Short Shift Kits???
 

I'm looking to put a short shifter kit into my '93, and wanted to see what the brand preferences are and why.

So far, I've seen only a B&M shifter and a MazdaSpeed shifter advertised. Does anyone have experience w/ one of these, and are there others I should consider????

Thanks for the help!

I'd say go with Gotham Racing's short shifter, that is the one I plan on buying. 160 bills (which is pretty damn cheap) and from what I heard good build quality. I believe it is pretty much the same thing as the B&M kit except for the blue colored lever. A lot of FD guys are big fans of Gotham.

C's also makes a shifter, but it is pricey.

EDIT: www.gothamracing.com

I have the B&M shifter. I really like it. Nice crisp short throws, although it can be a bit "notchy".

The RX-7 Store now sells their own kit:

http://66.216.67.51/product.asp?0=207&1=293&3=709

It's suppose to shorten throws by 50% (most other kits are 33%). I have one on order. When I get it (and get it installed), I'll let you know what I think of it...

I've had my B&M in for two days and love it...Haven't missed 3rd since...Although it's rattling :mad: ...Hopefully it goes away.

i got the c's from jason at jt imports. i love it... might be a lil more expensive but is the the bomb

I use a Pettit Short Shifter and I love it....real small gates though, but it is so tight and crisp when you shift. Great shifter.

I have a C's aswell. Nice short strokes, but I still do miss 3rd once in a long long while. I dont have a torque brace though.

Is there anything wrong with cutting like another 0.5" off my B&M...it's short but I think I would almost like it a little shorter...I have the Momo shift knob and it doesn't require threading to keep it on so less threads isn't a problem...

What do you think?

I have a B&M and I love it. I have had it for a year now and the only gear I have ever missed was 4th and don't ask me how that happened. It is a bit notchy but it is a lot better than stock.

As for the rattling apneablue may be talking about, it is common if you don't replace the bushing at the bottom of the shifter. I suggest doing that any time you replace your shifter because it is relatively cheap ($4 or so) and it keeps it from rattling.

I've had the Mazdatrix, and now have the Mazdaspeed unit in my FD. The Mazdatrix has the shorter throw, but it takes more effort to shift. Since I do track events, the effort was too much, IMO. Very good build quality.

The Mazdaspeed unit has a nice short throw that requires only marginally more effort. Also, good build quality.

I didn't know I was supposed to put that on there! :eek: Where do you get that bushing anyway?

Here's a photo of the B&M just before the beautiful thing gets covered up. :(

pettit has the shortest throw (cuts it up to 60%). had c's before that and it was good too.

apneablue: I'm sure it's fine if you cut down the shifter height a bit.

I have a Mazdaspeed shortshifter and I cut mine down about another half an inch. Nice short and crisp throws. It shortened it about 40% and it's feels as smooth as the stock shifter. That's if you aren't a fan of the racier notchy feeling. :)

I got the bushing straight from Mazda. It was relatively cheap like I said and they had it in the next day. It is one of the few parts that I would gladly get from them again. The new one snaps right on the end of the shifter. Good luck and that should get rid of your rattling.

With the short shifter, are there any issues with the shift being too fast for the synchros? This was a big issue on a board on another car that I have. Some people had problems with it and some didn't. Since I liked the way the stock tranny shifted, I didn't bother. The 7's shifter feels slow to me and seems to take more effort than on my Integra but the throws don't feel too long but still, it's a mod that's always on my mind.

I wouldn't do it.

I was thinking about doing the same thing. I decided that I didn't want to ruin it. Just incase I wanted to resell it later. Someone might want to use it with an OEM or Mazdaspeed shifter knob.

Pettit Short Shiter here. nice unit, crisp, and very tight.

i often think that it takes too much effort to shift as it almost feels like "CLICK-CLICK"

Ummm, see the next post.

My 02.:

1) Cut the stock shifter 1" with your Dremel - I know that sounds like alot. You'll need to buy a die and cut more 10/25 threads down to the taper. $5.00 for the die.

2) Toss in a new OEM bushing. $4.00.

3) Get a Voodoo brand spherical Magnum 2.00 inch polished aluminum knob. $35.00. Screws right on.

4) Pull the ashtray - make a platform that fits in the space and build it up with 1" of high density foam and cover it with Ultrasuede (avaiblable from me in any color you can imagine for only $50....)

5) Change the fluid to NEO. - or any old synthetic you can find - for 1/2 the price.

It sounds like a lot of work, but then again what is snick-snick worth?;) AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh.

C`s is nice...

I heard there was or is a GB going on somewhere

B&M is one of the best in my opinion.

group buy on nopistons.com for the c's......it might be over though.....anyways i got the c's and i love it. smooth and crisp.

I'm a complete fool...I managed to not push the momo knob all the way down as it has a ruber spacer inside it...So I just turned it like I was screwing it on and it went down to a satisfactory level...I also pulled the shifter and put the stock bushing on the end of the B&M and it's really tight now...no more rattling! yeah me!

How do you change the oil in that case anyway...Turkey baser? :confused: