Short shifter kit questions...
09-25-01, 10:00 AM
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Short shifter kit questions...
I am interested in a short shifter kit for my 88 n/a. How do you people that have it like it? Any downfalls? I need new bushings, will I still need them if I get the short shifter or do new ones come with that kit? Thanks.
09-25-01, 10:15 AM
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I have a "shortened" shifter, I like it lots. 
I got it with the car, so I didn't actually do it myself.
Basically, all you have to do is take a hacksaw and cut some of the top of the shifter off, and take a die and create new threads for the shift ****. Viola, you now have a shortened shifter.
The only thing is it is a tiny bit notchy, but I like it that way so it's no big deal. The best thing about it is, it's free.
I got it with the car, so I didn't actually do it myself.Basically, all you have to do is take a hacksaw and cut some of the top of the shifter off, and take a die and create new threads for the shift ****. Viola, you now have a shortened shifter.
The only thing is it is a tiny bit notchy, but I like it that way so it's no big deal. The best thing about it is, it's free.
09-25-01, 11:13 AM
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Short shifter
I was looking at the short shifter for my 89' Turbo II, but I decided that my throw is short enough (especially after seeing the throw that my friend has in his '88 N/A GXL
09-25-01, 12:03 PM
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A good idea for what Mykl had to say is, goto a junkyard a pull off an extra. It'd suck to be driving around with some half cut shifter....install it when your done. Learn from the first one, remake a 2nd and sell it. You've now recovered the cost of buying the die and junkyard shifter 
09-25-01, 11:27 PM
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Actually it is even easier than that to make the stock one shorter. The stock shifter is in 2 pieces. The top one is attached to the lower with rubber that seems to be vulcanized. I just took a pair of large vice grips, clamp onto the top one under the threads, and twisted like hell. It breaks free, then you just remove the top one, scrape off the old rubber that is left on it, and buy an aftermarket shift **** and attach it with the included set screws that come with most kits.
Here is what it looks like:
Here is what it looks like:
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09-26-01, 01:40 AM
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You know what...I thought of doin sumin like that. I was going to just cut mine or sumin. Just turn it counterclockwise? What if sumin breaks, lol. I mean then I would be SOL until I got another one. I might go for that. I have an aftermarket **** now but I want a blue one. Might try though, thanks.
09-26-01, 12:31 PM
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O yea, with the short shift kits isn't the actual throw shorter? & if I did that I would still need to get new bushings, how hard is that. I think they sell everything I need a mazdatrix.com but I need to know how difficult it is to do. Thanks.
09-26-01, 03:22 PM
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Originally posted by fc3s.org
Actually it is even easier than that to make the stock one shorter. The stock shifter is in 2 pieces. The top one is attached to the lower with rubber that seems to be vulcanized. I just took a pair of large vice grips, clamp onto the top one under the threads, and twisted like hell. It breaks free, then you just remove the top one, scrape off the old rubber that is left on it, and buy an aftermarket shift **** and attach it with the included set screws that come with most kits.
Here is what it looks like:
Actually it is even easier than that to make the stock one shorter. The stock shifter is in 2 pieces. The top one is attached to the lower with rubber that seems to be vulcanized. I just took a pair of large vice grips, clamp onto the top one under the threads, and twisted like hell. It breaks free, then you just remove the top one, scrape off the old rubber that is left on it, and buy an aftermarket shift **** and attach it with the included set screws that come with most kits.
Here is what it looks like:
09-26-01, 04:47 PM
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No, I don't have any questions...yet. I am not sure I am going to get the kit. I might. But I think I am going to try the thing Dave mentioned. Seems easy enough. I now just have some questions about changing the bushings in my shifter. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.
09-26-01, 05:17 PM
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O dave, I noticed you have the Apexi S-AFC installed. How much does it help? I am thinking of that with an A/F gauge. How do you like it?
Last edited by Ryde _Or_Die; 09-26-01 at 05:23 PM.
09-26-01, 10:38 PM
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Originally posted by Ryde _Or_Die
O yea, with the short shift kits isn't the actual throw shorter? & if I did that I would still need to get new bushings, how hard is that. I think they sell everything I need a mazdatrix.com but I need to know how difficult it is to do. Thanks.
O yea, with the short shift kits isn't the actual throw shorter? & if I did that I would still need to get new bushings, how hard is that. I think they sell everything I need a mazdatrix.com but I need to know how difficult it is to do. Thanks.
09-26-01, 10:52 PM
#16
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Originally posted by Ryde _Or_Die
I think the lower part is inside the top part, is that correct Dave? I think so, seems like it at least. I am prolly going to try that this Sunday.
I think the lower part is inside the top part, is that correct Dave? I think so, seems like it at least. I am prolly going to try that this Sunday.
09-26-01, 11:17 PM
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I'm not sure if they come loose but if so I would just drill small holes in the shifter so it would stay better. Hopefully that would work. If not I'm sure I could think of sumin.
09-26-01, 11:41 PM
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i have a 'shortened' shifter, i used a hacksaw but I'm not sure what fc3s.org was saying. I know that the shifter is different between the 86-88 and 89-91. With the 89-91 the shift handle just twists off, there was no other plastic piece.
09-27-01, 12:30 AM
#19
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I had a 1999 Mazda Miata Nardi Shifter in my T2, and it was hella shorter throw than the stock 1990 t2 shifter. And best of all it was free (Worked at a Mazda Dealer) I am sure you can find one if you really look hard enought, but they do fit and they are hella shorter in the 1999+ I am not sure about the pre 1999 miatas though.
09-27-01, 01:19 PM
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if it fit in a TII, would it also fit a N/a? They have different trannies I know, but are the shifters similar enough to where the 99 Miata shifter would still fit?
