22 WRX Billetworkz Short Shifter Plate Install

[@knowledgeisking5702]

I just finished my plate/bushing install and wow, what a difference compared to the stock shifter setup. Best upgrade I've done so far.

[@Dannybi05]

Hello all, I did this install last night WITHOUT removing the transmission carrier/support with the vehicle on ramps for more clearance in my case: I removed only the shift cable bracket and the rear heat shield I reached the shift plate shield with an extension and a swivel socket for two bolds facing the exhaust, for top bolt on the shift plate shield I used a ratcheting wrench by running my arm where I removed the shift cable bracket (front of car to back). To remove the pin in the shifter plate I used 3/16 punch and utilized a 1/4 or 3/8 long socket extension as a punch extension to give me more leverage on hammer swings and to avoid damaging surfaces Then reinstall the parts needed Be patient as it’s a little tight, but can be done if you are worried about removing the transmission carrier

[@PsychoCPU]

Single best general driving upgrade I did was the short shift plate (I already had the solid bushings and shift stop with some custom 3D printed plates to tighten 3rd and 4th) on my '21. That roll pin was SUCH a pain though. I had short punches though, definitely recommend using longer punches.

[@DenverDave5280]

Just installed the plate & bushing and I’m really happy with it. Pro tip for anyone doing the plate - you can wedge a 3/8” ratchet head between the plate & body to hold it in place while you get the roll pin back into the transmission gear shaft. Getting that part figured out was the most difficult part of the job for me. Used 8” long punch and that certainly helped.

[@charliebates9141]

A tip for people having trouble with that hidden bolt. Remove the bushing and cable to have better access from the front side of the car towards the bolt, couldn’t approach the bolt from the rear side of the car with the tool I had.

[@Slenderman454]

this comment single handedly saved me my sanity

[@charliebates9141]

@@Slenderman454 That’s awesome this comment made my day. Glad to hear it helped, wasn’t sure if people would check and see, but had to leave a comment just in case.

[@Slenderman454]

@@charliebates9141 Absolutely man, it was the only way i could reach that thing lol. I messed up putting it back together or something though, i have this horrible rattle that keeps happening when i downshift. I’m really confused as to where i went wrong.

[@charliebates9141]

@@Slenderman454 I can’t help you there, if anything I hear the same noise when I was moving the shifter plate underneath the car. While I was under there I also installed the Group N Trans mount. I don’t think that would effect anything just sharing what I did. I would get back under the car get your hands on the surrounding parts. I also greased up the bushing pretty well. Maybe check the cable, or since that extra shield isn’t there check for debris. The other issue I had during the install was with that pin. My punch’s weren’t obviously labeled and my eyesight maybe an issue, but I got the center pin out with the out pin in place. So that also took me a while to get into place. Again don’t know if it’s relevant just sharing my own issues with operator error install.

[@Slenderman454]

@@charliebates9141 I figured this out a couple weeks ago and forgot to respond, but it was my trans carrier. It was loose haha

[@leftyo9589]

piece of cardboard works on a concrete floor. use it once or twice, toss it and get another. wanna lay on the garage floor in winter, 1" pink foam insulation board keeps you form freezing.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

I was watching when you did this to the Import Image Racing car a few months ago. It's a great mod and I still have mine sitting in a box and I'd like to install it eventually.

[@s0584333]

Easy temporary flooring solution. Ive used a packing blanket in the past It provides some padding. Also you could just put down some concrete sealer. Should help a liittle with the dust

[@MrBubba123bubba]

With the trans crossmember off it would have been a great time for the bushings and or the group n trans mount.

[@StreetInspired1]

For sure a good time to do that. I plan on doing that eventually but I've dropped that transmission crossmember atleast 50x on my VA so it's super quick and easy to do it again. The worst part is climbing underneath the car 😂

[@leyncucu9975]

can you pls explain why we didn't need to put the cover back?

[@jonlampen]

from the IIR video of this install, the cover gets in the way of the new shift plate

[@chrischarles9218]

Great video. You guys installing these shifter mods are gonna make me buy a plate. I see a few out there (Boomba, Cobb) any reason you chose the Billetworkz?

[@StreetInspired1]

Brand loyalty mostly. He's local to me and I watched him build the business from the ground up. I know all their products are made in-house while some other companies get theirs from who knows where. I did have a boomba plate on my last wrx and had no issues, it was very nice also. But I've had issues with Shifter Bushings and Shifter stops before from other companies before so I decided to go with the person I trust.

[@bryanallendorf7064]

Right on, great video. Looks easy. I'll have to do it. Have the Perrin super shifter stop already. It helped a bunch.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

nice revdeiw be prepared for rsv debri

[@martinelopez162]

They are now selling a generic short shifter plate on Amazon. Has anyone used it and does anyone recommend it? It looks different but the reviews are great

[@trevorhwillkomm622]

do you have to brace the transmission when removing the factory brace?

[@StreetInspired1]

You can, but I've removed it countless times on my subarus and never had an issue getting it back in. The transmission will lower a bit but as long as you aren't leaving it unsupported for days at a time I don't see an issue.

[@trevorhwillkomm622]

@@StreetInspired1 I did brace the transmission just in case. Thanks to your video everything went very smooth!

[@pharmztko]

My only dilemma has been getting a short shifter with stock plate, or keeping the stock shifter and getting an aftermarket shift plate 😂.

[@StreetInspired1]

That all comes down to if you want the Shifter to sit at normal height or lower. The short shifter will lower the height of the Shifter but the plate won't. I installed the Shifter yesterday and it's pretty wild having both installed. Very short and very notchy. I like it but not everyone will.

[@mistamaog]

Wow, the shifts shortened up so much! I was debating on getting the full short shifter kit with the plate and bushing, but maybe I'll just do the plate and bushing instead 🤔

[@StreetInspired1]

Since filming this video I've also installed the short shifter. I'll be honest the full kit, Shifter with plate might be a little too short and notchy for some people. I really like it but it's very notchy. Great for someone who wants that but I feel like most people would be very happy with just the plate and bushing or the Bushing and Shifter and no plate.

[@mistamaog]

​@@StreetInspired1 Thanks for the feedback! It seems like having the entire kit would be overkill, except for those who are in to the extremely short shifting. I just want slightly shorter throws but with a more mechanical shifter feel. Which seemed easier to install, the shifter, or the plate and bushing?

[@StreetInspired1]

@@mistamaog the plate is definitely easier and less involved. If you're good with the stock Shifter height I would do the plate but if you would prefer the shifter to sit a little lower or want fancy custom colors on the reverse lockout and such I would do the Shifter instead of the plate.

[@mistamaog]

@@StreetInspired1 Thanks! I'll probably do the plate and bushing just to save myself the headache. I've watched so many shifter installs, and it just looks like a nightmare to me. Thanks again!

[@IvanRodriguez-tk4sf]

Is there any different between the perrin and billetworks shifter bushings?? I'm planning to install the billetworks shifter plate. I already got the perrin shifter. bushings

[@steeeve90]

I received the shift plate and plan to install but I’m a bit nervous working under the car. How high are you lifting your car? Are you using Jack w Jack stands?

[@nickkeogh1812]

Thinking about doing this mod soon. Is there a reason the shield is not put back on? Doesn't fit after new plate installed or just not worth the hassle? Thanks for the video and your time.

[@StreetInspired1]

So the new Shifter Plate will hit the shield. It's just a dust shield and it won't cause any issues having it removed but that's the reason for not re installing it. Hope this helps!

[@nickkeogh1812]

​@Street Inspired thanks for the reply. I ended up getting the cobb plate because I guess you can put back that shield once installed. One more question would I have enough clearance with front wheel car ramps to reach this area vs jacking it up?

[@MooseNY]

How does this compare to the feeling of the STI 6speed transmission you had in your old WRX?

[@StreetInspired1]

Honestly very similar. The STI transmission is a direct Shifter with no cables and thr wrx is cable driven. This mod almost makes it feel like the sti transmission. It feels much more solid and reassuring!

[@Oregon_FA24]

Your brass bushing looks the exact same as mine but I'm finding it impossible to get it fully into the linkage! Any advice? I tried somewhere lithium grease but still no luck

[@DenverDave5280]

@Oregon_FA24 I'm looking to do this same install in about a week when the parts arrive. I would suggest first confirming the outside diameter of the factory bushing to the brass one to be sure you have the correct bushing. Also be sure you are inserting it to the proper side of the linkage. It looks symmetrical in the video but may be 1-2mm different. Once that's confirmed, you may want to try pressing the bushing in with some channelock pliers. That's the best advice I can offer - hope it helps!

[@JasonNugent]

Don't expoxy your floor - you'll drop a tool on it one day and chip it and then hate your life. I have a SwissTrax floor but it wasn't super cheap. The nice thing about the SwissTrax floor is that you can take it with you. Also, when I installed my Perrin shifter bushing the tolerance was so tight I needed pliers to get it in the linkage, I was cursing and swearing for two hours.

[@StreetInspired1]

Thank you for the input on that! And yes!! I had the same issue on my last car. The Perrin Bushing WOULD NOT go on. That's why I stayed away from them this time around. I even removes the linkage from the car completely and tried hammering it into the linkage with a mallet and had no luck.

[@price2263]

I’ve seen a few guys swapping to the sti trans in the vb’s. Is that something you’re going to do like your old one? I’d like to so I can chill around the 400-450 range and not worry about the trans grenading. Also don’t know exactly how much they’ll cost but not ready for 7k for the trans (idk the exact cost just guesstimating) on top of everything else lol.

[@StreetInspired1]

Yeah I would love to do that. But yeah they're super expensive. Somewhere between 5-10k depending on the condition and mileage. I think its worth it if you're sending it with the car or if your trans blows. It will probably cost $3k to replace with a wrx transmission so at that point its worth it to dish out more for the sti transmission

[@price2263]

@@StreetInspired1 exactly what I was thinking. Would be a perfect combo with the fa24.

[@o0oCircleso0o]

Do you recommend doing all the transmission work at the same time? Short shifter, transmission mount, and plate? Or is it best to put some miles in-between them?

[@StreetInspired1]

I would recommend doing it all at once unless you had some other reason to space them out. But while it's all apart it would be easiest to do it all at once.

[@ThebigGametDad]

epoxy flooring thats be ur ideal, thats what i do.

[@djkrekeler6909]

Installed this and noticed the reverse seems a little too stiff or at least more so compared to the other gears. Wondering if you noticed anything similar.

[@StreetInspired1]

It does make it a little tougher to get into reverse and all gears in general. The reason is while reducing the throw it also reduces leverage. So it takes a little more effort to move the Shifter. If you were to get a really tall shift knob for example, the gears would feel much further apart but the shifts would feel much easier because you have more leverage so it takes less force. Hope this helps!

[@djkrekeler6909]

For me the rest of the gears seemed like they went pretty well, just the reverse. I did noticed once in a while it's was more rough, but felt it was getting better as I "wore it in" pretty sure everything else is Installed properly. I'll just have to ride with it, appreciate the response.

[@Alex-e6b2f]

Why dont you out the shild back in place? Whats the point of leaving it off?

[@StreetInspired1]

@@Alex-e6b2f the billetworkz Shifter Plate won't fit with the sheild on.

[@Alex-e6b2f]

@@StreetInspired1 what's the shield for? Does it cause any issues leaving it off? I assume it's okay seeing as everyone's is using them?

[@StreetInspired1]

@@Alex-e6b2f it's just a dust sheild and won't cause any issues leaving it removed.

[@2023startingCA]

can you share your shift knob's link? thx.

[@StreetInspired1]

billetworkz.com/collections/the-fusion

[@madmanmohoeknee7911]

Did this mod help in blowing up the transmission?

[@StreetInspired1]

There's no evidence suggesting that this mod would have anything to do with a transmission failure. It was most likely due to the power level. The car was pushing 454WHP which was just too much for the stock transmission.

[@roddydykes7053]

How similar is this to the VA job?

[@StreetInspired1]

It's identical!

[@joesmith-dt5vb]

any plans for the exhaust?

[@StreetInspired1]

Still brain storming. I don't really like the sound with just a catback. So I'll probably wait until I get a J pipe to do the exhaust but I'm still unsure.

[@gaivoron]

I was going to suggest the epoxy but it is permanent.

[@StreetInspired1]

That's what I'm leaning towards it's not too expensive since it's such a small garage.

[@gaivoron]

@@StreetInspired1 yes, it shouldn't cost that much. Floor cleaning is easy with epoxy and there are some that are made specifically for nonslip, makes it perfect for a garage.

[@Christosan88]

Epoxy but Id only do that on a house I bought

[@JerryNeutron]

Just finished doing this, that pin is a whore! Everything was pretty smooth sailing til it came to getting that thing back in

[@lakerimff]

Swisstrax