Steeda STS - a few remarks

[chakotay]

Hi all,
I just installed the Steeda short throw shifter in my 07 ZX3. I'd like to share some (hopefully) useful information.

1) In various FF forum posts I read that the difference between Steeda (http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?Pag...PROD&ProdID=86) and Ford Racing (http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?Pag...ROD&ProdID=784) STS is that the former comes assembled and contains all the needed parts whereas the latter reuses some parts from the stock shifter. Well, that's not true! From the instructions that came with it:

"9. You will need to reuse and transfer several pieces from the stock shifter to the new Steeda shifter."

Installation is fairly easy but now I'm wondering what I paid the extra $30 for? The pictures on c-f-m web site look the same too

2) What was not clear to me when I ordered the shifter was how I'll solve the reverse lockout problem. My stock shifter does not have it (just in case, I'm not talking about the tranny feature that won't let you shift from 5th to reverse) and Steeda does have it. I wouldn't really mind to have it but my preference is rather not.

[Side note: I have driven a few cars back in Europe which had the lockout. However they all had the reverse in the same position as 1st - "left and forward" or maybe even a bit more left. It totally makes sense there as you use it basically to switch between shifting to 1st and to reverse. I don't see the point of the lockout when the reverse position is "right and back" and the transmission won't let you accidentally shift to "6th".]

Folks here talk about getting rid of the lockout using a dremel but the fact is that you just do not have to install it! Do not put the plastic thingy with the two arms on the shifter and you're done. The upper billet part will not move because you are going to secure it using the red plastic spacer that you reuse from the stock shifter.

If you actually want to add the lockout and your Focus does not have it, you'll also need a spring and a rubber grommet which does not come with Steeda.

One last note regarding knobs: it is my understanding that with the lockout you screw the knob on the shaft until it hits the end. Then you may or may not end up with the knob in the correct orientation. An advantage of the non-lockout setup is that you use the plastic spacer which will stop the knob providing a slowly increasing screwing resistance so you can always get the knob to the right orientation just by screwing it a little more.

Oh and shifting is so much different now. It's a great mod!

[Sponsor]

[joshuass]

hey thanks for the info, i've been thinking about doing a shifter upgrade. :D

[S2]

Yeah the STS is one of the better 'feeling' mods out there, for the price, it can't be beat when it comes to satisfaction. Steeda has always been the front runner in STS for the focus, best out there IMO!!

[chakotay]

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