shift kit opinions

[FL_TalonTsi]

im looking to get a shift kit, and its between 2. the symborski kit which is well known, or on ebay theres this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=330153569068&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014

and this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=330147025207&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014

which i think would work great as a combination. any feedback is appreciated, let me know what you guys think.

 

[snowborder714]

I vote Symborski kit (base bushings) and Speed-source kit (cable bushings).

Speed-source link - http://speed-source.net/products/shifter_cable.htm

I have both of these kits. They have been one of the best upgrades I've done and one of the cheaper ones at that! I highly recommend them. They are extremely easy to install as well.

You can just search the forums for this stuff as well as there are many threads about these 2 kits.

 

[McFox]

Symborski hands down.

 

[MrBoxx]

The Symborski kit is really one of the coolest mods you can do, along with a short shifter (B&M is awesome). If you have some extra rollerblade/skateboard bearings, those make excellent shifter cable bushings as well.

 

[FL_TalonTsi]

really? i could use some off a pair of my hockey skates?

 

[AndrewD5418]

The Symborski kit is really one of the coolest mods you can do, along with a short shifter (B&M is awesome). If you have some extra rollerblade/skateboard bearings, those make excellent shifter cable bushings as well.

Sadly we only have a fidanza for the cheaper short shifters. Us 1g guys could fork out around 120 bux for a dogbox or jnztuning one though.

 

[luv2rallye]

really? i could use some off a pair of my hockey skates?

Skateboard bearings (http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1822461#post1822461) ... can get off Ebay for $0.50 apiece! I use them, work great.

 

[FL_TalonTsi]

alright thanks everyone i'm definitely getting the symborski kit and doing the skateboarding bearing mod. thanks for all your help.

 

[MrBoxx]

Here's a link to another thread that copied the directions on how to do the bearing mod. It's fairly simple as long as the stock bushing sleeves aren't seized onto the shifter arm rod. If one is, and the bushing rubber tears off, you can use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel and a pair of pliers to get the sleeve off. Then use the Dremel with a sanding drum to clean up the shifter cable eyes a bit. The bearings tend to be just a hair too big and really need some work to get in.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t337726.html

 

[BK85]

I opted for the Ebay kits since I'm basically cheap and allready ordered the cheap Ebay shifter. Wow what a difference. As I've said before it shifts like a bolt action rifle.

BK85

 

[Coder24]

Sadly we only have a fidanza for the cheaper short shifters. Us 1g guys could fork out around 120 bux for a dogbox or jnztuning one though.

whats wrong with the fidanza short shifter? JW. I have it and it was an amazing upgrade. I also have a 2g shift knob which made it even better. Does the symbroski kit actually do as much as everyone says they do? It doesnt seem like it would change it that much. how does it make it better?

 

[FL_TalonTsi]

is the fidanza a good short shifter, because if all goes well i'm getting a bone stock 1990 tsi awd. i ordered the symborski kit for my 1990 tsi right now and if i end up getting the awd, im just going to put it into that. and when i upgrade the base bushings and do the skateboard bearing mod i might as well put a short shifter in there while i'm at it.

 

[snowborder714]

Does the symbroski kit actually do as much as everyone says they do? It doesnt seem like it would change it that much. how does it make it better?

Yes it does! By replacing the rubber shifter plate base bushings, you eliminate any movement/flex in the plate when you shift. This completely changes the way your shifter feels. It was like night and day for me when I put them on. Sometimes I would have problems getting into certain gears (especially going from 2nd to 3rd) but after installing the kit, it was a thing of the past. I would recommend this to anyone. It's a pretty cheap mod so even if you are leary about it, just get it. If you don't like it, you can just sell it on here as I'm sure someone would buy it. But, after driving my car with the kit, I will never own another DSM without one. I drove my friends Eclipse a few weeks ago and the shifting felt like complete crap! It was so sloppy and I could never tell if I was in gear or not. The kit basically defines your gears so you have no problem at all telling what gear you are in.

 

[BK85]

The stock rubber shims were put in to eliminate any vibration from the motor. Most of us like the feel of the motor. Same for the bushings on the end of the shifter cable. Those are even bigger and have more slop. Like Snowboarder said, try it you'll like it.

BK85

 

[Coder24]

Yes it does! By replacing the rubber shifter plate base bushings, you eliminate any movement/flex in the plate when you shift. This completely changes the way your shifter feels. It was like night and day for me when I put them on. Sometimes I would have problems getting into certain gears (especially going from 2nd to 3rd) but after installing the kit, it was a thing of the past. I would recommend this to anyone. It's a pretty cheap mod so even if you are leary about it, just get it. If you don't like it, you can just sell it on here as I'm sure someone would buy it. But, after driving my car with the kit, I will never own another DSM without one. I drove my friends Eclipse a few weeks ago and the shifting felt like complete crap! It was so sloppy and I could never tell if I was in gear or not. The kit basically defines your gears so you have no problem at all telling what gear you are in.

hey thanks guys. I believe ill get the symbroski kit. I have the shifter cable bushings and that worked the best! i loved them! a buddy of mine has a 1990 kit and he said it wont install in a 91. the only difference i saw was the 91 kit comes with a metal sleeve. any light to be shed here?

To answer another question i have the Fidanza shifter and I love it its amazing. Shortend the throw alot and drops ## knob down lower as well so it looks pretty cool. I dont know why the other guys dont like it. Its a quality part.

 

[Zmann42087]

I have a genuine B&M short throw shifter and Road/Race shifter bushings and I absolutely love the feel of my gearbox. I'd recommend this setup to anyone.

 

[bling5tatus]

yeah plus five million for the symborski kit... although if you search around there are ways of doing the exact same thing for <$10 at HDR.... I bought the symborski kit though, even knowing the cheaper route would do the same thing, I'm dumb like that sometimes.