My impressions of Cobb shifter weight

MicaSp33d

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Mazda, Mazdaspeed3, 2008
Just received the Cobb Shifter Weight that replaces the stock shifter weight. When comparing to the stock weight, this thing is small, like two inches long and according to Cobb it is 0.66 of lb lighter that the stock weight. It is polished and quality looks good, but hey its just a weight theres not much too it.

Like most MS3 owners, everybody is looking to make the shift engagements more precise, direct, and smooth. I was thinking about about getting a weighted shift knob and a short shifter but I decided to get the cobb shifter weight first just to see how it feel, also because it was only $25.

Installation only took about 15-20 mins ... you will have remove your intake filter and air straightner if you have the cobb sri, once thats done you just have to remove the two bolts holding in the stock shifter weight. It will be a little tight since there is loctite on it. Popped out the stock one replace with the cobb one , added some red loctite and tighten it up. Put the intake back together and that was it.

I currently have a mm and bushings, and after install my first impression was .. wow .. this is what i was looking for. About half the effort to engage the gears. This is how the car should of felt stock. I didn't try it with the stock mm or rubber bushings, but as of now i lovin it. It doesn't get rid of the crunching from the cables links ... but i think i only feel that because of the motor mount and bushings. Cobb did their homework here, the weight is just right. If it was lighter it would probably be a little too light. Enough weight to feel direct but less enough to reduce effort. I was able to get into 5th gear faster. I can only imagine that combined with a short shifter and weight knob, its just gonna get better. I also noticed my downshifts are faster and smoother. At first it does feel a little different, but after a few minutes you will enjoy it. I'm going change my tranny fluid to redline this weekend and see how much better it can get and possible a weight shift knob in the near future. Now i not even sure if i even want a short shifter, but who knows. Just want to share my impressions because for $25 you can't really go wrong.
 
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Put mine in yesterday and yes I agree, it's a great addition to the SS and bushings. It took a whole 5 minutes to put in though. And you shouldn't have to remove the air straightener, just the filter (Cobb SRI).
 
Put mine in yesterday and yes I agree, it's a great addition to the SS and bushings. It took a whole 5 minutes to put in though. And you shouldn't have to remove the air straightener, just the filter (Cobb SRI).

That what i did at first ... but i just removed the ended up removing the strightner because i just wanted to be careful to not drop any of the bolts. I hate when i drop crap in my engine bay and it ends up rolling where i can't reach it. My hands ain't that small .. so it made things more comfortable.
 
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Thank you for the much anticipated report. and glad your results were so positive. I switched to redline early this spring. The shifting became very slippery in a good way. But I worry that the lack of counter weight will make the feel looser for me. Should I use a heavier shift knob with the Cobb counter weight? Thanks for the report back 33d
 
For the last month I have been driving around without the weight on at all. Even with the bushings and mm 3rd would still give me trouble from time to time. I removed the weight and no problems at all. I love the feel and shifts are much smother. Im gonna stick with no weight on.
 
glad to hear you like it, I currently have MM & shifter bushings, and now I'm definetely gonna get it too especially since its cheap & easy to install


on another note...
is the cobb shifter weight the same price @ all vendors, or is anyone offering it any cheaper (including shipping) -- I know its probably only 5 bux difference if that, but I figure every little thing helps......
 
i ahve only found the counter weight for $35.... where is the $25 price??
 
i didn't get the chance to do the redline fluid yet ... but i just order a 2 lb shift knob. After i try out the new knob and fluid with the weight .. then i will decide if i will get the short shifter.
 
After the first hour of driving I think this may be just what the doctor ordered.
No need to take the filter out with the Cobb SRI. All you need is a 12" drive extension.
 
Just changed to redline tranny fluid this yesterday and im glad i did.

shifts are smoother and easier, but it doesn't cure anything .. just helps..

damm cable link shifter ...

Combined with the shifter weight it just makes things better imo, the tranny now feels like its acutally lubricated haha .. now im just waiting for my 2lb shiftknob.
 
Yeah I took mine off my MS6 feels real good,,,, Does the weight need to be there at all ????? . It seems like if they make an aftermarket it serves a purpose ?
 
perspective

Funny thread. PT Barnum had it right.
-enganear
When one feels good about something, it is good. When I put the tranny fluid in per se. I expected little, beyond a quality upgrade and a fluid cleansing from the ahem once or twice I missed third. The first day to and from work were oh well thats nice. The second day I really noticed and was so intrigued by the difference in shift quality I took the really long way home. I still like it alot but maybe it just my perspective for a different feel when shifting. 25 bucks is cheap for motoring enthusiam maybe.
 
going from stock fluid to redline ... yes you can feel a difference

but after a few days of driving it ... it kinda feels like stock again .. but it still better than that stock fluid with smoother engagements and feel.

probably already got used to it .. but the "novelty" did wear off quickly.

still worth it in my opinion.
 
i no this is a super old thread, but will a shifter weight work for a mz3 as well? or just ms3?

i thought about getting one from protege garage, but its for the ms3. sorry if this is a noob question lol
 
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