DIY: RP (AFE) Short Shifter install.
08-15-2009, 04:54 AM
#255
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No one else has grinding with this shifter? I can't do a fast 1-2 shift, because if I do, it feels and sounds like I'm destroying the synchros on my 14k mile car...
I can wiggle the **** around without moving the bottom of the shifter, which seems loose and incorrect.. Do I have a faulty shifter or am I just not placing my 2nd gear shifts correctly? The other gears feel pretty good, but definitely not "Rifle Bolt"
I can wiggle the **** around without moving the bottom of the shifter, which seems loose and incorrect.. Do I have a faulty shifter or am I just not placing my 2nd gear shifts correctly? The other gears feel pretty good, but definitely not "Rifle Bolt"
08-15-2009, 01:16 PM
#258
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@Hymee: I have no idea, what should I look for? I'll pass on the dog box - whirring gears aren't what I'm looking for, even if ANYTHING sounds better with straight cuts...
@Richard: No, the previous owner installed it at an unknown time. Can't have been too long ago since the car's an '07, but I couldn't say when, or how he treated the tranny or shifter... If I remove it, anything I should look for?
@Richard: No, the previous owner installed it at an unknown time. Can't have been too long ago since the car's an '07, but I couldn't say when, or how he treated the tranny or shifter... If I remove it, anything I should look for?
08-19-2009, 10:22 PM
#260
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Lower Bushing Wear?
Anyway, Richard, I'm not entirely sure how the bottom bushing should originally look, but it looks worn to me. I can't tell from your website's or Gomez' pictures if the metal in the bushing (black in those pictures, but mine is/was white?) should be more recessed (like on the stock shifter), or if it is indeed nearer to the tip. Attached is a picture of my RP shifter, just removed at 14.4k miles, and the stock shifter, which was replaced at an unknown time by the previous owner.
I haven't yet driven the car with the stock shifter, but I'll post how that goes later.
08-19-2009, 10:56 PM
#262
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It probably is the synchro, so I'll be taking the car to the dealer tomorrow anyway in an attempt to put the warranty to work. Just didn't want to take it in with an aftermarket piece they might try to blame it on. Assuming they fix it, will be great to have the short shifts back with new bushing. Just sitting in the car, rowing through gears feels sooooo far with the stock piece in!
08-20-2009, 04:30 AM
#263
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Well, it wasn't the shifter...
I just got back from driving the car with the stock shifter installed, and noticed some weird things.
At first, it seemed that my problems were solved because I was able to shift smoothly past 7k rpm, and did this multiple times.
The next few attempts resulted in a slight vibration while shiting to 2nd, but no grinding.
Finally, the final times, the grinding had returned. Whether shifting slowly past 7k rpm, or pulling quickly, with clutch fully engaged either way, it grinds. I don't know why it took a while to start acting up, but at least I know it wasn't the shifter... To the dealer I go.....
All I want to know now is how someone mangles a synchro in under 12k miles, even after switching to synthetic tranny oil....
At first, it seemed that my problems were solved because I was able to shift smoothly past 7k rpm, and did this multiple times.
The next few attempts resulted in a slight vibration while shiting to 2nd, but no grinding.
Finally, the final times, the grinding had returned. Whether shifting slowly past 7k rpm, or pulling quickly, with clutch fully engaged either way, it grinds. I don't know why it took a while to start acting up, but at least I know it wasn't the shifter... To the dealer I go.....
All I want to know now is how someone mangles a synchro in under 12k miles, even after switching to synthetic tranny oil....
08-20-2009, 06:09 AM
#264
Glad you ID'd the culprit and my money was on the syncho's. The previous owner must have really manhandled the shifter. There is an aftermarket part to preclude 'over shifting' and thereby help protect the syncho's, but I doubt you'll need it once you get the tranny sorted under warranty.
http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-18...cessories.aspx (see Syncro Saver Kit)
http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-18...cessories.aspx (see Syncro Saver Kit)
I just got back from driving the car with the stock shifter installed, and noticed some weird things.
At first, it seemed that my problems were solved because I was able to shift smoothly past 7k rpm, and did this multiple times.
The next few attempts resulted in a slight vibration while shiting to 2nd, but no grinding.
Finally, the final times, the grinding had returned. Whether shifting slowly past 7k rpm, or pulling quickly, with clutch fully engaged either way, it grinds. I don't know why it took a while to start acting up, but at least I know it wasn't the shifter... To the dealer I go.....
All I want to know now is how someone mangles a synchro in under 12k miles, even after switching to synthetic tranny oil....
At first, it seemed that my problems were solved because I was able to shift smoothly past 7k rpm, and did this multiple times.
The next few attempts resulted in a slight vibration while shiting to 2nd, but no grinding.
Finally, the final times, the grinding had returned. Whether shifting slowly past 7k rpm, or pulling quickly, with clutch fully engaged either way, it grinds. I don't know why it took a while to start acting up, but at least I know it wasn't the shifter... To the dealer I go.....
All I want to know now is how someone mangles a synchro in under 12k miles, even after switching to synthetic tranny oil....
08-25-2009, 09:46 PM
#265
Shifty Bastard.
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My RX-8 was always "notchy" on the first-to-second shift.
Changing to Redline didn't help either. It's a characteristic of the box, mine was like it from new.
My 2001 RX-7 is the same.
Changing to Redline didn't help either. It's a characteristic of the box, mine was like it from new.
My 2001 RX-7 is the same.
10-02-2009, 06:36 PM
#269
Just to let you know for the noise subject...
I pretty much tested all suggestions to reduce noise today... Pretty much removing the green felt did nothing for the noise in my case, but loosening the shift **** did... Although it still makes noise, not as much when I had it tightened down a lot.
Oh, and the boot ring is snug on the white part of the shifter, it's isn't moving or rattling on anything.
I pretty much tested all suggestions to reduce noise today... Pretty much removing the green felt did nothing for the noise in my case, but loosening the shift **** did... Although it still makes noise, not as much when I had it tightened down a lot.
Oh, and the boot ring is snug on the white part of the shifter, it's isn't moving or rattling on anything.
Last edited by Munchy; 10-02-2009 at 06:43 PM.
10-14-2009, 06:19 PM
#270
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Update!!
In case anyone was wondering this will not work on your 09. The transmission was change slightly and as such looks like Mazda changed the shifter. I'll have pics up tomorrow when I have a USB cable for my camera.
RP, any plans to make one work for the 09? I bet every new 09 owner on here would like a new shifter since they get such great reviews and is generally referred to as the best mod.
I'll have one for sale here soon, assuming the guy I bought it off doesn't mind since I can't re-use it.
In case anyone was wondering this will not work on your 09. The transmission was change slightly and as such looks like Mazda changed the shifter. I'll have pics up tomorrow when I have a USB cable for my camera.
RP, any plans to make one work for the 09? I bet every new 09 owner on here would like a new shifter since they get such great reviews and is generally referred to as the best mod.
I'll have one for sale here soon, assuming the guy I bought it off doesn't mind since I can't re-use it.
10-14-2009, 08:47 PM
#271
Update!!
In case anyone was wondering this will not work on your 09. The transmission was change slightly and as such looks like Mazda changed the shifter. I'll have pics up tomorrow when I have a USB cable for my camera.
RP, any plans to make one work for the 09? I bet every new 09 owner on here would like a new shifter since they get such great reviews and is generally referred to as the best mod.
I'll have one for sale here soon, assuming the guy I bought it off doesn't mind since I can't re-use it.
In case anyone was wondering this will not work on your 09. The transmission was change slightly and as such looks like Mazda changed the shifter. I'll have pics up tomorrow when I have a USB cable for my camera.
RP, any plans to make one work for the 09? I bet every new 09 owner on here would like a new shifter since they get such great reviews and is generally referred to as the best mod.
I'll have one for sale here soon, assuming the guy I bought it off doesn't mind since I can't re-use it.
you didn't know they changed the transmissions on the 09's?
of course it wouldn't work....should have done some research.
not really a big deal though I guess, you will sell that shifter in no time!
10-14-2009, 08:59 PM
#272
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I knew they changed the transmission but never found exactly what they did. Like I said, worth a shot that the shifter didn't change. I know the ratios changed but not sure what else.
11-15-2009, 02:55 PM
#273
Huge hole is huge
Having a bit of an issue installing mine.
It's not completely put back together, just mostly....but I can't seem to go "DOWN" to get into reverse...? Anybody have any idea on that?
It's not completely put back together, just mostly....but I can't seem to go "DOWN" to get into reverse...? Anybody have any idea on that?
11-15-2009, 03:59 PM
#275
Huge hole is huge
no, after I screw in the reverse lockout plate, the shifter cannot go down 1 mm. It's stuck there. It's as if there should be something there to prevent it from getting screwed down so far...but I dunno...