I still have the original bushings on mine and was curious whether replacing them will tighten up the feel of the shifter. Mine is definitely lacking in feel during shifts into 5th.

Are there any aftermarket pieces (by Energy Suspension, etc) that would be better than ordering stock bushings?

 

It might help a little, but it sounds like you have the classic 5th gear synchro problem...

 

I thought the 5th gear synchro problem usually resulted in grinding when you go into 5th? I'm not getting that in 5th (although shifts into 2nd are less than smooth!). It just feels like there is too much play when making the shift.

 

Part of the fix is a stonger select spindle spring. It will make your shifts more precise. I put new bushings in mine with 75K - it helped. Neo or MT90 is a plus as well but damn is it expensive! To get it back to "new car feel" it's usually a lot of small things added together, not to mention the clutch.

Cutting an inch off the spindle will help the feel as well since the throw will be a little shorter, but not quicker. Hell, even a different shift **** (weight/shape) can affect feel.

I hate throwing parts at a problem, but sometimes it's the only way. Start with the cheap stuff: bushings, fluid and cut down spindle.

 

I had the same issue with my FD. Shifting into second was awful, and basically the stock shifter bushings were wore down to nothing.

I replaced it with a B&M short shifter (yes, you can get it from www.rx7store.net @ http://66.216.67.51/product.asp?0=207&1=293&3=268) Damn, I just noticed the price is dropped to $169!

I wouldn't trade this shifter... Not even for a new wife

 

That sounds like a pretty good recommendation!

I am still trying to get mine more precise and with a more solid feel in the gate. I know these are pretty tough terms to describe, but would you say it cured your 2nd gear problem? Mine's getting really hard to get into first on a roll....The stock bushings are pretty lame...$169 seems worth it.

 

Well, if you buy it (and I paid $30 more for mine a couple of months ago) make sure you put in a good word with Jason for me over at the RX7Store

 

Absolutely.

 

I would replace the two "wave washers", the top and bottom plastic bushings as well as the bushing that goes in the slot on the ball portion at the bottom of the shifter. You should also look before ordering to see if the rubber boot at the very base is torn and order a new base if needed.

Finish up by filling the shifter area up with new fluid and you're good to go. Total time to repair should be less than a half hour.

Brian

 

so the b&m comes with new bushings? makes it feel tighter?

 

Yep, and total install time really is around 1/2 hour. Even faster if you've done one before. Plus it is spring-loaded so shifting into third gear is almost automatic. And almost impossible to do the infamous 2nd to 5th gear shift.

 

No the B&M DOES NOT come with bushings.

Get a short shifter and a new bushing (only available from mazda) and you will be in heaven.

Your problem is not the synchros, its the bushing

 

The B&M replaces everything on the topside. All you do is undo the 4 bolts that hold the whole stock shifter assembly. Take the nylon bushing off the end of the stock one and snap it on the B&M. Fill the reservoir with tranny oil, clean the mounting cap and base with acetone, apply some gasket sealant and bolt her down. The B&M shifter really has nothing to do with the 2-3 shift (other that less leverage, which makes it more likely to go into the gear you are trying to hit), it is the shift select spindle that needs to have the upgraded spring to prevent you from pushing over to fifth when you are not trying. There are no other bushings or gaskets necessary with the B&M (other than the nylon cap that snaps onto the bottom end.

Jim