Hello everyone. Mother Nature is just about to lay the smack down on us here in Kansas. Big ice storm will keep my 8 in the garage for the rest of the night and tomorrow. Looks like I will be taking the A4 to work tomorrow instead (Love that Quattro). Normally, I wouldn't mind as much but.........today, I made the first mod to my 8 and now, I want to drive it even more than ever!

What is the mod that has me so pumped up you ask ? I just replaced my stock shift **** with a new Mazdaspeed shift ****! YES! That's right, a brand spankin' new black Mazdaspeed shift ****! MAN IT'S COOL! I love the way it looks! Don't get me wrong, I like the stock shift **** too. It looks good but, its was just a little too bulky for my taste.

I haven't had my 8 dynoed since replacing the stock ****, but I estimate a 25% hp gain. Probably more, but I like to be conservative with my estimates. Without a doubt, I have increased the torque substantially (kinda goes without saying I suppose ). The new Mazdaspeed **** is smaller and lighter than the stock ****. I figure that by shaving the extra weight, I should be able to beat, oh I don't know, just about any car I encounter. And yes, that includes the new 500hp Z06, DUH!

2005 Z06 = ***** CAR!

My 2004 Winning Blue RX-8 equipped with Mazdaspeed shift **** = CHIC MAGNET!

Come on now, ask yourself which one you would rather have. Yeah I thought so. 8 wins hands down baby!

Seriously though, the new **** does look great. I like the feel of it much better. Much more comfortable I think. On a side note, when I pulled my stock ****, I noticed that some of the silver finish has worn off a bit, on the top piece. Has that happened to anyone else's ****?

And now, let the **** jokes begin................... :D

 

LOL, you so crazy...LOL

 

Monkey...Lol!! :D Post pic's when you can. Also, where did you order it from and how much???

- Irish

 

If you add a MAZDASPEED sticker to the windsheild that will make that 25% gain a 50% gain accross the board.

On a serious note:

Yes the finish on my stock shift **** has worn completely off of the left side, it started doing it about a week into ownership. I figure I'll chuck it eventually anyway so who cares?

 

Welcome ... to the dark side {deep breating noise with ominous music}

 

You obviously need to work your **** with the other hand for awhile.

 

Where do you live in KS?

 

So you got a **** Job. What's the big deal? My wife gives me those 'most every night!

 

Personally, I wouldn't want to trade my **** in for a smaller one

 

Not even if it's more solid and ergonomically correct?

 

nope :D

 

Pics are essential to back up your claims!

 

Go to www.mybigleatherknob.net hee hee

 

Okay, as requested, I have taken a picture of my ****. To view it, go here:

http://hyprkc.tripod.com/****.jpg

Let me just say this, it looks much better in person.

Hey irish8, my wife bought my new **** for me. She bought it at Sunflower Mazda in Olathe, Kansas for $80.00. On a side note, that dealer currently has a absolutely stunning black RX-8 decked out with the Mazdaspeed body kit. I think the windows are already tinted on it too. That car is absolutely B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! Anyway, um........you should all sleep better knowing that........ :o

Oh, and Rx8 MD, I live in southern Overland Park.

 

what is the little black shiny disk to the left side and up a bit...of the new shift ****...it looks like it is located on the center console, I haven't been in my car for a few days as it is 4 degrees and I'm taking the beater but what is that?

Also you want to sell your stock shift **** to me? (I want to make an interesting door handle to the garage )

 

The finish on the top of my SHIFT **** has work off on the right side, and since it is plastic, my ring has knicked it up too.

I used to live in Overland Park when I was a kid, but that was almost 20 years ago.

 

I think it's a stick on shift pattern that normally come with gearknobs.

 

nojooc is absolutely correct. That round disk is the shift pattern sticker. I wasn't going to apply it, but I figured I had better just in case, for whatever reason, someone else had to drive my car. I don't think it looks too bad.

 

Well, to each his/her own I guess. IMO, the OEM **** has more going for it and the mod **** has no "character". It's just a generic-looking ****. Every time look down at the shift **** I say to myself, "man, I'm drivin' a rotary, with a six speed box no less, WooHoo". But if you like the mod ****, more power to you.