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Does anyone know if/where I am able to get metal shifter bushings? I don't even know if this part is made. I want to make my shifter a bit more positive, that is, clicky. But I don't want to spend $3-400 on a short shifter as I'm perfectly happy with the throw, just want it more postive. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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Are you driving a front-wheel-drive RX-8?
The shifter doesn't have "bushings" like a transverse-mount transaxle. The shifter goes right into the transmission.
There is a carrier "bushing" and a pivot, but it isn't responsible for any of the shift feel.
You guys gotta forgive my ignorance. I'm new to this car and have changed the shift bushings in my past cars from the plastic to metal for a "clicky" and "postive" feel. I did not know that the shifter goes straight into the tranny. So that said, is there any product that does not cost $500.00 to make the shfiting more positive? I'm also new to 6 speed cars. My bike has 6 gears but thats 1 down-6 up. Different story. From 5th to 6th I'm a bit sketchy as I sometimes drop it into 4th, which can be fun but makes my butt pucker something awful.
Why would you want to mess with such a beautiful transmission? Whatever floats your boat, I guess...but I'd leave it alone if I were you.
The 'proper' way to grip the **** is to put your palm on the top and lightly wrap your fingers around the lower part of the ****... Don't squeeze, don't grip it like a fighter pilot's joystick (hehe), don't jam it into gear and don't rest your hand on it while driving along.
For a relaxed drive (when I drove an RX-8, I own an FC RX-7), I used the proper grip for the 1-2 Upshift, returned my hand to the wheel...when it came time for the 2-3 upshift, I used my lower palm to push it up at a very slight angle into third (This is how I always do my 2-3 upshifts in any car unless I'm racing). For the 3-4 shift, I pulled it back with the proper grip...4-5 upshift, I do the same technique as described for the 2-3 upshift, then for the 5-6 shift, I kind of had my fingers pointing towards the passenger door panel and slid it back into 6th gear. Sort of like going into reverse in a 5-speed car. Make your hand rigid and flat, the reach to the FRONT of the **** (Meaning your knuckles are facing the radio), don't grip around the ****, just slide it back into 6th gear. It sounds amazingly weird, and uncomfortable, but it really isn't. Go sit in your car and do this. I'm not saying follow my shifting technique, but if you want to avoid 4th gear in a fool-proof manner, do that for the 5-6 shift.
Again, though, if you're racing: The shift **** is designed to be gripped 'normally'. Palm on the pattern. This helps prevent mis-shifts in all gears. Strange but true.
Thanks Rotar! See, these types of things aren't explained by the dealer. Not that I'd need the dealer to tell me to shift--then again maybe I do. hehehe. Yeah, I think it's the unusual shape of the shifter. That, the short height of it, and the center console gives the impression that it should be held like a Jet-plane joystick, no? I see what you mean with the two techniques (Pushing up and shifting with the writsts, no?)
I'm not really complaining about the tranny. It's pretty "clicky" as it is, and I know if it were possible to mount is on solid bushings then I'd get vibrations that would make Pam Anderson's butt pucker! I guess being new to the car I'm used to other car's inputs. Like the clutch!
Love & hate I guess. Love because it refueses to let me stall! That thing will engage with a fart's breath of gas! A bit of hate cause it's so soft! I've been driving a stick over 14 years now, and going up a San Francisco hill on my '8 has me worried for the first time in a long time!~ I usually end up riding the poor thing till it engages. Anyways, I've only 700mi so maybe I'll shut up and drive it some more to get to know her, no?
Thanks for the advice & I'll try it next time I get behind the wheel.
You guys gotta forgive my ignorance. I'm new to this car and have changed the shift bushings in my past cars from the plastic to metal for a "clicky" and "postive" feel. I did not know that the shifter goes straight into the tranny. So that said, is there any product that does not cost $500.00 to make the shfiting more positive? I'm also new to 6 speed cars. My bike has 6 gears but thats 1 down-6 up. Different story. From 5th to 6th I'm a bit sketchy as I sometimes drop it into 4th, which can be fun but makes my butt pucker something awful.
I see what you mean with the two techniques (Pushing up and shifting with the writsts, no?)
Well, as you put it... 'No'. LOL...Don't shift with your wrist, just your lower palm for the 2-3, 4-5 upshifts, then do that like...side grab for 5-6. Let me go take some pics, brb...
PM sent.
By the way...It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Last edited by Rotarctica; 11-04-2006 at 01:43 AM.
Swoope,
You're talking about the short shifter kit, no? Yeah, $260 is a bit much for me. I was thinking maybe a small tweak or upgrade that would improve the feel of the shift gate. I appreciate your advice though, just wasn't looking to shorten the throw any more. For me the throw is plenty short, any shorter would be like the Automatic's "Manual" mode, no?
If you're still using the OEM shift ****, change it out to an aftermarket Miata **** from Knobmeister. This will remove some of the mushiness. The second step would be to install the Axial Flow short-shifter.
^^ agreed. Imo, a spherical **** is more precise. The shape of the stock **** intrudes and forces you to grasp in an awkard manner. Your fingers may vary
I have the Speedsource part sold through Mazdaspeed Motorsports (factory racer program), doesn't make any noise but it has a lip in the bottom which means it only works with the OE shifter, aftermarket shifters with a longer arm below the pivot point such as AFE etc. hit the lip before the mounting collar seats, won't work ...
I'm new to this car and have changed the shift bushings in my past cars from the plastic to metal for a "clicky" and "postive" feel. I did not know that the shifter goes straight into the tranny. So that said, is there any product that does not cost $500.00 to make the shfiting more positive? I'm also new to 6 speed cars. My bike has 6 gears but thats 1 down-6 up. Different story. From 5th to 6th I'm a bit sketchy as I sometimes drop it into 4th, which can be fun but makes my butt pucker something awful.
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