mazdaspeed shifter
 

Ok, so I've been hot on the trail of buying a short shifter. I've searched and read, searched and read and even searched and read. Conclusion, I want a mazdaspeed short shifter. So I start looking to buy a new one and I find that SR motorsports has a few left. I don't mind paying more for a good product, but they want $399. I cant find anyplace else to compare prices with. Does anyone know If this is the going rate for one? Seems high, but if this is what they cost then so be it!

Dean.

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/mazdashortshift.htm

good choice....not mazda speed but a replica

I ran the mazdaspeed for a while and didn't like it. I didn't like how it sat the shifter up so high. I later switched to a b&m

I have run this for 2 years and love it, nice smooth shifts with no notchiness :)

http://www.gothamracing.com/catalog/...roducts_id=747

Any rattling noise Goodfellas ?

damn, my friends b/m and my mazdaspeed both sit at the same height i think. No problems here.

My good man Dean :wave:

That's the real price... given that Mazdaspeed sells it (directly) for over $300, + Japanese domestic tax, shipping, misc fees, and tacking on a profit margin. It's a bit overpriced, but not by much.

BUT, I can help ya out w/ it no prob for well under that price, and brand spankin new. PM me if you're interested. It's the least I can do for your patience w/ me :)

~Ramy

Ive had the same shifter for almost 2 years as well and love it

FWIW, I think MazdaSpeed(replica), Pettit and rx7store....are all from the same manufacturer. Either one, or Ramy's would be a good choice. I've got a Pettit SS and really like it. Materials and machining seem to be first rate and the fit was perfect. Even came with a new bushings, paper gasket and of course longer bolts. Very happy. No rattles and it's about a 50% shorter throw.

Not even once :)

I have the RX7Store shifter. It is the same as the Pettit/Mazdaspeed one (as the instruction sheet I received was even the Pettit instruction sheet).

It reduces the shift much more than the B&M shifters. The B&M are about a 30% reduction, the Mazdaspeed and it's replicas are about 60%. For some people, that may be too much reduction. If you want just a little reduction in shifting, get the B&M. If you want about the most you can get, the Mazdaspeed and replicas would be the one to choose.

60% reduction? Daaamn. My B&M feels like a "short throw"...can't imagine it getting much shorter than that.

I'm happy with the B&M. It adds some bulk to the top of the shifter housing, so there is less room for powerplant frame misalignment. I think this is pretty common among all short shifters though.

Sonny

For $99!!!!! Damn, I know what my next mod is.....

It takes a little getting used to. But once you do, it's great.
Actually the construction of the Mazdaspeed/Pettit/rx7store shifter is nearly idential to OEM. Just a spacer to raise the pivot point and a longer shaft to the lower bushing. (and of course the knob end of the shaft is a little shorter) :)

Um...are you sure the shifter you used was a Mazdaspeed unit? The Mazdaspeed lever spindle is slightly shorter above the ball pivot, so the lever height is the same as stock above the console. The added length is below the ball pivot, where the additional leverage comes from.

Are you sure about that 50% difference in ratio? I drove a friend's FD with a B&M (that's what he said was in it, no way of checking), and his shift throw felt basically the same, if not a tad shorter.

Yea I always thought the B&M was the shortest throw?? And is the Mazdaspeed less notchy? Cuz (although I like it), I thought the B&M was the most notchy as well.

~Ramy

Even though I searched and made a decision on a shifter, the info in this thread has been extremely useful. Looks like Ramy has the hook up on the mazdaspeed one.

Dean

While the numbers are the "marketing numbers" for the reduction percentage, I've used one of the B&M copies and it was not as short as the Mazdaspeed copy. 50% less? I'm not sure, but there was a very noticeable difference.

Holy smokes. So essentially the Mazdaspeed shifter doesn't move at all when shifting, huh? :rofl: I'm just having a hard time picturing something shorter than the B&M...

It literally just clicks from gear to gear. When I first installed it, I was not happy with it. After some track usage, I really like it. The best part is that fact that it didn't increase the effort at the same time.

I recently put a B&M short shifter on my father's C5 Z06. The throws are short, but the effort is also increased. I was very unhappy with it.

So the MS is super short but smooth... and the B&M is short and notchy (hence the effort). Hmm...might hafta back outta this deal and keep the MS shifter for myself :D (I'm kidding Dean ;))

Thanks for the 411 Mahjik.

~Ramy

I ordered the authentic for 285.00 from rotary performance Authentic Mazdaspeed... shifts superbly smooth and short.... I highly recomend

The stock shift is not like rowing a boat. The B&M cuts it down even further. I went with B&M since the others shorten it too much. And I got it at a discount where I work. Just be sure to order a new plastic cup that goes at the botttom.

Since we're on the topic, has anyone noticed that w/ a shorter throw, it's easier to miss 5th and hit 3rd?

Did they ever make one for FD from C's?

Yes...I don't know if C's shortshifters for the FD are discontinued or not, but they're hard to find (but still doable)

~Ramy

Damn,you have alot of posts. Need to catchs up.

Nope. I have a freshly rebuilt trans which I am sure helps, but with my Mighty Gotham Racing Super Sports Shifter I am invincible :djcelebra

:rofl:

You mean miss 3rd and hit 5th? Not for me. If anything, I think it makes it more difficult. The Mazdaspeed SS has a positive, yet smooth feel.

Kento...my fault...you're right. I meant going for 3rd, missing, and finding myself in 5th (at which point, coincidentally, I smell clutch? :dunno: ) I dunno...I've had to keep it mind to keep it left a bit in order to land it in 3rd. And this is only when I'm doing a WOT run btw. And my 5th gear synchro is broken (it only lasted about a year).

EDIT: What I confused was...when I'm going into 5th (also during WOT runs) it grinds...I gotta put a good bit of effort to push the shifter ALL the way to the right to get it into 5th (vs. before w/ the stock shifter, where I could just aim for the top right corner and hit 5th every time). Consequently, my 4th to 5th shifts are quite slow...

Yep^ it would be like missing 4th and accidentally getting reverse. It just doesn't happen.

Not sure which shifter you're using, but one technique I've found that helps avoid missed shifts is to put most of your grip (and force) on the side of the shift knob. That way you're able to guide the direction of your shift lever movement/force without spending too much attention on it. It's a lot easier to guide the direction of the lever through the shift linkage pattern from the side than it is the top.

I agree. I never had any problems missing shifts with the stock shifter when "properly" holding the shift knob. ;)

IMO, people shouldn't look to a SS to help them stop missing shifts. If you are doing it wrong, you'll have the same problem with a SS as well.

Then again how often do go over 160, well it is you Ramy so nevermind.

Hmm...good point. Yea I usually try grabbing it from the top (hence why I like the round spherical knobs). I'll give that a shot (when I get my car back). Thanks for the tip.

Oh and I'm using a B&M.

What can I say Mahjik? I'm a noob :D But I must say, I got just a wee bit of ego, ever since Steve Kan complimented my shifting :D (I got lucky that night and hit 3rd and 5th w/o any problems).

Dude that's what I live for. I see ppl mention on the forum things about "oh I hit 150 once." It bewilders me. Practically EVERY time I take my car out I see 150. It's a "normal" speed for me now. And even scarier how ppl (who own other cars) brag about reaching a top speed close to 150, when that's about where my 5th gear begins... God I love this car :D

~Ramy

Well, not sure about "technique", but then I never had any problems missing shifts either. Still, since getting the Pettit SS, I have to consciously "think" about hitting 5th gear and can't imagine getting it on accident. The only qualification is that I don't track the car. Maybe that's different. If someone does have a problem, I gotta think it might help. At least as much as the upgraded "shift select spindle" that Mazda sold.