Coolerworx or CAE shifters

[1ScientisT]

Anyone have any experience running Coolerworx or CAE shifters in a B5 S4? I have to replace my trans and I'm thinking about picking one up. Just can't seem to find much feedback on function and usability for our platform.

[erykv1]

I dont think very many people are running it as it is still very new.
CAE is the original and the coolerworx is a copy right? $1400euros VS $400USD.

[1ScientisT]

I dont think very many people are running it as it is still very new.
CAE is the original and the coolerworx is a copy right? $1400euros VS $400USD.

That's about right on the price. CAE has been available for a long time, Coolerworx is new. Haven't found anything on either of them in B5s. Might have to just roll the dice and find out for myself.

[christianb5s4]

I didn't see an Audi specific Coolerworx option on their website, did I miss something?

[-Billy]

I know there are a few people that have the cae shifter. The only one I can think of off the top of my head is http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/648523-6466-single-turbo-Widebody-Build-Thread!?p=11870901&highlight=Cae+shifter#post11870901

Post #249

[-Billy]

I just found this as well.

https://youtu.be/BmPj9U1y_Wo

[e30mclow]

I watched that video this morning.

Looks to still be a some wobble/movement through the gears, which may be lessened by using some JHM bits + solid mounts.
The throw doesn't look dramatically shorter, but the thing does indeed look cool.

[erykv1]

I think the way our 01e's are... you will never eliminate all the slop. linkages / cables, will always have some play in it.

IMO the only way to get the "firm" feel these shifters are trying to recreate is to have a trans that has the shifter directly in the trans like many RWD vehicles have.

[e30mclow]

True, the movement is amplified given that the shifter is mounted solid on the tunnel.

To get the most out of the Coolerworx shifter, you'd really need to spend $330 on some JHM bits. All in with shipping it looks like the coolerworx/jhm combo would be around $785 which is getting up there.

[Trb1]

I know there are a few people that have the cae shifter. The only one I can think of off the top of my head is http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/648523-6466-single-turbo-Widebody-Build-Thread!?p=11870901&highlight=Cae+shifter#post11870901

Post #249

I'd suggest sending him a PM. He could tell you all about it. The quality is incredible, and slop is literally not existent (at least stationary).

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Because CAE...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM1HHOlo4Vk

[e30mclow]

I always love watching that video

[1ScientisT]

I didn't see an Audi specific Coolerworx option on their website, did I miss something?

Scroll about half way down the page...

https://www.whitedogracing.com/store/

[JustManson]

Because CAE...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM1HHOlo4Vk

Whoa!


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[TighTT]

Coolerworx retains the linkage style shifting while CAE converts over to cable. Apples vs oranges.

[astondan4]

There is an option to order the Coolerworx with a cable conversion

[TighTT]

There is an option to order the Coolerworx with a cable conversion

I saw that. But then it starts to negate the draw/lure of the coolerworx (super low price), although still far off the CAE price. The CAE also appears to be taller....I wonder how this plays into the ease of shifting once the cable conversion is installed and if the coolerworx may be at a disadvantage.

[TighTT]

CAE with modified OE shift plate:

http://images52.fotki.com/v641/photos/8/232908/9041166/CAE-vi.jpg

[christianb5s4]

Wow that's beautiful.

[spark4]

Where you able to get the modified OE shift plate or was it custom?

[JustManson]

That is really beautiful.

Tell us about the install TightT if you don't mind.




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[mikeb17]

I've played with the CAE shifter in a buddies car. There isn't any slop at all. It's tight and makes the trans feel so much more solid. I was thinking about pulling the trigger on the cooler cable driven shifter if the reviews are good.

[JustManson]

Install vid I found on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/BmPj9U1y_Wo


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[killerkali]

Someone mentioned it , but the coolerworx is nothing similar to the CAE setup as it still uses the stock shifting rod setup although there is a cable option for extra $. CAE is a true cable shifted setup, much much different than retaining the stock shift rod.

[01audia4]

Seems like a waste of money to me, plus for what little benefit it seems to do, it's ugly AF


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[e30mclow]

The CAE shifter, as far as I can tell, is (so far) the only available option that completely isolates the movement of the tranny from the car, hence the zero play.

Solid linkages are a no brainer for reliability/durability. Changing things up and going to cables removes all slop/translation of movement, but I wonder if the cables would eventually let you down in a DD car.

[Trb1]

The CAE shifter, as far as I can tell, is (so far) the only available option that completely isolates the movement of the tranny from the car, hence the zero play.

Solid linkages are a no brainer for reliability/durability. Changing things up and going to cables removes all slop/translation of movement, but I wonder if the cables would eventually let you down in a DD car.

I would think probably not. Look at the mk4 Volkswagen shifter boxes. They don't run rods. It's all cables from the factory. You add solid aluminum in place of the rubber bushings and it feels very similar in terms of not having any play in gears.

[slowSfaux]

Honda uses cables to shift their standard transmissions and has done so for a long time (not their old B series transmissions, but all of their K series transmissions). I doubt they'd ever pose a problem on a daily driver unless they're made of poor quality materials.

[TighTT]

Where you able to get the modified OE shift plate or was it custom?

100% custom



That is really beautiful.

Tell us about the install TightT if you don't mind.


I'm still trying to get mine fully adjusted as its VERY easy to go from 3rd to second while racing/driving in a spirited manner. But overall it feels tight, solid, and race-car like. Its can get a bit annoying at times and makes the palm of my hand hurt. (just being honest)

[milehighkid24]

I'd love to get a CAR shifter for my B5 but I'm not sure if I'll like how tall it sits. To those with CAR shifters.. is it awkwardly tall? It's it a giant pain in the ass to work the radio? Do you have to like reach around the shifter?

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[jibberjive]

Just a heads up, the Coolerworx one is only metal shift rod, there is no option for the cable one unfortunately. The cable version is the one that I was interested in (I want to get rid of the cross rod, don't want to explain it). Craig (whitedog) was mistaken initially, and there is no cable option. Sucks.

[milehighkid24]

Ok good to know. I wasn't really considering the coolerworx anyway. Just waiting for a good excuse to drop $1500 for the CAE. Another quick question for those of you with the CAE shifter.. how difficult is the install? (converting from rod to cable, final shifter adjustment)

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[Cacti]

Install is pretty simple, you may have to slightly drop the trans a little to get the existing shifter rods out. Also you need to modify some plastic underneath the shift trim piece.

[JustManson]

Honda uses cables to shift their standard transmissions and has done so for a long time (not their old B series transmissions, but all of their K series transmissions). I doubt they'd ever pose a problem on a daily driver unless they're made of poor quality materials.

B series was cable too. Had many of them.


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[slowSfaux]

B series are shifted by rods, not cables. They came with both cable and hydraulic clutch release mechanisms, but were still shifted by rods like our 01e.

[Mille Bornes]

Second on B series having rods

[tasinb5s4]

i gained .5 sec on the track going from JHM short to a stock shifter
short shifter feel tight & nice but they not comparable to a stock as far as ...FAST shifting
all video them guys doing 2-3-4-5 gear pulls
our 01e problem shift is 1-2

world fastest b5 vr powered( USP ) in 2015 MD import vs domestic
had stock like shifter looked stock to me !
if 8 sec car running stock type shifter why spend 1400$$$ on something ?

[milehighkid24]

Install is pretty simple, you may have to slightly drop the trans a little to get the existing shifter rods out. Also you need to modify some plastic underneath the shift trim piece.
Awesome thanks for the reply I'm definitely sold now.

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[1ScientisT]

i gained .5 sec on the track going from JHM short to a stock shifter
short shifter feel tight & nice but they not comparable to a stock as far as ...FAST shifting
all video them guys doing 2-3-4-5 gear pulls
our 01e problem shift is 1-2

world fastest b5 vr powered( USP ) in 2015 MD import vs domestic
had stock like shifter looked stock to me !
if 8 sec car running stock type shifter why spend 1400$$$ on something ?

That is counter-intuitive and I disagree (I've driven stock and JHM, both stage 3 cars). My stock shifter feels like I'm stirring a big pot of melted scrap metal. The only shifter I've encountered that was worse was in a truck. If other guys break records with their stock shifters, good for them. I'm not necessarily going to buy a CAE for $1400, but I will be upgrading from stock.

[1ScientisT]

Install is pretty simple, you may have to slightly drop the trans a little to get the existing shifter rods out. Also you need to modify some plastic underneath the shift trim piece.

Love the setup. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated! [up]

[christianb5s4]

I think with practice, a short shifter is slightly quicker and more precise than stock. However the B5 S4 shifter is still far from the best shifters even with a stock style short shifter when you try and hustle mostly because it can be difficult to get consistent fast shifts (in my experience).

[olethalb]

I recently fitted this, I have to say there are a couple of improvements they could / should have made before letting it out the door.

I'm happy with the feel and the shifts are much better but as a product / item to be DIY fitted it could have been better

[S4James]

Its just a fancy lever. It does appear to alter the geometry of the shifter rods somewhat and that might make a difference in terms of how well it works, but i suspect not. All you are doing with all these different shifters is slightly altering pivot points and changing up the ratio of shifter movement to to gear selector rod movement.

The inherent quality of shifting in these cars is ultimately in the internals of the transmission. Everything else on top is just cosmetic.

[olethalb]

Its just a fancy lever. It does appear to alter the geometry of the shifter rods somewhat and that might make a difference in terms of how well it works, but i suspect not. All you are doing with all these different shifters is slightly altering pivot points and changing up the ratio of shifter movement to to gear selector rod movement.

The inherent quality of shifting in these cars is ultimately in the internals of the transmission. Everything else on top is just cosmetic.

while you are in some part right, it makes a massive different to shifts greatly reducing the throw of course as a result of shifting the pivot points. however it does remove the need for stabilizer rod, replaces the sliding / floating system with a fixed base and the plastic ball and socket set up with a superior metal pivot system.

I'm very happy with the transformation in shifting, just the parts of the product could have been done better to aid fitment.