JBR short-throw shift plate installed, works great!

[ljmattox]

Now *this* is more like it!

I've spent the first few dozen miles with my new short-throw shifting, and it's just what I was after. I'm using the JBR short-throw shift plate (Jamie Barone's product, he posted a "who's interested" message a couple days ago).

My 5's shift linkage / action was pretty decent for a cable shifter, but I was interested in shortening the pattern. Now, it's really just right: a lot tighter pattern, but without ramping up the stiffness much. 5-4 downshift is a lot more direct, reverse-lockout is no harder to overcome, no downsides at all.

Parts were well-made, nicely machined. I had visions of taking the console apart, but the install is all underhood...the battery, case, and airbox come out, then the short-shift plate installs on top of the transaxle/shift mechanism. About an hour, start-finish.

I'm really happy with the results, good product!

 

[VenomDesign]

Wow,i'm happy to ear that, maybe next month i will purchase this add-on, just before my lapping day .

 

[KBrian]

I've spent the first few dozen miles with my new short-throw shifting, and it's just what I was after. I'm using the JBR short-throw shift plate (Jamie Barone's product, he posted a "who's interested" message a couple days ago).

My 5's shift linkage / action was pretty decent for a cable shifter, but I was interested in shortening the pattern. Now, it's really just right: a lot tighter pattern, but without ramping up the stiffness much. 5-4 downshift is a lot more direct, reverse-lockout is no harder to overcome, no downsides at all.

Parts were well-made, nicely machined. I had visions of taking the console apart, but the install is all underhood...the battery, case, and airbox come out, then the short-shift plate installs on top of the transaxle/shift mechanism. About an hour, start-finish.

Any photos of the mod?

 

[ljmattox]

Photos of the mod? I didn't take any...but the JBR site will have illustrated instructions at some point where you can see how this plate fits on the shift mechanism on top of the transaxle. It's not (easily) visible once it's all buttoned back up (unlike the Speed3/6 versions, where the shifter plate is visible enough to deserve a laser-cut design on the part).

He's got a shot of the shift plate itself posted here:

http://www.jamiesplanet.com/MZ5/index.htm

 

[JBR]

Install instructions with photos are online in my support section.
www.jamiesplanet.com/support

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[JBR]

ljmattox,
How's that shift kit treating you?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[ljmattox]

Jamie, it's working great! Very short shifts, much improved over stock of course. My stock linkage was pretty good for a cable shifter, but with some fairly long throws. No longer. Shift effort is still very manageable, and the "gates" are still well defined. Good stuff.

I did pop off the the boot and top trim piece around the shifter and go after all the pivots and sliding parts with some good white lithium grease. That improved the action even further, simple to do.

Very great bang-for-the-buck mod, IMHO.

 

[JBR]

Jamie, it's working great! Very short shifts, much improved over stock of course. My stock linkage was pretty good for a cable shifter, but with some fairly long throws. No longer. Shift effort is still very manageable, and the "gates" are still well defined. Good stuff.

I did pop off the the boot and top trim piece around the shifter and go after all the pivots and sliding parts with some good white lithium grease. That improved the action even further, simple to do.

Very great bang-for-the-buck mod, IMHO.

Glad to hear. Thanks!!

 

[Heat]

I'd like to see a video of you shifting through the gears, even if in park. The video capabilities from your digital camera would be fine. Youtube would host it.

Thanks!

 

[JBR]

I'd like to see a video of you shifting through the gears, even if in park. The video capabilities from your digital camera would be fine. Youtube would host it.

Thanks!

Not for the 5 but very similiar. I think I have video of the 5 I'll just need to look for it.

YouTube- MAZDASPEED 3 typical Shifting with a James Barone Racing Shift Plate Installed

YouTube- MAZDASPEED 3 Spirited Shifting with a James Barone Racing Shift Plate Installed

YouTube- MAZDASPEED 3 Flat Foot Shifting With a James Barone Racing Shift Plate Installed

YouTube- MAZDASPEED 6 Stock Shifter Throw

YouTube- MAZDASPEED 6 Shifter throw with a James Barone Racing Shift Plate Installed

YouTube- JBR MS6 Short Shift Plate Combined with the TWM Stage 1 Short Shifter