Does anyone know where I can find a short shifter for my 1987 NA? Please tell me I don't have to spend $300!

 

I have a "shortened" shifter. I like it lots.

A tad notchy, but not hard to live with, I actually like the notchyness.

 

Well www.mazdatrix.com has a short shifter for $266 , and www.rx7.com has one for $285. So technically you aren't spending $300 . good luck.

 

I spent about $5 making mine. I cut it, re-threaded it, made a custom brass bushing to fit my aftermarket shift ****, and threaded both of those also, so it cant ever come off(damn those 3 allens). IT is notchy, but I love it better than stock and I didnt spend $250+. Screw that!

 

Thanks for the advice, even if it was what I was dreading to hear It's just that my shifter now is really loose, it shifts fine, but it hardly feels attatched. I figured, that's as good an excuse as any to buy a nice short shifter. If anyone knows where I can find one cheap, please let me know!

 

I just bought one from Mazdatrix and i think it only was $200 and change. I believe the exact price for it was $192 plus tax and shipping. Dont quote me on that though. My shifter was the same way but now it is much better i love it.

 

Yup just went to Mazdatrix looks like the price has dropped from what I remember it as, they have it listed at $192

 

just to point out,your shifter beeing loose very well might just be a couple of worn out shifter bushings,wich should be pretty cheap to replace.
david

 

Oops, yeah my bad , i was looking at the wrong line. Hell for that price i might just go get one too.

 

cutting your shifter does not turn it into a short shifter.. although it will reduce the throw a tad bit, it will not reduce the travel to the same point as the $200 shifters...
The mazdatrix shifter extends the bottom portion of the shifter (where the ball is) and adds a spacer.. doing it this way actually changes the fulcrum of the lever and reduces shift travel significantly...

 

chris said it best. The short (throw) shifters will sit the same height as the stock, it is just the extension below the ball that makes the difference. When I was in High School my buddy chopped his shifter and it looked ok, but when I bought a real one where was a big difference. Oh yeah summit racing has them for sub $200 for B&M. Ive heard pretty good things about them.

 

Actually, Phu5ion wasn't that far off, it looks like there are two short shifter offered by mazdatrix, but I think they are suggesting that you buy the $192 one.

here's an excerpt from the price list (if anybody actually cares):
752-0126.........SHIFTER SHORT.........S/S USE # 752-0126A...$ 266.00
752-0126A........SHIFTER SHORT.........84-88.................$ 192.00

 

Call pacesetter. I think its like 100 bucks . looks nice. Silver.

 

its cost about 25.00 i think i did mine along time ago and the shifter is alot better not loose feeling then take that shifter and shorten it you font have to spend 200 or 300 ..later

 

The 89-91 ones like i have are only 4-5" tall. I dunno if you can fit it to 86-88 though.... Anyways, i always get comments on how 'sporty the shifter is'

 

If your shifter is really loose, wobbley, etc., that's your only complaint, just order some new shifter bushings from Mazdatrix. The bushings are made of nylon and wear out over time. $30 bucks and you'll have a much tighter shifter, that guides into gear, instead flailing all over the place =). I ordered my Mazdatrix short shifter ($225.00 for shifter, new thermostat, and COD shipping), and when I removed my old shifter... NO BUSHINGS AT ALL =). No wonder I could pull the shifter up and down in the console =P. Anyways the new one is pretty much the same height as the stock one, but it leaves no room for play, and is a very short throw =).

-Brian

 

Yeah i've noticed the same thing in my car, sounds like a good excuse to get another shifter to me .

Phu5ion

 

i couldnt find a B & M , on summit's site, can oyu tell me where you found it? id really like on of those, cause my friend has one in his camaro and its really solid.

 

My favorite shift lever mod: Shorten the threads about 3/4". Get a wood ball **** (better grip, stays cool). Drill more recess in the **** (almost through). Tap the **** base for a larger set screw (the original is too small). Install about a 1" peice of heater hose below the **** to hold the leather boot down. The 1-2 and 3-4 shift can be made with your fingers, without even moving your elbow!

 

hey sureshot, do have a pic. of that i'd like to see that setup.