After reading through several threads I'm considering a Petitt/RX7store/Mazdaspeed short shifter. Consensus and adverstisements say they shorten throws by 50%. But there was some suggestion that these might be tough on the synchros. I say "suggestion" because someone might mention they worried about it, and nothing more was said. Having already replaced my 5th gear synchro, I really don't want to shorten the life if the others unnecessarily.
Can some of you who have been running these shifters for a while, or guys that are knowlegable in this area weigh-in? Sorry if I missed a thread already dealing with this, but I'd appreciate a link.
I'm currently running synthetic fluids in the transmission and typically don't drive the car super hard.

 

the main difference is getting used to the shorter throw....as long as u get used to it for at least a day or so and make sure ur in gear before u let off the clutch ull be fine...lol..as far as shortening the life span....i wouldnt know....my 5th gear is fucked....but it was like that before i put the shifter on...altho the shifter did accentuate the problem...hmm...meh....getting new tranny when i get back off crusie any ways....
also where did u get ur synrco done...im still trying to weigh out the options of either taking leave and doing it my self...or just takeing it to a shop and let them do it.

 

as of late, my syncros have gotten worse. it does seem to be accentuated from the installation of the short shifter. i wouldnt go as far as saying it ruins them, it just makes them more audible. i plan on rebuilding my transmission within the year. ill be sticking with the short shifter. . . dont think itll hurt too many things by just being in there.

 

he thing with short shifters are they have to be installed perfect and adjusted. if your getting some knotchyness, chances are its slightly off. the fd i just bought was a tad knotchy in 2nd at start up and i noticed that if i pulled hard on the shifter to the left as i put it in 2nd gear it wasnt knotch or would not grind. so i made a couple adjustments and its much better now. i also ordered some BG sincroshift for the tranny and redline shockproof heavy for diff. this should take any grinds out as long as you sincros are not too far gone.

 

Short shifters don't kill synchros, people do

Since a short shifter has less mechanical advantage against the transmission any notchiness in the shifts will be amplified even more after installing a short shifter. The same thing happens when you install a lighter shift **** as well.

There is no way the shifter itself can harm the transmission. Users on the other hand can always find a way to break something Everyone insists they can shift faster with a short shifter and that's not true. They just think they are because they tend to grab the lever and bang it around harder. This tends to hurt things.

 

ive heard that when u install a short shifter on some fds they tend to rattle and theres nuthin u can do about it but hold on to it all the time. is this true? i read it in another thread i think. if its true that would be really annoying on the highway

 

teh ebay version of the b&m is a LOT smoother than the expensive ones. shortens a very comfortable 25-30%.

you might like 1/4" clicks into gear, but i like at least a bit of throw. it's more personal preference i think.

 

The action of the short shifter is isolated from the synchros by the shift linkage, springs, *****, and detentes. As long as the short shifter fits into the shift housing properly, and the 'cup' bushing at the very bottom is working, it should be fine. If it wasn't working right, you would notice it doesn't click into gear very well.

If any abuse is to be done to the synchros, it's by the driving style, improper oil, and trying to shift too fast. But you're probably aware of those issues.

Dave