I posted a thread a little while ago about the B&M short throw shifter and I got a couple of responses from those who said it made the driving a little less fun compared to the stock shifter. I was wondering if many others share the same feeling? Thanks

 

Lots of threads on shortshifters.

My friend has a B&M and I have the Mazdaspeed. Both are equally as short. However, the Mazdaspeed is smooth as stock, whereas the B&M is quite stiff and notchy. It depends on what you like. I used to like my Mazdaspeed, but the B&M grows on you. I think the B&M feels more sporty. Also, there's the cost issue. Mazdaspeed is probably $100 or so more than the B&M. So it all depends on what you want.

 

its not the fact that the shifter is short... its the way the internals are and how clean the shift is... I have the B&M shifter. I am in love with it. Others who drive my car say it feels notchy, but i have never mishifted with that shifter seince i have owned it. it goes right in to gear solid and fast every time. I reccomend that, as well as the mazdaspeed (almost same disign). its honestly one of the favorite parts i have bought for my car (many many parts i own...).

 

Would you say either are less fun to drive than the stock shifter?

 

+1 for never missing a gear with the B&M shifter. I LOVE the feel of mine, very easy t use.

 

well if you like missing gears b/c your shifter disign is too mild and sloppy for performance driving, then i would say the stock one is more fun...

im just messing with you man... after you get used to the feel the B&M comes as second nature, it knows exactly where to go. You might hate it at first like i did, but after a week you would have to fight me for it!

 

I'm running a pettit shifter, i've heard that its pretty much the same as all the other short-shifter. It has made a huge difference for me. My bushing were worn pretty bad and instead of replacing them with OEM, i just upgraded. It is a night and day difference, i wish i would have done this as soon as i bought the car.

 

I initially bought this car with the B&M shifter. I thought it was incredibly notchy, but I didn't mind it as I thuoght it was rather precise. Well, after driving a "stock" shifter, I must attest that the stock shifter is rather vague in gear selection compared to the B&M unit.

I guess the notchy feeling is the compromise for a more "precise" shift. I've never missed a gear.

 

Anyybody compare a 'T-handle shifter' on stock shifter to stock and short?

Ive never had a short shifter in mine, but I added a shelby style T-handle to my stock shifter, and now I get shorter throws (cuz my palm is closer to the stick) and more acuracy, because the 'T' forces your hand to hold the T the same way every time.... I really like it! anyone else?

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I think I have decided to go with a short throw shifter. Probably the B&M.

 

Actually the Pettit/Mazdaspeed/rx7store shifters are the same. But they're significantly different than Gotham/B&M which are the same design.
I also run a Pettit and am very happy. More expensive, but IMO, the design doesn't run the risk of rattle like the Gotham/B&M. The Pettit/MS/rx7store design raises the pivot point and shortens the lever. They claim a 50% reduction and that seems about right.
EVERY SS kits mean a loss of mechanical leverage and will require more effort. But I can't imagine going back.

 

Ok, to really get the feeling of a short throw shifter you have to do the following:

Install short throw shifter.
Drive car with short throw shifter for 1 year... or more.
reinstall stock shifter.
Cry.
Reinstall short throw shifter.

Done.

Trust me on this one. I had a car that i never realized how much I LOVED the short throw shifter in untill i was putting it back to stock to sell it. I felt like i was rowing a boat with a floppy noodle for a paddle. it went from precise (with STS) to sloppier than a half-limp dick tryign to have sex on a period doggy style faster than a jackrabbit... ok, so that last bit was gross.

 

Don't forget about the rattling noises that so many of them make.

I took my short throw shifter out after like a year or so and sold it.

 

i have the MAZDASPEED short shifter, and i really like it alot, so much beter than the stocker, the shorter feel is alot more on point have have not had a miss shiftfrom 2nd to 3rd, tearing up my 5th gear *syncros also i added a weighted shift **** and the feel is very solid.

 

No rattles whatsoever from my Mazdaspeed shifter. Just crisp, positive gearchanges.

 

I have a C's and I love it.

One thing that cracks me up is seeing how much some FD owners cut off the top of the stock one to make it "short " Duh... Not only does it not function as a short shifter , it looks stupid.

 

^ actually chopping off a chunk of your stock shifter does make it shift shorter...

 

so who has run into tranny problems after install a SS kit?

 

Perhaps, but the big problem is that you've moved the leverage fulcrum the wrong way...

 

Still, I think the Amemiya SS does just that.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...+short+shifter

 

Mazdaspeed/Pettit/rx7store = no rattles, most reduction, but > money

Gotham/C's/B&M/ebay kits = possibility of rattles, slightly less reduction than above, but < money

Amemiya = no rattle issues, < money but little reduction.

 

cuting the shifter does not change the pivot point. but it's basicly the same effect on the driver

 

no one experiences grinding on quick shifts?

 

All that matters is the RATIO of lever above vs below the pivot. In the strictest sense, it doesn't matter if you shorten a lever or move the pivot up, the net effect is the same for any given ratio. And for any given ratio, moving the pivot up will require that the whole stick be longer, which may be desireable for ergonomic reasons.

 

Is it possible for a SS like the ebay kit to cause problems shifting if not aligned correctly or do these shifters have pretty foolproof installs?

I ask because it feels weird going into gears sometimes, like it's not lined up properly. I seem to have the dreaded 5th gear syncro problem but the odd part is that I can get into 5th without too much trouble when it's just sitting in the garage.