Short Shifter Install (Pics)

[Little6D6vil6]

So I ordered a VF Engineering Short Shifter. I have never dealt with nor even seen a short shifter in person before but this had to be the easiest thing I have ever done. Took me all of a half hour to install it. Including the many multi-step process to remove the air box (on the tsi engine, dunno how it is on the fsi). So here's what I got. Its a general outline of my installation. Not very detailed.


Here's the new shifter. It has 2 holes in which you can choose how much shorter you want it. I went with the shortest throw. and I love it! Makes a world of a difference.


Old shifter on the left, new on the right. They are about the same weight from what I could tell by holding them.


Shifter is located right underneath the airbox.


Airbox semi disassembled.


Airbox removed. And there she is hiding right underneath a few things.


A closer look. Untouched. I will be removing the single nut that holds it down in place and the left cable arm from the shifter to replace it.


Here I removed the clip from the left cable arm to detach it from the shifter.


Here is what it looked like with the shifter removed. I was able to just take off the cable arm to the left and leave the one to the right on.


New shifter installed.




Of course I was an idiot and didnt take a before and after picture of the shifter knob positions themselves to compare.
Gears 1, 3, and 5 are very very short and 2, 4, and 6 are pretty short too, but not as much.
I definitely recommend this short shifter. Easy do it yourselfer.

[SpeedyGTI]

very nice man. is the shifting clanky at all if u know wat i mean?

[06blkmagicGTI]

very nice man. is the shifting clanky at all if u know wat i mean?

I think you mean notchy

My B&M shifter in my old car was very notchy, while my diesel geeks was as smooth as stock. I believe all these types of shifters, unlike the B&M have an oem shift feel to them, just a shortened throw.

[Little6D6vil6]

very nice man. is the shifting clanky at all if u know wat i mean?

It can be notchy. You do have to have to some what man handle it. But it was kinda always that way. When I tested it in the longer throw setting it was smoother for whatever reason. May have also been depending on if i had that single nut tightened too much.

I'll have to get a pic of the throw from inside the car and throw em up on here.

All in all though, honestly I much rather have the notchiness because the throw is just that damn short that if the notchiness wasnt there I wouldnt know if i were in gear, or what gear.

I highly recommend it. I think its like 22% less of a throw, or 22% total compared to the stock being 100%?? If that makes sense? haha

[wrath627]

Just wondering if you can help with instructions on how to remove the Air Box.

Ive got an ECS Tuning Short Shifter that I've been itching to install for a while now!

GolfMKV only has FSI instructions, so this was an awesome find!

Thanks in advance!

[Little6D6vil6]

Yeah I can hook ya up with some pics when I get a chance. It's nothing difficult, just many screws to undo and a little figuring out.

[wrath627]

Awesome! Thanks, looking forward getting this done, myself.

[lazer]

i thought when put on a short shifter you replace the stick in the gearbox
you know what im saying ?

[Little6D6vil6]

Yeah I hear ya. I'm no expert or anything but a lot of times that is what you do which also makes the stick itself shorter. In this case you are changing the position of the arm that controls the throw forward. I believe dieselgeeks has one that replaces the same part but is fully adjustable for your forward, backward and side to side throw.

The stick in my car is obviously the same length. My GTI is a lease so I plan on doing simple yet effective mods.

[wrath627]

Did you get a chance to get those pictures of the Air Box removal yet?

Thanks in advance!

[Little6D6vil6]

Awesome! Thanks, looking forward getting this done, myself.

This isn't EXACTLY what you're looking for, I know. Sorry but my fast is in the shop yet again. Its in because after my accident and they fixed my car, it leaked some serious water and the back seat was soaked. So now they have it back and are getting rid of the smell possibly replacing the rear seat.

So until I get it back heres the best I can do. I'm sure you want to get that short shifter in asap. I made some red marks on my previous pics to make a rough guide line as to what is goin on...


These red dots are where the screws are on the top of the air box. Unscrew all these. They wont come all the way out, they stay within the top so that you dont accidentally drop and lose any screws. Kinda nice. At the bottom center of the pic is the inlet from the grill to the box. The top snaps off of that easily and may possibly have a screw or two?


Ok the 2 red dots are where the air box kinda has some coushin and room to move on a rubber gasket of a sort. When at this point you just carefully and gently pull up on the box and the box will come off of the studs it is attached to. To put it back just press it right on back down to it.


The two circles on the bottom right are the studs the air box sits on. The top left circle is just to point out how the screws stay within the top of the airbox.

When I can and if still needed I can make up a better walk through. Its honestly not that bad. If you are venturing to install a short shifter like this yourself I'm sure you can trust yourself to remove the air box. Just remember where it all goes. I think that took longer to take in and out over the short shifter itself!

Take some pics on how you did if you do it.

[lazer]

can you guys post the prices and place or site you got your short shifter from.
Seems like a pretty easy install.

[Little6D6vil6]

can you guys post the prices and place or site you got your short shifter from.
Seems like a pretty easy install.

http://www.vf-accessories.com/acc-shift_vwaudi.php

or www.vf-accessories.com

I think I paid around $150? I also go through my buddy for parts so I don't know if thats retail or what... he has his own company: http://millaracing.com/

The install is veeeerrrryyyy easy. I had never been in my engine bay before besides looking at it nor have I ever touched a short shifter before. The install took me all of 30-45min? With taking pics and figuring out how to get the air box out...

[Little6D6vil6]

Here is the throw distances with the new short shifter installed....

Here is 4th gear, followed by neutral, then 3rd gear....

[lazer]

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang thats short on my mk4 it moves so far its retardedly obvious what gear its in.

[Little6D6vil6]

can you guys post the prices and place or site you got your short shifter from.
Seems like a pretty easy install.

My short shifter is by VF Engineering.
Its $150 plus shipping of course.
Heres a link straight to it...
http://www.vf-accessories.com/acc-shift_vwaudi.php

I got it through my buddy who sells performance parts. He recommended them.
http://millaracing.com/


I love this shifter. Enjoy!