Thinking of getting mounts and short shifter

[JOSER_SPEED6]

I have a 2006 MS6 with mazdaspeed cai, mazdaspeed exhaust with 3" pipe, turbos xs hynrid bov, stop tech rotors/rotora pads and I am thinking of getting a motor mount and a short shifter. I love my car but I absolutly hate the way the thing shifts. I dont drop the clutch on it, but I do get on it once in a while and I feather the clutch and everything...but the shifting from first to second is horrible.

So I think my solution is going to be to put a rear motor mount and a TWM short shifter. I was looking at the AWR Rear mount and TWM Stage 1 SS. My wife and I are expecting so I cant go out and spend the money I use to spend on it but I still think these two mods would be fairly cheap and worth the money. I've thought of the front and rear engine mounts and a stage 2 ss with bushing and weighted shifter but I'm trying to get away as cheap as possible. I priced the AWR MOUNT AND TWM SS FOR ABOUT $200.00 total which is pretty good, I think.

Do you guys think it would be worth it? and would it a make a noticeable difference? Any replys would really help.

Thanks.

 

[chiefmg]

I think you might prefer the cp-e rear mount (since you are married and expecting). The AWR is much stiffer and you will notice engine vibrations in the cabin more. Otherwise, to answer your question replacing the rear engine mount will make a noticeable difference in how the car shifts. The TWM shifter is another nice mod, I have the stage 2 w/bushings myself and it is great.

I am curious about your exhaust, Mazda did not make any Mazdaspeed exhaust for this car (unless you have a one-off). The only 3" exhausts for the car are made by GHL, cp-e and ETS (that one is 3" back to the Y pipe, then it goes to 2.5"). Did you buy the car used?

 

[JOSER_SPEED6]

Yeah I bought the car used. Mazda did sell a mazdaspeed exhaust for this car back when I bought it. I think they stopped carrying it or something cause I've looked for it through their site and it isn't there anymore. I know its not the stock mufflers, cause those are ugly and stock looking while mine look aftermarket and the have "MAZDASPEED" Stamped on the side of the mufflers. Mazda had it as a 2.5" but whoever had it before me had a custom 3" stainless from the cat made for it. Same thing with my springs, they now only carry them for the V6 and I4 but not for the Speed6.

So do you think either the CP-E or SU wishbone and the TWM Stage 1SS would work pretty well. Normally I would have just bought what I wanted and not cared but tyring to be better about what I spend money on. From what I can tell the Stage 2 SS is just 1" shorter, right? Also do the bushing make that big of a difference?

****My bad they actually do have both of them on their site, I had checked a while back and they didnt but I must have missed it or something.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/spe...LineCode=MZ6&categoryId=3&startModelYear=2004

 

[chiefmg]

Okay, I see now, those used to only be listed for the 2.3 i model. As I recall, there have been several parts listed as applicable to the Speed6 on Mazda's site that won't actually work. Springs are one item, a lot of different manufacturers besides Mazda list the same springs for the 6S and Speed6, despite the Speed being heavier (the only true Speed6 specific springs that I know of are from RPM). Nice for someone to know they can use those mufflers.

You are correct about the difference between the TWM stage 1 and 2. Stage 1 shortens the throws while retaining stock height, and stage 2 also shortens the height. The bushings (basically metal washers to replace the rubber grommets in the shifter base) help tighten things up by removing some slop. I love my stage 2, but I have long arms so reach isn't a problem. Either way you go, you will have a much better shifter when you are done. Main thing is to be careful when changing over the small pin from the stock shift base to the TWM. If you break it, you have to buy a whole new shift stem. It isn't a big deal if you have some mechanical aptitude and aren't hamfisted.

You will get differing opinions on the rear engine mounts as to which is best. I know my cp-e is a good piece and am very happy with how it works. For perspective I had AWRs front and rear on my Protege originally and they were very stiff giving lots of vibration at idle, I ended up having my stock ones filled and put them back on. I know the AWR mount is usually the cheapest, but better to spend a little more and get one you can actually live with.

 

[JOSER_SPEED6]

Well maybe that explains why my car is lower than what Mazda say it lowers it. It looks like I got 2 1/4 inch atleast. It rides well so I cant complain I guess. I think I am going to go with the Stage 1 SS and either the SU or CP-E mount, they look identical...its just a matter of what brand, but leaning more towards CP-E.

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it. I'll be placing my orders this week.