Which short shifter works best
 

I want to get one and need to know what you guys are using and like.

I have only used the Mazdatrix. It works great, cheap. I have not missed a 2-3 shift or 4-5 shift since (not that I missed often).

I highly recommend it.

Mike

I tried to get info from everyone on the pettit one. I heard that the mazdaspeed one does not really help.

I'm using the Pettit's short shifter and love it. It is definitely one of the best mods I have ever done. The stock shifter completely sucks.

I have the B&M, cheapest price, quality piece, love it. Haven't tried the others but the B&M is reallly nice so they get my vote

supposedly, the Mazdaspeed only shortens the throw 25%. while the Pettit: 50%.

From what I read the Mazdatrix shifter shortens by 50% and costs $209. B&M's shifter is only like $179 shipped. Pettit's is around $300. How much does the B&M shorten the throw?

I have the Mazdatrix shifters in both my 2nd and 3rd gens and love them. They were the cheapest ones when I bought them and work like any other shift knob, I guess?

off of impulse and after reading this thread i went out and purchased the pettit short shifter along with the gt shift knob. i'll have my car out of the shop next week if your patient and i 'll let you know if it feels like a 60% shortet shift.

by the way a friend of mine said that a short shifter is for those who don't know how to shift, any truth to that. i personally thik i know how to shift fine, i just like the idea of the shifter being in gear effortless (if thats a word).

luigi

anyone got a link to B&M for their shifter.
Thanks

There are days when I can shift well and other days when I blow 2nd to 3rd. The stock shifter is fun but trying to shift very quickly with it is hard for me. I'm not a drag racer but I like to have precise shifting. The more I ask and read I see that Mazdatrix makes a quality piece for cheap and works well.

I've got a Mazdatrix short shifter. I like it, but it does rattle. Mazdatrix has a write up on their website about this. Pretty much just saying that it is car specific and 1 out of every 3 cars will experience a rattling noise after the short shifter is installed. I have had it in for about a month. No big deal to me, I don't notice it too often, but it may drive some people insane.

B&M Shifter for FD $164.95
 

I just got a quote from Scotty at Atlanticspeed.com for the B&M short shifter for the FD (B&M # BMM-45083) for $164.95 plus $6.00 shipping and handling. He also assured me it is in stock. That's the lowest price I have ever heard! Go for it.

Here's a link to their web site:

http://www.atlanticspeed.com/

% Throw Reduction for B&M and Mazdatrix
 

FYI

There's been a lingering question on the Forum about the % throw reduction from B&M short shifters for the FD so I decided to contact B&M directly to find out.

I just got off the phone with a B&M technical representative. He told me that the B&M short throw shifter for the FD (B&M #45083) reduces throw by 30% over the OEM shifter.

I've also seen posts on the Forum that say the Mazdatrix short throw shifter reduces throw by 50%. On the Mazdatrix web site it clearly states that their short throw shifter reduces throw from the OEM 6 inches to 3 1/2 inches. That would translate to a throw reduction of 2 1/2 inches which is equal to an approximately 42% reduction over OEM.

Percent reduction in throw is certainly one factor to consider. However, I am more interested in hearing from actual users of all the brands about their experiences with the different shifters. The experiences of others and cost will likely be the major factors influencing my purchasing decision.

I have the B&M.

Summit Racing.

What ever percentage it reduces it....it has a tiny throw after installation. It is seriously about 1 inch of movement to go from first to second gear.

It is nice.

Patrick

$170 shipped is pretty sick for a shortshifter - that's about $50 to even $125 cheaper than most others for the FD. Anyone else with B&M shifters out there want to testify to it's use and quality?

The B&M short shifter is nice and is very short. You can get the B&M short shifter for $160 shipped from here. Now that's a killer price.



Tony S.

The Mazdatrix short shifter works great, and really does cut down the distance of the throw.

btw mine does not rattle, (this might be a problem for a few)

I think it is worth every cent.

Mike

Short Shifter
 

I installed the Mazdatrix and it works great. I haven't tried the others but anything is an improvement over stock!

I have the mazdaspeed and love it. It does make it a little louder. Very short and very crisp throws.

the stock shifter in my '85 is way too low and doesn't have enough leverage so it feels really notchey. I'd imagine a short-throw unt would feel lots worse (even lower/even notchier) so I'm making a tall shifter for it, make driving it lots easier like the SA's where the shifter was only a hand's-breadth from the steering wheel. Shifting just takes too long with the short lever - too far away and not enough leverage.

the pettit is great, had it for a month now and its great

luigi

any short shifters thats help prevent the 2 to 3 shift...??

1FAST7

Mazdatrix short shifter here. Love it...no rattles either. My installation notes here if you are interested:
http://reganrotaryracing.tripod.com/shifter.htm
Regards,
Crispy
"If you have no fear your car isn't fast enough."

I stopped having that problem altogether when I put in an engine brace! With the stock floppy engine mounts the engine and transmission can move around a lot when you accelerate or let off, so you have no idea where the shifter is going to slot in when you shift. Once it's locked down with a brace, it ain't moving!