RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)
03-12-2005, 09:49 PM
#176
Shifty Bastard.
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Oops, the bride has knocked off the camera and taken it, the V8, and the kids to her mothers for the weekend. The bad news is that her mother is 100 miles away...
All good things will come to those who wait a little longer..... :o
Richard, I know my shifter doesn't do what Dosdog's does, I paid particular attention to my sixth and reverse gear shifter position yesterday.
Dosdog, did you get your camera?
All good things will come to those who wait a little longer..... :o
Richard, I know my shifter doesn't do what Dosdog's does, I paid particular attention to my sixth and reverse gear shifter position yesterday.
Dosdog, did you get your camera?
03-12-2005, 10:30 PM
#177
Gomez, just enjoy your single guy weekend while you can. Forget the stupid shifter, have some fun. Maybe go up to Hymee's Rum Factory. 
Dosdog get me a picture, I want to see what is going on there. On the two we did here that didn't happen. But then again non of the other stuff did either.
Dosdog get me a picture, I want to see what is going on there. On the two we did here that didn't happen. But then again non of the other stuff did either.
03-12-2005, 11:17 PM
#178
Recovered Modaholic
Thread Starter
Here are pics of 5th and Reverse.
The reverse rattle occurs when the shifter raises even with the plate and vibrates hard against it. If you hold down the shifter and keep it under the plate there is no significant noise.
The reverse rattle occurs when the shifter raises even with the plate and vibrates hard against it. If you hold down the shifter and keep it under the plate there is no significant noise.
Last edited by TheDosDog; 03-12-2005 at 11:32 PM.
03-12-2005, 11:57 PM
#182
Dos Dog, I want to see that shifter. I'll send you another one on Monday and you swap them out and send back the old one. It is possable that we could have a short tab somehow. I can't see how because it is set by the lathe operation. Like I once said those machines are doing stuff at night when no one is watching them. They are planing things against us. They must be stopped before they take over, see how easy it is for them to do things all by themselves to cause me trouble. Then while I'm distracted they modify themselves. Think about it they can make anything they want, guns even.
Soon they will be dispensing little droids at night. The droids will go hide until there are enough of them. I should give this to my son who works for Lucas on Star Wars Movies. He makes the droids and the dispenser.
Soon they will be dispensing little droids at night. The droids will go hide until there are enough of them. I should give this to my son who works for Lucas on Star Wars Movies. He makes the droids and the dispenser.
03-13-2005, 12:30 AM
#184
You can't get into 5th unless the tab hits the stopper on the right because of that plate held down by 3screws.
The reason you have to push down to go into reverse is so you can go below the stopper, get it?
Edit:Sorry Dos read ur post wrong, well incase anyone else wondered ^
The reason you have to push down to go into reverse is so you can go below the stopper, get it?
Edit:Sorry Dos read ur post wrong, well incase anyone else wondered ^
Last edited by PoLaK; 03-13-2005 at 12:36 AM.
03-13-2005, 12:51 AM
#185
Polak his tab is not reaching the plate. Which in itself isn't the end of the world. But if it is so short that it allows it to come back up then something is not right. We have yet to see the end of this tolorence thing. Looks like 90% plus fall into what we desgined for. Then there are a few wild ones. Only time will tell how many. So far only two maybe three out of 80+ sold. That's better then 95%.
If many show up I will design a dowel kit to adjust the plate on those that show up outside the box.
I'm just wondering if Dos Dogs isn't something that happened here. Stuff happens all the time. Once in awhile I'll find a part stuck between a machine and a toolbox. Someone scraped it and didn't want to say. I don't know why, I'd just as soon see it in the trash then shipped, they know that in the shop. Yet you never know when a guy gets freaked it might be his third one that day. Even I have limits.
So we will look at this one and see if a replacment unit fixes it. We are not like car dealers, sometimes it can be our fault. We don't try and blame it on the consumer.
I'm not going to tell you if you put a Hymee Supercharger on your car that your shifter isn't covered anymore.
But that is athought.
If many show up I will design a dowel kit to adjust the plate on those that show up outside the box.
I'm just wondering if Dos Dogs isn't something that happened here. Stuff happens all the time. Once in awhile I'll find a part stuck between a machine and a toolbox. Someone scraped it and didn't want to say. I don't know why, I'd just as soon see it in the trash then shipped, they know that in the shop. Yet you never know when a guy gets freaked it might be his third one that day. Even I have limits.
So we will look at this one and see if a replacment unit fixes it. We are not like car dealers, sometimes it can be our fault. We don't try and blame it on the consumer.
I'm not going to tell you if you put a Hymee Supercharger on your car that your shifter isn't covered anymore.
But that is athought.
03-13-2005, 12:59 AM
#186
Where are you anyway Polak we are supposed to get my website running. And my E mail address. Everyone knows I can't come to grips with the computer so go ahead rub it in. 
They just didn't have this stuff when I was growing up.
Ahh yes, but can you work a sliderule? Do you even know what one is?
I have two, a pocket double log and a standard desk size.
They just didn't have this stuff when I was growing up.Ahh yes, but can you work a sliderule? Do you even know what one is?
I have two, a pocket double log and a standard desk size.
03-13-2005, 01:01 AM
#187
Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren
Originally Posted by Richard Paul
Where are you anyway Polak we are supposed to get my website running. And my E mail address. Everyone knows I can't come to grips with the computer so go ahead rub it in. They just didn't have this stuff when I was growing up.
Ahh yes, but can you work a sliderule? Do you even know what one is?
I have two, a pocket double log and a standard desk size.
They just didn't have this stuff when I was growing up.Ahh yes, but can you work a sliderule? Do you even know what one is?
I have two, a pocket double log and a standard desk size.
03-13-2005, 03:59 PM
#188
"RX-8 my stress reliever"
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Since I'm having a difficult time getting into sixth I'm watching this thread closely. With the shifter in neutral it will move 11/16" to the left, 7/16" to the right. From fourth gear the distance is 7/16" to second gear and 5/16" to sixth.
I figure I need to file a bit off the tab myself. When I remove it to file I'll check the OEM shifter for movement. Maybe you already know, should the movement be equal left to right of neutral?
Mel
I should mention that I like the shifter very much, overall performance is great, shifts one through five are great, just take more effort to get it into sixth which will hang occasionally and require going back to neutral to try again.
I figure I need to file a bit off the tab myself. When I remove it to file I'll check the OEM shifter for movement. Maybe you already know, should the movement be equal left to right of neutral?
Mel
I should mention that I like the shifter very much, overall performance is great, shifts one through five are great, just take more effort to get it into sixth which will hang occasionally and require going back to neutral to try again.
Last edited by MELRX8; 03-13-2005 at 04:06 PM. Reason: Clarification
03-13-2005, 04:16 PM
#190
Originally Posted by MELRX8
Since I'm having a difficult time getting into sixth I'm watching this thread closely. With the shifter in neutral it will move 11/16" to the left, 7/16" to the right. From fourth gear the distance is 7/16" to second gear and 5/16" to sixth.
I figure I need to file a bit off the tab myself. When I remove it to file I'll check the OEM shifter for movement. Maybe you already know, should the movement be equal left to right of neutral?
Mel
I should mention that I like the shifter very much, overall performance is great, shifts one through five are great, just take more effort to get it into sixth which will hang occasionally and require going back to neutral to try again.
I figure I need to file a bit off the tab myself. When I remove it to file I'll check the OEM shifter for movement. Maybe you already know, should the movement be equal left to right of neutral?
Mel
I should mention that I like the shifter very much, overall performance is great, shifts one through five are great, just take more effort to get it into sixth which will hang occasionally and require going back to neutral to try again.
Richard do you have a paypal account?
Jeff need to speek with you on AIM again.
03-13-2005, 05:24 PM
#191
That's what we have been kicking around, you can't move the plate due to the dowels. If this keeps up I'm going to develop a dowel kit. Or I might start taking a little off the tab at the factory. Trouble with that is the guys who are in the middle of the tolorence will loose the rub against the wall thing.
Starting tomorrow I'm going to polish .010 off the tab on outgoing shifters. That can't hurt the cars on the other end. What we are tring to do is get to the center of the tolorence.
Starting tomorrow I'm going to polish .010 off the tab on outgoing shifters. That can't hurt the cars on the other end. What we are tring to do is get to the center of the tolorence.
03-13-2005, 06:05 PM
#192
Riot Controller
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i think ill just stick some chewed bubble gum on my tab, once it hardens up it ought to line me right up with 5 and 6
really though, since we can't move the plate is there anything for people in my situation? or am I the only one?
really though, since we can't move the plate is there anything for people in my situation? or am I the only one?
03-13-2005, 07:13 PM
#193
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Dannobre, maybe you can elaborate a bit more on how you filed your tab. It seems those of use with too little travel have a quick fix.
Those with too much travel, causing reverse to pop out, not being able to ride the wall etc., might not have a good fix unless they get an elongated tab.
Those with too much travel, causing reverse to pop out, not being able to ride the wall etc., might not have a good fix unless they get an elongated tab.
03-13-2005, 07:32 PM
#194
Originally Posted by epitrochoid
i think ill just stick some chewed bubble gum on my tab, once it hardens up it ought to line me right up with 5 and 6
really though, since we can't move the plate is there anything for people in my situation? or am I the only one?
really though, since we can't move the plate is there anything for people in my situation? or am I the only one?
OK I'm going to make a kit for guys who need to move the plate. It will just be a pair of 6-32 button head allen screws, a drill and a tap. Also I will include 3 new screws for the hold down plate as they will have to go allen in order to clear the new button heads.
The idea is to put the plate where you want it in 6th gear. Then drill and tap the holes where the pins used to be. Because you removed them before lining it up.
The holes will be misaligned but the three bolts keep them from moving while you drill.
03-13-2005, 07:46 PM
#195
Put it in a vice with soft jaws...filed it a bit...tried it in...better, but not quite enough...returned to vice...few more swipes..polish with a fine file...perfect
Didn't measure it with a caliper..before and after...couldn't have been much.
Could have trimmed the plate as well....much cheaper to replace if you F**K up :D
Didn't measure it with a caliper..before and after...couldn't have been much.
Could have trimmed the plate as well....much cheaper to replace if you F**K up :D
03-13-2005, 08:21 PM
#196
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Well I figured I'd post this here since this seems to be the active RP shifter thread, even though the topic seems to have drifted slightly. Just installed the RP shifter tonight. While they're refresh, I thought I'd share my impressions in case anyone is considering one.
The good:
-very easy to install. You need one 10mm socket, preferrably one with a bit of depth. You need to take out the center console, the ash-tray, the shift boot plate (4 bolts) and the lockout plate (3 bolts).
-shifts are very short, shorter than a Miata transmission. Outstanding feel, very tight, snick-snick type throws.
-at least on my car, there is no noise from the shifter in reverse.
-again, on my car, the 5-6 shift is very smooth and direct and I can 'ride the wall' to make the shift without any issues.
-the lockout plate and tab work fine, and reverse actually feels easier to get into than stock.
The bad:
-the shifter transmits significant noise into the cabin. Personally, this doesn't bother me, but it might to some people. You can hear the syncros and also a bit of road noise. Its not overly loud, but definetly noticable. That seems to be the only negative I can find so far. Aside from that, I don't understand why Mazda didn't put a shifter like this on the car to begin with.
So overall I am very happy. Richard Paul makes a great product and his shipping and response times are outstanding. The only suggestion I have is perhaps he could print up a small little diagram or instructions on installation. Yes, it was incredibly easy to do, but I had to look on this forum to find out what it entailed. If I had known it was this easy, I wouldn't have hesitated at all about buying one.
The good:
-very easy to install. You need one 10mm socket, preferrably one with a bit of depth. You need to take out the center console, the ash-tray, the shift boot plate (4 bolts) and the lockout plate (3 bolts).
-shifts are very short, shorter than a Miata transmission. Outstanding feel, very tight, snick-snick type throws.
-at least on my car, there is no noise from the shifter in reverse.
-again, on my car, the 5-6 shift is very smooth and direct and I can 'ride the wall' to make the shift without any issues.
-the lockout plate and tab work fine, and reverse actually feels easier to get into than stock.
The bad:
-the shifter transmits significant noise into the cabin. Personally, this doesn't bother me, but it might to some people. You can hear the syncros and also a bit of road noise. Its not overly loud, but definetly noticable. That seems to be the only negative I can find so far. Aside from that, I don't understand why Mazda didn't put a shifter like this on the car to begin with.
So overall I am very happy. Richard Paul makes a great product and his shipping and response times are outstanding. The only suggestion I have is perhaps he could print up a small little diagram or instructions on installation. Yes, it was incredibly easy to do, but I had to look on this forum to find out what it entailed. If I had known it was this easy, I wouldn't have hesitated at all about buying one.
03-14-2005, 05:55 AM
#197
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Originally Posted by tuj
....The only suggestion I have is perhaps he could print up a small little diagram or instructions on installation. Yes, it was incredibly easy to do, but I had to look on this forum to find out what it entailed. .......
DIY: RP (AFE) Short Shifter install
03-14-2005, 06:29 AM
#199
No, but the radius makes it easier to file down. Today i'm going to try to polish .010 off of a couple and see what that does. Like i said the dowel kit isn't that hard but i would like to solve it another way. I just counted and we have shipped 72 units and the problems seem to be with about five at the worst.
If a little trim helps then the problem is over except for the one that is too short. One out of 72 wouldn't be bad design considering the tolorences. I think that one unit is a abnormality and will not repeat again. We shall know when I send him another shifter.
If a little trim helps then the problem is over except for the one that is too short. One out of 72 wouldn't be bad design considering the tolorences. I think that one unit is a abnormality and will not repeat again. We shall know when I send him another shifter.
03-14-2005, 08:29 AM
#200
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I mentioned in Gomez' DIY thread that I had installed the shifter -- thought I'd mention it here too since this is where all the (current) discussion is. In simple words, I LOVE IT!! Way to go Richard, and thanks again Gomez for the super-excellent DIY.
I haven't had any issue with the 5-6 shift at all. Guess my car is closer to the middle of the tolerance. The shifter was pretty noisy initially, kind of a "hydraulic pump cavitating" sound when shifting, if that makes any sense. That completely went away after driving it about 10 miles and doing some full-pattern shifts. Now it's just as quiet as the stock shifter. If anyone installs one, don't be too worried with the noise when you first fire up the car for a test drive. If it's anything like mine, it'll go away. May just need some time to get the tranny oil up into the works.
Beyond that, the shifter is awesome. Positive and better feel, much shorter throws, and more precise feeling. No way I could ever go back to the stock shifter. Anyone with a manual tranny ought to seriously consider getting one.
Best,
Bill
I haven't had any issue with the 5-6 shift at all. Guess my car is closer to the middle of the tolerance. The shifter was pretty noisy initially, kind of a "hydraulic pump cavitating" sound when shifting, if that makes any sense. That completely went away after driving it about 10 miles and doing some full-pattern shifts. Now it's just as quiet as the stock shifter. If anyone installs one, don't be too worried with the noise when you first fire up the car for a test drive. If it's anything like mine, it'll go away. May just need some time to get the tranny oil up into the works.
Beyond that, the shifter is awesome. Positive and better feel, much shorter throws, and more precise feeling. No way I could ever go back to the stock shifter. Anyone with a manual tranny ought to seriously consider getting one.
Best,
Bill