We really need a sprung shifter for this car that automatically finds the 3rd gear spot more positively than the stock shifter. A lot of times I want to pass aggressively on the highway and instead of dumping to third like I wanted from 6th I end up in 5th.
Shifting
- Thread starter LENNY127
- Start date
fourthmeal
Banned
I imagine the difference may come from the way they had to re-align all the cables and connections after the trans mount failed. Perhaps there are some tweaking points to work on.
I do know that I had one hell of a time with the shifter before the incident, but just afterwards, its been awesome.
fourthmeal
Banned
I just want to verify something with you...you stated that you didn't require the new bolt (with the correct washer, etc.), ...does this mean that your car already had this work done on it, or that your dealership found this bolt tight as is? The reason why I ask is that my dealership also found the bolt tight, but it still sheared right off. It was too weak of a bolt, and it was incorrectly tightened without a washer. Please clarify on that for me.
I didn't required a new bolt because I had the correct type of mount -- which is what he said was causing the issue. The tech explained to me in that the bad mount had a rubber ear on it that was allowing too much flexibility. In some cases the bolt would come loose and then with enough force and vibration, break or come out. (But usually break.) Again, since my mount was the kind without the rubber ear, I didn't need anything done to it.
Short Throw Shifter
because the stock throws are so long and vague, people have issues with it.
A STS really makes things precise.
um... i was thinking about it. however, might just be making a full replacement.
for those not familiar with my STS, take a look !
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/wm/2061e237-49eb-4d68-9121-994b01785795.htm
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/wm/60965ccc-8056-431a-b1a5-994b015f36ee.htm
no one makes one yet.
i believe, the first commercially available one will be TWM, which should be in a few weeks.
then cobb, whenever they decide to release stuff.
Uh? I would really check back with that "tech". Even if you don't have any issues they're supposed to change the bolt. The new bolt is stronger and have some kind of safety washer.
I agree. The Tech at Pinnacle Mazda told me my bolt was at spec torque, but he was supposed to cut off the excess rubber from around the inside of the "U" area and install the new bolt. The new bolt was in a clear bag that was delivered to the dealer for the recall. He had a set of instructions he was working from that told him what he told me. That tech that worked Camrycev6's 3 is full of s***.
blacksheepms3
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed 3
6th to 3rd? wow, that must put a lot of stress on the drive shaft. Do you hear a thud when you do that? Cause I do it from time to time (4th to 2nd) and I hear a thud as if I picked 1 gear lower than optimal. But then the car really goes. I dont know if it's ok or it's really hurting the transmission or what.
blacksheepms3
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed 3
nice sts. did you fabricate it from scratch or did u just cut off the existing ms3 shifter?
fourthmeal
Banned
Turbos just don't produce the power curve that way, though. One gear down should do it, maybe two. I regularly go from 6th to 5th at freeway speeds, and 5th to 4th on the streets, but in a 6-gear car, unless you just got out of a traffic jam on the freeway, I'd say 3rd is far too low. Use the advantage turbo cars have, they build horsepower from load, not RPM. Besides, this car runs out of huff at 5.8K or so, best to just get under the 3.5K range w/ a full spooled turbo, IMO.
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one to miss the 2-3 shift every now and again. I hate how long the throw on this shifter is. It is similar to how my stock 97 Eclipse shifter was. I dropped in a B&M short shifter with a 40% reduction in throw and some steel bushings and it made a world of difference. A short shifter will probably be my next mod. It drives me crazy when I grind into 3 gear. My girlfriend jokes with me whenever I do it that I must still be getting use to the clutch (I have 4K miles on the car now 
As far as shifting preferences go, when I run it hard I usually rev up to about 2K and release the clutch slow while feathering the throttle to keep the wheel spin in check. If I do it just right I will chirp the tires but not spin them once I upshift. Then at just below 6K, I'll flat shift to 3rd which will also chirp the tires but not spin them. Then flat shift 4th and 5th.
What really sucks is when DSC is on and you chirp the tires in 2nd or 3rd. More times than not, the damn thing goes limp on me thinking I'm spinning the tires. I really wish I could change the DSC so that its normally off and I have to manually switch it on. It actually does a decent job in the twistys though.
As far as shifting preferences go, when I run it hard I usually rev up to about 2K and release the clutch slow while feathering the throttle to keep the wheel spin in check. If I do it just right I will chirp the tires but not spin them once I upshift. Then at just below 6K, I'll flat shift to 3rd which will also chirp the tires but not spin them. Then flat shift 4th and 5th.
What really sucks is when DSC is on and you chirp the tires in 2nd or 3rd. More times than not, the damn thing goes limp on me thinking I'm spinning the tires. I really wish I could change the DSC so that its normally off and I have to manually switch it on. It actually does a decent job in the twistys though.
Last edited:
fourthmeal
Banned
I have developed a routine so ingrained in my brain that I forgot about it until you mentioned it. Every time I start the car, I tap that button and then shift into gear. I don't like electronics governing how I drive in normal conditions. I leave it on in the rain though (thats like 4 days of the year.)
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