WRC Gear Shift Monitor Review
Nov 10, 2005 | 01:35 PM
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WRC Gear Shift Monitor Review
WRC Gear Shift Monitor Review
Just some background – few months ago I was searching for a shift light solution for my 2005 Evo VIII. I seem to find myself over revving, missing the sweet spot. I have a full face helmet, and it deadens sound quite well, so when my helmet is on, as I cannot hear the engine as well. Not to mention I cannot see the gauges as easy. I was missing the right RPM, and having to look down at speed, doesn’t work that well for me - so time to get a shift light to help my timing and shifting.
Through the many choices out there, I stumbled upon a WRC style gear box monitor. The monitor takes what a normal shift like does, and adds a bit of pepper to it - more hot sauce, for that extra kick. And what looks better than a rally bred car with rally bred parts?
Instead of the normal - reach a specific RPM, light goes on, and shift, shift light. The WRC monitor reads the gearing you are in, changes color from green to yellow to orange to red, and at the RPM level you program into it will first give you a warning blink telling you are close to the RPM level, then it will light continuous a red LED shift light.
A few people are able to get this unit in the States, an engineer from Poland makes these, but I was able to get one from Evom member Wojo. For a price that was inline with the shift lights I was looking into. So a buddy and I took a drive down to DC, meet up with Wojo (Filip), and got the low down on installation and whatnot (really nice guy, and he as an awesome Evo, and very cool SCCA Miata).
The Unit
Excellent build quality. ABS plastic housing and tinted acrylic plastic front with LED numbering system, red LED up arrow, and red LED shift light. Unit is completely sealed so no dust will be able to get into it.
Installation
Pretty much straight forward – for wires, 1 power, 1 ground, 1 vehicle speed sensor, and 1 RPM signal. I used wire taps for the VSS and RPM signal tapped those into the factory ECU. For the power and ground, I wired through the firewall and grounded out at the strut brace, and power I ran to the battery terminal. Took about an hour to do, and that’s taking my time taping up all the wires and making it look professional.
Mounting
My next decision - the unit comes with enough wire to mount on either side or on the steering column. I chose a stealthier look, using some 3M Velcro Tape, I went to the left hand side and up near the A-pillar. 3 reasons for this – 1: the periphery is better in my left eye than my right, 2: didn’t want it sticking out too much if it was on the right side, and 3: I have other gauges already on my steering column. I tucked the wiring behind the weather striping and then when under the steering column, behind the radio, and right to the ECU.
Programming
Not hard to do at all – just one thing, you need some room to do it, and you have to go in the correct order, i.e. 1,2,3,4, and 5. Otherwise it will not work correctly. I found a side road with no traffic on it, and enough room to get into 5th gear without stalling out. Going off my dyno graph I set my peak RPM to 6900. This is where my torque starts to really drop off, and my boost will start to peter off as well.
Overall Impressions
Works like a charm – looks like factory. I have gotten very used to seeing it and using it. So much that when I am in other cars I look for it, and then remember it’s only on my Evo.
Has it helped my track times – don’t know yet. I will be running this weekend, but from the seat of my pants – yes, I believe I am quicker with the monitor, and I am shift more consistently, and hitting the correct RPM rather than over revving. Would I recommend this to someone that road races or drag races – yes.
So, for anyone looking to a shift light and want something a bit different, with more functionality, cool factor, and some rarity – search for the WRC Gear Shift Monitor or contact Wojo or Bexa20 for buying information.
Cheers,
MG
Just some background – few months ago I was searching for a shift light solution for my 2005 Evo VIII. I seem to find myself over revving, missing the sweet spot. I have a full face helmet, and it deadens sound quite well, so when my helmet is on, as I cannot hear the engine as well. Not to mention I cannot see the gauges as easy. I was missing the right RPM, and having to look down at speed, doesn’t work that well for me - so time to get a shift light to help my timing and shifting.
Through the many choices out there, I stumbled upon a WRC style gear box monitor. The monitor takes what a normal shift like does, and adds a bit of pepper to it - more hot sauce, for that extra kick. And what looks better than a rally bred car with rally bred parts?
Instead of the normal - reach a specific RPM, light goes on, and shift, shift light. The WRC monitor reads the gearing you are in, changes color from green to yellow to orange to red, and at the RPM level you program into it will first give you a warning blink telling you are close to the RPM level, then it will light continuous a red LED shift light.
A few people are able to get this unit in the States, an engineer from Poland makes these, but I was able to get one from Evom member Wojo. For a price that was inline with the shift lights I was looking into. So a buddy and I took a drive down to DC, meet up with Wojo (Filip), and got the low down on installation and whatnot (really nice guy, and he as an awesome Evo, and very cool SCCA Miata).
The Unit
Excellent build quality. ABS plastic housing and tinted acrylic plastic front with LED numbering system, red LED up arrow, and red LED shift light. Unit is completely sealed so no dust will be able to get into it.
Installation
Pretty much straight forward – for wires, 1 power, 1 ground, 1 vehicle speed sensor, and 1 RPM signal. I used wire taps for the VSS and RPM signal tapped those into the factory ECU. For the power and ground, I wired through the firewall and grounded out at the strut brace, and power I ran to the battery terminal. Took about an hour to do, and that’s taking my time taping up all the wires and making it look professional.
Mounting
My next decision - the unit comes with enough wire to mount on either side or on the steering column. I chose a stealthier look, using some 3M Velcro Tape, I went to the left hand side and up near the A-pillar. 3 reasons for this – 1: the periphery is better in my left eye than my right, 2: didn’t want it sticking out too much if it was on the right side, and 3: I have other gauges already on my steering column. I tucked the wiring behind the weather striping and then when under the steering column, behind the radio, and right to the ECU.
Programming
Not hard to do at all – just one thing, you need some room to do it, and you have to go in the correct order, i.e. 1,2,3,4, and 5. Otherwise it will not work correctly. I found a side road with no traffic on it, and enough room to get into 5th gear without stalling out. Going off my dyno graph I set my peak RPM to 6900. This is where my torque starts to really drop off, and my boost will start to peter off as well.
Overall Impressions
Works like a charm – looks like factory. I have gotten very used to seeing it and using it. So much that when I am in other cars I look for it, and then remember it’s only on my Evo.
Has it helped my track times – don’t know yet. I will be running this weekend, but from the seat of my pants – yes, I believe I am quicker with the monitor, and I am shift more consistently, and hitting the correct RPM rather than over revving. Would I recommend this to someone that road races or drag races – yes.
So, for anyone looking to a shift light and want something a bit different, with more functionality, cool factor, and some rarity – search for the WRC Gear Shift Monitor or contact Wojo or Bexa20 for buying information.
Cheers,
MG
Nov 10, 2005 | 01:52 PM
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Karash - contact wojo or bexa20, they may have some left.
Kevin - the advantage is that I do not have to look down, which is hard to do with a helmet on, to see my tach. Also, I can consitantly hit the correct RPM, which in drag racing will give the best times over and over agian.
Ty-Evo 8 - thank you.
Kevin - the advantage is that I do not have to look down, which is hard to do with a helmet on, to see my tach. Also, I can consitantly hit the correct RPM, which in drag racing will give the best times over and over agian.
Ty-Evo 8 - thank you.
Nov 10, 2005 | 02:02 PM
#6
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From: New Caledonia
SmikeEvo - Just a quick question , I have a friend that made a similar installation in his Evo , but using a Motorbike gear shift monitor. Only difference there is is that bike have a 'Neutral" signal light on their dash , thus the unit uses it to check the neutral position. With evo's not having this light , the unit stays in the last gear it was in when you go on neutral position. Does your unit do this too ?
Nov 10, 2005 | 02:06 PM
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NewCalEvo - yes, unless I downshift into a lower gear it will temporary say in the last gear I had it in. After a few seconds it will fad out to N. However sometimes, it will state last gear used until I go into a gear.
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Nov 10, 2005 | 02:15 PM
#9
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SilverEvo - this is a review - so are you saying its pointless for everyone out there that uses a shift light or gear selection when road racing? And Im not saying "hey everyone go out and get one" now am I?
Your opinion is noted...
Your opinion is noted...
Nov 10, 2005 | 02:37 PM
#11
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Ranskaa - the only one that I have seen that is programmed to do that was off a sequental shifter, I dont know if you can get the monitor by itself. I believe that monitored functioned off of the shifter itself.
Nov 11, 2005 | 06:53 AM
#13
SmikeEvo - Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoy the product. I love mine as well.
Ranskaa - the device is capable of showing you what gear you are in even with teh clutch disengaged. There are 2 settings, however the default is the one which shows N in between shifts, which is why SmikeEvo may not have noticed.
If anyone is interested, I have 2 units left.
Ranskaa - the device is capable of showing you what gear you are in even with teh clutch disengaged. There are 2 settings, however the default is the one which shows N in between shifts, which is why SmikeEvo may not have noticed.
If anyone is interested, I have 2 units left.