RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)
I place my order Thursday and it was shipped that day. It is now Saturday and it already arrived, a day early! I'll be installing in shortly and will leave my impressions as soon as I get a chance to drive around with it.
Well, after spending the last several hours reading all of this "thread" (what a misnomer-more like a multistrand cable) and the DIY for the shifter I'm convinced I need to try one of these. I think the stock shifter is rather good, but even though I don't have much in my history to compare it with I do think it could be better. I don't normally "speed shift" and it works well for me but I have always thought it could be a little more precise and have a shorter throw. I just hope the higher noise transmission isn't a problem for me since I usually notice high-pitched whines more than some people.
Well Dark', I have your order and I'm going into the shop right now and will get it out to you along with two other orders I just recieved. So everyone who has an order in up to this moment, it has to be on it's way.
You have no worry if you don't like it you can return it within 30 days for a refund. On top of that it is guarenteed for as long as you own it.
You have no worry if you don't like it you can return it within 30 days for a refund. On top of that it is guarenteed for as long as you own it.
Well I just did the install and without even trying, I managed to break off this infamous clip, but since I broke it so quickly it didn't really slow me down. The whole install was super easy. It also allowed me to fix the light in the ash tray (the bulb had fallen out of the little slot). I only drove around my condo parking lot and did get into 4th gear, but even that much was amazing. The grin on my face as I shifted from 1st to 2nd was HUGE! Immediately I knew I'd made the right choice. The little bit of extra noise doesn't bother me at all, I didn't notice it until I turned off the MD playing.
Thank you to Gomez for his great DIY guide. Tomorrow I will hit the highway and see if I have any trouble finding 5th or 6th. Finding reverse seemed easier than normal and while shifting in my parking spot I could ride the edge and get into 5th fine.
Overall a GREAT product with a super easy install, even for a noob like me. Thanks Richard Paul!
Thank you to Gomez for his great DIY guide. Tomorrow I will hit the highway and see if I have any trouble finding 5th or 6th. Finding reverse seemed easier than normal and while shifting in my parking spot I could ride the edge and get into 5th fine.
Overall a GREAT product with a super easy install, even for a noob like me. Thanks Richard Paul!
Hey Richard.. What are the possibilities of a group buy?
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/axial-flow-short-shifter-81424/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/axial-flow-short-shifter-81424/
My shifter just arrived by mail, RP. Sure is small, isn't it? I don't know when I'll get it put in, I've still got clear corners and a radio **** to do as well. Thanks for the quick shipping, though.
Oh, and NOW somebody comes up with a group buy? Just a few days after I get mine? I thought we were already getting a deal thru the club. Just how much better would a GB be?
Oh, and NOW somebody comes up with a group buy? Just a few days after I get mine? I thought we were already getting a deal thru the club. Just how much better would a GB be?
Richard take a look at this for me, my cars taking longer do a quick 1 - 2 at 9,000 rpm, im guessing a worn syncro, but haven't put my stock shifter back into test if its something fault with the short shift.
I recorded this video of the shifter reversing, should it be poping out of the bracket like that after a bit of vibration?
PS other gear shifts are just as quick at high rpm, problem started when dealer replaced my tranny fuild, i put redline back in but it hasn't stoped.
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/MVI_4763.AVI
I recorded this video of the shifter reversing, should it be poping out of the bracket like that after a bit of vibration?
PS other gear shifts are just as quick at high rpm, problem started when dealer replaced my tranny fuild, i put redline back in but it hasn't stoped.
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/MVI_4763.AVI
Ok, seen the clip.
Yours isn't the first install I've seen do that. How old is your shifter?? Later shifters were machined a little differently to overcome that problem, I believe.
If it only pops up like that with a "little assistance", then it's OK, IMO.
Yours isn't the first install I've seen do that. How old is your shifter?? Later shifters were machined a little differently to overcome that problem, I believe.
If it only pops up like that with a "little assistance", then it's OK, IMO.
Originally Posted by PoLaK
What do you mean? Your telling me you grind everytime u try to break the tires loose on a quick 1-2?
Mine will grind on 3-4 above 7500rpm as well. Nature of the beast, I believe.
Anyone have a problem with the trans pilot shaft sticking in the flywheel pilot shaft bearing? I've had this on my previous rotarys and now the '8. Usually happens in hot/dry conditions. Previous fixes have always been a simple daub of lithium grease, but is so disceptively easy that it makes you wonder if it's worth pulling the trans just for that. On one FC it got so bad that the car would move while in gear with the clutch fully depressed. Initially thought it was clutch hydraulics, disc, to bearing, etc., but ended up the pilot shaft. Causes nasty grinding into 2nd, 4th and 6th, e.g., when shifter forces are pushing the shaft slightly forward into the flywheel. I wish this was just my imagination, but it's happened on 4 RX's after lots of miles on each and the fix has been the same. (Btw, the AFSS kicks butt!!)
Last edited by MPG > HP; Jun 30, 2006 at 12:48 AM.
Originally Posted by Gomez
Ok, seen the clip.
Yours isn't the first install I've seen do that. How old is your shifter?? Later shifters were machined a little differently to overcome that problem, I believe.
If it only pops up like that with a "little assistance", then it's OK, IMO.
Yours isn't the first install I've seen do that. How old is your shifter?? Later shifters were machined a little differently to overcome that problem, I believe.
If it only pops up like that with a "little assistance", then it's OK, IMO.
I believe it to be one one from very early on before I made the buy now buttons for the shifter for richard.
Sucks about your 3-4, do you think the shifter is causing it due to some wear on some of the plastic bits or do you think my syncro has just worn down after some 50 of those breaking the tires loose 1-2's
If it's as old as I think it is.....it'll have a black cup on the end. These will wear and ultimately fail. Pull your shifter out and check the cup for a wear groove.
Richard will ship you out a buff coloured teflon cup as a replacement free of charge.
Richard will ship you out a buff coloured teflon cup as a replacement free of charge.
If you look back to about page 12 of this thread I had the tab issue in reverse also. Richard set me a shifter with a radius'd tab that corrected the problem. I've had it over 25k miles now with no issues.
Originally Posted by Gomez
I never try to break the tyres loose.
Mine will grind on 3-4 above 7500rpm as well. Nature of the beast, I believe.
Mine will grind on 3-4 above 7500rpm as well. Nature of the beast, I believe.
i only get the 1 2 grind when i blow the shift. never had a 3 4 grind.... 50k miles on the tranny now.
beers
The tranny noise is coming from the tranny. Now the pop up bothers me, the tab looks short. Did we have to shorten your tab so you could get it into 5/6 gate?
Check the lower bushing like Gomez said, it can fail. We have an upgraded Kevlar one. If as he says yours is black it should be changed if you have anything strange happening. I'm not sure if it can make it pop out of the reverse gate though. I guess it could if one side let it go off the design angle. It's ez to check, you were only three bolts from finding out when you did the movie.
Get back to me on this as it hasn't happened before. Maybe Gomez has seen it down under, but things work different down there. Hell, the wirlpools turn backwards.
Check the lower bushing like Gomez said, it can fail. We have an upgraded Kevlar one. If as he says yours is black it should be changed if you have anything strange happening. I'm not sure if it can make it pop out of the reverse gate though. I guess it could if one side let it go off the design angle. It's ez to check, you were only three bolts from finding out when you did the movie.
Get back to me on this as it hasn't happened before. Maybe Gomez has seen it down under, but things work different down there. Hell, the wirlpools turn backwards.
Originally Posted by PoLaK
Richard it is a black cup, and there was no modification for my SSK it was sent as payment for a few pieces of design work if you recall.
Is the black cup intact?
I have a Kevlar one right here and I'm going to the PO to mail a couple of shifters in an hour. I'll pack this up just in case. Get me an address before I leave, then you can have it no matter what. Use it if you have to. Remember it's a four day holiday for some, not us but some.
You may have to move the plate a bit to the left. I don't know why now but is there a gap to the plate when in the 5/6 gate?
Last edited by Richard Paul; Jun 30, 2006 at 04:49 PM.
Originally Posted by Richard Paul
Is the black cup intact?
I have a Kevlar one right here and I'm going to the PO to mail a couple of shifters in an hour. I'll pack this up just in case. Get me an address before I leave, then you can have it no matter what. Use it if you have to. Remember it's a four day holiday for some, not us but some.
You may have to move the plate a bit to the left. I don't know why now but is there a gap to the plate when in the 5/6 gate?
I have a Kevlar one right here and I'm going to the PO to mail a couple of shifters in an hour. I'll pack this up just in case. Get me an address before I leave, then you can have it no matter what. Use it if you have to. Remember it's a four day holiday for some, not us but some.
You may have to move the plate a bit to the left. I don't know why now but is there a gap to the plate when in the 5/6 gate?
Originally Posted by PoLaK
Sent you an email with my address, you can't move it to the left it has pins securing it in the proper place.
no email, as of now it is to late for the po, i've already been there.
try again and it will get out tomorrow.
We will slot the little holes with a needle file. A diamond one if you can find it. Try the local machinist supply. Or you'll mail order one from Rutland (Airgas) or the like.


