Short Shifter Install

[eyeballs]

I've yet to have any issues with mine. No clamps or zip-ties. I'm definately enjoying this part, and even got a compliment from the paint guy that fixed my dent.

 

[716-mazda2]

Don't slam gears to hard lol. I pulled my cable apart today going into second and had to have my car towed to Mazda to have it fixed.

 

[mykflo]

Was that having something to do with the short shifter?

 

[716-mazda2]

I don't think so, my guess is the the added leverage from my bubble knob might have had something to do with it so I took it out and bought a used weighted blox knob.

 

[Wall Of Death]

I don't think so, my guess is the the added leverage from my bubble knob might have had something to do with it so I took it out and bought a used weighted blox knob.

lol you think your shift knob is what caused the damage, and not that part you added that modifies the the linkage geometry? (rolleyes)

 

[mykflo]

did you see the size of the shifter? i would guess it does increase leverage and maybe a combination of the 2 caused it to fail.. only saying since its the only reported real fail... i put my short shifter through hell the other day hauling butt to the hospital... no issues..

 

[Wall Of Death]

Sorry not buying that excuse, its the linkage geometry that would ultimately cause the problem. How long has he had the knob up to that point without a mechanical failure? You could put another 12 inches of pink bubbles on that thing with factory linkage and it should not be snapping braided cables.

 

[algoesfast]

Sorry not buying that excuse, its the linkage geometry that would ultimately cause the problem. How long has he had the knob up to that point without a mechanical failure? You could put another 12 inches of pink bubbles on that thing with factory linkage and it should not be snapping braided cables.

.
I must admit. This has me wanting to remove my ss plate. And probably will remove it this weekend.

 

[Jond63]

I think maybe it has to do with the stock linkage the shifter hits a stop in the shifter housing when going into 2nd, 4th, and reverse, where with the modified linkage and shorter throw the shifter is stopped by the cable alone -- where if enough force is used the cable can be damaged. Just don't slam it with all your might and it should be ok?

 

[Gravity]

Assuming that clutch cable is stiffer and probably stronger than aircraft cable, and assuming that 1/4" aircraft cable has a breaking strength of
~7000lbs I have SIGNIFICANT doubts that either the knob or the shift plate caused a cable to fail.

I find it far more likely that there was a weak or faulty crimp joint causing this failure.

 

[Wall Of Death]

I agree a crimped sleeve slipping is far more likely than the cable failing, but regardless its not a good problem to have.

 

[CorkSport]

I don't think so, my guess is the the added leverage from my bubble knob might have had something to do with it so I took it out and bought a used weighted blox knob.

Have any pictures of the cable carnage? I would like to see.

We have run 2 different type of short shift assemblies in our b-spec 2 and I am anything but nice to it. To date we havent had a problem with the cables. I did however blow the clip which secures the cable to the shifter base at one race which took out 2-4-reverse. To make sure it didn't come up again we used a huge zip tie to secure the cable in place which pulls both cables to the center of the base to prevent either one from escaping.

-Derrick

 

[716-mazda2]

I don't have any pics, the dealer said the linkage came out of the crimp. I changed my bubble knob for a weighted blox knob and haven't had any problems since.

 

[Gravity]

That sounds like a bad crimp to me. I find it hard to believe that you'd be able to shift hard enough to break a crimp. Esp since a proper crimp is actually _stronger_ than the cable.

 

[Rx8Speed6Mazda2]

I just installed the short shifter and definitely like the shortened throws. However, I cannot help but wonder if the shift plate will increase tranny or synchro wear. I have tried my best to research this online and everything comes up 50/50. Is there any real risk if I daily drive it? I really want the car to last a while.

 

[Racebrewer]

No reason for it to cause tranny or syncho wear. Might even last longer if there is less duration when shifting.

If you'd like to make life easier on your transmission, try double-clutching (matching RPM) on down shifts.

John

 

[eyeballs]

Rev-matching and double clutching are two different things. Rev-matching is pretty easy with some practice, and from what I understand doesn't take nearly the strain away from the tranny that double-clutching does. Double-clutching will nurture along a failing tranny (as I learned 1st hand, unfortunately), but otherwise is mainly a waste of time on modern cars. One upside is once you have rev-matching down, double-clutching is another thing you can practice with your feet to keep you entertained while driving.

 

[CRG Racer24]

Rev-matching and double clutching are two different things. Rev-matching is pretty easy with some practice, and from what I understand doesn't take nearly the strain away from the tranny that double-clutching does. Double-clutching will nurture along a failing tranny (as I learned 1st hand, unfortunately), but otherwise is mainly a waste of time on modern cars. One upside is once you have rev-matching down, double-clutching is another thing you can practice with your feet to keep you entertained while driving.

But with both ways, are you not rev-matching? Yeah with double clutching, you take away the strain individually (clutch, tranny, clutch, engine.. for those who don't know), and with heel/toe and/or rev-matching, its more together (clutch, engine/tranny.. for those who don't know).

I mean, double clutching isn't a waste of time if you're really trying to look after your drivetrain (not just a failing tranny).

 

[xyrth]

But with both ways, are you not rev-matching? Yeah with double clutching, you take away the strain individually (clutch, tranny, clutch, engine.. for those who don't know), and with heel/toe and/or rev-matching, its more together (clutch, engine/tranny.. for those who don't know).

I mean, double clutching isn't a waste of time if you're really trying to look after your drivetrain (not just a failing tranny).

I started double clutching when I heard it shaved a couple tenths off of Paul Walker's quarter mile time.

Serious waste of time in our 100 hp pea shooters, unless you can't heel toe. 70's Porsche? becomes much more relevant.

 

[CRG Racer24]

Omg dude I know.. Paul Walker is my god.

Btw, I was talking of double clutch heel/toe.

If you can't heel/toe, but you can double clutch downshift, then that's pretty damn wicked.