My impressions of the Neuspeed short-shift kit PART 2

[digitalh3lix]

After chanke4252's horrible experience with the neuspeed short shifter, I decided to buy it from him since he didnt want it anymore. Aparrently it works really well on the 5MT transmission I think. Too bad it didnt work out the way he wanted it, but never the less it was not wasted. Thanks for selling it to me once again.

Install:
Install wasnt too bad, I had printed out the color copy from the neuspeed website. 8 screws, a few clips had to be slowly popped out. wasnt too bad but it was a PITA. When I go to the shift assembly, neuspeeds instructions made no sense. It told me to take off the 4 bolts that hold down the whole assembly, for what reason? I have entirely no clue. I did what chank4252 did and pryed it off with a screw driver. It wasnt easy, I first took a hammer to it then eventually got pissed and used two hands and pushed real hard. Working in the little tiny plastic spot on the side was horrible.

Results:
I drove around after the install, it felt like tiptronic with a clutch. The throws were much shorter and it took more strength to have it engaged into gear. Shifts are much smoother and there is less noise. After 5 days of break in its starting to feel a lot better or I got used to it. I have the same feeling that chanke4252 had when he was talking about feeling the increased force making the assembly more prone to damage. But knowing a few other SSK owners after going to a meet made me feel better about having it.

Final thoughts:
30% shorter hmm... more like 50-60 to me. but then again that might just be me. Overall I am happy with it. It took me 2 hrs to install it trying to be safe about it and not break anything while accomplishing my task. Ill update it with another post in another week after i fully get used to it.

[chanke4252]

well, it wasn't "horrible" exactly, but it definately wasn't for me. I definately agree with you about the 50-60% shorter thing though. It definately felt a lot shorter than advertised.

You noted that your shifts create less noise now. This is exactly the opposite of what I noticed, especially when engaging third and fourth gear. The joint that connects the shifter cable associated with the throw to the shifter assembly was kind of bent to the most extreme angle that it could handle (downwards towards the ground), so maybe that had something to do with the noise, I don't know.

Did you lube up the assembly? I've found that lubing up the sliding parts on the assembly that connect to the shifter cable, as well as the little white bushing/cup thinger helps a little bit with smoothness. Though, it might not have helped at all I guess. I think I'm just too anal about lubing any and every moving part I get my hands on. I also don't like the way my sentences are starting to sound so I think that sums it up for this post. :naughty:

[digitalh3lix]

I did not lube the assembly. The greese that was on it didnt feel like normal greese so I didnt want to add a different kind of greese. Mines definetly a lot quieter than stock. It doesnt really make that click noise when its in gear now, like it used to do when it was stock. The angle that the short shifter pushes the assembly does worry me. The rod that runs down through the center of the assembly looks like its being stressed.

[2006AS]

I did not lube the assembly. The greese that was on it didnt feel like normal greese so I didnt want to add a different kind of greese. Mines definetly a lot quieter than stock. It doesnt really make that click noise when its in gear now, like it used to do when it was stock. The angle that the short shifter pushes the assembly does worry me. The rod that runs down through the center of the assembly looks like its being stressed.

I know what you mean about the new angle of the shift rod. So far I have had mine on for about 10k miles and no problems. Although when shifting quickly sometime I will grind 2nd gear a little bit. Did the same thing before the SS so it is not related to that. I've have many Hondas over the years and most seem to do that when going in to 2nd gear near redline. I also agree about the reduction in throws. Definitely more than 30% and it took me a while to get used to it. Now I love it :thmsup:

[digitalh3lix]

2006AS - how many miles do you have on your car now anyways? Also i heard if you shift into 2nd from first really fast you are going to grind anyways, the ssk doesn't eliminate the 2nd gear fast shift grind problem.

[MJL]

I must have been one of the lucky ones. I have had zero problems with my ssk or the installation, well a few snags with the install...

I know what you mean about using the side hole in the shifter assembly for installation. The neuspeed instructions call to take out the 4 bolts holding the assembly to the floor. I didnt have the right u-joint socket adapter for the right side so I just removed the 2 bolts on the driver side and that allowed for a little more room to work. I ended up using a wrench for removing the plastic cup. Just put it above the cup's lip and twist clockwise or counter and it popped right off for me. Putting it all back together was easy.

Shifting felt like 50-60% reduced right after I installed it but I think I was just not used to it enough to be able to tell the difference accurately and it now feels like 30-40%. I've probably put close to 30k miles on since I installed it. Since day one I have had no need for increased force to shift gears and mine still clicks into each gear like its brand new. Only time I grind gears is when my foot slips on the clutch or I miss-time the shift or my hand slips, all of this not due to the ssk IMO.

I also never noticed a difference in the shifter angle after installation. I also think anyone will have some grinding from first to second if you shift quick, but isn't that due to the tranny and syncros? I'm in no way a transmission guru but I think its why they call it a short shift kit and not a quick shift kit. :D

[digitalh3lix]

When i mean shifter angle i mean this:
http://i20.tinypic.com/2a017hx.jpg

Where the whole entire while block is pushed down and the rod that goes to that white block flexes. (rod that goes horizontal, not the rod the SSK slips over)

The quick shift from 1st to 2nd grind is more of the way its designed, i highly doubt it is the tranny or syncro. Theres something restricting it sort of like how you have to push it over to the side to go reverse, but its not that extreme.

[MJL]

ah I see what you mean now. Thats the way it accomplishes the shorter throw right? Haven't had any problems with mine. :dunno:

Are you pulling to the left while you shift down (or up you could say) from 1st to 2nd? I notice that if I move the shifter too laterally while shifting that it will want to hang up. What works the best for me is giving it a slight tug or push to the left or right depending on what gear I'm going to while moving the shifter up and down thru the gears.

[2006AS]

2006AS - how many miles do you have on your car now anyways? Also i heard if you shift into 2nd from first really fast you are going to grind anyways, the ssk doesn't eliminate the 2nd gear fast shift grind problem.

I have a little over 17k miles right now. I now try not to shift so quickly and also pull the shifter to the left as I pull in to 2nd gear and it has helped with the grinding.

[digitalh3lix]

ah I see what you mean now. Thats the way it accomplishes the shorter throw right? Haven't had any problems with mine. :dunno:

Are you pulling to the left while you shift down (or up you could say) from 1st to 2nd? I notice that if I move the shifter too laterally while shifting that it will want to hang up. What works the best for me is giving it a slight tug or push to the left or right depending on what gear I'm going to while moving the shifter up and down thru the gears.

yes thats how it shortens the throws.

and yes i notice a slight pull to the left going into 2nd from 1st. thats what it gets caught on if you try to shift from 1'st to 2nd really fast.

[accord01]

HELLO

I HAVE A 2001 HONDA ACCORD LX WITH A MANUAL TRANS. WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL A BILLET ALUMINUM SHORT SHIFTER>? PREFERABLY PICTURE INSTRUCTIONS. (SHIFTER HOUSING ):wave:
THANKS