JHM short shifter.
What a big difference this upgrade makes from stock! Faster. Crisper. Smoother. Like Butter.
I also had an issue with 4 gear not lining up and forever I was worried it was my synchro, however, after the installation, 4 gear is all good now.
The short shifter is definitely on my list of must haves.
I’m worried about my synchros though. I find it is harder than it should be (my opinion) to get into 2nd. Someone told me that you have to “realign” the synchros by shifting between 3rd and 4th while at a stop and it will help. I took the advice…but I’m skeptical of it. Also told me not to run hard in first gear cause it’s too much power for the transmission.
Nice to hear good things about the JHM short shifter.
If you are having issues getting into 2nd fast then you definitely need the jhm shifter. The oem shifter gets hung up on the reverse gate because the push down spring is too light and the flex in the shifter messes with things.
WHo told you that about running hard in first gear? First and second gears are stout as fuck in this transmission. I have not heard of one single first gear issue. The only real common issue with this transmission is the third gear synchro wearing out prematurely.
JHM is selling a upgraded second gear and collar since they say those gears go out.
Lol sounds like Slvrrs4 needs to find some new people to listen to!
Go out or get fucked up from (ab)use over time?
The third gear synchro is usually the first thing to go on the trans I thought.
I’ve had one sitting in my basement since this winter. I have the linkage as well, and was going to have that installed when installing piggies. But since JHM still doesn’t have an RS4 tune available…well, the piggies are waiting and so is the linkage. I was thinking about installing the shifter but am kind of nervous about the adjustments and getting it just right…
Oh well, will continue to sit for now I guess.
One of the guys who works at GMG racing up in Cali where I had my brakes done.
Looks like that shifter just jumped up a few spots on my list!
Well thankfully I now have your pearls of wisdom to guide me, Saki, as well as the rest of you fine folks here at AR. ;D
To be honest, I’m liable to believe almost anything to do with these cars as they are pretty much a mystery to me since I haven’t torn one apart…yet.
Less think …more do 
Ya, definately get that shifter installed and aligned properly before anything else regarding 2nd gear alignment
Hands down, the SS is my favourite mod. Makes the car feel more expensive somehow lol. I hate driving the GTI for its rowboat shifter.
I thought that too so I was surprised by what JHM told me. Apparently the second gear goes out all of a sudden and you can’t get into it at all. Abuse probably helps it on its way out. It is all updated OEM parts and since I haven’t seen anybody post up with that problem I have to wonder.
interesting
regarding the shifter, I have driven a few cars with it, and it’s really a night and day feeling vs. stock. Really solid and mechanical and the short throw is mental.
The stock rubbery feel sucks after you drive one.
I was driving axel’s car at the strip a few weeks ago and I loved it.
YOu made me spit coffee all over the place with the “rowboat shifter” comment!!!
Any particular reason you haven’t added it yet then?
What can I say…I was nervous about it going out of adjustment, adjusting it the first time, and it just being a general PITA. Perhaps FUD, but I dunno. Seems like a VERY common complaint.
UPDATE – My concerns were apparently unfounded as the shifter ended up being very easy to adjust. I have a minor issue with a noise on the reverse pushdown/recoil but am not going to worry about it. Overall hapy with the shifter. Much more direct and short shifts, no doubt. And definitely a different feel than any short shifter I’ve used in prior cars.
Second and third gear are definitely the most problematic gears. I too would have also guessed third is the most common because it’s easier to screw up the shift going from the outside to the middle with the shifter. Last year I had the problem of the car not going into any gear while the car was running. I took it to a mechanic who told me I needed to replace the master cylinder, clutch, flywheel, and slave cylinder. I gave him my car to replace everything even though I had a new jhm clutch/flywheel with only 2700 miles on it. When I got the car back the car was driving normal with the exception of 4th gear popping out. After talking with some local shops they told me a couple things to try while driving it. After trying what they told me I could no longer shift into 2nd, 3rd, or 4th without the gears grinding and then I couldn’t downshift into anything. Took it to Chicago Performance and Tuning and learned I needed a rebuild. So I shipped my transmission to Advanced Automotion in Texas to get it rebuilt. I needed all new seals and synchros, a new 1-2 shift collar, new 3-4 shift collar, new 2nd gear, new 3rd gear, and new 4th gear. On top of everything, Al at CPT and JHM told me the flywheel and clutch were fine. While the transmission was out I felt this was the perfect time to install the jhm short shifter trio kit. I have to say this is the best short/solid throw shift kit I have ever used. The shifts are extremely solid and smooth. It definitely helps build your shifting skills and confidence. I would recommend this kit to anyone. It says that it will be louder than stock but I can barely hear it unless I’m jamming the shit out of the gears and even then it’s not that loud IMO. Definitely one of the most cost effective mods you can do. The only thing is the shifter linkage is a big install if your transmission isn’t already out of the car.
I also haven’t added any other mod to my car, so don’t forget that.
As for what is a ‘VERY’ common complaint, JHM has sold many hundreds, if not thousands of those shifters. how many guys bitch about them…12?
Not ‘VERY’ when you think about it that way.
What makes it so difficult to install without pulling the trans? Doesn’t fit through the top well?
I definitely don’t want to have to drop the trans just for a shifter, and I am nowhere near ready for a clutch/flywheel/transmission job.
Just as a side note, adjusting it perfectly isn’t super easy. I know my mechanic, who’s done many, spent an hour getting it JUST right. I’m inclined to believe many (maybe not all) of the complaints have to do with poor adjustment skills. I mean look at the post just above, how many shops told this guy to try this and try that and spend thousands replacing perfectly good parts. So many mechanics have no clue what they’re doing, and when it comes to performance parts, it’s even less.