dwntreader

After owning 4 Miatas, I've become very familiar with the nimble shifting that Mazda has continued to provide in its sportscars. One simple change that has always made my driving and shifting experience better has been to change out the shift **** to one that feels more comfortable to me.

While the Mazda shifter is very nice and fits the cars styling beautifully, I just can't get used to the triangular feel. I've purchased a couple different Sola shift ***** from my friends at RSpeed, and both have been great additions to the cars. They look great, fit in my hand well and being that they are a little shorter, they make my shifts feel quicker and more solid.

After reading that the 6spd in our cars is the same as that in the Miata, I rushed over to RSPeed and picked up my new shifter this afternoon. I immediately felt at home again. I love these things!

Check these guys out, they'll treat you right. www.RSpeed.net

Spin9k

You need therapy. Quick. :o

dwntreader I like that idea of a lower smaller round ****... but your friends at rspeed have the suckiest site possible. I couldn't even find WHERE to look, no less find the ****! They need an extreme web makeover.

So can you tell me the part number, the brand, and what does it cost? Thanks.

dwntreader

Spin9K,

Sorry about the difficulty with their site.... here is a direct link to the shift **** I bought ( http://www.rspeed.net/miata/item.asp...9&prod=531-100 ). Again, you can disregard the fact this is advertised for the Miata. The threaded adapter they use fits perfectly and also serves to reduce vibration. Also, if you do order one, make sure to ask for the optional spacer that attaches to the threaded insert. It raises the **** slightly, but it insures a snug fit against the shift boot.

mlino01

welcome and Looks good I like the idea of a shorter shifter. I might try one if I could get an engraver to put a trick deep and wide rotary crest on the top of the shifter or better yet one similar to stock just shorter carved out of billet aluminum or better yet Ti.

dwntreader

I was told today at RSpeed when I bought my shifter that they could send it out to get 'RX-8' engraved on top of the handle. Maybe if there is enough interest in that or even the rotary symbol I can get the guys to place an order for them.

If anyone is interested I'd be happy to drive the few miles to visit and plead with Joe to get this done.

I may even volunteer to be the guinea pig and send mine in!

Velocity-8

I just got the Voodoo shift **** which I like a lot. Same here with not being able to get comfortable with the stock one. I got the 2" Magnum in the pearl finish which is very nice and looks great. $39 delivered is a great price too.

Team Voodoo

Gord96BRG

Ditto on the Voodoo **** rather than Sola - they're the original Miata billet aluminum shift ****, and offer spun, polished, pearl, black smooth, and black crinkle finishes, in 2 sizes of round *****, and a pistol grip shift ****. They also offer a Titanium shift **** - fabulous. They don't use any hokey inserts, but thread directly on to the shift lever. I have 2 Voodoo ***** for my Miata, but haven't got bored with the RX-8 **** yet. When I do, I will be installing a 2" Magnum aluminum Voodoo ****! (Ti if I can afford it).

Oh, and check out the Knobmeister - he's a Miata owner, retired, who started up a laser engraving sideline that has become very popular - he can engrave pretty much anything on a shift ****, and has done lots of Voodoo shift ***** or custom wood *****.

Regards,
Gordon

dwntreader

Gordon,

Thanks for your opinion. Just like my statements, that just what they are, opinions. There is nothing 'hokey' about the Sola *****. I would contend that the Delrin insert, which threads snuggly into the **** then in turn on to the shifter, is a bonus because it does help reduce vibration transmitted up the shifter. RSpeed does offer several different finshes, just like Voodoo.

As I've stated I have had three of these ***** now and never a single complaint. They tighten down nicely, never slip, don't retain much heat and keep their shine.

I've seen many Miatas with Voodoo ***** and thought they appeared very simlar in finish and quality. So, as far as I'm concerned I could probably go either way. I can only speak to what I know however. I'm glad Voodoo suits you and aren't 'hokey'!

Velocity-8

I don't mean to speak for Gordon but I don't think he knew the Sola was a treaded ****. There are a ton of ***** that use set screws and they are a real PITA. This includes my Momo Air leather that was $70. Momo isn't that great.

Funny you mention Sola but I have one and used it on my 8 for a while. I got the Voodoo since it was bigger and has a much better neck than the Sola IMO.

Ktreece777

Is The Voodoo Threaded.... if so where can i get one

Velocity-8

Yes, it is treaded. You can order from Team Voodoo or one of their Retailers .

sferrett

OK I can't let a shift-**** thread go by without polluting it with my 8-ball photo!!

I actually really like the size and weight of this shifter **** now.

Quadcammer

man that is one short shifter. I have a pro 5.0 in my mustang and its short but that looks soo short.

Velocity-8

dwntreader fluffed his shift boot up so it doesn't have to look like that.

wiward2

Is this simply a counter sunk shift **** or a **** and a short shift kit? It really looks like there is a lot of extra shift boot. Does the OEM **** just unscrew and you screw the new **** on? Or does it require removing the cernter console cover and using some sort of adapter for the shift boot?

dwntreader

Actually dwntreader's shift boot only had about 85 miles worth of shifting on it at that point. So its not broken in enough to do much else.

Besides dwntreader likes it that way!

Velocity-8

Just unscrew old and screw on. Done in 30 seconds.

wiward2

That's easy enough, changing ***** on my RSX-S was a bit more involved.

Velocity-8

Can't be worse than the Mini Cooper. The Mini has it's own unique way of attaching the ****. The only solution is to remove the **** and cut off the piece that holds the **** on.

Gord96BRG

Actually, you're right - I was thinking Momo-style inserts, I didn't know that the Sola was a threaded insert. Slightly less hokey, OK? :D

Regards,
Gordon

dwntreader

No problems Gordon!

Let's keep the mods coming!

Nubo

I cast another vote for the Knobmeister. Not intending to hijack the thread either. For all I know he might be willing to engrave a Sola **** also.

FWIW from a technical standpoing I'd say that a properly threaded delrin insert has some advantages over a plain threaded aluminum bore. For one thing it would be easier to align engravings. With a metal bore there's very little rotational range between tight and too loose. With the delrin there'd be significantly more adjustment possible.

That being said, I'm very happy with my Voodoo ****. The alignment is spot-on and the Knobmeister does great work

Spin9k

I liked the Sola **** ...so I just got one - really classy - matches the interior brushed metal perfectly! RSpeed is a great place to deal with. . friendly, helpful, quick ship, definitely recommended.

But the best part is... this is the best little mod ever! I realize now the OEM shifter just never felt good in my hand.

It's rotor shape is less than optimal for a hand to grip, and maybe even more, it was just too high. The sola is perfect.. small sphere, about an 1 1/2 lower, much better snickiity snick shift!

Wow!! Shifting is smoother now, better in every way... thinking Mazda maybe went a tad overboard... but HAPPY NOW - Thanks dwntreader!

dwntreader

Glad you're enjoying the Sola Spin9k!

I didn't want people to think I was talking up the Sola just because I know the guys at RSpeed pretty well, so I didn't go into much detail about the place. I have to say though, that the guys there will not sell anything to anyone that they don't believe in 100%.

With that said, I went by RSpeed last weekend and Joe, the owner, suggested that I give the Sola that they carry for the Mini a try. The **** for the Mini is a bit larger and feels more substantial than the smaller Miata ****. Joe allowed me to swap out the ***** and give it a try. He was right! The **** sized for the Mini just seems to feel more like it belongs in the car. The increased size fits my hand better and the little bit of extra weight seems to smooth things out better.

The same Delrin insert works with both *****, so the fit is exactly the same. Attached is a picture of the Delrin insert so you can see the threads and how they fit into the threads in the ****. It makes for a snug fit that won't come loose under hard shifts like the screw set type *****.