MS3 Short Shifter?

[benzo]

Does anyone know if the MS3 comes with a short shifter or not. I would not think so cause the throw is kind of long. If it doesnt come with one, how shorter of a throw would it be?

 

[Nutari]

Does anyone know if the MS3 comes with a short shifter or not. I would not think so cause the throw is kind of long. If it doesnt come with one, how shorter of a throw would it be?

I dunno.. I kind of like it. cept for reverse.. not used to that yet.

 

[benzo]

I cant seem to get used to the down and to the left. I am used to the honda style all the way to the right and down. I always put the car in 6th then realize i have to put it in the right gear. lol. Damn foriegners. Anybody else KNOW?

 

[RPI-Speed3]

Well I do not know whether it would be called a "short shifter" for certain. However, the gearbox in the MS3 was designed and built specifically for this car. The gearbox does not exist in any other vehicle that Mazda sells (it might exist in the Euro Focus Cosworth or whatever they call it). The throws are shorter than a normal Mazda3. For a comparison point, I would put it between the throws of a normal Mazda3 and the RX-8, but closer to the Rx-8. I still think the shift lever is too long, I would like it shorter, and it does not feel like a direct linkage to the gearbox (like the RX-8). I still love it though, its silky smooth, not notchy (like the RX-8).

 

[benzo]

Yeah I do agree, I think that the throws are about right for my liking. I would maybe like a shorter throw, that is why i am asking. I really agree with the idea that the shifter is too tall/long. Does anyone have a standard three to compare to. Or has a short throw they want to install for a the heck of it? LOL

 

[Refonbass]

there isn't an aftermarket short throw shifter available for the speed3 yet. So one would have a tough time getting one installed.

 

[benzo]

Do you think this shifter would have a shorter throw than the speed 3?http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=22_142&products_id=531

 

[RPI-Speed3]

It might, but won't fit the Speed 3.

Going back to my previous post, now that I think about it. I'm not sure they should make the shift lever any shorter unless you found a way to shorten the armrest in the center. If you look at it, the shift knob is at the perfect height if you have your arm resting on the armrest in the center. It might be awkward if the shift knob was below that plane.

 

[WTF MATE]

It might, but won't fit the Speed 3.

Going back to my previous post, now that I think about it. I'm not sure they should make the shift lever any shorter unless you found a way to shorten the armrest in the center. If you look at it, the shift knob is at the perfect height if you have your arm resting on the armrest in the center. It might be awkward if the shift knob was below that plane.

I agree I was just talking about this with my wife the other day. The throw definetly needs to be reduced but the height of the shifter needs to stay the way it is.

 

[benzo]

I agree I was just talking about this with my wife the other day. The throw definetly needs to be reduced but the height of the shifter needs to stay the way it is.

BIG TEN FOUR ON THAT!!!!!

 

[clos561]

theres a short shifter available through the dealer, online or check your dealers brochure. ive seen it many times

 

[dread]

its not for the speed3 it is for the standard 3. The speed3 comes stock with a short shifter, I own a regular 3 and a speed 3 and trust me the throws are much shorter. I also have a mazdaspeed sport shifter installed on my regular 3 and the speed3 still has shorter throws.

 

[benzo]

Really then i guess i will have to deal with what i've got. thanks for looking

 

[RPI-Speed3]

its not for the speed3 it is for the standard 3. The speed3 comes stock with a short shifter, I own a regular 3 and a speed 3 and trust me the throws are much shorter. I also have a mazdaspeed sport shifter installed on my regular 3 and the speed3 still has shorter throws.

Whoa, are you kidding? Maybe the throws on my RX-8 are just that awesome. I was hoping something would come along for the Speed3 that would give me similiar throws to my 8.

 

[dread]

all you need for the speed 3 is aluminum brushing. I checked and the stock ones are rubber which makes the shifter a bit sloppy.

 

[benzo]

sorry for asking, but what is a aluminum brushing?

 

[WTF MATE]

I'm pretty sure he meant bushing

 

[dread]

yes I did, but if you are still asking the question here is a description. There are four rubber contacts where the shifter is secured to the car, most short shifter kits replace the rubber parts with aluminum to improve the shifter feel.

 

[benzo]

well how do i get a set of these aluminum bushings?

 

[dread]

someone has to make them, the one's made for a standard 3 may fit. They are basically washers that are under the 4 bolts that attach the shifter to the floor of the car. I checked the shifter out in my ms3 today, when i was installing my satelite radio and it is completely different than the one for the standard 3, but that shouldn't affect the bushings used. Try contacting TWM they may have some or now if the one's from the standard 3 will fit