does mazdaspeed shiftknob fit p5?

[jamesk]

i just got a mazdaspeed shiftknob for my car and it does not fit the stock boot? the threads wont reach the shifter cause the boot is in the way. any ideas?

 

[JoshP5]

I swapped the stock shift lever for an MSP unit. Here's the link.

 

[aMaff]

thread pitch is different

 

[JoshP5]

No, the threads aren't the problem. The MP3 is threaded M8 x 1.25. All other Proteges are M10 x 1.25.

The problem is the MSP shift knob is taller than the stock P5 knob so the threads don't reach. There are some good photos which illustrate it here.

 

[jamesk]

so what should i do?

 

[HFXprotege5]

Here's a pic of what I did. I wanted the Shift knob, but not a short shifter for the car, as of yet anyway so I fabricated a helicoil idea instead. I took the knob to a machine shop and had them drill and tap the centre of the knob to accept a larger diameter bolt. The centre of that bolt was drilled and tapped to be the same thread pitch as the stock shifter. A cut was made across the bolt so it could be adjusted inside the shift knob with a screw driver. Total cost was $20, for the bolt and 20 minutes labour. End result is exactly what I wanted. Here's a couple pics for reference.

 

[JoshP5]

^That's an interesting solution! Does it leave the shifter a little taller than stock? Is the height adjustable or do you have to screw that bolt all the way into the shift knob so it won't spin on the threads?

so what should i do?

You can buy an MSP shift lever for ~$40 used (they show up on the "for sale" subforum now and then). That will make the lever about 3" shorter than stock when used with the MSP knob. If that's too short you can cut it in half and weld in a section of 5/8" bar stock. I used a 1-1/2" extension and the height is great.

Another option is to use an aftermarket shortshifter, but contact the manufacturer or search the forums to make sure the threaded rod on the top is long enough for the MSP knob.

 

[jamesk]

i thought the threads were the same as the mazdaspeed protege? the only thing stopping the shiftknob is the shift boot. should i buy a new shift boot and that will solve the problem?

 

[DeadGeneration]

or just get an aftermarket one and be done with it lol

 

[DeadGeneration]

View attachment 106982

are the stock shifters really that tall, I cant even remember but that looks massive

 

[JoshP5]

i thought the threads were the same as the mazdaspeed protege? the only thing stopping the shiftknob is the shift boot. should i buy a new shift boot and that will solve the problem?

Again, all Proteges are threaded M10 x 1.25 except the MP3. The threads are not the problem here. And a new shift boot won't help. The problem is the distance between the top of the shift lever and the thicker part of it that locates the top of the shift boot. This distance is longer on the MSP shift lever to accomodate the taller MSP shift knob. Study the photos of the two shift levers side-by-side in the thread I linked to above and you'll see what I mean.

 

[HFXprotege5]

^That's an interesting solution! Does it leave the shifter a little taller than stock? Is the height adjustable or do you have to screw that bolt all the way into the shift knob so it won't spin on the threads?

You can buy an MSP shift lever for ~$40 used (they show up on the "for sale" subforum now and then). That will make the lever about 3" shorter than stock when used with the MSP knob. If that's too short you can cut it in half and weld in a section of 5/8" bar stock. I used a 1-1/2" extension and the height is great.

Another option is to use an aftermarket shortshifter, but contact the manufacturer or search the forums to make sure the threaded rod on the top is long enough for the MSP knob.

Yes it is height adjustable, though only on different shift levers. On the factory P5, it will only go down as far as the "shoulder" on the lever. If/when I decide to get a SS, I can adjust the height accordingly. About 2" of range but of course the lowest it will go depends on the location of the shoulder on the shifter. The bolt could also be cut in down to allow for lowering the knob.

On the OEM shifter, it is slightly higher than the stock shift knob but that works best for me. My seat sits 1 position before the farthest back setting and the higher shifter makes for an easier, more comfortable reach. The biggest difference is the feel. This is a weighted knob and the shifts feel far better than with the OEM set up.

 

[JoshP5]

This is a weighted knob and the shifts feel far better than with the OEM set up.

Agreed. I was surprised at the increased smoothness.

 

[Nsane1]

Bringing this back from the dead.... So, are the threads from the MSP and the MP5 the same or not??? Can I order a short shifter and solve this problem??? Also, if the threads are different can I order a short throw for the MSP and throw it in the Pro5?

 

[JoshP5]

Uhh, did you bother to read this thread?

 

[danielschweer]

Uhh, did you bother to read this thread?

lol you only said it like 3 times (shrug)