just installed mazdaspeed sport shifter

[dread]

I just installed my MS sport shifter. So here are some pics. It orients toward the driver, which looks kind of lame, but it feels pretty good. Fifth gear is now in the center of the console. Shifts were reduced to 1, 3 and 5 gear, but 2, 4, and R feel the same. The shifting is much more precise with a mechanical feel. Shifting, however is not more difficult like people say about the TWM. It sits about a half an inch lower than stock. Overall its a decent shifter, I'm not sure about the bend toward the driver yet. By the way it was a b**** to install much more difficult than my intake.
The first picture is the stock shifter for comparison. You can really see the bend in the last picture. I need a round shifter knob now

 

[tsunami]

install a b**** uh... that sucks... looks nice but you deffinatly need a new shift knob now.... strange how it doesn't feel like the throws to 2, 4, and R are any shorter. mazda always makes nice shifters and linkage... strange...

 

[dread]

Think Im going to go with one of those round knobs made for the miata

 

[dread]

what knob should i go with this
http://www.teamvoodoo.com/Voodoo/Knobs.html
or this
http://www.auto-dimension.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=919&ref=froogle
or this
http://www.cardomain.com/item/RAZRA114?ref=msn2&msnshopping=1


Both fit the stock shifter by screwing in, no clips required.

 

[M_3]

i think the razo is the best since is black and red like our interiors

 

[Gambino]

I'm sure its a nice shifter, but I couldnt get used to the bend towards the driver. reminds me of a mustang. after seeing my twm also it doesnt really look that short. I wonder if install was for some reason different from mine, because I didnt really have much trouble and it was my first one ever. Also, when anyone gets a new knob, PLEASE POST PICTURES!! i really want a new knob but im have a hell of a time deciding what to get. thanks and congrats on the shifter!

 

[KING13]

Dread are you sure that it is supposed to look like that?
Did it come with install guide showing a pic of it bent that much toward the driver?

 

[dread]

Yeah im sure, I have seen other installs and it looks the same. If you look at the shifter it does have a bend toward the driver. It is definately installed correctly. I dont know why mazda made it with the bend. It does reduce the side to side shifts and it is a comfortable position but it looks wierd from the back seat. Looks fine from the drivers seat. I like the shifting but don't like the look. I hope a round shifter knob will offset this. The install is the same as the TMW, I just had problems getting the shifter cables off and getting the spring back on.

 

[KING13]

(2thumbs) Yeah if you wanna improve the look just put some extra spacers on the left side of the shifter. It will put it more center and give it a better look. It doesn't look bad i think it would look better centered.



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[dread]

The spacers is a good solution, but do you think it will have an affect on the shifting, meaning will it offset the effectiveness of the aluminum brushings

 

[KING13]

No i don't think it will it just raises the height of that side to even it out. This was the same thing with TWM ss it was offset to the right and some people put spacers on the right with no complaints.

 

[dread]

Put washers on 4 of them on each bolt on the left side to be exact. The position is more towards the middle but the knob still points toward the driver. I may have to take 2 out because 5th is really close to the edge now. I don't want to ruin the leather.

 

[goldwing2000]

what knob should i go with this
http://www.teamvoodoo.com/Voodoo/Knobs.html
or this
http://www.auto-dimension.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=919&ref=froogle
or this
http://www.cardomain.com/item/RAZRA114?ref=msn2&msnshopping=1


Both fit the stock shifter by screwing in, no clips required.

Get a FlameBall.

www.flameball.com

 

[mobomelter]

8-ball is cooler....

 

[goldwing2000]

Yeah, but I already have an 8-ball shift knob. Made one myself from a real 8-ball. (2thumbs)

Besides... Flameball makes 8-ball knobs, too. Not very expensive, either.

 

[M_3]

that flameball is nice

 

[goldwing2000]

A buddy of mine got one of their larger size ones in his F250. It's frickin cool as hell but it's WAY too huge for our cars.

 

[M_3]

well yeah but i saw they have smaller size for our cars too its just supper cool the way it lites up at nite