Have decided to get the Stillen STS, but am concerned about the comments I've read here about the shifter getting <=red>too hot. Were those poor installations, or will installing an STS always result in a hot stick? I recall some discussion about modifying a plate or heat shield during installation. Is there any instructions that should I give my tranny shop regarding installation?

 

There is a factory heat shield above the CAT. If you install a STS it can sometimes come in contact with that heat shield. I guess some people just remove it altogether. This allows all the heat from the CAT to collect in the 'tunnel' above it - where the shifter sits. That's were the heat comes from.
If you don't want the heat, just make sure that heat shield goes back on the car after the the STS has been installed. It may have to be modified slightly to clear the new STS, but it's simple and shouldn't raise the bill by much I would think? Some people cut and weld the shield (I did) - others just bang it out a bit until it clears.

 

you could do that. or you could just heat wrap the exhaust section that goes under and that should help out but you still want some kind of sheild up their to keep road noise down

 

If the heat shield touches the STS, bash it in with a hammer slightly....there's enough room between the heat shield, cat, and STS so that you can deform it a bit and not have it touching either the STS or the cat. On my Pacesetter, I didn't even need to modify my heat shield. I think the thow is at like ~50% shortened, out of a possible 80%?

 

good choice going with the stillen, by far the best out their my sts is crap compared to the stillen one. ive got the smc now btw.

 

I want to get the stillen aswell, but $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

werd bee but after trying Diego's definately worth the chedda

 

in for a GD

$150shipped

 

Mine's a home made jobby. What makes the Stillen worth the $$? Does it actually improve the smoothness of the shifts? Or is it one of those intangible things that difficult to explain but easy to feel?? I'd consider upgrading if it was really THAT much better...

 

stillen shortens the throw drasticly and its also give you the feeling that its in gear and that helps when your driving agressive and trying to make quick shifts. my smc shortens the height (which most people think is the point of an sts) but it also shortens the throw but not as much as the stillen and feels sloppy and not as pervisse as the stillen.

 

Mine is 2" shorter up top (seen on my site) and 1.5" longer on the bottom (not shown on my site - yet...). It is a shorter throw and I definately know when it's in gear........, but it's missing something......, one of those intangibles I was reffering to.

I'm on my second tranny and it's still really notchy. Does the Stillen decrease this?
A buddy of mine drives a '99 Civic Si and he said the throws seemed REALLY short, but no where close to the buttery smoothness of his (completely stock - owned from new). I would be willing to upgrade to a Stillen (despite the cost) if it really made the shifts feel worlds above anything else that's available, or could be done by the home mechanic.

 

I have the stillen and no heat issues. Just keep all the factory shields and you should feel fine. The SMC and pace setter sucks, N34JZ would know . Shawn you'll never have one.

 

Thanks for all that great advice.

Now where can I get a Stillen STS cheaper than from Stillen direct?

 

ive got one and just took the shield out...it gets warm but just the stick not the shifter ball....

 

Stillen directly, you might be able to get a cheaper price through www.avalonracing.net or www.southwestautoworks.com Good luck, its worth every penny.

 

im in for group deal
or throw 2 washers inside the part that holds the ball down and it removes the notchy ness by 40 %

 

explain please...

 

if you get the pace settler in between the thing that holds down the ball on the shifter put lock washers 1 or 2 and that should remove notchy ness it did for me