Notices
Series I Aftermarket Performance Modifications Discussion of power adding modifications

RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 04-02-2005, 01:49 PM
  #251  
Registered User
 
mdmaclean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have had mine in the car for a few weeks now, part of an early batch. I continue to enjoy the shift feel, and consider it a real improvement over stock.

There is some increase in gear noise if I use my solid aluminium VooDoo ****, but very little if I use the stock **** (all the plastic & leather must absorb the sound).

A very worthwhile upgrade!
Old 04-02-2005, 02:51 PM
  #252  
Long Member
 
Rotario's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mdmaclean
I have had mine in the car for a few weeks now, part of an early batch. I continue to enjoy the shift feel, and consider it a real improvement over stock.

There is some increase in gear noise if I use my solid aluminium VooDoo ****, but very little if I use the stock **** (all the plastic & leather must absorb the sound).

A very worthwhile upgrade!
Hiya mdmaclean,

I just posted a picture of a Razo carbon fiber **** here:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/new-shift-knob-57375/

It's right in-between the factory **** and the Voodoo aluminum **** as far as feel. I like it a lot with the RP shifter, and like it better than either the OEM or Voodoo *****.

Best,
Bill
Old 04-04-2005, 01:17 PM
  #253  
Registered User
 
trophymaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can anyone chime in to let me know, because I am still unclear... Even if you have no shifting issues and your tab is working fine, is the distance between 1-2 and 3-4 supposed to be greater than the distance between 3-4 and 5-6? Or should rocking the stick left/right in neutral give you the same distance between the center and the extremes?

:-P
Old 04-04-2005, 01:45 PM
  #254  
Registered
iTrader: (5)
 
Richard Paul's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Chatsworth Ca
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 9 Posts
It seems that there is a smaller space between the high gears then the low gears. We did nothing to change this. We only changed the ratio between the pivot and the shift shoe. Naturally there is less space between the gates also. Just that it is proportional, no diference is applied to either gate. So it was this way before, you just didn't notice it.

I'll have some more info on this as soon as I build some more. Then I'll have one for myself to drive every day. Gonna be funny if my own car is on the far side of the tolorence. :D

I don't know what you are worried about if everything is working fine.
Old 04-04-2005, 03:15 PM
  #255  
Registered User
 
trophymaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm not worried! I am loving this thing. I do want to try the other unit to see if it gets better.
Old 04-04-2005, 06:03 PM
  #256  
Recovered Modaholic
Thread Starter
 
TheDosDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Napa, Ca.
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
On my 8 the 1-3 feels wider apart than 3-5. I think this is primarily because the tab contacts the plate near center of the 5 gate stopping us from reaching the "U.S." far side of the gate. Therefore, it only feels short when actually it is guiding you down the center of the 5-6 gate.

Richard, please correct me if I am wrong here. When the car is in 5th there should be a small distance (very small) between the tab and the plate.

If the tab is tight on the plate or the distance too large (<1/8') you may have difficulty getting into 5th and 6th and possible have reverse issues.

The tolerance of my tranny with the first shifter I received was well over an 1/8" and I had a rattle in reverse as well as occaisional difficulty getting into 5th and 6th (because I went past the gate). With that shifter the distance 1-3 and 3-5 was about equal. The replacement shifter Richard sent me has a longer tab so I ride the plate in 5th and 6th with no issue in reverse. I liked the first one better than stock and the new one is better yet.
Old 04-04-2005, 09:50 PM
  #257  
Shifty Bastard.
 
Gomez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by trophymaker
Can anyone chime in to let me know, because I am still unclear... Even if you have no shifting issues and your tab is working fine, is the distance between 1-2 and 3-4 supposed to be greater than the distance between 3-4 and 5-6?
Yes, it is. As Richard said, that is normal and hasn't changed.
Old 04-05-2005, 01:32 PM
  #258  
Registered User
 
trophymaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perfect.
Old 04-10-2005, 10:31 AM
  #259  
Londons Yellow Peril
 
california style's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North London
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
so has anyone in the UK installed one of these shifters?

It could be the first supplement i do.... Im concerned about doing it though....

Im gonna ask my mazda dealer if they will do the install?
Old 04-10-2005, 11:39 AM
  #260  
Recovered Modaholic
Thread Starter
 
TheDosDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Napa, Ca.
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
This install takes only a few tools and a few minutes. It is one of the easiest mods I've done. Removing the trim and harness clips is the honestly the hardest part. Anyone that knows how to turn a wrench should be able to complete the install in < 30 minutes.
Old 04-10-2005, 12:26 PM
  #261  
Londons Yellow Peril
 
california style's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North London
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
yeah but is this from the angle of "im a great mechanic"
or
"im a bit of a numpty"

(im clearly in part two there)

Id give it ago, if it was really realllllllly easy tho....

(and there was nothing i could do that really fucked **** up)
Old 04-10-2005, 12:39 PM
  #262  
Shifty Bastard.
 
Gomez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I made the DIY so easy, even a Pom could do it! Give it a go.....

Check the DIY part of this site for the easy install info.

Cheers,
Gomez.
Old 04-10-2005, 01:42 PM
  #263  
Londons Yellow Peril
 
california style's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North London
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
yeah but if u r an ozzy, maybe all your instructions are backwards or something?
Old 04-10-2005, 01:46 PM
  #264  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
Do it yourself...its a clip, a few screws, four bolts...drop it in....reinstall and good to go!

Takes about ten minutes if you know what you are doing. 30mMinutes if you go slow and are realy careful

I have done it three times now. The hardest part is getting the panel clips to let go....and the way I do it worked three times with no broken clips.

As someone said previously it takes either a bit of stupidity...or big ***** to do It.

It was fluke the first time for me :D
Old 04-10-2005, 01:56 PM
  #265  
Registered
iTrader: (5)
 
Richard Paul's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Chatsworth Ca
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 9 Posts
Com'on, You wanna be the only guy to ever have a dealer install it?
It'll give you more satasfaction if you do it yourself. Your car will love you more for it. It will be a quality time spent together.

Even if you get in trouble there will be someone on the forum to help you through.

You could get Gomez to do it for you, he did Taka's. It's just a bit of a drive, but it is on the same side of the road. :D
Old 04-10-2005, 02:02 PM
  #266  
Londons Yellow Peril
 
california style's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North London
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
im ordering one from hymee europe this week

Arg self install terror will be building

I assume they are all preoiled etc?
Old 04-10-2005, 02:10 PM
  #267  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
All greased up and ready to go :D You can do it !!!!
Old 04-10-2005, 02:25 PM
  #268  
Londons Yellow Peril
 
california style's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North London
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Omg Teh Fear!
Old 04-10-2005, 08:13 PM
  #269  
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
swoope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: orlando, fl
Posts: 14,602
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
if you dont try you dont learn, the only hard part for me was getting the first clip loose. after that it is mindless.

beers
Old 04-10-2005, 08:36 PM
  #270  
Shifty Bastard.
 
Gomez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A few good people have PDF'ed the DIY so you take print it out and take it out to the car with you for the install. Back in my day we had to do it the hard way .
Old 04-11-2005, 06:06 AM
  #271  
Registered User
 
mdmaclean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also did it quite easily, and although I can do handyman jobs around the house, I am not experienced in car repair.

I have never even changed my oil myself...
Old 04-11-2005, 08:22 AM
  #272  
Long Member
 
Rotario's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by california style
"im a bit of a numpty"
Hahahaha! Never heard that before, but I'm LMAO!!

Bill
Old 04-15-2005, 05:09 AM
  #273  
Londons Yellow Peril
 
california style's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North London
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Short Shifter en route..... more to follow....
Old 04-15-2005, 06:46 PM
  #274  
Registered
iTrader: (5)
 
Richard Paul's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Chatsworth Ca
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 9 Posts
All orders that were here as of yesterday have been shipped.
There are now units on the shelf again.
Thank's for all your patronage.
Old 04-16-2005, 09:25 PM
  #275  
Registered User
 
monzter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just placed my order. Can't wait to get the shifter.

Thanks for a great product Richard.


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:25 AM.