Cobb Short Shifter

[ThreeEdgedSword]

No, mine came with the correctly threaded upper shaft (I had to wait 6-8 weeks for it to ship).

As far as images, putfile is being strange - it's acting like it's uploading the pics, but not actually doing so. I'm trying to get them up on imageshack right now, but it's dragging.

EDIT: There we go, got them up on putfile. They're a little big, so beware 56k'ers.







Hopefully that should give you some perspective. I've got it adjusted as far up as they recommend, but it can be adjusted down about the same amount as the diameter of the base of shift knob (forgot to grab a ruler on my way home from work).

 

[ericrapp]

Nice pictures and really good scaling actually sir. Will you try different heights at some point? At least for the viewing audience. I would like my shifter a little lower with the shorter throw of course, but am worried the center armrest is too high to be comfortable. also please, with the Cobb can you set it back to stock throw with the adjustments. not that it matters just wondered. Thanks for the good reporting, Sword.

 

[ThreeEdgedSword]

I was planning to do some with the height adjusted, I just forgot to grab a 3mm allen for the adjuster screws.

As far as the throw adjustment, according to the instructions the 5 threaded openings give you an adjustment range of 10% longer throw (WTF?) to 30% shorter throw (where I have it set). I haven't figured out what the actual reduction amount is for the positions between max & min, but I'd guess they work out to something like (from top to bottom):

30% Reduction
20% Reduction
10% Reduction
Stock Throw
10% Longer Throw (Though you've got me stumped as to why they included this).

EDIT: Now with Photos

Shifter at lowest height setting (Neutral):


Shifter in 4th @ 30% throw reduction


Shifter in 3th @ 30% throw reduction

 

[mrjoshyman]

how long/difficult is the install on this?

 

[phillyb]

how long/difficult is the install on this?

idk about the cobb, i have the twm, but it's the same installation. it was a really straightforward installation. it took me about 90 minutes by myself. and now that i know what i'm doing, i could probably do this in 30.

the hardest part is getting the paperclips wedged in to their spot and getting the spring back on the correct spot.

if that doesn't make sense, that's alright. you can look at twm's installation instructions here - http://www.twmperformance.com/manuals/mazdaspeed-3-short-shifter-manual.pdf

 

[ericrapp]

Thanks for posting install up P. I have saved for future reference.

 

[ThreeEdgedSword]

Took me about 60-75 minutes (but I did it at work, where I've got access to my toolbox), I wasn't really timing myself. Install is exactly the same as the TWM SS, other than the 2 adjustment screws for the shift lever height setting and the 1 for the shifter throw adjustment.

Hardest part was getting the centering spring back into place while lining the plastic cup into it's correct spot. A pair of needle nose vice grips worked best for keeping a good grip on it.

Additionally, with the shift lever at it's lowest height and the throw reduction at 30%, that Cobb shift weight might be a good idea (if it reduces shift effort) - the shift effort is noticably more. Personally, it's more comfortable for me near the top setting w/ 30% reduction - and the shift effort is only slightly more.

 

[derspi]

OK, finally got this thing installed today and I have to say, I'm a bit underwhelmed. Forget the fact that it took 2 weeks before I finally got the correct replacement shaft in the mail - somehow, I got left out of the loop and did NOT get the replacement automatically like some of the other owners.

Anyways, the install did not go as smoothly as we had hoped.

Problem 1:

The included 8 mm hex screws to secure the upper sliding shaft are too short and really not beefy enough to clamp the shaft down tightly. I wanted the shifter to sit as high or close to stock as possible which pretty much makes the bottom hex screw useless as the shaft doesn't even sit that low at the highest height. Our first attempt caused the threads on the STS body to start stripping so we stopped right there and decided to just drill right through the top holes to accept a 10 mm bolt and nut. We threw on a pair of washers for good measure and now I'm pretty confident the shaft is secure and should never loosen with use.

Problem 2:

Got everything buttoned up and went for the test drive but realized very shortly that the centering spring kept popping out of the groove 7 times out of 10 when I go to engage first gear. Wouldn't be so bad if it didn't make a loud clicking sound so again, we had to improvise. Trying to bend the spring was a futile exercise so to limit the centering spring's movement, we slid a small piece of rubber tubing on the end of it and this managed to do the trick. Comparing the Cobb STS with the stock shifter, it's apparent that the stock shifter has a deeper groove for the centering spring to sit in that is also made of hard rubber to minimize noise and sliding. Maybe I got a bad one, I don't know, but that was my install experience and it wasn't as easy or problem free as it should have been.

In terms of performance, again, I'm a bit underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, the STS does what is advertised but I don't love the fact that the shifter now sits a bit further AWAY from the driver as the shaft is not bent like the stock shifter. This little detail also makes for a funky looking shift boot that is all scunched up towards the right. At the shortest throw and tallest shifter height settings, shifting effort is more than stock (I'd say around 50% more). I find it harder to get into first as well. I really don't see the point of having 5 throw adjustments but what the hell I guess, more MUST be better right? The only reason I got this STS was because of the height adjustment and I'm happy to say that at the highest setting, the Cobb STS pretty much retains the stock shifter height AND shortens the long throws of the stock shifter by about 1/3. I do want to lighten the effort needed so I might go and remove the stock shifter weight sitting under the battery box and see if that improves shift feel/effort. FYI, I already had the solid shifter base bushings installed.

 

[fuentini]

I don't love the fact that the shifter now sits a bit further AWAY from the driver as the shaft is not bent like the stock shifter. This little detail also makes for a funky looking shift boot that is all scunched up towards the right.

Do you think it's possible to bend the top of the shaft so it sits like the stock shifter.

 

[derspi]

Do you think it's possible to bend the top of the shaft so it sits like the stock shifter.

I don't think that would be feasible as you would need to make 2 bends, not 1, in order to get the shift knob to sit straight up. If you make just one bend, the knob will angle towards the driver, unless of course, you don't mind that. Keep in mind that the reason why the Cobb STS sits off centre is BECAUSE of the height adjustable shaft. Without a straight upper shaft, there really is no way to make it height adjustable because it cannot slide freely with a bend in the way.

I should stress that this is really just an issue of aesthetics and doesn't compromise utility or performance. With the Cobb STS, I would say that now 1st gear should be about where 3rd gear was stock so it sits kinda funky but it really isn't making it a noticeably longer reach or anything.

 

[fuentini]

I don't think that would be feasible as you would need to make 2 bends, not 1, in order to get the shift knob to sit straight up. If you make just one bend, the knob will angle towards the driver, unless of course, you don't mind that. Keep in mind that the reason why the Cobb STS sits off centre is BECAUSE of the height adjustable shaft. Without a straight upper shaft, there really is no way to make it height adjustable because it cannot slide freely with a bend in the way.

I should stress that this is really just an issue of aesthetics and doesn't compromise utility or performance. With the Cobb STS, I would say that now 1st gear should be about where 3rd gear was stock so it sits kinda funky but it really isn't making it a noticeably longer reach or anything.

Thanks for the quick reply. Im thinking of cancelling my order for the sts. It just seems like something that would comprimise utility since the offset of the locations, it would bother me toooooo much. think i would reather have the stock locations than the ST.

Also from your review (so far the only one i've seen) it seems like the sts makes it harder to shift gears.

Im just not sure i want to give up the feel and the locations for just a shorter throw.

 

[derspi]

I think in your case, it's not about "utility" but one of "aesthetics" then. Like I said, the slight change in the gate positions really doesn't make a difference at all to me. In terms of the STS making it harder to shift, it's really just a matter of getting used to it. It's not harder to shift but just requires more effort and is slightly more notchy than stock but this is just the nature of all short shifters. I haven't come across a short shifter on any car that doesn't require a bit more effort to shift compared to stock.

All in all, the shortcomings all stem from the factory tranny being a bit sloppy, having a stiff spring into 5th & 6th, etc. The STS cannot eliminate all these shortcomings unfortunately. What it does do is shorten throws with no compromise in shifter height which is exactly what I was looking for. I would say that the shorter throws have definitely cut down my shifting response time and overall, I'm happy with my purchase despite the small issues and the fact that now I'm 100% positive that I'll never get my MS3 tranny to shift like my old Honda (but I knew that already even before I got the STS).

 

[Bravnik]

Thanks for the quick reply. Im thinking of cancelling my order for the sts. It just seems like something that would comprimise utility since the offset of the locations, it would bother me toooooo much. think i would reather have the stock locations than the ST.

Also from your review (so far the only one i've seen) it seems like the sts makes it harder to shift gears.

Im just not sure i want to give up the feel and the locations for just a shorter throw.

To be honest I never noticed a real change in the location of the shifter. It's just something that I would never notice to begin with as it's not like it's way out of whack. I love my Cobb STS and would highly recommend it.

 

[fuentini]

To be honest I never noticed a real change in the location of the shifter. It's just something that I would never notice to begin with as it's not like it's way out of whack. I love my Cobb STS and would highly recommend it.

Ok, Ill keep it once it comes in.

 

[dudeomg_az1]

This whole thread has given me mixed feelings on installing a short throw shifter....

 

[phillyb]

This whole thread has given me mixed feelings on installing a short throw shifter....

there are some cobbs out there with no problems, but a lot of them with problems. and it seems like the problems are persisting and graduating. what i mean by that is that at first it was a shaft, then it was something else, and now the op had a problem with a hex screw or set screw of some sort or something...and some other problem...

the twm...i don't think the twm has had any problems.

 

[btkrausen]

i have both the Cobb STS and the weight and its made shifting so much smoother and easier. I got mine after the two problems were fixed. I originally got the bad upper shaft, but got the correct one a few days later.

I highly recommend the combination.

 

[fuentini]

i have both the Cobb STS and the weight and its made shifting so much smoother and easier. I got mine after the two problems were fixed. I originally got the bad upper shaft, but got the correct one a few days later.

I highly recommend the combination.

How different does the sts feel with and w/o the COBB weight?
Or with the stock?

 

[Active_24]

hey, how much did you get your clear bra for?