Shifting is very important for all aspects of driving. Whether it is for racing, daily driving, or drag racing, you need to be able to go from gear to gear quickly and with out delay. B&M has a long history of transmission parts and designing quality upgrades for performance needs. There WRX short shifter kit was our choice for quality and design.
Installing the shifter is very easy. You need to first start by removing the center console. The console is very easy as it comes out with clips. All you have to do is pull. The ebrake portion comes out with ease. Just pop the top of the console and lift up on either side. Once all panels are removed, the shifter is very simple to remove.
Loosen the bolt from the linkage to the stock shifter and then just pop that baby out sideways. When putting the new one in, make sure you lube the ball joint up well. Take a rubber malet and hit it straight down. Once the Shifter is in place bolt the linkage back up and assemble the panels back to normal.
How does the B&M compare to stock? Well the benefits of the B&M aftermarket short shifter compared to stock are plenty. First the B&M comes with all hardware, grease, and instructions for installation. Second the B&M includes a shift knob withthe kit for that added feel of shifting. The shifter should be one with you during your gear transitions.
But how does it really feel? The B&M keeps the close to the stock height. However how tall the shifter is does not determine shifter throw. The throw of the B&M is very clean and quick. About 30% reduction in throw from the stock unit. It is more firm and being it is aluminum, the shift glides smoothly into place.
Project Vivid WRX II deserves the best quality and designed parts. The B&M may be a bit more but definitely holds it own. Being that it sells for around $150 and includes a shift knob and all necessary hardware for installation, it is a great added value to your WRX as well.