Is the 1G Shifter bushing mod worth it?

[stars]

Trying to get some feedback if anyone has replaced their shifter bushing with the metal inserts that have been selling. I read where 1 DSMer said he couldn't shift after the rubber bushings were replaced and wondered if anyone else has had any complaints on the shifting before and after bushings where replaced? Anyone?

 

[paranoidTSi]

They didn't do jack for me, didn't negatively effect anything. I did the shifter metal bushings not the under the hood metal bushings.

Waste of money in my opinion.

 

[DSM MAN]

Well if your talking about the bushings that go in the car, I liked them a lot. My old rubber ones were letting the shifter base move about a half an inch up and down when I moved the shifter around. Put the metal ones in and it doesn't move AT ALL. I also had a pretty nasty grind that would happen ALL the time from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd. After I put those babies in id say it happened about 1/10 of the time it used to. 40bucks is a little much Id say they should be about 20$ but still worth it to me.

 

[stars]

Really didn't spend that much other than 30-40bucks. They have been installed but car hasn't been driven yet. After replacing the stock bushings under the shifter base I noticed that they where wore out too like you described but the base didn't move near as bad. Then stumbled across the ones for the shifter end bushings and found those pretty hard and somewhat corroded so changed those out with the metal bushings. If anything was worried that it would have negative effects on the shifting of the manual trans. Thanks for your input!

 

[pianoman]

my cousin has it done in his 93, (base bushings and the cable bushings) makes a world of diffrence, hands down. I did both of them in my car, its a great !

 

[SolidBoostTSi]

i made my own with 6061 billet and a lathe, since then I can slam into gears without over extending the shifter. It's much more solid in my opinion. I've had new synchros put in 2nd and lemme say this "DAMN" it's night and day difference, my shifter also loosened up a bit and it's just more fun to go through gears now.

solid

 

[eclipsh]

On my 90 I just used some washers and bolted it back down. Works fine and the price was right.

 

[underradar92]

I made end bushings at work out of teflon & under hood mounting bushings from aluminum, and its WAY more precise shifting.

 

[RoasT BeeF]

I did the base, and underhood bushings at the same time. It was really tight at first but after a day or so it loosened up and shifts great now. Very solid feel.

 

[92awddsm]

I made my shifter base bushings and underhood cable mount bushings from 6061 and purchase roller blade bearings for the underhood cable ends. Make a world of difference in the shift. When I raced it, I had a tedancy to miss 3rd gear. Now I have yet to miss any gears.

 

[Pure92TSi]

Yes it is def. worth it. I did the shifter base bushings first and noticed a huge difference in shifter feel and less grinding also. Then i did the underhood bushings and that also make a big difference. Also with a stainless braided clutch line you will notice a difference, I know I did and I love all three of these mods. Best part is they are all pretty cheap. Great bang for the buck.

 

[kicknurass4fun]

I noticed a amazing difference when i took the bushings out much more crisp. The only difference is i didn't waste my money on buying new bushings. I pressed skate board bearings in shift cables under the hood and just pulled the rubber bushings out from underneath the shifter assembly inside the car and bolted it right back down with out any bushings at all. Works just fine, shifts crisp as can be, and i love it. Then I installed a fidanza shifter and now the car shifts amazing with very little throw(but i had to make shift stops).

 

[MrBoxx]

I also did the shifter base bushing replacement. I didn't think that the base moved at all, until I tried shifting with the shifter boot off. Whoa! Replaced the rubber with the aluminum and now shifting action is rock-solid. Add a B&M short shifter and shifting is a breeze. Well, as much of a breeze as DSM shifting can get.

I think they're well worth it. I paid $36 for the Dave Symborski kit at machv.com

 

[dsmracer2005]

buy the shifter plate and underhood bushings along with the stainless steel line you'll feel the difference the minute you shift

 

[stars]

I already have the steel braid that's going on next, now since you guys have had nothing but good things to say about the shifter bushings I can continue the saga of the TSi parts installation. It's good to hear that such a small upgrade is quite worth it, no matter if you have to pay for it or make it yourself for free! Also bought a Hurst pistol grip shifter knob, took a little rethreading but it turned out to fit nice and tight =) I never imagined how much fun it is just buying DSM aftermarket performance parts. Just makes it even more fun when you go and do the installs and the mods just make the car perform even better. Until then......