Say Chi Sin Lo's 2009 CWP MS3 GT

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

Love the RX8 wheels. I wish I could find a set in good condition...

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Finally got around to wash my car after (seemingly) months of nonstop rain.

These are for you Lara, thanks for selling your Rally Armor to me. The car needed some much need stance, the stock 215series and my current winter setup (205series) don't exactly scream badass. And the Rally Armor provide that for me, at least aesthetically

Sorry for the bad pictures, didn't think shadow would ruin the pictures. I will post better pictures later.

I just installed J Barone Racing Short Shift Plate and Counterweight. I will provide feedback later tonight

 

[spdjnke]

Did you adjust the shift linkage to try and smooth out the thud in 4th?? That's usually the issue.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

The Short Shift Plate works great and throws are now stupid short. It's more like a click away versus a throw away between gears .

However, I'm not like the new counterweight at all . Not only are throws a lot stiffer, engagement takes more of an effort. I'm also having some horrible "banging" sensation in 1st and 2nd. Most notable on 2nd.


1st gear - If the car is rolling, less than 5mph and if I were to go into 1st, I'd get a solid "THUD!" upon entry. Going into 1st from a complete standstill is normal.

2nd gear - Again, I'd get a "THUD!" upon entry, this is particularly worse when downshifting from 3rd, I rev-match too. It is worse going from 3rd to 2nd because not only do I get a "THUD!", I also feel slight vibration as I go into 2nd.

Is there a "break in" period with these parts? I can't imagine so, they're just weights moving in suspension...? Please advise, I'm going to throw the stock weight back on (which is a BEAST!) next weekend. Because right now, my 2nd feels broken.

spdjnke:

How do I adjust the shift linkage? And which one? The one underneath the hood? Or the two that controls side-to-side/up-and-down movement of the shifter? Or am I talking out of my ass? Please help, because like I said, my 2nd feels broken... Maybe I need to re-adjust the one underneath the hood? Because it was impossible to remove the stock counterweight without being sort of rough?

 

[Rotus]

really like the color on those RX-8s.

Am I the only one wondering why you are running winter tires in SF?

 

[klocktown]

Damn, how much lower is the shifter from stock?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

really like the color on those RX-8s.

Am I the only one wondering why you are running winter tires in SF?

Because I do a lot of snowboarding up at Tahoe. Almost every weekends.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Damn, how much lower is the shifter from stock?

They say 1.75 inches. Trust me, it feels a lot lower than that.

Now I need to find a way to resolve my thumping/thudding issues...

 

[spdjnke]

The shift linkage that's connected to your short shifter...the one with the white plastic cover on it...you need to mark how it sits currently, then pop the piece so it can slide freely, adjusting it a TINY bit at a time either up or down from your mark until everything shifts smooth...Hope that helps.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

The shift linkage that's connected to your short shifter...the one with the white plastic cover on it...you need to mark how it sits currently, then pop the piece so it can slide freely, adjusting it a TINY bit at a time either up or down from your mark until everything shifts smooth...Hope that helps.

Yeah I just watched a video of how to do it, on J Barone's page.

What if I tell you the *THUMP!/THUD!* noise/sensation is coming from the engine bay compartment. Will adjusting the linkage help in that case?

 

[Rotus]

Because I do a lot of snowboarding up at Tahoe. Almost every weekends.

Kinda what I thought. I drove to the BA last May. Came up through Mammoth and there were still people skiing. We wanted to go to Yosemite, but Tioga and the 2 passes north of that were closed. Went almost up to Tahoe then came across on 88. What a pretty drive that is.

 

[spdjnke]

Do you have a RMM on it? I would be checking the bushings for the "arm" that's attached to the RMM cuz that would cause that also...don't think it's your shift linkage in this case then....unless you have a CAI or FMIC it that the weight is knocking into the pipe on hard shifts.??

Yeah I just watched a video of how to do it, on J Barone's page.

What if I tell you the *THUMP!/THUD!* noise/sensation is coming from the engine bay compartment. Will adjusting the linkage help in that case?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Do you have a RMM on it? I would be checking the bushings for the "arm" that's attached to the RMM cuz that would cause that also...don't think it's your shift linkage in this case then....unless you have a CAI or FMIC it that the weight is knocking into the pipe on hard shifts.??

I do have a CAI and the weight doesn't bang into it. I will say this, there is some getting used to. The car shifts a lot better now, but the noise is still there.

I will put a RMM on the car soon

 

[spdjnke]

well in that case I'm at a loss too..sorry couldn't be of more help.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

It's ok, I've come to accept the fact that every transmission Mazda puts into the Mazdaspeed 3 is a little bit different from one another. For example, I don't have any grinding issues that everyone else seems to have. However, neither do a lot of people's transmission clunk and thud its way into gears

I'm going to play with the weight and the shifter linkage this weekend. Because after several days of driving, I'm STARTING to pick up a few perfect shifts here and there, but I can't consistently reproduce it. I'll find a happy medium somewhere.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

So... I sort of fixed my 1st/2nd jam/stiff issue.

I re-adjusted the shifter by pushing it up (towards the AC control). If you know how to do it, then you'll know what I'm talking about. It was a small adjustment, I say I moved it by maybe... 3mm, 5mm at the most. Took it for a short drive around the block, and it was better. I didn't have to hadoken my way into 1st and shoryuken it into 2nd. Still tougher than stock though.

So then I added more lube/grease to the plate where 1st/2nd bang against, I think that's the reverse lock plate. Again, if you take it apart, you'll know what I'm talking about. WHOA, what a difference!

 

[spdjnke]

Well I'm sure everything well get sorted out eventually, just like very project that I have with my Speed 3 eventually I figure it out.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

It just made sense to me when I looked at it closer. The nipple on 1st and 2nd bangs into the reverse lock plate, so why not lube it?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

So, I finally had to remove the SSP. I am convinced that EVERY transmission in these cars are a little different from one another. I don't have ANY grinding problems that litter all over this forum. However, everyone seems to love their version of Short Shift Plate, and I just couldn't get my car to be at peace at it, so I took it off.

I do want to thank Jamie for standing behind his product. We have been in constant communication behind the scenes and he tried his best to help me resolve my *Thud!* problem. Thank you!

Then I put his heavy shift knob on the car...

I F-ING LOVE IT! Throws are far easier with this thing on! Combined with solid bushings and Jamie's counterweight, shifting is now effortless. I especially love this part, the inherit notchy feeling has not gone away and I LOVE IT! Just that, the sloppy/loose change feeling is gone :lol:

But like all things, perfection is difficult to achieve. I loved the way the stock shift knob felt in my hand. This knob however, doesn't feel as nice. BUT! The ease of shifting definitely more than make up for it. Not to mention it goes perfectly with the interior

Then, the local tire shop guy said "NICE WHEELS!" However, the overcast day, plus with the point-and-shoot, it's hard to capture the shine of the wheels . I'll just tell you guys now that they're not as dark as they appear in the pictures. Definitely more grey than black.

This picture is more indicative of what they REALLY look like.

I know, it needs a drop, but that's going to have to wait .

The Bridgestone RE040... suck as a summer tire. These are used with 6/32 tread left so they're thoroughly broken in. Maybe because they're already at 6/32, but they're loud as HELL! Not that the stock RE050 were the grippiest tires ever, but the RE040 are not as grippy. Oh well, I got them for cheap so I shouldn't be complaining. Besides, these drives a lot better than the gummy-bear-like winter tires

I'll try to take better pictures when the sun comes out.

 

[spdjnke]

What was the final draw to make you want to take off the SSP??