Is a short shifter necessary for the MP5? Just remove the extension.

[MP5driva03]

Hey everybody...I was observing the shift knob on the MP3 and new MazdaSpeed Protege when I noticed that it appears a short shifter is installed, but there really is not one there. Mazda just removed the extension found on the P5 shifter and this caused the shift throw to be decreased dramatically. As any MP5 owner knows, the throws are pretty long to begin with, but without the extension, the shift throw would be equal to that of the MP3 and MS Protege. I am going to try and remove the extension, but the only problem is...how do I successfully remove the molding around the shifter? If someone could help me out here, I would really appreciate it, and I will post pics of the process on this thread.

Thanks,

Chandler
Red 2002 Mazda Protege5
5-speed manual
MazdaSpeed Exhaust
Alpine Audio System w/ Boston Acoustics

 

[Equinox]

just a quick question.. you ever actualy felt the short shifter on the p5? =) Shortening the height of the shift knob doesn't decrease the throw of the tranny, you can tell when there is a real short shifter. It all has to do about placement of the pivot in relation to the length UNDER the shifter

 

[MP5driva03]

What you say is very, very true. Yes, the short shifter does indeed shorten up the shift distance and replaces the shift lever with a quicker, more direct and shortened lever, but by reducing the length of the shifter itself, the throw distance will still be decreased. The shifter on the stock P5 is very tall and long, and if you drive an MP3 or the MS Protege, you will see that throw distance is still reduced by simply removing the extension. I brought this subject up with my friends at the Mazda dealership, and they agreed that the new Protege does not have a short shifter, so to speak, but rather a shortened shifter. Thanks for the help though, what you say is very true...essentially, I just want something to do until I can save up for more mods! Does anyone know how to remove that molding though?

Chandler

Thanks again!

 

[MikeBlueP5]

just looked at my factory shifter, have fun getting off that extension. It also serves as what the ring that holds the boot up rests on. I tried to remove it. it looks as though it is glued or pressed on, the shifter would probably have to be rethreaded under the extension, from the way it looks.
Mike

 

[Don]

The biggest problem with the OEM shifter setup is the pivot ball - It's what gives the linkage the "mystery feel."

A GOOD short shifter will have a dramatically better setup for the pivot - Highly recommend the B&M unit . . . . One of the biggest improvements I've made to the car.

Don

 

[tom@kartboy.com]

psst

www.kartboy.com

get the bushings too you'll love it!
tom

 

[Equinox]

Yeah MP5Driva03, I made a how to for moldings... in guess where... the how-to section.

And Tom, everytime you do that it's priceless, haha.

 

[MP5driva03]

Above should be a pic of a BWM Short shifter next to the stock MP5 shifter. Anyone looking at this can tell that SOME sort of extension is fitted to the end of the stock shifter...and hopefully it will be possible to remove it. One response noted that there the extension appeared to be glued on, and that the shifter underneath might have to be rethreaded if the extension were removed. What do yall think?

Should I go through the trouble of trying to remove the extension?

Thanks,
Chandler

 

[njaremka]

HOLY CRAP! dude, that was one of the first modifications floating around the internet when the protege5 was first released. the extension provides a little dampening to the shift lever, and removing the extension involves a flame torch and vice grips to rip it apart. if that's what you want to do, have at it. you will need to either re-thread the shaft or replace your shift knob with an aftermarket one. for all the trouble, you are better off getting an aftermarket shifter.

i hear KartBoy makes a good one.

 

[MP5driva03]

Hey, thanks for the words. You say that removing the extension DOES require that the shaft be rethreaded? I have an aftermarket shift knob from Nokya, and I am mostly just trying to find an easy way to reduce my throws without spending the money. Thanks though, and be sure to share any other ideas or opinions.

Thanks,
Chandler

 

[acidbug]

I got the Kart Boy SS Combo (which includes the bushings) and i love it!

Chas