spacer under the stock shifter that reduces the throw as opposed to the EMPI shifter which is a copy of the Hurst shifter.

I have had a Hurst shifter, CSP shifter, and Vintage Speed shifter.  The Hurst was better than stock.  I was happy with the CSP shifter but switched to the Vintage Speed for my Berg-5.

I’m assuming your favorite is the Vintage shifter?

You are correct, I’m just wondering about the spacer.

@Popee,  I guess my favorite is the Vintage Speed.  But, I was perfectly happy with the CSP and probably wouldn't have changed it if I hadn't switched the transmission to a 5-speed.  That required changing to the Vintage Speed.

@Popee posted:

You are correct, I’m just wondering about the spacer.

The short-shift spacer just takes a sloppy VW shifter and makes it a shorter throw. It's still the same vague "what-gear-am-I-actually-hitting?" shifter. If you're comfortable with how your shifter hits the gates, then it's just less of the same thing.

I always thought the EMPI (Hurst clone), CSP, and Berg shifters (especially the Berg) all looked like refugees from the muscle-car era. I was doing backflips when the Vintage Speed came out and bought one of the first ones to come over.

There's everything else, then there's the Vintage Speed.