Blackbeast

Got my B&M shifter from RMS today in the mail, I thought they came with those round shift **** but guess not. Can't find anyone has B&M shift **** in stock, so I then decided to try the new Greddy 12oz heavy duty weighted shift ****. Luckily was able to find a local shop Phase 2 that surprisingly has it in stock, so went and grabbed it.

Spent about 30 mins just now installing it, observation:

NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE.

Luckily the B&M doesn't clunk in my car, and the Greddy heavy weight **** is awesome job in their weight shifting transfer, shifting with it with the B&M shifter is a cake!

Higly recommend this combo, I would think anyone that done it will not go back to the stock loosey feel shifter.

Timmy

Blackbeast

Oh I should mention I took several hard pulls, mis shift from 2->5 is a history in the past..

Timmy

jspecracer7

I think that with the B&M, a heavy shifter, and an engine torque brace...as well as some practice, and the 2-5 shift will be history...

UnSeeN

i wasnt sure what short shifter to get..i was leaning towards the b&m hoping it worked well cause the mazda speed one is some major grip!..but thanks for your review..i think i will order it tommorow..ahh why not now..

beyondlimitz

it is an exceptionally tight throw and shifting is much precise...and while you're at it, throw in an xtreme clutch kit and flywheel...high revs and quicker shifts makes driving more fun.

twinturborx7pete

iTrader: (3)

That B&M shifter is bad ***, my friend has it in his 93.. and its so tight and easy.. i like the feel and plan on adding one also to my car. Makes the car shift like an s2000.. real nice tight feel.

Blackbeast

I did notice on thing though, when I opened a box, I noticed there's this "made in taiwan" sticker on the shift boot. I hope this means that the boot is made in Taiwan and the shifter assembly is made in USA, cuz if the whole unit is made in taiwan, I would have just bought the copies for $100 on Ebay and save myself some bucks!

Timmy

tfhuth

Wow, good point. Will have to look there first. Thinking of the mazdatrix short throw, though. Tom

Blackbeast

Hi Tom!

Depending on the condition of your current transmission, the Mazdatrix/C's/Mazdaspeed style short shifter might or might not help with the mis-shift problem.

I had the Mazdaspeed ones on my last 3rd Gen, and I still mis shifted from 2nd to 5th, granted there are other variables that contributes to the mis-shifting (i.e engine torque brace, power plant frame play, etc.).

IMHO comparing to the level of rigidity and precise shifting, the B&M is by far better than the Mazdaspeed ones I have had. The Mazdatrix from what I can recall correctly is a copy of the Mazdaspeed, C's shifter kit.

Timmy

tfhuth

Hey Timmy,

Currently trans is in real good shape ( 46,000 miles ) shifts well. I just want to tighten up the pattern, shorten the throw. I checked out the picture of the mazdatrix unit, and it looks well made. Seems like they said they are making them in house because their supplier raised his price.

Where is RMS and how much was the B&N?

Thanks, Tom

RecKleSs

I have the Pettit's short shifter and I love it. My friend has the B&M short shifter and I was surprised on how well it worked. The B&M is definitely a nice piece to get for the FD.

Jspecracer7...what does the engine torque brace has to do with missing a gear? Hmm...it sounds like I'm being a dick, and I'm not, I'm just really curious too know.

Thanks.

Blackbeast

Hi Tom!: In that case you'll like the Mazdatrix type shifter, it does what you wanted.

Reckless!: The purpose of the engine torque brace is to prevent further engine movement under hard acceleration. Due to the exhaust flow, our engine will rock from right to left, and along with that our tranmission is fighting that momentum, thus sometime makes shifting inprecise. With the torque brace, it will try to hold the engine in place, thus making the transmission in harmony with the engine under hard acceleration and provides more leeway for shifting.

Another benefit is the torque brace will take less toll on your motor mounts pre-mature failure.

Timmy

Blackbeast

Oh Tom!

To answer the latter part, I got my B&M from for $195 + shipping.

Timmy

DavidDeco

Hmm, I thought that (maybe told?) the Pettit shifter WAS B&M. No?

Jason

iTrader: (5)

I have a bunch of B&M's in stock for $190. Let me know if you need one.

Jason
www.rx7store.net

jspecracer7

With the original transmission that came in my car, I mis-shifted 2nd gear to 5th gear. I grinded going into 3rd gear, and broke the 5th gear/reverse gear synchro(possibly... I'm too lazy to go in and look).

I told Dragon what I had did, and said go make yourself an engine torque brace out of this part/this part/this part....blah, blah, blah...so I did. Now that I've got it on the car, it works like a charm.

It holds the engine in place so that when you at high RPM's and you push in the clutch, then shift...the engine/transmission doesn't torque the other direction, thus making you mis-shift.

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Blackbeast: Have pics of the heavy weight Greddy ****? Looked at their website, and they describe it as just being 'black chrome'. They do have a pic of three different *****, but not close up. Have been looking for a nice, clean shift **** that's HEAVY.

As for the B&M, I love mine. I can't make a comparison with the stock shifter, as that my B&M went in when I swapped the auto for a manual - but it's sweet shifting.

I'd stay away from the eBay copies until it's a proven product. There are good manufacturers and bad ones in Taiwan, just like here. At least B&M has a brand name to keep up.

Blackbeast

I will take a pic tomorrow and post them. As for the taiwan copy, that just got my attention when I open the B&M box and lord and behold there's this made in Taiwan sticker on the shift boot.

Soo...it got me thinking, if B&M only contract Taiwan just to make the shift boot, why not the shifter itself too? I figure if they want to save money by making the boot from taiwan, LOL they would save REAL money by making the whole shifter from Taiwan as well.

BAh! But overall quality is very nice, and shift nice in the car despite where it's made.

Timmy

forcefed1

Got My B&M finally last night... put it in as soon as I got it. WOW!! I like it alot. I thought the stock shifter was OK. but Im comparing it to FWD cable style shifters... So it's better then those but the B&M is NIGHT AND DAY!

real tight gates. makes driving real fun!. wasn't going to take the car to work today(looks like rain) but I had to have some more time with that shifter.
Im going to have to vote it "BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK NON HP MOD" I immediatly found myself downshifting while coming to traffic lights. I usually only downnshift when heading into turns.

RecKleSs

I guess someone told you the wrong information. The Pettit's unit has a shorter throw than the B&M.

Jspec Racer 7 & Black Beast very well put. I only missed a gear once with my Pettit's short shifter and I had it for over a two years. I guess I'll get the torque brace, just to have another mod.

tfhuth

Timmy, Thanks for all the info!!

Thank you all for all the information on these shifters.

Once again a ton of good reviews and information from members!!

Now, I'm really confused on which one of these to buy

As I posted earlier in this thread I had been looking at the mazdatrix version. Now I will have to give the B&M and Pettit a closer look. As time allows, will visist there websites and make a decision.

Jason, I will have a look at your website and check out the B&M there. Appreciate your input. I'm in Ohio and would love to buy local if possible.

Thanks again all, Tom

pomanferrari

iTrader: (1)

With the B&M, if you don't have the right weight to your shift ****, the sucker is going to rattle.

I have the Razo **** with a switch in the middle for switching b/w boost levels. With this combo, it rattled in 3rd, 4th and 5th. With the OEM ****, it didn't.

I stayed with the Razo **** as I like the red boost switch button in the middle of the ****. Makes people think that I have Nitrous too!

Jason

iTrader: (5)

With the B&M you can use the stock shift **** if you want. The Mazdaspeed shift ***** also screw on.

Jason
www.rx7store.net

tfhuth

Hmmmm....... don't like that rattle thing.

Timmy does your B&M rattle??

Tom

Blackbeast

Hi Tom!

No, mine doesn't rattle with the Greddy ****, and I just helped another one of my friend installed his yesterday with some unknown brand aluminum shift ****, no rattles either.

It must be that specific Razo **** that has play in the shift **** threads that made it rattle. *guessing*.

Timmy