Is it just me
 

Is it just me or is the gear shift linkage a bit sloppy in the RX8. I have been trying to improve my downshifting and keep missing gears when downshifting. For example might be trying to 5th to 4th downshift and end up in second or hitting the gate and not getting into any gear.

Is there a way to tighten up the shifter? Would I be better going for a short shifter setup?

By the way this is a stock 2004 GT shifter with 67000 miles on it.

It's you, the RX-8 has one of the best shifters in the biz. AFE does make a bad ass short shifter but it's $275.00 and personally I have never seen the need but I will probably end up with it when I run out of mods :)

Also, do a search for shift collar.

Follow this link.
http://axialflow.com/products.htm
Scroll down to the shifter for RX-8
Pay
wait
install
Be happy

Edit:
Get a Voodoo knob!

yeah the afe ss with a nice weighted knob of your choice is almost as good as holding your d*** in your hands

Normally people have trouble with the 1-2 shift, and break or bend the fork. There is a new part number for that also if you ever boink it up. Are you rev matching enough on your downshifts? I have 90K on mine, and it is smooth.

Yeah I was wondering why my gear shifting was so precised and felt good, took my shifter apart and found the axialflow short shifter already on my car. It really is a good shifter.

On a sidenote how big is the voodoo knob really? Looks a little too big. I wish it had the shift pattern carved into the top.

yeah I have 116,000+ (knocks on wood) on my tranny and it shifts great despite the abuse I have thrown its way. I have always flushed as scheduled using mazda fluid only. My original clutch was still working at 96,000 but due to the engine replacement I installed a fresh clutch. I guess I have never been interested in the AFE much since the Voo Doo knob was one of my first mods and I fell in love with the shorter throw that provided.

linkage? there aint no linkage, it aint no front wheel drive son:wiggle: the shifter is directly connected to the tranny

http://images-stg.mazdausa.com/MusaW...erformance.jpg

I've driven some really amazing cars and, in all honesty, the RX8 has one of the best feeling shifters I've experienced. That's a large part of the reason I'm still driving this car. You may either have to adjust your shifting style, work on rev matching, or get your tranny checked. There may be something wrong with your tranny.

Exactly...no linkage. You may have a shift fork bent. That would seem to be the most logical issue. If your shift rod was bent, I would think you'd be grinding since the clearance inside the tranny is so tight.

this picture is now my desktop background lol.

Geez...this one always gets me...IMO it is just a money maker..

Yes, it makes the 'Stick' part Shorter in LENGTH...a Little..., BUT, it can not make the gear gate any shorter, smoother or faster....it is impossible.

You can has that! knobmeister or something like that
The Voodoo knob is a nice handful

actually it makes the throws shorter by making changes to the geometry and it has better feel because it does away with the rubber isoLATER

Yeah right...the movement/distance to change the gear sleeve, gears and forks inside the box can not change...it is impossible...it is the perception that changes, because the stick is slightly shorter than OEM...that is ALL.

The shorter the stick, the throw appears shorter, just like 'if' you add say another 6 inches to the existing stick , then the shift is longer at the hand, But the actual pivot movement remains unchanged..

As I said it is a great money maker..

Each to their own...I like the OEM as it is..

the angle of the shaft and the pivot is changed along with the overall length to actually change the length of movement of your hand needed to change gears.

with apologies to Mr. Paul for not getting the images of his

take a look at this diagram from B&M

http://www.autoaccessorystore.com/products/654_b.jpg

Thats right Charlie...Exactly what I said, but it can not change what happens inside the BOX....it does not change the Selectors in the box..it can't.

Yes, and as I said, the LONGER the Gear Stick (the Chrome bit with the Knob on top), the Longer the movement in your hand.;)...that is ALL it does....simple physics...

And yes, I know you have an AFE SS..:)

ok so we arent argueing :) the correct name for the item is SHORT THROW SHIFTER because it changes the length of the hand throw, which changes the amount of time needed to make a shift. but its not just the length of the stick also the cup/pivot and angle of the shaft.

actually i sold mine:) my car is one of the outliers that the AFE doesnt quite work well with because of factory variations. when installed 1-4 were fantastic but 5 and 6 weren't against the "wall" on the side so I was constantly having problems finding them and couldnt learn it. i probably could have ovalized the locating pin holes to slide the tower over slightly or something but i switched back to stock.

it was kind of fun getting it through screening at the airports when i took it with me to 7stock to sell it :D:

I've heard people state the short shifters are just "chopped"... meaning the threaded shaft it cut to make it shorter... not true
Its more like changing the angle the shifter travels by moving the shaft's fulcrum so that the "lower section" (under the fulcrum) is longer, which in turns, lessens the throw needed up top.

OOPS... I see Zoom posted a graphic above illustrating what I just said...

Ok...here is one for you...slighly Off topic but about Boxes..;)

Series 2 like (Similar) to NC MX-5...

Now have you seen the Vid Charlie where the guys preparing all those MX-5 for the Track Events in Europe, they take the new Box out and replace something.

Now to me it is a selector Bush, they put in a Brass one which is possibly locally made..

Do you know any info Charlie???

Do you want the YT Vid..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OrC3tNnDGk

At 1.41sec

Now I know there are 3 of these square looking bushes according to my EPC in a S2 box and NC 5.

But Which one do you or they replace...??
I see two go on a pivot lever to the two shift rods, But where does the 3rd one go??

You can see he replaces the Black plastic one on the Pivot Lever with a brass unit, at the other end of Pivot Lever there is another one...now do they replace that one??...and where does the 3 rd one go??...if they change the 3rd one??..

THIS HAS ALWAYS BUGGED ME...;)

Edit...

Hang on...I think I found it, I was wrong,it is not where I was thinking where the 2 same bushes go...

The 3rd one is here...and they only seem to replace this one..I guess for shifting "reliability"??

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1284517829

people have done just that and some "companies" as well. as you and i both said though its much more than that to do it well

i have no idea where the 3rd one goes :) where's the diagram


cool video

http://blog.caranddriver.com/10best-...ht-done-right/

I make the prediction now that the US Mazda 2 will make C&D's 10 Best Cars by kicking out the FIT??

I have always thought that...but I am proudly BIAS...and admit it..

No Kidding, this really isn't a front wheel drive. I would have never guessed. By the way I am an old fart and many older rear wheel drive cars had shift linkage on the tranny. Also, this shifter feels a lot loser than the one on my 87 RX7 did after I replaced the bushings in it that is why I was asking. I am not a dumbass like some of you folks seem to think everyone is.