E4P Short Throw Shifter Installed
 

Ken shot me an email on Thursday asked if I were interested in trying out E4 Performance's new short shifter. ...obviously, I obliged. I ran over to Protege Garage and picked it up, and finally got a chance to put it in this afternoon.

The kit is supplied with everything you see here (excluding the mail and change):


It includes the shifter, a bushing set, and a few paperclips (to make one piece of the installation process possible without someone else's assistance).

The piece is CNC machined, TIG welded for durability and, when viewed side-by-side with the stocker, should last just as long.


Well, the installation took about an hour- 15 minutes of which was spent searching for one of the center console bolts I misplaced- and it went right in as I thought it would.

There was a minor issue of the spring-loaded pin for the reverse lockout making the slightest amount of contact with a plastic piece on the shifter assembly. I took a file to it for about 30 seconds and the problem was solved.. and, as would be expected from PG's customer service, Ken has assured me that the issue will be dealt with before any are shipped out to people.


I've never had a reason to remove the center console before, but it was hardly the painstaking operation I thought it would be. Installing the bushings was as easy as can be... there were one or two parts that could prove frustrating in installing the shifter, but it's nothing that can't be done. Like I said- it took me an hour without ever having touched this before.

And now for the results. This shifter is a full 2" lower than stock.

It's low. Real. Low. For reference, TWM claims to be a 1.75" drop.


Combined with the bushings, the shift feel is absolutely flawless. There is a ~33% reduction in throw, by my math, and once you are in gear you are locked in.

The best way I can liken this to the options already on the market is... this is a slammed TWM shifter with the "notchy" Cobb feel. Every movement is very reassuring to the driver.

I also took the time today to grind down my shift weight. Between the shifter, the bushings, and the weight, combined with my preexisting mounts & ETD, the car feels nothing like a factory car anymore. Every shift is smooth as glass and every movement is that slightest bit quicker.

All-in-all, I couldn't be more satisfied. This kit blows the other guys out of the water when you account for price ($150 retail for the shifter w/ bushings), and has no problems straight out of the box. It may not be the option for you if you have seen the TWM and feel it's too short, but what can I say? I luv the nub.

interested in seeing impressions of the Darkstar short shifter too...the PG one is way to short

but thanks for the impression

how much $$$$

I'll be buying this. I've been waiting for someone to come out with a shorter shifter vs just a shorter throw. This one has both. I'm in! When will we be able to order the finished product?

Edit: Also, I already have the bushings. Could I buy the shifter for $20 cheaper without the bushings?

Last paragraph, second sentence

do want

looks good. More pics would be dandy lol

very interested also, just make it cheaper than TWM

profile picture in the car shot to see hwo short it is?

what about including a packet of grease?

This will be in my car....for the price that is awesome. Wanted a STS since I drove another MS3 eqipped with one!

I am wondering the same thing...cheaper price if you already have the bushings?

I think it would look alright with a nice round knob (Don't go there lol) and the right boot.
Nice review!

must be a $75 packet of grease for twm to charge $225. thought i was done modding.

pg jeff, will you guys sell this sans bushings?

Ha ha they charge so much because they sort of have a monopoly going on, not much competition.

Bushings: Go to home depot and pick up 4 washers for .50cents, boom bushings!

Believe it or not the washers do about 80% of what the bushings do, they do not solve lateral movement problems though. Give it a shot, but if its not enough for you the bushings do an amazing job.

Cool never really thought of that! Besides I guess $39bucks is still a small price to pay for improved shifter feel.

so can we get this without the bushings? my CDI internals already have my paperweight needs covered

You can get shifter bushings for $20 shipped from PG....seems worthwhile to me, since it locks the base in position laterally and makes for easier installation than a pack of slippery washers.

jeff, believe it or not... folks already have shifter bushings but are still are in the market for a short shifter.

how much for just the short shifter?

It's my understanding that E4 has them made already, just waiting on orders.

Coming today, I kinda flaked out this weekend.

It is much cheaper.

Your local hardware store will sell you a lifetime supply of the shit for $2.50.

Man, if I had known you were going to be at Strats on Saturday night I would've stuck around longer and let you drive it.

I'm not sure on the bushings- they're waiting on an answer from E4, is my understanding.

Yea, the boot situation is kinda retarded. Need to buy from Redline ASAP. I have a lathe here, as far as the knob goes, and I'm looking to turn out some nice smooth balls today to play around with.

LOL...didn't know I was going either. Waiting in anticipation for answers.:beerchug:

Is this the same shifter darkstar is selling? They're listing it as a 1.7" height difference.

i think so. i see darkstar myke will sell it for $135 sans bushings.

I measured the thing with a caliper and it was just over a 2" difference in overall height.

it's the same shifter.

Finally got my shifter after over a month of waiting long story....Anyways thanks Ken you are the man!.....This install was much easier than i had expected after reading all the reviews it took me about 45mins to install did it by myself without anyones helps. Piece of advice for anyone going to do this make sure u have a tiny flat head screw drivers(makes pushing the tabs in easier). The feel is awesome every shift is solid i can feel the resistance to get into the gear where as before i couldnt which caused me grind the gears. I have the cobb shift weight, RMM, bushings, STS, and xt-m5-qs tranny fluid car feels amazingly better than stock. I wasnt sure if i could live with how low it is but i drove around alot today and the feel out ways the height. PS: thanks Doc for the info!

Been wanting to get this, was just waiting for some reviews. Nice write up!!!!

:popworm: Don't mean to threadjack, but I have one of these brand new in the box that I never got to install before I totaled my MS3. It's just sitting in the garage. Comes with a brand new white MAZDASPEED t-shirt in large. PM if you're interested.

looks good

Im at work and on the way here i noticed that now this STS wiggles b/t the the lock and the spring its very annoying where as before it didnt do this has anyone else noticed this?

Can you take the boot off and snap some pics of the movement?

Thanks

Scott

You cant tell much with just photos so im goin to shoot a video of what im talking about. It never did this before but today for some reason it just wobbles like crazy shifting is difficult to put it mildly. I havent had it a month yet whats my return on it? Can i just send the shifter instead of the bushing i dont have the old bushing anymore.

lets see what it's doing. My email is sales@e4performance.com

Oh you can email me at misticzerx0r@gmail.com

looks like the bolt at the bottom of the shifter that holds everything in place got loose. Check that out and let me know. Otherwise, email me and we'll get you a new shifter asap.

Scott

I was unware there was a bolt at the bottom thanks for the helpful advice and quick responses. I will keep you posted...PS sorry to jack the thread was not my intention.

Are we sure about this bottom bolt i just looked at the stocker and there isnt one lol i just dont wanna take it apart to find there is no bolt.

yes, it is bolted together.

You might be able to access the bolt from underneath without taking the cup off. That would save some time.

Unfortunately, I am in Vegas at SEMA and can't really help you too terribly much without one in front of me. Please keep me updated. email is best.

Problem solved! You were right thanks E4Performance!

No problem. Glad it was an easy fix!!!

Can someone with more pics or maybe a small video of the shifter in motion post up, im interested but worried its too short... tks