ECS Short Shifter

[ColtS5]

I have installed about four short shifters in the past from other venders, and this is a nice looking kit. I looked at others, but was not keen on regular lubing as one manufacturer recommended, so I choose ECS. I had two issues with the ECS Short Shifter, which I installed today.

I'm not sure why the previous thread was closed, as it was very helpful. The comment from ECS that they had gone over all their stock and the wrong assembly being shipped would not happen again, was incorrect as it did, as mine was also incorrectly assembled.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Throw-Shifter

Luckily, just before starting the install today, I was able read the post above, so I was able to check everything and once I found the issue I was able to swap the slide plates and re-assemble. I think ECS should go through their stock again, as this does take up some extra time. If by chance, someone did not see these posts, they could install and not be able to engage reverse and then waste time uninstalling and reinstalling. For the price, one would expect that the shifter would come, ready for installation.

The second issue was one of the bolts sheared when tightening the shift retainer plate. To be fair, it failed so fast it must have been a defective bolt from ECS's supplier. Luckily, I had a cap screw with the the same thread, and length and was able to use that.

The install is straight forward. The instructions are quite good, but read through them first. I did not get under the car right away, and removed the spring while the shifter was in the car, so I could install it on the new shifter, and have everything ready. Then, I went under the car to do the work there. I also found it easier to get to the T45 bolt from the top, but the the instructions are still very good. After getting the new shifter installed, and one little bit of fine tuning, I went for a drive.

The biggest issue with the stock shifter, for me, was how loud the shifting was. The plastic ball and socket made a terrible noise, and felt flimsy. I actually went in and greased it once, to to get rid of the noise, or at least reduce it. The new shifter is smooth, and provides solid shifts, without the noise. I have the setting in the 3rd hole/setting, the 2nd to last shortest throw. The throws are slightly shorter. Not as short as I would have expected, though I did not want it to short, so it still has a nice feel. I have one more setting if I do want it shorter. Reverse catches with ease. Another nice feature is the adjustment of the shifter height. I went about 1/4' lower than stock, but the adjustability should suit anyone.

All and all a well made shifter, and hopefully ECS can ensure they are assembled correctly.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Thanks for the review!

Sorry to hear about the issue with the plates being switched and the bolt breaking. We just went through our stock at the end of last week and double checked everything. Every shifter we have on hand now is exactly how it should be.

If there is ever an issue with hardware just give customer service a call and they will get you taken care of.

Jason

[ColtS5]

Thanks Jason,

Again, this is a great Short Shifter Kit, the best I have seen. Smooth, precise shifts, and very quiet! Very well made, and great installation instructions (and I did not have a lift!). I might do a write up, which changed the order of things a bit, just to get as much done in the car, out of the car, and under the car. It was a very nice drive into work this morning!!

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Thanks Jason,

Again, this is a great Short Shifter Kit, the best I have seen. Smooth, precise shifts, and very quiet! Very well made, and great installation instructions (and I did not have a lift!). I might do a write up, which changed the order of things a bit, just to get as much done in the car, out of the car, and under the car. It was a very nice drive into work this morning!!

Glad you are enjoying it! It really is a quality piece. 100% made in the USA too!

Jason

[ColtS5]

Install notes:

Read through the very detailed ECS installation guide. I did not have a lift, so I used two floor jacks to lift the front of the car, and put jack stands in place where rear lower control arm meets the frame. I did not have anyone else around, so you can do it yourself, though a second pair of hands would speed things up. I laid out all the tools specified in the instructions.

I followed steps 1-11 in order from the “Removing the Original Shifter” section. I also measured the stock shifter height, and its relative position from the top, to each of the four corners where the central console snaps in. This helps with the initial alignment and height of the new shifter. I then skipped to Step 17, and removed the shift knob, boot and spring while the shifter was still connected beneath. I then went to the “Assembling the New Shifter”, steps 1-14 on a work bench. This is when I swapped the side plates, and I did put some grease on the bearing and reverse catch.

I then got under the car, going back to Step 18, “Removing the Original Shifter”, and completing the removal as indicated in the instructions. I was in the car when removing the T45 (Step 15), using an extension, as I used a block of wood to hold the ship linkage in place from underneath. Finished the removal of the old shifter (Step 16) and then I was able to move on to the Step 15 of Assembling the New Shifter.

The total time was a leisurely 2 ½ hours (including the one beer break!) I think 1 ½- 2 hours max if I hadn’t had a few small issues. I also replaced the shift knob clamp with a small standard hose clamp, instead of the crimp style, which should make it easier to get in and make any height changes.
Again, this is the best Short Shifter I have seen, and the installation was very easy. The results are outstanding! This is a great kit by the crew at ECS.

[Jhearty99]

I have the JHM short shifter. No complaints, great product.

[ColtS5]

I have the JHM short shifter. No complaints, great product.

There was a JHM B8 shifter on Ebay, new and never used or installed that I came close to buying at $250. Looks like a nice piece, but the lower connection to the linkage is similar to the stock on (stamped steel versus billet aluminum) and the height is 1/2" lower than stock. No adjustability for the height and seemed it was going to be too low for me. I also liked the Eurocode, which looks very similar to the ECS, but had recommended lubrication maintenance.

All are better than stock, and each has some adjustability (JHM offers three springs for reverse and two throw settings, Eurocode has 3 settings for throw, versus 4 for ECS). All improve the shifting over OE, I just wanted the stick close to the stock height.