lol, i bought mine 2 months ago and haven't got the chance to install it until yesterday The install was pretty easy except for removing the plastic control socket; I had to hammer it few times between 2 wood logs hehehe.
Dunno if the RE shifter seats higher than the stock one but it's tougher to shift and yes, notchier, lol. However, my problem is not that, shifting to the 5th gear is very hard. The 5th gear doesnt seem to align with the 6th, so whenever i want to downshift from 6 to 5, i have to take the shift a lil bit to the left (like the structure prevent me to do so). Is this normal ? do you htink my plastic control socket is ruined because of the force ? Im gonna reinstall the stock shifter, see if it helps

 

Sounds like you didn't follow a vital part of the direction ... aligning the guide plate for 5th & 6th gear. I have absolutely no problem w. 5 - 6 - 5 shifts.

Shift effort is indeed higher ... by approx. 30%, the same amount reduced in throw.



Clint (THX723)

 

Rogue issue s to be aware of

a) if you over tighten the shifter linkage bolt (one under car) it can shift notcher, Note the TQ spec in the instructions.

b) if you didn't leave "enough clearance" on the guide plate near 5th ot 6th , you can have issues gateing into those gears

c) if you have "too much clearance" on the guide plate near 5th ot 6th , finding the gate in those gears can be notchy and/or you can get a "rattle" upon rapid decel maneuvers.

Personally I used ~.040" gap (via feeler guage) to perfect the guide plate gap adjustment.. HA worked liek a champ for 6k miles so far.

 

It looks like installing an aftermarket short shifter is completely pointless. Not only do you get notchier shifts with more resistance, you have to make sure you install and adjust everything just right, or else you get other problems. The stock shifter is already short, there isn't much point to make it any shorter.

 

It would appear so wouldn't it! However, the adjustment really only takes approx. 15 seconds to perform and is part of the installation procedures. All that's needed is to put the shifter in 5th gear, slide the plate against the tab lightly ... and do the same for 6th. You would have to do the same when installing the the OEM unit as well. It's really no different!



Clint (THX723)

 

"However, the adjustment really only takes approx. 15 seconds to perform and is part of the installation procedures."

Point taken about adjustments as part of installation process, however, what have you gained with the short shifter kit?

It the increased notchiness and resistance worth the slightly shorter throw? The factory throw is already very short. I don't see much justification to spend time and money on this mod...

 

Point taken as well. I'm simply addressing the original poster's concern w. 5th and 6th gear engagement issue.

To answer you frankly, however ... the reason for this upgrade is probably no different than throwing on a Z-tube or CAI in general. Is it really worth the money for the questionable power gain? In this case, the gains are more quantifiable than speculations ... albeit w. side effects.

I can't speak for the others who only street their car, but the shorter throw is very welcoming when I'm on the track (let it be road course or drag strip).

The stocker shifter is indeed not bad to begin with.

Clint (THX723)

 

JoeyG35:
you really cant tell the diff if you havent tried it >< I changed the shifter from my previous eclipse and Im super happy with it. Thats why I changed the shifter in my g35.
THX723:
LoL, you're right, I didnt follow the instructions precisely, actually i barely read the instructions ahahhaha, my mistake
Thanks for your help guys.
I really lost count of how many times g35driver.com saved tons of my time and money ^_^\/ Keep the forum up ^^

 

gr4n23:
Of course I can't tell the difference since I haven't tried it. However, I've driven various other cars with short shift kits installed and I've reached a general conclusion that they are mostly a waste of money. For example, one of my friends installed a $250 short shift kit on his GTI. Not only did it make finding the gears even more vague, it was very notchy in operation.

Judging from the posts I've been reading about the short shift kit for the G35, it sounds no different: Notchy shifting and added shift resistance. I find it funny that one of the listed improvements for the 2005 G35 is "improved to provide a lower shifting effort". Whilst this short shifter kit adds even more shift effort than currently exists. Personally, I prefer smooth shift operation, even if it means a slightly longer throw. But to each his own, right?

 

IMO , the Rouge shifter has been a significant improvement. To call it notchy "when adusted" properly is an overstatement. Shortening the throw is not the best part, it is that now the gates are much more precise (less searching) about and it snaps into gear. The OEM shifter , though not that bad , was a little rubbery going into the gate. I find it much harder to miss a speed shift now than with the OEM.

My only beef now is the big mass of the OEM flywheel , makes you wait a tad when up shifting (ie makes the synchros work hard. A lightend fly alleviates this symptom at the expense of little extra audible low RPM gear noise..