Fitting a Shift Light to a Golf GTI Mk6

[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.