CS Adjustable Short Throw Shifter - Impressions

[iammike]

Got the new STS in today and went right to work. Installation is a breeze so I'm not going to delve into that really. Just final product impressions.

Pros:
- I have not grinded into 3rd on a high RPM flat foot shift since I installed this. This is a problem I was unable to work out on the stock setup or with the CS SSP.
- Smoother shift action than the CS SSP.
- Nice solid feel but I wouldn't say it gets rid of "slop". I'd say most of our slop comes from linkage and tolerances in the linkage connections on each end. Not CS's fault.
- Quality of the unit was top notch. Very nice piece.
- Did not have to mess with the shifter fine tuning. Worked perfect at the same setting as OEM.

Cons:
- Unsure how I am supposed to know when the height is adjusted to minimum or maximum. Maybe etch some min/max markings on the shaft?
- Some may not like that it moves the shifter to the right in the console. Not a problem for most.
- I'm concerned about the reverse lockout tab. It's metal on the CS STS and where it rubs on the base as you shift between 1st and 2nd is plastic. Didn't that cause problems back in the Gen1 days? One of the photos shows the area I'm talking about.

IMG_20140409_133729.jpg

All in all, very happy and generally, all of the cons but one are kinda nit-picky IMHO. The last one is the only one I'm more concerned about.

When I first installed it I left the height adjustment where it came in the box. Looks like it was about 1 inch shorter than OEM so I believe that was it's minimum. When I drove the car to test the shift pattern I had not reinstalled the center console. Felt great, loved it. Reinstalled the center console and mashed my pinky when I did a hard shift to 3rd. lol Driving normal was fine but my grip changed for the hard shift and wham! Basically, if you have big hands, might not be able to use the shorter settings. I went up to OEM or a smidge higher than OEM and no more finger abuse. The photo below is of it at the height it came out of the box...apparently pinky destroying height for me.

EDIT: Yes I know my center console is dirty.

[SpencerC]

The shortest setting doesn't really matter, set it to what you want. As for the highest, the boot would limit the height if your tried to go to far.

The metal pin should not cause any issues either. All the edges are rounded and it's the same style as factory, I believe Cobb has some issues but they didn't use as rounded edges for the pin, or the factory design.

Thanks for the review!

[Chron]

I get mine tomorrow. I'm really hoping that the new neutral position doesn't mess with my head. It looks so weird being so far to the right.

[iammike]

Originally Posted by Chron I get mine tomorrow. I'm really hoping that the new neutral position doesn't mess with my head. It looks so weird being so far to the right.

It doesn't bother me in the slightest while driving...but sometimes I will look down and think I'm in a higher gear than I am. lol

[Chron]

Originally Posted by iammike It doesn't bother me in the slightest while driving...but sometimes I will look down and think I'm in a higher gear than I am. lol

Any clearance issues between the shifter and right edge of console when in 5th or 6th?

[trancehead]

@iammike; you have time for dis but not to come out to meats..

JK looks solid





















But for real doe

[El_Diablo]

Not a fan of moving the shifter away from the driver, thank you for mentioning that.

[swsmailman]

Originally Posted by El_Diablo Not a fan of moving the shifter away from the driver, thank you for mentioning that.

That is how I feel, I don't really like how it moves it off center and away from the driver. Wonder why they decided to go with that design over a more stock design on the shaft.

[iammike]

Originally Posted by swsmailman That is how I feel, I don't really like how it moves it off center and away from the driver. Wonder why they decided to go with that design over a more stock design on the shaft.

My guess is this. If you consider how much room there is between the top of the blue part and where the shift boot/knob screw down to, there isn't enough room to make the bends like the stock one without making the whole unit taller at it's shortest setting.

Originally Posted by trancehead @iammike; you have time for dis but not to come out to meats.. JK looks solid But for real doe

It's not the amount of time I have off...it's the days I have off that regularly fucks me.

Originally Posted by Chron Any clearance issues between the shifter and right edge of console when in 5th or 6th?

Nope.

[breakfstincluded]

I'd bet the reverse gear lock out nub thing will be fine.

I have the Cobb STS that has a punch pointier nub thing, ive checked it many times after reading concerns here, but the surface has remained unchanged. Perhaps the synthetic grease doing its job, thing works great.

So I'm sure the smoother CS design on that part will do fine/better.

[specvspeedfreak]

TWM moves it to the right as well. The oem adjuster moves it left and right so that can be fixed... but that means you might have problems getting into gears.

[breakfstincluded]

with all the JBR shifting goodies and Cobb STS

I have a pretty specific point I have to have my adjuster at so that there are no issues, so there was no preference here, just fine tuning. Pretty happy with it though.

[El_Diablo]

I don't mind a taller gear shifter as long as the throws remain somewhat short. Have you ever seen an actual road race car? Rarely are they shortened as it increases the travel between your hand and the wheel. The closer to the wheel, the better.

[iammike]

Originally Posted by El_Diablo I don't mind a taller gear shifter as long as the throws remain somewhat short. Have you ever seen an actual road race car? Rarely are they shortened as it increases the travel between your hand and the wheel. The closer to the wheel, the better.

I chose height based on how the shifter felt to me with my elbow resting where it normally is.

[El_Diablo]

Originally Posted by iammike I chose height based on how the shifter felt to me with my elbow resting where it normally is.

RACECAR BRO!!! Bro, racecar drivers dont rest, they lift bro. Dude, do you even lift?












lol

[breakfstincluded]

I kept my Cobb STS as tall as possible. Weight and height provide leverage that make shifting feel smoother and less notchy, at least to me.

Personal preference of course, but trying it on the shortest height, I found even though it's physically shorter... shortness did not correlate with decreased shifting effort and ease of getting into gates. Shortest setting was cool to try, but just didn't shift as fast or smooth.

Perhaps if we didn't have our ghey wobbly shifter cables, I wouldn't find the extra leverage as beneficial.