RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 206
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From: los angeles
Originally Posted by CURED RX8
Today I installed the Shifter + Royal Purple MaxGear for the tranny. Put it back together with the green fuzz because I wanted to try different methods to try and find the least noisy one. It was quite noisy that way. So then I broke the infamous clip going back in to take out the green fuzz, but a small price to pay as here is what I found out. It was also noisy without the fuzz...quieter...but a different kind of noise I think.
With the fuzz: it seemed to be more of a pressure problem, where the fuzz seemed to push against the shifter the same as if you were resting your hand on the shifter. Thus a rattling/grinding noise.
Without the fuzz: It was alot quieter, but more of an airy, whining or whirling sound.
I thought, maybe the fuzz was supposed to buffer that particular noise. So I slid it over the old shifter just on my workbench to see where it matched up, then slid it over the new one which was already in the gearbox and found that it bottomed out on the lower boot with the shorter RP version. It seems it didn't hang down that far as to touch the lower boot on the stock shifter (not as binding to the shifter movement). So I trimmed about 1/2 inch off the wide side of the fuzz cone, to make it shorter. Put it back in and all the noise was all but gone (I'd say 95%).
I think the cone itself helps the air whirling sound; It being shorter and less restrictive to the shifter helps the rattle/grinding noise. Also there is a seem on the green fuzz where it is sewn together, this should probably be faced in the direction where it would cause the least interference to the shifter action as it is clumpy and harder foam. I found that to be at about 5 o'clock or just below reverse. I'm not sure which way it faced stock, but it sure is less restrictive in the upper boot in that position with the RP shifter.
Then I turned the shift **** out just enough to free up some space between the bottom of the shift **** and the top of the upper boot. Just enough so it wasn't touching the top of the upper boot and putting any pressure on it. I'd say I'm at 98% noise reduction. The only noise I get now is the bump sound of the gears engaging (a sweet sound), and a rattle if I hang on to the shifter to long when shifting and put extra pressure on it after the shift.
Well that's what worked for me. Hope it helps someone else out!
With the fuzz: it seemed to be more of a pressure problem, where the fuzz seemed to push against the shifter the same as if you were resting your hand on the shifter. Thus a rattling/grinding noise.
Without the fuzz: It was alot quieter, but more of an airy, whining or whirling sound.
I thought, maybe the fuzz was supposed to buffer that particular noise. So I slid it over the old shifter just on my workbench to see where it matched up, then slid it over the new one which was already in the gearbox and found that it bottomed out on the lower boot with the shorter RP version. It seems it didn't hang down that far as to touch the lower boot on the stock shifter (not as binding to the shifter movement). So I trimmed about 1/2 inch off the wide side of the fuzz cone, to make it shorter. Put it back in and all the noise was all but gone (I'd say 95%).
I think the cone itself helps the air whirling sound; It being shorter and less restrictive to the shifter helps the rattle/grinding noise. Also there is a seem on the green fuzz where it is sewn together, this should probably be faced in the direction where it would cause the least interference to the shifter action as it is clumpy and harder foam. I found that to be at about 5 o'clock or just below reverse. I'm not sure which way it faced stock, but it sure is less restrictive in the upper boot in that position with the RP shifter.
Then I turned the shift **** out just enough to free up some space between the bottom of the shift **** and the top of the upper boot. Just enough so it wasn't touching the top of the upper boot and putting any pressure on it. I'd say I'm at 98% noise reduction. The only noise I get now is the bump sound of the gears engaging (a sweet sound), and a rattle if I hang on to the shifter to long when shifting and put extra pressure on it after the shift.
Well that's what worked for me. Hope it helps someone else out!
Originally Posted by mahuna
Damn....now if i could only remember what i did with that green fuzz cone!
i found mine already.. **** is good sometimes.. cant wait to try this...
beers
I like the color
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 59
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From: Chambersburg, PA
Hey, no guarantees! Just said it made sense as a theory of two different sounds as opposed to one louder or softer sound...and the fix worked for me! The Fuzz may truly be just to fluff the upper boot for looks, and serve no other purpose like sound deadening. I guess we'll see.
Originally Posted by CURED RX8
Hey, no guarantees! Just said it made sense as a theory of two different sounds as opposed to one louder or softer sound...and the fix worked for me! The Fuzz may truly be just to fluff the upper boot for looks, and serve no other purpose like sound deadening. I guess we'll see.
nope,
if it works you will be known as king of the fuzz..
beers
I like the color
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 59
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From: Chambersburg, PA
Come to think of it, I think the shifter **** positioned just off the upper boot so as not to bind it at all...and the seem on the green fuzz needing to be positioned properly under the boot makes just as much sense as having or not having the fuzz. It also would explain more clearly why some have the noise and some don't. Odds are the fuzz would be spun in a more favorable position for some and not others, with everyone just sticking it back in any which way. Also it may be because of the RP being a straight shifter moving in the boot at different angles causing the fuzz (or seem) to press against the shifter?
Maybe someone with a stock shifter who never removed the green fuzz before, can check and see which way the seem is facing? Don't break the clip!!! Actually we'd need a couple people to do it to make sure they are all positioned the same. Although, it's probably more likely that if the seem is a factor, that it is only because of the different position of the new shifter and may not matter to the stock shifter at all.
Again, all speculation on my part. Hope it leads to something.
Maybe someone with a stock shifter who never removed the green fuzz before, can check and see which way the seem is facing? Don't break the clip!!! Actually we'd need a couple people to do it to make sure they are all positioned the same. Although, it's probably more likely that if the seem is a factor, that it is only because of the different position of the new shifter and may not matter to the stock shifter at all.
Again, all speculation on my part. Hope it leads to something.
Speaking of the clip I found a good way to lift the console piece without prying on a corner or reaching into a little hole to pop a clip.
The easiest way is to slowly pull up on the shift boot till it pulls the console up.
It should "pop" up without a problem.
The easiest way is to slowly pull up on the shift boot till it pulls the console up.
It should "pop" up without a problem.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Yep... pull straight up from the rim of the boot and you won't have any problems with the clips.
I didn't have time to read this entire thread, but I am wondering if anyone has compared this model to the Axial Flow shifter in terms of function? I know that my shifter is a bit 'chunkier' feeling compared to stock, but the throw and accuracy of it is wonderful.
I do like the Axial Flow.
I didn't have time to read this entire thread, but I am wondering if anyone has compared this model to the Axial Flow shifter in terms of function? I know that my shifter is a bit 'chunkier' feeling compared to stock, but the throw and accuracy of it is wonderful.
I do like the Axial Flow.
Purveyor of fine bass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 2
From: Worcester, MA
Originally Posted by Lumberg
but I am wondering if anyone has compared this model to the Axial Flow shifter in terms of function? I know that my shifter is a bit 'chunkier' feeling compared to stock, but the throw and accuracy of it is wonderful.
I do like the Axial Flow.
I do like the Axial Flow.
Originally Posted by Lumberg
Yep... pull straight up from the rim of the boot and you won't have any problems with the clips.
I didn't have time to read this entire thread, but I am wondering if anyone has compared this model to the Axial Flow shifter in terms of function? I know that my shifter is a bit 'chunkier' feeling compared to stock, but the throw and accuracy of it is wonderful.
I do like the Axial Flow.
I didn't have time to read this entire thread, but I am wondering if anyone has compared this model to the Axial Flow shifter in terms of function? I know that my shifter is a bit 'chunkier' feeling compared to stock, but the throw and accuracy of it is wonderful.
I do like the Axial Flow.
Richard Paul short shifter = Axial Flow short shifter
Pulling up on the boot gives a more consistant spread out pressure compared to pulling up on one side or both sides of the rim around the boot. The boot is very secure so there shouldn't be any worries about pulling the boot from the console.
II SOCIETY
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,077
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From: The Bay Area
I've a question on the AF/RP shifter:
Why is it recommended to remove the "green fuzzy" stuff from inside the boot? Does this not dampen sound and provide a nice shape for the boot? What's the purpose of removing it?
Thanks.
Why is it recommended to remove the "green fuzzy" stuff from inside the boot? Does this not dampen sound and provide a nice shape for the boot? What's the purpose of removing it?
Thanks.
Originally Posted by Phantom Menace
I've a question on the AF/RP shifter:
Why is it recommended to remove the "green fuzzy" stuff from inside the boot? Does this not dampen sound and provide a nice shape for the boot? What's the purpose of removing it?
Thanks.
Why is it recommended to remove the "green fuzzy" stuff from inside the boot? Does this not dampen sound and provide a nice shape for the boot? What's the purpose of removing it?
Thanks.
Doesn't dampen much noise.
The biggest problem came when people tightened the **** down on it which gave more noise.
Pulling the green fuzz is a suggestion not a requirement. Many have kept it but most find it is less noisy without it.
Depends on the car.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
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From: Madison, WI
I have a guestion, my wife bought me the short shifter for the RX-8 but it does not look like the picture. Instead of having a large black lower bushing it has a small yellow one, just want to make sure I got the right one.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Madison, WI
Originally Posted by ucleadguitar
Yea you have the right one...they have 2 versions of the bushing...they yellow Bushing is the newer Kevlar made one so your all set! Enjoy it!
Last edited by devildog1679; Dec 25, 2006 at 10:06 PM.
Originally Posted by devildog1679
OK, thanks. Can't wait to put it in. Just to make sure I need to grease both places where it rotates correct? Which grease other than white lithium do you recomend? I also see that white lithium comes in both spray and conventional grease form. Which one to use?
beers
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
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From: Madison, WI
Well I just put in the short shifter and before I say how happy I am with it I want to bitch out Mazda. It turns out that instead of having 4 nuts to secure the upper boot I only had 2, YES TWO . 
They were –placed diagonal from each other, talk about cutting corners. Well enough of that, the shifter went in great and the shifting is incredible, need to adjust going from 4th to 5th though. There is more but I’m not sure if it’s worth taking the whole thing apart again to try to fix it. It’s not that bad, I kind of like it. All in all great product.
They were –placed diagonal from each other, talk about cutting corners. Well enough of that, the shifter went in great and the shifting is incredible, need to adjust going from 4th to 5th though. There is more but I’m not sure if it’s worth taking the whole thing apart again to try to fix it. It’s not that bad, I kind of like it. All in all great product.
