RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)
 

Since The other thread seem to be getting a bit long I thought I start another on driving impressions of the RP shifter.

When I received mine I was very impressed with the quality and feel. Honestly, it looks as much a stock component as the OEM. The install is a breeze and the improvement is remarkable. Napa Valley is surrounded by some wonderful twisties that I routinely run on beautiful days like today. Comparing to previous runs I can feel the improvement. Shifts are more precise and noticably quicker. Fast throws between 2nd, 3rd, and 4rth were accurate and I love the almost electric feel of the transmission tranmitted through the shifter. The only negative I have noticed is a rattle if I lug it in reverse, but that's easily resolved by proper driving :)

To me everything about the 8 is just a notch softer than I like. This is another component that makes the 8 feel more like the car I want it to be.

Great work Richard.

The other thread's only 400 posts....that's not long! We are talking about a Richard Paul product, after all. And yes, I'm still enjoying mine after all this time... :D

Can someone post a pic of this shifter installed? I know I've seen it somewhere (probably that long thread) but this would be a good place for it.

Yes this thread would benefit RP. Its a good place for end users to report their experiences with this new product.

A couple more positive reviews from different people not involved in the project and I'm the next customer!!

Another thing probably worth mentioning. The OEM shifter has a slight bend to make the shifter vertical in neutral. The RP shifter being straight leans very slightly to the left. I think this is another improvement over the OEM shifter. I notice top of the shift knob more and there is ample room between the brake. I'd be curious how the RHD folks perceive this. Here is a picture of it installed for what its worth. It looks very stock but feels quite different.

I suppose I'm the only RHD owner who has one fitted. I can't say I noticed the removal of the kink at the top of the shifter. Having it removed on this shifter certainly isn't a negative from my point of view. The top of the shift knob has been displaced approx 3/8" to the left.

sorry, got on this thread late. Randy, can you tell me how much you got it for? thanks!

If you have the idea that as the starter of the thread encouraging this shifter that I'm somewhat biased toward it, I can assure you I'm not. I spent a good deal of time testing it after fitting, and posted comprehensively on what I perceived as it's only shortcoming.....the slight gear noise.

If this thing was sh#t, I'd tell you.

I didn't get it for nothing, I paid good money for it. If it was no good, I'd have sent it back.

Gomez.

ok few questions..

the picture above which is stock and which is RP's?

What exactly is a short shifter.. i can think of these...
the actual hight of the shifter is shorter...
the distancce to pull in and out of gear is shorter
orrrrrrrrr a more technical thing like shifter helps the flow of change of gears or something idk lol help???

A short shifter has less throw. In this case it takes about an inch off the throw. It is not requirment but as this one evolved it wound up 5mm lower then stock. That's less then 1/4 inch. Yet it is noticable to users and they report it perfect for shifting with their fingers.

The one with the white band is mine.
The fat black one is stock

Humor me...

If i were to hold the original shifter as low as i can, does that make the feel of the throw similar to the short shifter already or is it diff?

thanks

Here's the original thread: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/rp-short-shifter-get-queue-42601/

To save me from reading the whole thing, where (link) do I buy one please?

rx8cited, you have to PM richard Paul.

installed mine last night. easy install, and the shifts are oh so rock solid now. we're talking rifle bolt feel now, no more slop in the shifter. definately a must have for every 8.

only qualm i have is it transmits a tad more tranny noise into the cabin (not a big deal at all), and it comes with that convienient 'reverse stall warning' buzzer :P

(btw, the buzzer is really a rattle from the shifter that you get when you near a stall in reverse.)

Is there a DIY to install the RP short shifter? Or do instructions come with it...?

Look at Gomez posts on the other tread. You can't do better then that.

How much ?

Gomez's instructions are on the middle of this post.

PM Richard for price & info.

Yay, got mine installed.

Installation was a snap. Biggest hurdle were those killer cable fasteners. ARGH.

I must say the shifts are definitely shorter and feels more "engaged", if you will. The shifting and gear engagment are much more firm and sure as compared to the somewhat softer stock setup.

The only qualm I have about it, is that it does trasmit more vibration from the transmission. You can hear a tad louder whine from the gears over stock. Not too much of a big deal. Also, the shifter shakes A LOT more as you're slipping the clutch to engage a gear. However that's usually not a problem unless you're slipping it a lot like say climbing an upgrade.

Anyone know if there is such a device as like sort of screw down, or clamp on dampener we could attach to the shifter? That might help the vibration and hum.

I have two videos that show the stock shifting over the RP shifting. I don't know if you can tell the difference from the vids.. but at least it's something to look at. Where you can see the "shortness" is near the end where I have the shifter in neutral and just move it side to side.

2 quicktime movies, about 7megs each. sorry, that's what my digicam captures at.
Plus with QT, you can play multiple videos at a time. :)

Stock shifter
http://66.206.4.159/old.mov

RP Shifter
http://66.206.4.159/new.mov

RX-Nut,

Those files are great. I ran them simutaneously in separate windows. I think they very accurately demonstrate the difference. Although 5mm is not much you can see the difference from your files. I'm finding reverse much less effort to engage over OEM. How about you?

Yea, there seems to be less travel to the right...

Here are some pics from the vids for those who just love the more visual example (like me)...

The left shots are the OEM shifter.. the right shots are RP's.

Sorry, the order of pics are screwed up.. the board didnt follow the alpha order I guess...

I tried to take the vids as close to the same way as possible. Although its hard discern a big measured difference in throw, look for the angle the shifter is at. You can get a better idea that way..

Here are 4th, 5th, 6th, and left and right..

Great, that shows well. Next time let your girlfreind shift, we'd much rather see her hands. ;)

I wish.. my wife would kill me if I let my girlfriend shift. Hahaha :D