An aftermarket short shifter is cheaper and often more rewarding than the OE alternative.

 

If I am not mistaken the spt short-shifter assembly is a lot more involved than the traditional aftermarket single piece assembly. I believe the components are upgraded all the way to the gearbox (all though I could be wrong) where an aftermarket STS will just include the shifter arm itself.

 

Nope. Only true with the STI six speed STS. The SPT 5 speed STS gets its short throw from the lever (just like the Kartboy unit, except not as short).

Now, in order to get a SPT 5 speed STS from Subaru, you have to buy the entire assembly (including linkages). But the linkages are identical to the stock 5 speed shifter. You can pick up a SPT 5 speed STS secondhand from someone looking to upgrade to a Kartboy STS.

 

If I am not mistaken the spt short-shifter assembly is a lot more involved than the traditional aftermarket single piece assembly. I believe the components are upgraded all the way to the gearbox (all though I could be wrong) where an aftermarket STS will just include the shifter arm itself.

There's more to the install of the OE short-shifter, but in terms of throw-reduction and feel, aftermarket parts are superior to OE.

 

My thoughts exactly. Was hoping to make to OP feel a little better

 

The SPT short shifter lever does not sit any lower than the stock shift lever. You can't look at both shift levers installed and tell the difference based on height. The Kartboy shift lever does sit lower than the SPT short shifter.

The SPT short shifter does reduce the throw, but not as much as the Kartboy lever.

The urethane Kartboy front and rear shifter bushings make a world of difference on shifter feel. The stock bushings make the shifter feel vague and rubbery. The Kartboy bushings make the shifts feel more notchy and precise.

I have the SPT short shifter and the Kartboy shifter bushings in my WRX. I prefer the taller shifter height over the lower shifter height of the Kartboy lever. It's a personal preference.

Regardless of which shift lever you go with, the Kartboy shifter bushings are a must have.

 

VERY HELPFUL!

If I understand correctly, installing Kartboy bushings will give a more precise feel to my current Subaru/Subaru installed short shifter. Not sure I need / want the shorter height to the shift lever. But a cleaner feel would be nice (e.g. BMW-style precise shifting).

I would not feel right ditching a brand new (even if not as rewarding) short-shifter for a little bit of difference. All said, the car does drive very well with (almost) stock components.

It was especially rewarding today in (another) East coast storm.

Is it difficult to install after-market bushings (like the Kartboy ones)?

 

If you're satisfied with the throw and lever height, then there's no reason to change your STS. I'd keep it.

As for the shifter feel, you may not feel it now, but you'll start to feel the rubbery and vagueness in the shifter after a couple of hundred miles (not kidding). The problem is that Subaru uses rubber (think marshmallows) for the front and rear shifter bushings. They soften and break down over time. A simple fix is to install Kartboy front and rear shifter bushings. They're urethane, so they feel stiffer. They make the shifts feel notchy and precise. You can feel the difference.

Installing them is fairly straightforward. You do have to have the car in a pit or on a lift (to get underneath the car). If you can turn a wrench, you can install the bushings. Or have someone who's done them help you. Install took me an hour (but that also included replacing my stock shift lever to a STS).

Hope this helps!

 

If you get the Kartboy bushings, you need the front and rears:

Kartboy Rear Shifter Bushing Subaru Models (inc. 2002-2014 WRX / STI) KB-003-REAR at RallySportDirect.com

Kartboy Shifter Bushings Subaru 5 Speed (inc. 2002-2014 WRX) KB-003 at RallySportDirect.com

The Cobb units are comparable, but a majority of WRX enthusiasts go with Kartboy.

 

I'm a little late on this but I was in the same boat as you. Bought my 2011 with the port installed short shifter. Couldn't tell much of a difference actually. I also paid extra for this part and wasn't too satisfied with it so I sold it and then had the dealership put in a Kartboy with all the bushings. They were running a package deal at a time but this essentially what I picked up:

Kartboy Rear Shifter Bushing Subaru Models (inc. 2002-2014 WRX / STI) KB-003-REAR at RallySportDirect.com
Kartboy Shifter Bushings Subaru 5 Speed (inc. 2002-2014 WRX) KB-003 at RallySportDirect.com
Kartboy Short Throw Shifter Subaru Models (inc. 2008-2014 WRX / 2006-2009 Legacy GT / 2006-2008 Forester XT) KB-001-LEG at RallySportDirect.com

Been happy ever since :wiggles:

 

I had the STS as an option and changed it to a kartboy STS. I like it a lot.

 

Did you "change" it to the Kartboy, or did you just "install" the Kartboy? I ask this because the factory STS option replaces the entire shifter mechanism. If you just "installed" the Kartboy lever, then you actually have BOTH shifters installed. This is fine, but I'm curious if you went through the trouble of swapping out the entire stock shifter mechanism or not.

Some people have reported very good results using BOTH the factory STS and Kartboy lever.

 

In addition to the bushings, a WC Lathe Works shift knob with deep threading should help you if you need to reduce the height of the shifter a little bit.

Make sure to get a co-polymer knob if you live in extreme climates so it dont get hot or cold.

 

I had the OEM SPT STS in my WRX hatch and swapped to the Kartboy shifter+ bushings, ended up cutting it down about .75 inch as it was still too tall (my buddy has a 350Z and the stock shifter in that thing is super short).