I just got the R56 Cravenspeed SSK + Black Shift Well Cover. They look aesthetically pleasing and much cleaner in my opinion, compared to a boot and a ****. I love the look of the Italian supercars and their "industrial" non-boot shifters and this SSK+WC does the trick. The important thing is it almost looks stock and fits in very well with my interior trimline. Doesn't look tacky at all. Clean, refined, and fun!

I did not install myself, I had my mechanic do it for me, but I did watch. Did not seem fusy at all, everything fit correctly. Installed in about hour and change from first nut off to last bolt on seeing as you have to remove the middle section of your aftermarket exhaust, or if your stock, the striaght pipe would have to be removed, plus the heatshield.

It IS more notchy/rigid than the standard shifter when changing gears and does take more force to get into gear, but NOT as much as some people make it out to be. Once I got used to it, it was like before. I personally can not see getting tired because of this, but to each is own, I love the fun I have clicking into gear. It is very nice and aggressive at its lowest position and is very easily adjustable back up to stock for long daily drivers, or even at any point you want it at in between. Obviously, not safe to do while driving, but it can be done with a simple twist of a locking collar.

It is a very sturdy piece, no wobbly or loose clunky feeling. When you grab the ****, it feels very solid. Well made unit. Upon first test drive, I fell in love with it .

My only gripe - it appears to be almost to long for the gearbox and the bottom of the SS rubs against the bottom of the heat sheild. Nothing you can physically feel while shifting at all, but something you can hear sometimes when shifting through gears or at idle. Like I said though, it happened rarely and only at the shortest setting, but who wants a rubbing/rattling sound?? NO ONE! So I called Kellen up...

When I called Kellen at Cravenspeed, he gave me wonderful advice and great customer service. Never made me feel stupid for asking questions and was very positive with me. He told me what I could do to fix it, by removing the dust cover under the gearbox, and making some clearance. I have yet to do it, but will by Friday and update the thread.

In combination with the Whalen ****, this thing feels very quick when moving through gears. At its shortest, it's not a drastic change in throw, but its enough for you to feel a BIG difference over stock. I enjoyed my first day with it, only time will tell how it holds up to the rigors of everyday driving. Hope this helped anyone with questions, and if you have more questions feel free to holler, thats what this thread is for.

Here are some pics:

Pics in order: At its shortest point with the Whalen **** + WC in Black, Another shot at its lowest point close up, and at stock height.

UPDATE::!!:: I have removed the dust cover and did some simple bending of the heat shield to create clearance. No more rubbing/rattling noise! However, and not Cravenspeed's fault, the mechanic working on my car did not re-grease the Shifter and slight creaking is occuring, I will fix that tonight.

UPDATE::!!::V2 - Creaking gone, my mechanic fixed the issue, this thing is awesome and I also have some new pictures of my new Whalen!

StevieC

 

And more pictures:

 

Thanks.

I have been wondering what a black shift well cover looks like, all the pics I have seen previously have been of the silver one.

Looks perfect by the way.

 

Thank you! Yeah, imo, i dont like the silver one, wouldn't have meshed well with my interior anyways.

 

Nice!

Yeah the black shift well cover has been on my list for a while. One day when the funds are there haha. Do you know if the stock shifter is easily fitted with a shift ****?

 

Thanks! Yeah, the stock shifter setup is directly compatible with a Whalen, but I can not speak for others because I don't know. Not sure if I answered your question, but hope so

 

can dust get inbetween the shift plate thing and the "bowl" shaped well? i want one, but it looks like that can get gunked up right?

 

Nope, because the plate is held in place with a spring that keeps it flat against the bottom of the bowl. I also have them on my site, http://www.autoxcooper.com/craven.html with more pics. I have it on my R50 and it looks great and have never had any issues with the setup.

 

Yeah Auto X is right. The dust plate does a great job of staying in place because of the spring, pressed tight against the well....also alittle trick I did...I put a rubber band around the shifter as well to keep it from coming down, but not tight enough that I couldn't move the shifter up or down when needed. On the R56, the SSK needs some owner modification to work perfectly, but if your after the shift well, you will be most certianly happy. Transformed the look of the car, especially if you have Doug Whalen make you a ****!!

PS get the black, it meshes perfect with the interior!

 

Do you think the stock **** can be kept? I have a feeling it cannot because I think there is a plastic piece that the **** sits on top and wont fit without it? I guess when I go for the shift well I will need a new **** haha

 

Yes you can keep the stock ****, just order the kit with the stock **** adapter.

 

Oh ok thank you (you do mean for the shift well right? I wont be getting a SSK, just that black craven shift well cover)

 

The well works with the stock shifter just fine.

 

Yes, the stock **** adapter can be purchased for the SSK, but if you are only getting the shift well cover, than the adapter is unnecessary because whalen ***** fit on the stock shifter shaft just as the stock does. Not sure what **** you will be using, but either way, if you dont buy the SSK and just buy the shift well, your all set, no extra stuff required! Your going to love the look!

 

I'm quite satisfied with the short shifter from Craven. It was more involved to install than the instructions let on, but worth the trouble. The stick looks much cleaner without the boot and the throw is much better. I have no interference problems and I extended the factory dust cover. It did take about an hour under the car checking all the clearances on where to cut for clearance. My extension is made from an old plastic tray glued with Perma poxy for plastics.

 

I actually cut away a small box shaped hole out of the heat shield. I have an ALTA Turboback and the Resonator fills in the gaps no problem, I will probably do the same however in making a custom cover soon as I am taking it back to the mechanic on Tuesday because I'm getting a weird sound coming from that area after install. Anyways, like I stated in the OP...Updates to come...also updated pics of my new Whalen Black Delrin Long Handle Shifter!

 

When you say you cut a hole in the heat shield do you mean the metal lining the exhaust hump? I found the heat shield so pliable that I just made a slight bend with my hand and fit it snug against the modified dust cover.

 

Yeah it was very pliable, your right,...but I decided heck, whats a small piece gone going to do, i needed the clearance...eventually I knew I was going to be doing a cover like yours, great work btw! Just make sure you don't have to get back in there! lol The other reason was to ensure it would never touch...with the ALTA, the resonator is huge and it is a snug fit to begin with. So cutting was actually a easier method. The clearance in the car for mods is a pain since everything is tight and small, and these parts are not always. Anyways...I hope I can figure it all out tomorrow. Thanks for your input, and again well done!

 

 

I might add...Doug Whalen is an awesome vendor and a very nice guy! He got back to me after his 8 day tour, the day he got back, e-mailed with me back and forth, beacause I was in class, and all the time never complaining about anything. He is a pleasure to deal with and I recommend anyone looking for a great looking shift **** to look no further! This piece feels amazing and looks great in the interior!! Thanks Doug!

 

SWEET

 

thanks!

 

Glad you like it!

 

Wow, definitely my favorite walen shift ****, havent seen that one!

 

Yeah, Doug said I was one of the firsts, but I do highly recco! It is super comfortable even when the SSK is at the lowest point and it even helps with the smoothness of the shifts.

The SSK overall is a great piece, I have come to enjoy it very much. At its lowest, it is aggresive and fun to throw into gears and anything other than its lowest is soooooo smooth and easy to throw into the gates. It is way smoother than stock, except when its at its lowest, in which case its still smooth, but a bit more force is needed to finish it into the gate.

The lowest setting is tougher to pull/push into the gate. Not overly exhausting, but deff. only something you do when you want to go spirited and sporty. Otherwise, my commute back and forth to school is placed at a high setting for smooth, comfortable shifts.

Again, with this particular Whalen ****, it makes it EVEN SMOOTHER, its just amazing.

Whalen **** Rating 10/10 Cravenspeed SSK 10/10