I just recently bought a manual transmission 87 gxl with a new engine (13000 miles on it) from a buddy of mine. While I'm driving I notice a lot of heat coming from the shifter area. I just replaced the drivline (bad u-joint) but didn't mess with anything else. Also, it idles at about 1100 rpms. I know that it's not supposed to be that high, but can't get it to go down. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Mazdas run hot under the hood. This is normal especially if your crankin on or running the A/C or stuck in traffic. As long as your temp gauge stays midrange you should be ok. Heat coming off the shifter is usually due to the insulative packing coming loose or shifting around, or a bad leather boot connection to the base of the shifter. Take the leather boot off & look for some gray fibrous material packed in the hole you expose. This may be worn or missing but if you see gaps to the top of the tranny you will feel heat coming off with the boot in place. Repack the existing or buy more. The material can be bought at an auto upholstery store.
Idle speed adjustment is covered in the shop manuals go to the reference section & download the Fuel & carburation pages. Then follow the steps

 

Thx bro, I'll try that.

 

You may be missing a Heat shield that runs between the car's exhaust and the Car itself..it is a Big Shield that attaches to the Car and prevents Heat from the exhaust pipes from going up to the passenger floor and shifter area.

 

I'm not missing a heat shield. Just checked. I haven't had a chance to check if the insulative packing is still there yet.

 

my buddy's car does it..and its fine man..you should be alright.

 

Bad or ripped shifter boots. Replace them