How do kartboy bushings change shifts?

clicknext

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2006 Tungsten Grey Mazda6 GT I4
I was thinking about getting the bushings, but wanted to know what exactly they would do.

What I'm wanting is being able to do quicker shifts, particularly into first, and from first to second, where usually the shifter takes a second before it can go in. Also the movement of the shifter when going into a gear sometimes doesn't feel smooth, though it's always smooth if I keep the clutch pressed, take the shifter out, and put it back in for a second time. I'm hoping to correct that.

I put synthetic in there a while ago and it helped some, but not a tremendous difference. I'm hearing that the bushings just make the shifts more exact, "notchy", and that'd be nice, but not really my main concern. So would the bushings address any of the issues I'm having?
 
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GET THEM. BEST AND CHEAPEST MOD. it makes your shIfts more precise though you need a bit more muscle to put the car in gear but its not a big concern. GET THEM. the bushings get rid of the mush in the shifter.
 
I just put the KB bushing in a couple weeks back and have only good things to say....They really help you feel the gears better, shifting is more precise and quicker...I used to have the same issues with reverse, not really knowing if I was completely in gear or not, and that seems to be a thing of the past. Plus you can put them in for $30 and about 10 minutes. By far the easiest and one of the most rewarding mods you can do... (thumb)
 
They basically just make the shifter feel more solid. They probably wont speed up your shifts at all. If you want to speed your shifts, get a short shifter and motor mounts.

They are cheap enough that it really does not hurt to try them out. Easy + quick install.
 
Yea, they are really worth it. It takes a couple of days to loosen up at first, but once you get use to it you won't want to ever go back to stock again. But for quicker shifting go for the short shifter. Bushings are more for smoother shifting, but they are amazing.
 
I don't need to comment on the benefits of the bushings because every post before mine has already told you so.



Here are some pictures of my kartboy bushings.



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Thanks, I think I'll have to try them out when I have some time, maybe during reading break.

Another question, though, what's the function of shift bushings? lol, if you asked me half a year ago I would have said those are just some thick plastic washers.
 
clicknext said:
Thanks, I think I'll have to try them out when I have some time, maybe during reading break.

Another question, though, what's the function of shift bushings? lol, if you asked me half a year ago I would have said those are just some thick plastic washers.

The polyurathane (sp?) bushings stiffen the mounting of your shifter to give increased precision and feel firmer going into gear.
 
The KB bushings mount on the extension bar that couples the shifter mechanism to the transmission. Since they are polyurethane, they make the coupling more rigid and reduce relative play between shifter and transmission as compared with OEM. The effect is to make shifting more precise and reduce some of the wasted motion in the shift lever. Definitely a worthwhile mod.
 
I think they're great, but you do need a short shifter to actually quicken shifts. I just got a Greddy Counter Weight knob too, makes it slip into gear easier.
 
To really feel a complete and precise shifter I would recommend short shifter(your choice), bronze oil bushings(corksport.com) and kartboy shift bushings.
 
goldstar said:
The KB bushings mount on the extension bar that couples the shifter mechanism to the transmission. Since they are polyurethane, they make the coupling more rigid and reduce relative play between shifter and transmission as compared with OEM. The effect is to make shifting more precise and reduce some of the wasted motion in the shift lever. Definitely a worthwhile mod.
Yep. The bar is connected to the shifter housing, not the actual shifter.
One way for you to see the "mush" that it eliminates:
Put the shifter into 1st gear. Now push it forward - that amount that you can push forward is the give of the soft stock bushing. That will be eliminated with the KB bushing.

shifter.jpg
 
when installing mine, the bolt that runs into, an through the bushings came out while loosing the nut. Now, I can't loosen the nut without the whole bolt coming loose. how can I fix this?
 
Boston5761 said:
when installing mine, the bolt that runs into, an through the bushings came out while loosing the nut. Now, I can't loosen the nut without the whole bolt coming loose. how can I fix this?

Well the bolt is a stud that threads into the support. I'd get a couple (as in two) nuts that will fit the stud properly and "lock nut" them together. Throw a wrench on them and a wrench on the original nut and loosen....either that or throw the stud in a vice and have at it.
 
What I like most about the KB bushings is the sound it makes when you shift out of gear and then in to gear. :)
 
cbcbd said:
Yep. The bar is connected to the shifter housing, not the actual shifter.
One way for you to see the "mush" that it eliminates:
Put the shifter into 1st gear. Now push it forward - that amount that you can push forward is the give of the soft stock bushing. That will be eliminated with the KB bushing.

shifter.jpg

Since when was our tranny longitudinally mounted........thats a new one for me.....maybe i should look under the car again :)
 

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