Factory Options

[SentraWV]

OK, so what's everybody's take on this:

12.4 STANDARD PART
An item of standard or optional equipment that could have been
ordered with the car, installed on the factory production line, and
delivered through a dealer in the United States. Port-installed options
provided by the factory are considered to be the same as
those installed on the factory production line. Dealer-installed options
or deletions (except as required by factory directives), no matter
how common or what their origin, are not included in this definition.
This definition does not allow the updating or backdating of parts.

Every car maker has a "build you own" option on their website, where you can build the new car of your choice from a plethora of options. Are options selected that way kosher for Stock?

Here's why I'm asking. I've decided to pick up a new WRX and I'm toying with the idea of ordering the "right" one. One of the tick-box options on Subaru's website is a short-throw shifter, which gets rave reviews in the WRX community. That would not be a Stock legal mod if I did it at home. But if I can order it that way from the get go?

Hmm . . .

[Jason V]

Things have changed a little it seems here is what the deal was when I was ordering my MINI...

Back then to be stock legal it must be a factory installed option, not a port installed or dealer installed option. Looks like now the port installed packages are ok....

I would imagine the shifter is dealer installed and thus not legal in stock. I would check with Subaru and SCCA Forums for a definative answer.

[crobin4]

DO NOT PUT A SHORT THROW SHIFTER ON A 5-SPD OR THE NEW NON-STI 6-SPD!!!!:wink: The syncros are not designed for them. Actually, I wouldn't put one on a dump truck. And BTW, the '08 STi didn't need one either.:wink:

[crobin4]

To elaborate, there are two applications for a short-throw shifter. Drag Racing and Performance Rally. I would use one for those applictions, because the main shafts and ring and pinions would break before the syncros wear out prematurely. And, it would have an advantage in those two sports.:biggrin:

[gtfour77]

To elaborate, there are two applications for a short-throw shifter. Drag Racing and Performance Rally. I would use one for those applictions, because the main shafts and ring and pinions would break before the syncros wear out prematurely. And, it would have an advantage in those two sports.:biggrin:

Well put Chris... I very much agree on this one. Short throw shifters usually don't allow proper time between synchros slowing down the input shaft and engaging the actual gears. (driven gear plus the sliding gear hub that slides in right after the synchro). This will overheat the synchros in many instances. On the other hand, maybe the subaru short shifter is designed better and is not so harsh on the trans.. long term reviews would be helpful on this subject.

[RobbieNelson]

Well put Chris... I very much agree on this one. Short throw shifters usually don't allow proper time between synchros slowing down the input shaft and engaging the actual gears. (driven gear plus the sliding gear hub that slides in right after the synchro). This will overheat the synchros in many instances. On the other hand, maybe the subaru short shifter is designed better and is not so harsh on the trans.. long term reviews would be helpful on this subject.

A thought just occured to me... Would a lightened flywheel help with decreasing the syncronization time? When I changed my chutch, I kept the stock flywheel, because I drive it everyday and I didn't thing the amount of HP that's freed up was worth it. However, if it allowed for faster shifting, I might be tempted.

Sorry to hijack, Jon.

[gtfour77]

A thought just occured to me... Would a lightened flywheel help with decreasing the syncronization time? When I changed my chutch, I kept the stock flywheel, because I drive it everyday and I didn't thing the amount of HP that's freed up was worth it. However, if it allowed for faster shifting, I might be tempted.

Sorry to hijack, Jon.

Robbie, flywheel will not affect the synchros in any major way. Once the clutch is engaged the trans is on its own. Lightened flywheel will help the engine rev faster and will be a bit more responsive. I got one a couple of years ago and it made a significant difference in throttle response.

[RobbieNelson]

Robbie, flywheel will not affect the synchros in any major way. Once the clutch is engaged the trans is on its own. Lightened flywheel will help the engine rev faster and will be a bit more responsive. I got one a couple of years ago and it made a significant difference in throttle response.

Brain fart.... flywheel is on the other side of the clutch. My bad....

[gtfour77]

Brain fart.... flywheel is on the other side of the clutch. My bad....

I figured you knew that Robbie, didn't mean to get all technical on you...heh

[SentraWV]

Thanks for the info, guys. Doesn't look like something worth worrying about, anyway!

NP: Genesis, "Fading Lights"

[suzbndt]

all the options on my STI were port installed. I haved the Short throw shifter in mine and when really running it it doesnt shift great. It is nice driving thru town. the 2-3 upshift when haulin a$$ is hard to make aboout 10% of the time. I would not order the STS.

[TimMaddox]

I kinda agree on the wear and tear on the synchros, but how many times are you guys shifting during an autocross :)?

Anyway, If you can order a short throw shifter on the factory order form/build sheet for your car, then why wouldn't it be legal? Maybe Subaru decides to let the shifter be put on after arrival at the dealer, maybe Chevy doesn't. Maybe the factory order sheet looks identical next year, but this time Subaru puts it on during factory assembly because the dealers didn't want want the hassle, or the UAW complained. Are you supposed to be there when they back the car off the truck at the dealer to see if 100% of the assembly occurred at the factory?

I understand the intended meaning of "dealer installed" - certain options were not available on the order sheet of the car, but available on the manufacturer part list and the dealer would put the equipment on the car for you. But to say a factory option, available to be a part of the car you are having built, is not legal because it may not see final assembly until it gets to the dealer gets a bit fuzzy for me. There are lots of factory ordered parts that don't get "installed" at the factory simply due to fears of damage in shipping.

Hubcaps come to mind (for those of you old enough to remember when nearly all cars came with hubcaps). The dealer took them out of their protective wrapper in the back seat and slapped them on after the car was backed off the transport truck and washed. Are all cars with hubcaps illegal in stock class because hubcaps were a dealer installed factory part 95% of the time?

If the dealer is doing final assembly of the factory order sheet, then that is just the manufacturer's logistics and it should't affect the autocrosser. But if it is a factory part that cannot be ordered on the build sheet of the car, such as bike rack, and only ordered as a Subaru part that the dealer will put on for you, then that is what I would call "dealer installed".

Thoughts?

[Hillbilly]

Do not make things harder on a subie tranny than they have to be, parts are expensive.

[snake bit]

Not to change the subject but have you considered buying two lightly used cars, one for play and one for work, instead of one new STI? I can tell you from personal experience that removing my old Cobra from daily driver duty back in 2003 and picking up a cheap second car for that purpose was liberating. Same deal now with the Corvette. It is so nice, especially this past winter, to have a daily driver that you don't give a sh*t if it gets covered in salt muck, rock chips, door dings, etc. Makes finding parking spots much less worrisome too.

There should be any number of really cool car combinations that you could pick which when combined shouldn't cost much, if anything, more than one brand new STI. Obviously, an '02-'04 Z06 paired with an '06 and up Civic for a daily driver combination would get my vote. But that's just me - and I'm not biased at all, I swear. A lightly used BMW M3 and any good economy car combo would also be quite tempting. Then there's always the Factory Five Cobra replicas that can be built for about $20,000 or so with used donor parts or $25,000 or so if you want to use mostly new stuff. If properly equipped, those cars do quite well in autocross. Lots of choices out there.

Depreciation can be your friend! Just a thought...

[crobin4]

Ummm, good point, but he's not buying an STi. He's getting a WRX. It's around ten thousand less than the STi.
Great advice, I think anyone looking to spend 35-40K shoul definately think about doing that.

[gtfour77]

Yes, very well put Jerry... great advice!

And Tim, it's not the shifting on course (heck for that I would not even need synchros at all heh) but the daily driving and regular street abuse...

[SentraWV]

Not to change the subject but have you considered buying two lightly used cars, one for play and one for work, instead of one new STI?

I don't really have room/time for two cars, unfortunately. Believe me, I've pondered the question. And, yes, as Chris mentioned I'm looking at the regular WRX, not the STi. The STI is just a little more car than I need!

NP: Fish, Tales from the Big Bus

[SentraWV]

Thanks for the comments about the evils of the short-throw. I went down to Royal this afternoon to grab the black sedan I drove a few weeks ago, only to learn it was grabbed this morning. They are looking for another one and one of the first that popped up had that shifter installed. "I've been warned off of those," I said. We moved on.