rougeben83
09-23-2008, 08:34 PM
Many BE/BH 5 speeds come with the longer shifter that's similar to older Foresters, Impreza's and Legacy's. The GC 2.5RS, WRX and some GD Impreza models actually come with a shorter shifter thats 15% less throw.
You'll need a 12mm x 1.25 die (local auto parts store will likely have it, autozone/pepboys/etc may not) and an angle grinder ($10 china special if you don't have one is A-OK).
1) grind off the the little boot holder with the angle grinder.
2) grind the holder area down to level it out - it doesn't have to be perfect just even with the rest of the rod.
2) use the die and thread it onto your existing thread.
3) start making new threads, remembering to use plenty of oil for lube (motor oil is fine, even used :lol:). A table clamp or friend will be useful to hold the shifter down as you need. Remember to go a full rotation or so, and then back the die up at least 1/4 turn to clear off any metal shavings - it will really make the job easier.
4) Cut off the excess rod that you don't want. The 2.5RS shifter (right one) is about 1/2" shorter than the stock one, I ended up cutting up to where the original threaded portion ended.
5) Use a file to smooth out the ends and threads.
I wouldn't really go shorter than 1", it may increase shift effort too much without shortening the throw like you would imagine. The total cost for this modification...$4.23 for the die. It took about 30 minutes to actually do the cutting and threading.
There's other variations of this mod on other subaru sites, just figured SLI should have one of its own :wink:
From Left: Die, excess thread, modified stock shifter, 2.5RS shifter
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060790-1.jpg
You'll need a 12mm x 1.25 die (local auto parts store will likely have it, autozone/pepboys/etc may not) and an angle grinder ($10 china special if you don't have one is A-OK).
1) grind off the the little boot holder with the angle grinder.
2) grind the holder area down to level it out - it doesn't have to be perfect just even with the rest of the rod.
2) use the die and thread it onto your existing thread.
3) start making new threads, remembering to use plenty of oil for lube (motor oil is fine, even used :lol:). A table clamp or friend will be useful to hold the shifter down as you need. Remember to go a full rotation or so, and then back the die up at least 1/4 turn to clear off any metal shavings - it will really make the job easier.
4) Cut off the excess rod that you don't want. The 2.5RS shifter (right one) is about 1/2" shorter than the stock one, I ended up cutting up to where the original threaded portion ended.
5) Use a file to smooth out the ends and threads.
I wouldn't really go shorter than 1", it may increase shift effort too much without shortening the throw like you would imagine. The total cost for this modification...$4.23 for the die. It took about 30 minutes to actually do the cutting and threading.
There's other variations of this mod on other subaru sites, just figured SLI should have one of its own :wink:
From Left: Die, excess thread, modified stock shifter, 2.5RS shifter
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060790-1.jpg