MSP Modded Kartboy Shifter...Does anyone on this board actually have one installed?

ForceFed

Member
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Trailblazer SS AWD ....Still a Mazda Junkie Though.
Ok. just like the title says.
Does anyone here have the Kartboy short throw shifter that was modded to accept the stock Sparco Tachno knob installed?
If so,how did it fit?
Does the shift boot still fit properly?
Did you like the shift change.

Basically,I am ordering one of these and want to know if it worked out for you if you have it.I talked to Tom@Kartboy and he says he has this but I have never heard of anyone here with the modded Kartboy shifter.I have seen and felt the normal one and really liked it,so I want to put one in my MSP.
Let me know guy's(or girl's)
Matt:D
 
I thought about that, but don't we already have a short shifter? Or is it just the stock Protege shifter that's been cut down a bit?
 
i have the Kartboy shifter bushings, and a Razo shiftknob. Everthing seems to fit fine.
 
SpicyMSP said:
i have the Kartboy shifter bushings, and a Razo shiftknob. Everthing seems to fit fine.

This is fine but the Kartboy shifter for the MSP reduces shifts by 20% yet is supposed to accept the Sparco knob.I will be doing the bushings at the same time.I just dont want to have to change my shift knob as I am kinda partial to it.
I know a lot of people don't like it ,but is suits me very well.
I know someone here has this modded shifter?

Or will I be the first to have it on this board?
Matt:)
 
Are you giong to have Kartboy modify the thread or are you going to take it somewhere locally to have them rethread it?
 
t3ase said:
Are you giong to have Kartboy modify the thread or are you going to take it somewhere locally to have them rethread it?

Supposedly Kartboy makes them with the modified thread and length to accomodate the Sparco knob.
This is why I would like to know if anyone has one of the modded(by Kartboy)shifters and how did it all fit.
Matt:)
 
Twenty percent? What does that mean? Where are they getting that number? Really, who cares?

Do yourself a favor and save a few bucks. First, cut the stock shift lever down by about 1/2 inch (or more), then retap the shift lever. This will bring down the shift knob (which is what the Kartboy lever is doing). This little cheap move should shorten your shift travel.
 
Matt, I could have sworn someone on this board has one that is on a Sparco knob. Can't recall who though...
I emailed Tom a while back asking him if he could rethread one for me and he said no. On his site however, it says that they will do it(I'm sure for a price). I want to keep my Sparco knob as well. I haven't seen the Kartboy shifter up close to see exactly where the problem lies with the fitment, but when Shawn was showing me one at Auto R&D, it didn't look like a threading issue. It looked more like a difference in size rather than just not lining up the threads.(If that made sense)
Cutting the top of the shifter won't do anyhting for performance. The top height is how tall it is. It will not affect the throw. The shorter throw is acheived by having a lower(from the pivot point) shift linkage point.
 
nmaino said:
Twenty percent? What does that mean? Where are they getting that number? Really, who cares?

Do yourself a favor and save a few bucks. First, cut the stock shift lever down by about 1/2 inch (or more), then retap the shift lever. This will bring down the shift knob (which is what the Kartboy lever is doing). This little cheap move should shorten your shift travel.

:rolleyes:
 
nmaino said:
Twenty percent? What does that mean? Where are they getting that number? Really, who cares?

Do yourself a favor and save a few bucks. First, cut the stock shift lever down by about 1/2 inch (or more), then retap the shift lever. This will bring down the shift knob (which is what the Kartboy lever is doing). This little cheap move should shorten your shift travel.
:rolleyes:
I'm increasingly impressed with nmaino with every post he makes. First it was the big "don't waste your money on a greddy gauge even though I have one" and now it's this technological breakthrough on short shifters.

(2thumbs) Right on there, Speed Racer.
 
Rice Rice Baby.

Dood, understand this about Forcefed, and a few others here. WE LIKE TO DO THE s*** THE RIGHT WAY, NOT THE BUDGET MODDED WAY. :D
 
ForceFed said:

I know someone here has this modded shifter?

Or will I be the first to have it on this board?
Matt:)

Not sure if anyone else has this done, but it would be a good bit of info (and much appreciated by me) if, when you get your shifter, you could take a picture of the "stock Mazdaspeed" shift lever, next to the Kartboy shift lever....that way we could compare where the differences are.

Personally, if all that is done is the top of the shift lever is shortened, I wouldn't want it (the shifter sits too low for me as it is).....if they lengthened the bottom of the lever (and maybe lengthened the top....yes I know that defeats the purpose a little), then I would be interested. I just don't want a shifter that sits any lower than it already is.

Thanks.
 
nmaino said:
Twenty percent? What does that mean? Where are they getting that number? Really, who cares?

Do yourself a favor and save a few bucks. First, cut the stock shift lever down by about 1/2 inch (or more), then retap the shift lever. This will bring down the shift knob (which is what the Kartboy lever is doing). This little cheap move should shorten your shift travel.

Ok---- Do you know that a short throw shifter is not for reducing the high on the knob,but the throw. Which means that it is less movment from 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd ect ect.. Which will give u faster shifts,... a short shift is not to get a lower shift knob which does not do anything for you but look..

Opps sorry to jack your thread, I just wanted to inform some people.. Maybe some auto parts store or someone sells some adapter from one size to another? that sounds like a good idea
 
i have a kartboy shifter w/ the msp knob... it works fine so far but... you have to use the little allen holes to keep it in place.
'' the msp shift knob doesnt screw on the kartboy''. everything feel's good and looks good but... sometimes those allens get lose and you have to retighten them. as far as the boot, it matches up fine looks like factory on my p5.
 
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1FASTMP5 said:
i have a kartboy shifter w/ the msp knob... it works fine so far but... you have to use the little allen holes to keep it in place.
'' the msp shift knob doesnt screw on the kartboy''. everything feel's good and looks good but... sometimes those allens get lose and you have to retighten them. as far as the boot, it matches up fine looks like factory on my p5.

Try a little thread lock...I think you can get it at any auto parts store. It should lock those allens in place for ya.
 
Not sure if anyone else has this done, but it would be a good bit of info (and much appreciated by me) if, when you get your shifter, you could take a picture of the "stock Mazdaspeed" shift lever, next to the Kartboy shift lever....that way we could compare where the differences are.

This has been done. I believe by "Albert". I will search for the pics.
 
Delivery_Guy said:
Try a little thread lock...I think you can get it at any auto parts store. It should lock those allens in place for ya.

thanks! i got some the othe day and so far no problems... if you use the loc-tite dont get the non removible one (red) get the removble one that way you will still be able to get it off later on.
 
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