Mazdaspeed Short Shifter Review
 

I intalled one of these a few weeks ago and thought I'd post my impressions.

There are many short shifters available for the FD (B&M, Cs, RE Amemiya, Mazdatrix, among others) but when searching I found some complaints about pretty much all of them - except the Mazdaspeed one. The complaints mostly centered on some combination of rattling, notchiness, only slightly reduced throws, and increased throw effort. The Mazdaspeed one is also, of course, the most expensive ($350 or so).

The install was pretty easy. The excellent instructions on Mazdatrix's site work well for this install. (Not suprising, since the Mazdatrix shifter is a copy of the Mazdaspeed one.) I used some Neo gear oil in the shift tower and also used some high temperature grease on the spacer to prevent it from rattling.

My initial impression was: ug! Changing gears was no longer like operating a gearbox - it was more like moving a metal stick in a bucket full of nails. Fortunately after a few minutes the oil must have made its way into the various shifter nooks and crannies because things improved considerably.

I have driven short shifters before on other cars and they usually reduce throw by some percentage but operation and feel is more or less similar to stock (with the exception of bad things like notchiness and incresed throw effort with cheap shifters). However, this shifter completely changes the feel of shifting. While the nominal throw length has been reduced by 60% it really feels more like 90%+. Effort is the same as stock and there is no notchiness but changing gears now feels like operating a well-oiled six position switch. You simply select one of six positions and nudge it into gear. Yummy.

All shifters should be like this.

Yep. I installed a PETTIT which AFAIK, is identical to MAZDATRIX; MAZDASPEED and RX7Store. My experience was pretty close to yours but it took a little longer to loosen up. I remember that there was definitely more effort required since I lost some leverage, but not enough to make it unpleasant. Don't even notice it now. Had mine for about a year and still happy.

promote the place you bought it from!

just wondering as well.

which companies are a replica of the mazdaspeed? i know you stated a couple i just want to be sure so i can get on if i cant find a mazdaspeed...

Bought this from DaiOni on this board with a bunch of other Mazdaspeed parts. He lives in Japan and can get any currently available part with pretty quick turnaround.

I believe Corksport also carry it.

To the best of my knowledge: Pettit, RX7Store, and Mazdatrix are Mazdaspeed copies.

Yes. In all the pictures that I've seen, they all appear to be identical. This is a picture courtesy of Mahjik in an old thread. You'll also note the difference in design from B & M, C's, GOTHAM etc.
[QUOTE=Mahjik]http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...r/MVC-003S.JPG

Just posting an image of the RX-7 Store Short Shifter with the stock on next to it.

I bought a slightly used Mazdaspeed SS from Fritz Flynn (who hasn't bought something from Fritz?), so it had none of the initial notchiness issues you speak of. Installation was quick and easy, and I have not had any rattling whatsoever. Just clean, crisp, smooth, positive shifts. Effort is a tad higher than stock, but the tradeoff for the smooth, positive, and short throw made it a very worthwhile investment for $200 (thanx Fritz! :) )

Any pics of it in the car? I'm curious as to how short it looks.

Old pics but:

http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...3/MVC-001F.JPG
http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...3/MVC-004F.JPG

Thanks. Is that a mazdaspeed shift knob?

Nope, that's one of the weighted Razo knobs.

I didn't even realize that it shortened the height of the knob until I looked at the picture above by Sgtblue. I though it just changed the fulcrum point. In any case, the visual difference is small.

At first i was all about that really short short throw but having a B&M for over a year now, i wanna go back to something with more quality, even though the throw isnt that short.

I hate when shifts feel like you're not even clutching in. Especially if you're in a hurry in city driving yet you're not going WOT. I need something smoother.

Im def gonna pick up one of these MS shifters soon.

I think you are confusing the Mazdaspeed short shifter with the RE Amemiya one. The throws on the Mazdaspeed are about as short as you can get - shorter than the B&M to the best of my knowledge.

The throw on the Mazdaspeed shifter is slightly shorter, but the action is much smoother and crisper, making it feel as if you've just got a shorter version of the stocker-- which is the way it should be, IMO. I've tried a couple of FDs with B&Ms installed, and they were both pretty notchy and harsh compared to the Mazdaspeed. It was the reason that I initially didn't install any SS on my FD, because I thought that perhaps all of them were like that.

Shorter than B&M???

Is that even possible? lol

MY fifth gear position looks like first. lol

Whoever rides with me always looks at the shifter and go, "what gear are you in?" haha

Anyone have experience with the RE Amemiya? I'll be getting a short shifter soon, was going to get the Mazdaspeed (are they all replicas now?) but it'd be cool to have a RE Amemiya part on my car.

-Andy

------->https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...+short+shifter

thx

So the mazdaspeed they sell over at rx7store is not the same as B&M as far as notchyness?

I dont mind the short throw, i just hate it being a short throw plus the notchy feeling.

Its not a good combo.