KB vs STi

[overl0ad]

ok, i know that i will eventually change out to a short shifter. so i thought i'd start doing a little research now so i know how much m00lah i'll need to put away.

and it seems that there's heaps and heaps of praise for the KB stuff.

however, i'm thinking about the STi one as well.

has anyone had to opportunity to try both?

any feedback would be appreciated.

[Reason]

I was looking into the two this past summer. Either is good, but the KB is shorter, and I was looking for the shortest throw. What are you looking for? B&M makes a great shifter too. I had one in my CRX, it was my favorite mod in that POS. :grin:

[gil_ong81]

i'm a life-long fan of KB. had the STi factory-add on in my first WRX, then a KB on the BD, and now a KB on the WRX. really cannot beat the bang-for-buck factor. besides, it's all buried and no one is gonna see the bling.

also make sure to replace the front and rear bushings.

[jjs316]

sorry if this is a dumb question, but whats KB? and where can you get it? cause i am looking for a short throw myself.

[Reason]

i'm a life-long fan of KB. had the STi factory-add on in my first WRX, then a KB on the BD, and now a KB on the WRX. really cannot beat the bang-for-buck factor. besides, it's all buried and no one is gonna see the bling.

also make sure to replace the front and rear bushings.

What is so bling about a short shifter? What you need to consider is the length you want, factory bend or straight (depending on application) and what material it's made from. Stay away from aluminum if you can.

[Reason]

sorry if this is a dumb question, but whats KB? and where can you get it? cause i am looking for a short throw myself.

Kart Boy www.kartboy.com (http://www.kartboy.com)

[gil_ong81]

What is so bling about a short shifter?
i dunno. you know how i am. when was the last time you knew me to gice a crap about bling. it's actully tough for me to hold my tongue when i see some threads about things that are absolutely asinine to me.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

but you never know, i'm certain there some posers out there to whom it'll matter. the factory kit is shiny, the KB is not.

[jjs316]

why does this come with more then just the shifter 'stick' subaru genuine

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/prod ... cts_id=709 (https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=31_71&products_id=709)

compared to just the shifter stick from KB?

[jjs316]

Quite a large price difference between the two too.

[gil_ong81]

more parts = more money.


i'm not entirely sure what your question is.

[jjs316]

sorry i was just wondering what all it was replacing and if it would actually be better to spend the money to get the one with more parts or will the stock parts be the same with just the KB product. Sorry i wasnt clear. Thanks

[Reason]

What is so bling about a short shifter?
i dunno. you know how i am. when was the last time you knew me to gice a crap about bling. it's actully tough for me to hold my tongue when i see some threads about things that are absolutely asinine to me.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

but you never know, i'm certain there some posers out there to whom it'll matter. the factory kit is shiny, the KB is not.

What does it matter the finish of the product? Who cares as long as it does what you need/want it for.

[gil_ong81]

What does it matter the finish of the product? Who cares as long as it does what you need/want it for.
my point exactly!!


also, jjs316. don't forget the the STi name = more coinage.

[Reason]

What does it matter the finish of the product? Who cares as long as it does what you need/want it for.
my point exactly!!


also, jjs316. don't forget the the STi name = more coinage.

You called it bling because of the brand name and cost. But then you said one comes with more parts. Also I'm sure they are different throw reductions.

[jjs316]

yeah they are different reductions, KB is 40 percent and STi is 30 percent i believe.

[Reason]

yeah they are different reductions, KB is 40 percent and STi is 30 percent i believe.

Thats why I was going with the KB vs STi and B&M. Not for the reason it's more "blingy" or less than the others.

[gil_ong81]

You called it bling because of the brand name and cost. But then you said one comes with more parts. Also I'm sure they are different throw reductions.
no. i called it more bling in response to overl0aded question because the KB finish is blah, and the STi one is shiny.

the i told jjs316 that STi shifter KIT = more coinage compared to just the stick. and also the fact that STI items usually cost more cos of teh brand/name.

you high on meds, reason?

[Reason]

You called it bling because of the brand name and cost. But then you said one comes with more parts. Also I'm sure they are different throw reductions.


you high on meds, reason?
Nah

but we did do some drinking after class with the foreman :wink:

[gil_ong81]

but we did do some drinking after class with the foreman :wink:
learn to hold your liquor, boy!!

[jjs316]

thought it was going to get physical for a minute...

[Reason]

but we did do some drinking after class with the foreman :wink:
learn to hold your liquor, boy!!

I can hold mine :twisted:

[gil_ong81]

thought it was going to get physical for a minute...
yeah. we can both get fairly surly.

[Reason]

thought it was going to get physical for a minute...
yeah. we can both get fairly surly.

Nah not gil and me..

[Wiscon_Mark]

why does this come with more then just the shifter 'stick' subaru genuine

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/prod ... cts_id=709 (https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=31_71&products_id=709)

compared to just the shifter stick from KB?

The STi one replaces all of the linkage too.

I don't know if the bushings included in that linkage are any better than regular stock though. That would make the extra cost worth it.

Kartboy is the better bang for the buck, by far.

[jjs316]

wonder if the bushings that you can get from KB with theirs are any better.....?

[Reason]

wonder if the bushings that you can get from KB with theirs are any better.....?

Better than stock yes

[Wiscon_Mark]

wonder if the bushings that you can get from KB with theirs are any better.....?

Definitely. But KB doesn't make all of them, unfortuantely.

Turninconcepts (dot com) makes a fair bit more.

Here's their guide to bushings for the tranny linkage:
http://turninconcepts.com/instructions/ ... index.html (http://turninconcepts.com/instructions/subaru/shifter_info/index.html)

[Huffer]

Why would a brand new car require new shifter bushings?

[gil_ong81]

it's along the same lines as why you'd want to replace the stock re-92s before you autocross a WRX; just cos they're brand new doesn't they are great.

polyurethane is a harder material and thus eliminates play.

[overl0ad]

Better than stock yes

but better than the KB ones?

that was why i was hoping there's someone who's used both. in the same car.

the biggest advantage of the STi one for me is that i can get them to fit it. and if it breaks, i can go yell at them.

[gil_ong81]

just take a look and see if you can do it yourself. imagine all the money you'd be saving on labour.

you're one of the best bicycle mechanics in melbourne, and yet you're also such a real chickenshit when it comes to wrenching on your car. the KB pieces come with instruction and they're also available online. seriously, the shifter will take about 10 minutes, and the bushing maybe 30.

[Wiscon_Mark]

You won't break either shifters.

I've read reviews from WRX owners who upgraded to STi and then did the KB shifter, and the KB "won" hands down.

[Huffer]

overload - check your warranty terms - I'm betting installing the STi shifter, regardless of if a dealer does it or not, will void your warranty.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I highly doubt that there is a warranty item they can void besides linkage that a short shifter can do anything to.

[Huffer]

I highly doubt that there is a warranty item they can void besides linkage that a short shifter can do anything to.

OH RLY?

A dealer can claim that a short throw was installed incorrectly, leading to gearbox abuse and subsequent damage to the powertrain. Just the fact that you have non-factory parts installed will tell the dealer/rep that the owner might have other non-factory parts, which led to the demise of a part.

Also, if non-dealer installations are evident, that alone may void a warranty.

That's why I said, read the warranty documentation.
No manufacturer actually WANTS to honor warranty claims - they lose money.

You're a fool if you buy a new car, with the idea of modding it, and you don't read the warranty documentation.

[Wiscon_Mark]

haha, I know that Roger, I was saying I doubt that the shifter would actually do anything to cause a problem that you'd need warranty work for.

Obviously the dealership will void whatever, whenever :roll:

[overl0ad]

you're one of the best bicycle mechanics in melbourne

correction: australia. got offered for Australian insitute of Sport for 07 :P:P:P


about the warranty:

if subaru puts the sti shifter in, 2 years they give me.

but if the KB one is better, might run with that.

[stanz]

which killer kart boy short shifter doo dad will fit my BG???

[overl0ad]

overload - check your warranty terms - I'm betting installing the STi shifter, regardless of if a dealer does it or not, will void your warranty.


http://sti.subaru.com.au/SportsPartsSearchWarranty.asp

warranty info for AUS

[gil_ong81]

correction: australia. got offered for Australian insitute of Sport for 07 :P:P:P
show off!!

but seriously, try doing this yourself if you get the KB shifter (stick only) and bushing. we'll see how easy things are.

one small step of a mod, a giant leap towards more DIY modding.