Shifter shoot out! Vintage Speed vs Scat shifters in a VW Bus

This week we finally got to work on my own bus. I'm compairing the Vintage Speed shifter with the tried and true Scat "Dragfast" T-handle shifter in the bus. I'll show you how to remove and install a shifter, and how to adjust the base plate for smooth operation.
Parts in this video:
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[@vdubventure]

Great vid, very helpful, helped me decide on going for the scat for my bay, off to get it ordered up 👌🏻

[@OldVolksTV]

Awesome!

[@meademorgan6614]

I love my Scat Drag Fast shifters. I have them in three of my four VW’s, the fourth one has a vintage Hurst shifter in it. 🤙

[@OldVolksTV]

That was always my favorite as well, especially in a bus. I have the CRC billet shifter now, and it feels like the scat but a little beefier.

[@dennisc.1189]

Good video on how to installing a shifter on a VW Bus.

[@OldVolksTV]

Thanks!

[@bradforddedman2092]

Fantastic timing and a great job. I'm getting ready to spring on the VS unit- just hoping to combine freight on the exhaust system too. You've helped me tremendously in making this decision!

[@OldVolksTV]

Glad I could help! It's a great shifter. The newest version has had some of the bugs worked out and is even better!

[@snake_eyes_garage]

I have one in my '65 bus and really like it. I found the other shifters to be too heavy and the VS is more towards the original feel.

[@Splashdown99]

Great video, thanks for making it! I was looking at a vintage speed as well.

[@OldVolksTV]

Great shifter, just not my taste.

[@DemopVWgarage]

gene berg, you wont look back.

[@kristianeyman4756]

Great job! I have wondered many times about this, too bad didn't have a berg shifter...but the scat looks like a good deal!

[@OldVolksTV]

It's pretty good. The t-handle is a bit awkward but you get used to it. Well worth the money.

[@daveshipman2677]

great vid bud,i have just literally just purchased a scat shifter for my T2 early bay,as the old original one gives me issues when changing gears,mostly first and second,i did replace the selector rod as the original one was worn excessively.so seeing your vid kinda gives me some hope that it will shift allot better with the scat,because i think when changing gears with original shifter it keeps trying to hit reverse,or that's how it feels,i've constantly adjustsed the plate,and it is better,but want a smoother shift,so i;m hoping that i have chosen wisely,keep doing more vids dude,i hope to see the other block going into your splitty soon,cheers.

[@OldVolksTV]

The scat is definitely one of my favorites. The new CRC shifter I'm using now is by far the best I've ever had tho. Thanks for watching!

[@daveshipman2677]

@@OldVolksTV i thought the crc shifter was too long,as you seem to have doubts about it,did you get it modified by any chance bud..?

[@OldVolksTV]

@@daveshipman2677 no, the vintage speed shifter was still a little long in the throw. The CRC shifter is tight. There's a little learning curve, but after a couple days I worked it out and its amazing.

[@daveshipman2677]

@@OldVolksTV ah gotcha bud my bad, I'll let you know how i get on when i get my scat shifter delivered and installed,keepin my fingers crossed dude.

[@erwinsm10]

I got the Empi bus shifter , honestly , it looks like a copied berg base and shaft , it really was the better choice for me . Still cost less than the Gene berg bus shifter.

[@OldVolksTV]

I've tried them all over the years, and the SCAT has always been my favorite. I had the opportunity to pick up a CRC bus shifter and now anything else feels like I'm shaking hands with a cat. They're pricey but the operation is flawless.

[@crackpotts5347]

You may have the option of cutting it shorter and re-threading the shaft.

[@aaronanthony8465]

Let us know if you decide to upgrade the handle to a ball shifter on the scat!

[@OldVolksTV]

I definetly want to! What do you have in mind?

[@marcospineda1128]

When replacing a shifter, does it have to be in neutral or in gear?

[@OldVolksTV]

Best if it's in neutral, but It doesn't really matter.

[@mitchabshier568]

My bug needs a bus shifter. I have my EMPI shifter and I love it. But I need a longer shifter cause imma classy Mitch

[@OldVolksTV]

I may have one for sale. 😜

[@scottalvey1787]

Noticed you didn’t reinstall the spring, why not?

[@vwaudiwelder]

Thanks so much for the video. Where can I find the Vintage speed shifter for $100? I have an upside down Audi A4 transmission mounted to a MK4 TDI in my splitty bus and it is so damn sloppy and most certainly "first week to last week" throw even though everything else I have upgraded, even the white plastic "shuttlecock" bushings inside the shifter tunnel were replaced with precision turned steel/greased bushings. I have invested so much time into my OEM linkage system, I don't want to throw it all away for a Nissan UD1800 diesel box truck cable shifter mounted atop a Porsche 944 valve cover/camshaft carrier pedestal. I do appreciate it.

[@OldVolksTV]

I'm not sure the vintage speed shifter will help in that situation. Whenever you fit equipment from a newer car into an older car you have to fabricate parts to make it work. The bus shifter is so much longer than the Audi shifter that the geometry is completely different.

[@vwaudiwelder]

@@OldVolksTV Yes indeed the actual throw of the internal shift rod inside each transmission nose cone is different. The OG bus was 35mm, the Audi 50mm. I have modified the floor mount just a bit to provide for the additional 15mm throw however the shifter itself is just as sloppy as any other bus unit. I can indeed access all 5 gears and reverse I am just trying to reduce the amount of throw/travel so would very much like to get one of these for $100 somewhere if you might provide some resources. Thanks.

[@OldVolksTV]

I bought mine used on thesamba.com . Prices will vary so you just have to keep checking to get a deal .

[@keeledover4218]

i would use a a4 shift box with a shifter extension for the right height you don’t need to adjust shifter at all also gti should work too or any vw after 1999 with a cable shift setup a g60 corrado ma be too short but less throw

[@keeledover4218]

you can also buy a shirt shift kit for the a4 transmission

[@warrengreenfield8865]

From neutral to 2nd how far does the shifter travel back.......reason I ask is I have a 58 where the gear shift is closer to the seat than yours...... I'm wondering if I have enough clearance. Many thanks for your time, great video 👍

[@OldVolksTV]

Depends on the shifter, but even the Vintage Speed is 35% shorter throw than stock. If you look at their website you'll see more year specific shifters, and straight shaft shifters. The SCAT shifter has less throw than the VS, and the Berg shifter is about the same as the SCAT. The CRC shifters, I believe, are adjustable in 3 directions for throw.

[@warrengreenfield8865]

@@OldVolksTV It's the Scat one I fancied, I forgot to mention, cheers 😉

[@DemopVWgarage]

watch the vintage speed one, they snap at the base. I've repaired two already.

[@OldVolksTV]

I liked it, but ended up with a CRC SS shifter. Best one I've ever had!

[@DemopVWgarage]

@@OldVolksTV oh I havent tried that one, I have the gene berg ones in both my splitys love them :)

[@daveshipman2677]

Hi dude,i installed my scat shifter yesterday,but for some reason i couldn't engage second gear,i tried to adjust but it only moves forward and back,so decided to put original shifter back in,i read somewhere that you can use the bottom plate with a scat,have you tried this at all,as now I'm looking for some kinda remedy,as i paid a fair bit when i bought my scat shifter.....cheers bud.

[@OldVolksTV]

I just bolted mine in tight enough to where it would move with a little force, then shift around a bit. When it felt like I had all 5 gears (reverse too) I torqued them and rechecked. Make sure your coupler is in good shape. That can affect the shifting as well.

[@daveshipman2677]

@@OldVolksTV Hi dude,i looked at the coupler and it has a tiny bit of play in it but nothing massive,but i will change it out to see if this makes any difference,i think the bushes in the rod may be suspect,so again will be looking to see if they need replacing,in the mean time i have put on my original stick shifter and i can get all 4 gears,may need slight adjustment as 1st gear is a bit ropey,thanks for getting back to me yeah,have a nice day dude.

[@eddym54]

www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289431 Look in here. Fixes for the issue you described.

[@guyderby8861]

sweet. thanx sexy guy! :)

[@NormT2a]

Where did you got the vintage speed shifter? Thanks for the Info🤙🏻

[@OldVolksTV]

Heres the website for their store... store.vintagespeed.com.tw/VW-Shifters-VW-Shift-Knobs-c33931550

[@NormT2a]

Got it, but can t get the 1. in. Is always in 3. all the bushings etc brand new. Soon as I install the Original one works everything.

[@Koloherides]

what sound proofing peel mat are you using

[@tylerf91099]

Looks like quick roof

[@OldVolksTV]

I used a budget version of FatMat I found on Amazon. The thickest one they had.

[@Koloherides]

is it true vintage is like $1000 shifter,, no way

[@OldVolksTV]

I picked mine up used for $150. They pop up on the for sale groups from time to time.