Once the rear two clips are released, the method of removing the other four is somewhat moot. They come off fairly easy if you take care. Pulling up on the boot while applying upwards pressure to the just released rear edge of the console top works fine. The bastard is that right rear clip. It's different to the other five, and more fragile. You must follow the directions I posted on the photo, or it will break for sure.

With regards to the harness clips, you can see what you're doing and that makes it a heap easier. It's only 'cos you're impatient to get the shifter in that you feel frustrated about them!!!

Gomez.

I get a warm and fuzzy feeling when someone benefits from a thread of mine. I've learnt a lot here in the past, it's nice to give something back.

Thanks Kyle!!

Steve, theres definetely a place for you in RX8 heaven ;)

cheers
michael

Gomez: I see from the picture w/the 2 shifters beside each other that the stock one has a slight angle to it and the aftermarket one is perfectly straight. My question is do you noticed a difference in the shift pattern due to this or notice the shifter is in a different position (eg. neutral position). If so, does it may a big difference?

Yeah, what he said...but also...what is the benifit of replaceing the shifter?

Will it feel more silky?
Will it cut down on the travel needed to change gears? (hence might take a tiny bit off times)

Let me know, thanks for the DIY!

When Richard first indicated he was removing the kink in the shifter, I had a feeling I wanted it to stay as per factory. The kink is in-built by Mazda to position the shift knob vertically when neutral is selected. It's purely a cosmetic thing, however the end result is the knob is displaced about a half inch to the right. As I drive a RHD car, the knob is half an inch closer to me when I reach for the shifter with the original shifter installed.

Richard's shifter is now a little further away from me, but I have noticed no difference at all. Therefore, I don't think you LHD guys will pick the difference either. I notice no difference in the shift pattern, and no-one else who's fitted one has reported doing so.

Cheers,
Gomez.

I really should be getting a cheque (check) from Richard every month ;)

Check out my thoughts on this thread , starting at post 330.....silky is not a word I would use. Silky is feminine, this shifter is definitely a boys thing.

The DosDog has a first impressions thread, read that one too. We're all happy campers.... :)

Damn it, Gomez I told the accountant to send those checks to you each month on the first. Are you telling me you're not getting them?? I'm gonna give that guy a good boot in the butt.

gomez,

thanks for the work, i would have broke that tab for sure. i ended up using a covered screwdriver between the silver part and the consol to get it free.

the trick i used for the wire looms was jewlers screwdriver on one side neddle nose pliars on the other.

btw, the shifter rocks.

beers

Thanks swoope. I would have used needle nose pliers, but I'd left mine at work! Two jewellers screwdrivers would work fine too....and yes, the shifter does rock :) .

Just installed mine...
 

Received my shifter on Thursday, and just got through installing it. Thanks, Gomez, for this excellent DIY. Was a major help, and armed with this info, it took me all of 45 minutes to install it, including the time to find the right sockets.

Have only done a short test drive at this point, but man oh man, I love it! Much more precise through the gates, and slicker feeling than the stock shifter. I've put about $2k worth of stuff on this car since I bought it, and this shifter is the best money spent yet (IMO). For any of you with MT's, this is a strongly recommended upgrade. Very easy to install, and the improved shifting is totally worth the (low) cost that Richard is charging.

Best,
Bill

No doubt Rotario! No matter how much I end up doing to this car, Richards Shifter will be one of the best, if not THE best mod I can make. Quick, easy, cheap, and makes a HUGE difference. Gotta love it.

Added some info to the first post. If anyone wants a pic of something I haven't covered, just ask!

I found this DIY thread useless :o

Coz I have the man install it for me ;)

Thanks Mez. Hope you enjoy Jim and Coke tonight :D

Not tonight, Josephine.....5am start tomorrow!

Mine came in today, install was a snap.
I have removed the panel around the shifter and ashtray before,
(Aux input by PIE, lighted shift knob, XM sat radio, ext.)
Boy does this mod work well!
Shifts are precise, short (duhh)
I hardly recommend this shifter!
Best mod so far!

I just finished installing mine. It's been sitting in my office for a few weeks waiting for the car to get back home from the audio shop. Install was a breeze, though getting the main shift boot off was tougher for me than it probably was for most, due to the absolute maze of electronic wiring I have going through that area now. Thanks for the great DIY, Gomez.

Thanks for the DIY Gomez, worked a treat and love the precise and short shifts!

P.s. As mentioned, needle-nosed pliers made removing the wiring harness clips on the nuts a breeze.

P.s.s. I spent the first half an hour attempting to unclip the wrong clip under the shifter cover... There's a big one and then a smaller one closer to the handbrake, it's the small one guys :)

No worries, mate! Glad you figured it out in the end.... :)

Gomez,

A really good DIY. I reckon it will go down in RX-8 forum folk history as a classic, one of the best.

I have a slight modification, if I may, to one of your steps. I cringe at using a screw driver to remove anything plastic. That small cover in the first step - I found I could remove it by poking it out (towards the rear of the car) with my finger, accessibly via the handbrake slot in the console.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Thanks for the boost :) . I added your tip to the first post a few weeks back. The edit of that post a few days ago was me trying to rename the thread. You can see what I wanted to rename it at the top of the first post.

Gomez.

I realized something about a week ago, renaming the thread reminded me. Now I'm very greatfull to Gomez for his support and this diy. BUT he is the one who named it the RP shifter. There are parts being marketed by Rotary Performance who use the name RP. Therefore I think it is not fair to them or myself to start confusion by using the same name.
So from now on where possable lets use my full name or Axialflow Engineering. Both long I know but I'm stuck with them.

YoumentwellGomezyoushiftybastard

RP -- a little marketing advice -- neither of those names will ever stick :(

Better take the bull by the reins and come up with something good before someone else comes up with another acronym that is also already "taken" (ex. AFE would be good BUT it is already taken by AFE filter).

p.s. -- my shifter is going to be installed today :D

Gomez' fitting instructions, now on one document (sort of, had to split it to put it on here), in PDF format.


Cheers,

Fabrice

And page 4 :