Bugat5speed 5 Speed Shifter Review and Vid

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Dear Germanlook Team,

It has been a little hectic after my return from Germany, but as promised, I wanted to let everyone see how our shifter works when fitted to a 914 box.
I have had the pleasure of driving and sitting shot-gun in Martins Blue Beast. I will later do a quick info/review on Martin's Car, as it deserves a thread to its self. Also during my visit we discussed near term and future projects, more on that later.

For those that do not know us personally, here is a quick pic of Martin (Bug@5speed), the "Man" behind the scenes and his Subaru powered Beetle. He appologizes for the dirty car, but we did not have the best of weather.




Here we are together: Martin and Myself (USA) after some road testing


Now regarding The Bug@5-Speed Shifter: I have enclosed a few pics of the shifter and a few showing how it looks when fitted to a beetle chasis. See below:
Pic 1 5 Speed Shifter


Little info regarding the shifter:
- The Shifter can be looked as a short throw shifter, due to the reduction in shifter throw.
- The base of the shifter provides additional support for the beetle shift rod as well as a bushing for the beetle rod to ride smoothly on. This support eliminates a lot of the issues that some folks may have due the bending their bug shift rods like a Z or are not having the proper alignment. With the supported shift rod, proper alignment from the shifter to the input shaft on the Gearbox is maintained.
-Shifter has spring gate to prevent accidental shifting into reverse.
-Can use with a stock, aftermarker or our shifter ball. As you can see the shifter can be fitted with the Stock Beetle Shift Knob or you can use an after market one like ours.
Pic 2 of our shift knob on our shifter:

-Some folks have experiences issues when going from 1st Gear to 2nd Gear when using 901/914 boxes when using other options, precision of shifter helps fix this issue.

Some more pics of Shifter mounted to Beetle tunnel.
Pic3


Pic4


Pic5


Video: Enough Pictures here is a quick video 1 of 2. 2nd to be posted later. Video shows Shifter installed in Martins beetle, and highlights the shifter as he goes thru the paces on a nearby road. As you can see shifting is precision and quick. From driving this car I can say that once you get use to the shifter pattern, finding the gears is not difficult. Shifting is very precision and not weighted to heavily, as confirmed by myselef and from speaking with Martin's Wife who also drives this car frequently.

Quick Video. Let me know if any problems as video is uploaded to Photobucket.



Overall, I must say that shifter is very solid and with a good weight to it. Once I got use to the shift pattern again, it made driving with the old 5 speed box a blast. Now if I can only get my darn project completed so I can enjoy it. Again very positive on this shifter.

Any more question feel free to email or PM.

Again more info on the Bug, the Subaru Power Plant, as well as our Subaru Conversion Parts and some future stuff, coming your way..
VR
Alex

[Scotts73SB]

Wow beautiful car!!
Looks like a top notch product.. i like the clicks sound!!

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Thanks, can't take credit, as its Martin's. But will pass on to Martin the kind words.

Later this week I will post some more pics on his car.
Alex

[Steve C]

Hi

Very pretty car. When you post more pics can you tell us more about the car, WRX installation, wheels, brakes etc.

Steve

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Not sure if my Photobucket link has given folks who don't have an account problems, so here's link to it in google video.
VR
Alex

Link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...26634572053546

[ricola]

Originally Posted by Steve C

Hi

Very pretty car. When you post more pics can you tell us more about the car, WRX installation, wheels, brakes etc.

Steve

Steve: it's a 2.2, there are a few pics on his website...
Rich

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Been busy with son's 2nd B-day.. planning and execution of the event..

Have a lot more pics that are not on the site.. promise to get them us soon..
But yes its a 2.2 from a JDM Legacy. Non-Turbo. Custom Exhaust.

Suspension components are from GWD and Remmelle.. Brakes Remmelle, I remember from talking to Martin..

Has some nice early BMW seats, that look like they were suppose to be there.

Gearbox 914 with Bugat5speed conversion.. as well as Bug@5speed shifter...

Custom radiator and fan setup..

Hope that helps for now..
Alex

[euro1302s]

hi sir, remember me? I'm the one who asked you to send me an e-mail of your featured car at a magazine, just want to say this is still one of the cleanest G.L. I've ever seen, and definitely I'll save all this pic. on my P.C. goodday and thanks.

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Euro, will pass onto to Martin..

Been a little slow due to getting back from some racing, and finding my son being sick...

Alex

[euro1302s]

ok tnx.sir Alex.

[Turbo Haraune2]

Does the shifter fit directly to the tunnel or do it require modifications to the hole in the tunnel.
How do you get the shift rod trough that bushing when it i so close to the tunnel floor?

By the way i just ordered the whole kit. going to make a writeup for installation of 915

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Send me your email..

I will pm you the instructions in our Guide in english..

I have it in a word doc.

But regarding the questions.. you essentially remove the old shifter cut a square where the old shifter use to be. You then fasten with 4 bolts to the tunnel. You can drill the 4 holes then thread them..

If I understand you second question correctly.. The bushing sits below the plane of the tunnel. When you put the shifter back, you push the shift rod thru the hole in the front, then thru the bushing which is supported by the lower bracket of the shifter.

Does that help?
Alex