Got it from Mazda Motorsports, but it's a third party part so someone else actually makes it. Don't know who unfortunately. It's an aluminum shift bushing that replaces the stock plastic one. According to them the plastic "can wear quickly under racing conditions. A worn shifter bushing causes increased wear to synchro rings which can result in serious damage to other trans components."

Net result: after using Redline tranny fluid my shift felt noticably smoother than stock. After installing the bushing I felt the same increase in shift smoothness. For the price it's a worthwhile mod.

I don't plan to install a short(er) shifter. I think the stock throw is fine and under track conditions I can shift faster than the synchros will allow. So between this and the Redline I'm happy.
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CLITORIS

 

Rightio man, we need a pic. I've been looking at something like this for a while. I knew they were available for the RX-7, but this is the first I've heard of one for the 8. Aluminium, you say????!!

 

Hang on....are we talking about the bushing that fits onto the bottom of the shifter, onto the ball? Like this RX-7 one.....

 

Where did you buy?

 

Yep, that's the part. As for where I bought it, that was the first thing I mentioned.
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butt Cam

 

...and it's aluminium??? Seems like too soft a metal to be putting in a high wear area...?

 

I was wondering about those. The website is mazdamotorsports.com , BUT you have to be a registered racer to be able to order from them.
I believe they are around $35. Thanks for the info, I may order one.

 

It's more durable than the stock white plastic piece.
Picture below is the MS short shifter but you can see the plastic piece we're talking about replacing.

 

Yeah, good point, I suppose I just had the bronze ones in mind......