Those of you with Forge Short Shift

[insanekiwi]

Since, it's been sometime since people starting fitting FORGE short shift kit, thought I might ask a few questions. I do already have all 42DD bushings in and APR engine mount which also improves shifting I felt.

1) If your shift was notchy from 1st to 2nd (known to be on our cars), do you think it's improved with Forge?

2) Feeling direct aside - do you feel you can change your gears more confidently and faster?

3) Have you think it improved and removed notchiness in all gears if you had any?

4) If you drive in daily city traffic commut, do you find that you need to put a lot more effort to change gears?

5) If you had a choice, would you fit it in again?

Honest opinion please! This will help those of us who haven't committed yet.
Thanks guys.

[noone]

I prefer it, wouldn't go back, the shift does not feel more difficult and I believe it works better with my seating position.

[kaanage]

1. Mine was more rubbery than notchy - now is fine (maybe a touch notchy)
2. Definitely a faster shift just due to the shorter throw - need to be committed as the lack of counterweight can lead to missed shifts if you don't push it all the way to the new gate
3. I thought it made my shift notchy until I carefully followed the instructional video set by Greg Roles and now it' very smooth
4. Almost all my daily driving is commute and I shift a LOT to maximise mileage. It hasn't affected me except a couple of times when I got lazy and missed a downshift
5. I'd definitely do it again - it's a very easy install (just get hold of a heat gun to get the OE shifter off easily)

Just as a note, my Forge shifter is set to the shortest throw and if I altered it to the stock leverage (near the midpoint of adjustment) it would probably make the shift action lighter than stock due to the lack of counterweight.

[insanekiwi]

Got mine installed recently:

Overall, the shift is much shorter and I wouldn't want it any shorter (than the shortest setting).
The shift needs (to be honest) - a lot more force than when it was at factory setting.
It shifts into gears very accurately - there is minimal play.
1-2 shift now bulks less - you shift with force / follow through - it will always shift in.

I did notice that first day driving - my left arm did get a little bit tired in traffic.
Since I am right handed - now balancing out my arm strength...

[Chuck]

1) If your shift was notchy from 1st to 2nd (known to be on our cars), do you think it's improved with Forge?
shift is spot on now, much more notchy but in a very good way..clunk clunk..can snatch 2nd gear hard and fast if you want to and that lurch that you would sometimes get when hopping off clutch is gone

2) Feeling direct aside - do you feel you can change your gears more confidently and faster?
hell yes


3) Have you think it improved and removed notchiness in all gears if you had any?
had non before


4) If you drive in daily city traffic commut, do you find that you need to put a lot more effort to change gears?
no not really. feels easy can still change with 2 fingers only at the base of the shift if i choose...it just finds its home just as easily


5) If you had a choice, would you fit it in again?
yes, in a heartbeat. its renewed my love for the car immensely...i look forward to driving it everytime. i would fit this early in my modding journey next time!

[kangfu]

5) If you had a choice, would you fit it in again?
yes, in a heartbeat. its renewed my love for the car immensely...i look forward to driving it everytime. i would fit this early in my modding journey next time!

Same here. The improved shift is making driving the car fun again. Rifle bolt action now. Loving it.

[Greg Roles]

I found after fitting the 42DD bushings, a slight adjustment of the cable ends made all the difference. In the Golf, first to second isn't a straight line as well, so setting up the grid pattern is critical to be able to select all gears easily. I have a video of that on carformanceAU on youtube.

Also found I had to relearn to use the clutch ( not be as relaxed with it ), as it's a lot less forgiving with the bushes, can only imagine the directness of a shortshift as well!