Fitting a Shift Light to a Golf GTI Mk6

[Eclipze]

Fitting a Shift Light to a Golf GTI Mk6...

I fit a Shift-I shift light yesterday and have put a fitment guide together. Thought others may like the info for future reference, as it may also be handy for installing things like dataloggers or other accessories. Think it took me all day to write this, so better get back to work If I've left anything out, please let me know

You need 3 wires to fit the Shift-I to the GTI. Power and Ground from the diagnostics port (near driver’s side knee) and the RPM signal from the engine bay. I’ve included a heap of pictures, stepping through the installation. Use this guide at your own risk.

This is fitted to a right hand drive vehicle. Routing of a left hand drive car would be a little more straight forward.

First step is to install the RPM wire. I started in the passenger foot well. Poking one end of the wire through to the engine bay, and the other end through the centre console to the driver’s side.

[team_v]

Props for having the guts to rip your car apart and do something yourself.


I don't really see the need but at least you managed it and we now have a guide.

[Eclipze]

Depends on how you like to drive. But it's one of those things where you don't know what your missing until you start using one. You can't read tachos while driving, so you can't use it. A progressive shift light like this you can see in your peripheral vision, and you set it to only show the RPM your interested in. A lot more useful than the ordinary shift light (panic light)

[robby_jai]

no offense but thats kinda ricey! and seriously. you need a shift light to tell you when to shift gears?????

[MurphyTheElf]

no offense but thats kinda ricey! and seriously. you need a shift light to tell you when to shift gears?????

It's for when you're trying to drift around the CBD and the music is up too loud. You can't hear the revs hence the pretty lights.

[Eclipze]

Hahaa.... yeah, no offence taken Ricey is a big monster tacho and neons. This is 2010, where the gap between ricey pretty gear and driver equipment is far more apparent. To answer your question, you don't always need to have a light to know when to shift (that would just be ricey). If you've done some track work / racing, you'll easily relate to the benefits. After all, why else would the top drivers in everything from V8's to forumla 1 have progressive shift lights - you'd think they'd know when to shift. It's more about consistency and knowing where your RPM is at to make good use of the engine.

If you're just plain accelerating, no distractions, bang through the gears for sure. But if your leaning out your RPM range towards the corner exit, you don't want to hit the limiter and upset the suspension while your using the grip. All well and good for the track. I'm used to using it. On the road, I'II always have the right gear for the corner, or the right gear for an overtake without needing a gear change. It's a reference for corner entry speed, reference for speed (3km/hr tolerance in Victoria sucks). You're not always accelerating, and with all the traffic distraction, you're not always concentrating the RPM. The worst case being where you put your foot down to maneuver within traffic, and get caught out with a slow throttle response (or worse, labouring the engine) - rather than zipping off confidentially.

I like a spirited drive on the roads (which does not imply being stupid/racing). Useful for staging the RPM for snappy take offs, wet and dry roads (yes, I have a manual). I bought the GTI because of the performance and handling, not because it looks so good (well, maybe a minor influence hehe...). At the moment, it's a reminder for running the engine in hahaa... It's not something I'd expect the average daily driver would use, but if you like your driving performance, there may be a reason to try something you've never had the chance to use before.

What gets me is all the money people spend on performance mods, upgrading engine/exhaust/suspension etc... but they don't yet recognise or consider the influence the nut behind the wheel has :-P

[sillygogo]

Come on guys...the mod might not be neccessary but Eclipze did a great job in writing it up with good photos. and directions...I say nice work Eclipze

[schoona]

Quaslity write up. Could almost get published!

I have a mate with a shift light. N15 pulsar with a 2871R. It's necessary in that car because it revs that quickly and hass bucket load of wheel spin.
I don't see the point in a standard Mk6 GTI.

So the precedence is, throw a 2871R on your GTI and I'll believe it's worth it.

Though the perripheral vision argument I concur with.


Congrats mate

[bwen]

Good write up, there is more use to a shift light than just the 'wank' factor. Golfs have a near silent noise cabin and if he is chasing big power in his GTI coupled when he is driving down the quarter a shift light does help quite a bit.