Before reaching 10,000 kilometers, I asked GR Garage Kitaikebukuro to install German-made quick shift (hereinafter QS) and clutch stopper (hereinafter CS) on my GR Yaris. (Click here for impressions upon pickup.)
On this page, I would like to describe my impressions when I went on my usual winding road for the first time after introducing QS and CS.
To cut to the chase, the sense of unity with the car after installing QS and CS is so fantastic that I can’t imagine driving the GR Yaris without them anymore (assuming bucket seats are installed).
With a snappy clutch operation and sharp shifts, I can confidently experience powerful acceleration and agile turning, letting the car take control.
To put it in extreme terms, it feels like driving a roller coaster by yourself.
It’s a thrilling yet slightly scary sensation, leaning more towards exhilaration than just enjoyment.
No regrets about this expenditure!
Photos 1 and 2 were taken to show the position of the red knob, but it might be hard to see.
As seen in the photos, QS exudes a luxurious feel, with ample rigidity, and the shift stroke feels about one-third shorter compared to stock.
Unlike the spherical shape of the stock shift knob, the QS knob is slightly smaller and has an inverted teardrop shape.
This is just right for Rikutsu-Kone-Taro’s palm.
I was worried that shortening the stroke by about one-third might lead to misshifts, but that’s not the case at all. It slots into gear perfectly with a satisfying click.
It feels like the gate has been precisely cut for each shift. It really hits the spot.
It’s a feeling akin to enjoying the benefits of shortening the stroke.
Moreover, since the shift lever is longer and the knob position is raised to the level of the steering center, the distance my left hand has to move has significantly reduced.
CS also performs admirably.
In the stock setup, I had to kick the clutch quite excessively, but thanks to CS, I’ve managed to reduce the stroke to only what’s necessary for clutch engagement and disengagement.
It feels like shedding the sensation of wearing ill-fitting clothes and achieving a perfect fit with this modification.
With the combined action of QS and CS, shifting gears has become incredibly enjoyable.
It’s like, “Snap! Click! Snap! Click!” I can now shift gears in about half the time it took before.
Huh? You might be thinking, “Since QS shortens the stroke by one-third, wouldn’t the overall shifting process be even quicker?” You’re smart to think that.
Yes, that’s true, but it doesn’t feel that way. Perhaps because “Rikutsu-Kone-Taro” is still not accustomed to the new mechanism.
Especially when shifting from higher gears to 2nd gear, the coordination between my shoulder, elbow, wrist, palm, and fingers feels a bit awkward.
Oh, everything I’m describing here is purely subjective to Rikutsu-Kone-Taro. There’s no objectivity to it, so please bear with me.
Also, please note that the installation of non-genuine parts is at your own risk.
That’s all for this time.
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