Which Acuity parts needed to just remove lateral slop on shifter?

[Tw1stedlog1k]

Word. I've owned mostly RWD cars so there's an inherent advantage built in there.

I really miss the Auto Solutions SSK in my old M2cs (never should have sold that car!):

Your username had a familiar ring to it and now I realize why; fellow/former F87 owner here also and the AS SSK definitely added a level of enjoyment to that car. I feel the factory shifter on the Type S is a huge jump over the F87's factory shifter but not quite as engaging as the AS SSK as it's missing some heft. A SSK for the ITS will be a vast improvement over the AutoSolutions in terms of smoothness and has a different type of engagement, however it will still be missing that inherent heft due to the different layouts of the two cars.

I've had all three SSKs on my Type S; Hybrid Racing, K-Tuned, and now Acuity.

Hybrid's is the best all-around and best priced, easiest install also.
K-Tuned is the most racey; notchy and heavy (relatively speaking, we're talking increments compared to the other shifters)
Acuity is the smoothest by far, a very OEM+ feel. The quietest and most consistent of all the options, albeit a little too light for my liking. I was told we would have to sacrifice smoothness to increase the heft, which honestly isn't worth the tradeoff since it's such a well-balanced kit.

Edit: I should clarify, the HR setup isn't the "best" all-around, that's more the Acuity. What I meant is that it is not bad or great at any particular trait. Smooth and engaging but not as smooth as Acuity or engaging as K-Tuned, but also not inherently BAD at those things either. Just not AS GOOD, in a vacuum it's still a fantastic option. You can't go wrong with any of the shifters.

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[ashmostro]

Nice! Good to see a fellow M2 guy here. Honestly, I actually enjoy the smoothness of the Honda shifter a lot, as compared to BMW and my prior MT track car, a C7 Corvette GS. Those shifters are very direct, but also very industrial feeling. This feels more refined. It's not better or worse, but it is a nice change that I think I'll enjoy for what it is (particularly once I get the Acuity installed).

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

That's exactly what it is, the Hondas are smoother and less industrial, as you put it. I agree that they're not better or worse, just different. I think you'll enjoy the Acuity a lot, it really highlights the shifter's natural characteristics while the other options try to change them. I still enjoy rowing through the gears despite *wanting* more clunkiness, however those concerns are out the window as soon as I start moving.

 

[Ktrw]

I did the Acuity stage 2 shift kit prior to the bushings, and the cable bushings had ZERO noticeable impact in comparison to the rest of the kit. It would be interesting to see if doing the bushings first provided some obvious improvement, but it was nothing for me. Overall, I love the stage 2 kit, but I'm now wondering if I should have just gotten the full Acuity shifter. I probably will in the future tbh.

Slop in each gate is basically gone, and I wouldn't worry about changing spacing or the short throw aspect; it's pretty minor.

Edit: I thought the "slop" in each gate was gone but there is still play there. It feels a bit different than stock and I wouldn't really call it slop but you can still move the shifter laterally in each gate. For how I use the shifter, it effectively feels like there's no lateral play when I shift since I don't notice it.

 

[TwinSkrullDesign]

I’m adding the following items to my Hybrid Racing shifter this weekend just to crispen the entire shifter assembly. I’ll report back once installed.


- Hybrid Racing Shifter Cable Bushings
- Hybrid Racing Shifter Base Bushings
- Hybrid Racing "Heavy Duty" Transmission Detent Springs

 

[ABPDE5]

Your username had a familiar ring to it and now I realize why; fellow/former F87 owner here also and the AS SSK definitely added a level of enjoyment to that car. I feel the factory shifter on the Type S is a huge jump over the F87's factory shifter but not quite as engaging as the AS SSK as it's missing some heft. A SSK for the ITS will be a vast improvement over the AutoSolutions in terms of smoothness and has a different type of engagement, however it will still be missing that inherent heft due to the different layouts of the two cars.

I've had all three SSKs on my Type S; Hybrid Racing, K-Tuned, and now Acuity.

Hybrid's is the best all-around and best priced, easiest install also.
K-Tuned is the most racey; notchy and heavy (relatively speaking, we're talking increments compared to the other shifters)
Acuity is the smoothest by far, a very OEM+ feel. The quietest and most consistent of all the options, albeit a little too light for my liking. I was told we would have to sacrifice smoothness to increase the heft, which honestly isn't worth the tradeoff since it's such a well-balanced kit.

Edit: I should clarify, the HR setup isn't the "best" all-around, that's more the Acuity. What I meant is that it is not bad or great at any particular trait. Smooth and engaging but not as smooth as Acuity or engaging as K-Tuned, but also not inherently BAD at those things either. Just not AS GOOD, in a vacuum it's still a fantastic option. You can't go wrong with any of the shifters.

Are you using the standard Acuity centering spring? I'm considering swapping to the high preload.

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

Are you using the standard Acuity centering spring? I'm considering swapping to the high preload.

Yes I'm using the default kit parts and I. Setting 2 for height. I may switch off to a lighter knob, it'll probably help to return some of that notchiness.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

@ashmostro , I actually test drove another G80 m3 yesterday (it's been a year+ since I drove the last one and it was very differently specced. After I've gotten used to the Integra, there are some very interesting differences on touchpoints.

Our shifter is a bit sloppy, but the m3 feels strangely precise and incredibly vague and long. Getting back into the its I felt like I bought a new shifter entirely... Its is wildly better.

The clutch on the m3 is even more springy and vague than the its. The its to me is numb and feels like an old arcade game, but the m3 feels like there are a million springs helping and fighting at the same time as you move it. Super long too. Getting back into the its I kept slamming the clutch against the floor.

G80 brakes are pure pedestrian... My q7 is better. The its brakes are wonderful, though they need a small bit of work for more track use.

G80 steering wheel is a chonky boy. I imagine you have to go by the name Shaq to be comfortable grabbing the thing. Its Alcantara wheel is the best factory wheel I've ever used. Only my smaller/thinner race wheels are better (the max papis gt is my favorite).

The conti on this particular G80 were LOUD. they made even the Integra seem quiet (granted I tore mine apart to put sound deadening in so now it's probably 10% quieter than a standard its...).

No car is perfect, but sometimes it takes perspective of driving another car and then back to compare.

M3 was still way nicer inside, less rattles, sounds better (obviously), more balanced and taught chassis, and Omg the tech is leaps and bounds ahead. The m3 let's you set tire pressures independently for summer/winter tires as well as adjust sizing of the tire directly in the system. It's like comparing a smartphone today to a blackberry pearl. Yes, they've gotten large, hefty, more functional, and advanced, but they also lost the tiny, light, quick ethos.

 

[ashmostro]

This echoes my experience too. I was actually also cross-shopping a preowned 6MT G80 against the ITL and it was a tempting affair. But ultimately I wanted something newer and in warranty, and *lighter*. After owning a string of extremely fast high-HP BMWs I have been craving lightness and handling again. The BMWs are great on the track but I haven't had as much time the past couple years to do track days so street performance and fun has become a higher priority. it's much easier to explore the limits of the ITL on the street, and it's fun even when driving moderately. It gets less attention at WOT, which means I can hoon it more often with less risk of being noticed by the popo.

Was ultimately and easy decision. If I go back to a high-HP car in the future I think I'll just jump two rungs and go P-car (992) instead of another BMW.

 

[ashmostro]

Ok I have an update from Acuity. First off, they were as gracious and honest as I anticipated, so props to them!

Here's the skinny: the side-to-side freeplay when in gear (and in neutral, for the same reason) is not caused by any tolerance slop in the shifter mechanism nor the shift linkage/bushings. It's actually a feature of the transmission itself, and cannot be eliminated through external measures.

Obviously, it can be reduced by reducing the lateral throw, but the freeplay will always be there. Similarly, making the assembly more rigid with hard bushings might have an incremental benefit but that's more about feel at the extents of motion rather than freeplay when initiating motion.

So, that all said, I'm not yet sure if I will install the Stage 3 kit I ordered, and I certainly won't be installing the cable bushings as those, per Acuity, really make more of a difference in terms of how the shift feels when you hit the end of motion (ie complete a gear shift) and in particular on higher-mileage cars where the OE rubber bushings may have deteriorated.

Again, props to Acuity for their total honesty and transparency.

 

[creaturemachine]

I put the full acuity in over the weekend and yea, big improvement. I wanted shorter shifts with a taller knob, because this poco I had on there made it so my knuckles were almost punching the boot surround.

There will always be wiggle in 1st because it's reliant on the cable, but how much are you in 1st anyway? 3 and 4 are solid because they're locked in by the spring on the shifter, and the 2-3 shift is snappy and smooth. Nice thunk going into each gear, solid but not harsh.

 

[ashmostro]

I'm not sure what you mean by 1st and 3rd acting any differently. This is a cable driven mechanism... All the gears are selected the same way. It doesn't matter if the centering spring is preloaded or not, you're still using two cables to move the transmission forks.

 

[ABPDE5]

I'm not sure what you mean by 1st and 3rd acting any differently. This is a cable driven mechanism... All the gears are selected the same way. It doesn't matter if the centering spring is preloaded or not, you're still using two cables to move the transmission forks.

Right... but the centering spring still exerts force on the shift lever, anyway. In order to move the lever, you have to overcome the force of the spring. My findings are similar to CreatureMachine's. The stronger spring / pre-load helps keep the lever from moving freely (not saying it completely eliminates slop altogether).

 

[elh0102]

I can't help but be amused at this thread. Folks who find fault with the ITS shifter are spending too much time feeling for fault rather than driving. Nothing is perfect, including this shifter, but it's plenty good. Drive and enjoy.

 

[ashmostro]

Thanks for your productive and welcome comment

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