MiataRoadster Short Shifter

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/18/2017 at 13:33 • Filed to: None

My Miata was in desperate need of a shifter rebuild so I took this opportunity to upgrade to the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! short shifter. Supposed to transform the Miata shifter into something from the Gods. Well so far I definitely would agree! Before the shifter was quite floppy and would easily grind some gears depending on how smoothly I moved it around. The 6 speed transmission is notorious for being tricky to shift smooth. But now with the rebuilt hardware, it is just so accurate and feels rock solid.

Obviously as you can see, the old parts were trashed! The heat that this was letting through was quite annoying. After the refresh, the leather boot on top was cool to the touch after a drive down the street for some lunch. Will have to see how much of a difference it makes on longer drives too. Now its time to sign up for an autocross this weekend and enjoy that one shift per run that this was totally necessary for lol.

DISCUSSION (21)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 13:40

Bummer that the 6 speed short shifters are so ridiculously expensive.

Nick Has an Exocet > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 13:40

Your shifter looked about as good as mine when I did it. I went with the OEM kit though. I’ve got the NA 5 speed.

miadaman? yes please > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 13:46

I’m so jelly, thanks to our terrible exchange rate + shipping I probably won’t get it until next year. Really like the angled extension too, brings the shifter a lot closer to the steering wheel without sacrificing throw (if you use short throw kit).

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/18/2017 at 13:57

Oh yeah its absurd, i try not to think about that part lol. Its worth having a rebuilt shifter for sure but I have no idea how much of a difference the upgrade made vs a standard rebuild. But its definitely good!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > miadaman? yes please
08/18/2017 at 13:59

Yeah, I wanted the normal one because I didnt want it any closer to the steering wheel. It had many options for normal/tall/angled/straight for each model. But yeah it was pricey!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nick Has an Exocet
08/18/2017 at 14:01

I had heard such good things about this kit that I had to try it out. For like $100 less I would say this was TOTALLY worth it but I think even at this price it was an okay upgrade to do. I am much happier with how solid it feels.

Scary__goongala! > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 14:01

First thing I did after buying my NA was rebuild the shifter. It was ungodly sloppy. But that will happen when the cup bushing that attaches to the bottom of the shifter rod completely falls apart.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 14:04

My rebuild was okay. I still hate the 6 speed though. My 5 speed was absolutely glorious.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/18/2017 at 14:10

Haha yeah the 5 speed feels so much better. This feels pretty damn good now though. Even the third gear grind magically went away! I will see how it is once its nice and hot as well as quite cold to get a full range of how it feels. Second gear topping out at 52mph also makes the 6 speed suck too.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 15:13

The third gear grind went away?! Whaaaaaa?

*NEED*

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/18/2017 at 15:17

Yeah its magic so far. Like I said, I havent driven it much yet but it certainly feels better already. I think new engine mounts would fully remove that problem but this is a step in the right direction.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 15:36

My engine mounts are hilarious. If you launch the car the engine rocks to the side as the car takes off, then midway up the rev range the torque dips slightly and the engine rocks back off the mount slightly then presses back against it. The result is you can hear the revs rise quick-slow-quick-slow in time with the engine wiggling around and it sounds like the shitty engine noises in Grand Turismo where it “steps” up the rev speed as you drive.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/18/2017 at 16:14

Uhhh i dont think its supposed to do that haha

Nick Has an Exocet > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 17:21

Isn’t kind of shocking how much slack and slop can develop in things over years of use? I bet even with standard kit, you would be amazed.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 19:02

I did a rebuild kit and Voodoo knob from Moss and it made it much better. Also voodoo knob is best IMO

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nick Has an Exocet
08/18/2017 at 19:10

Yeah I think the rebuild in general has made so much difference. I kind of wish I had both a stock rebuild and this to compare it to. But either way, this is definitely good. No more gear shifter moving around while in gear. The amount it moves in neutral now is less than it did while in gear before lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/18/2017 at 19:13

Yeah I just got this delrin knob from the same guy while ordering this kit. I had no idea what type I wanted. This is pretty similar to the voodoo style so I think I will definitely go with that at some point. I really like the small ball thing, would just like something heavier. This one is just slightly lighter than stock.

Nick Has an Exocet > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/18/2017 at 19:24

Haha that’s amazing.

daender > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/18/2017 at 20:34

I think your mounts are missing bolts or it’s time to new mounts. Don’t get Mazdaspeed comp mounts, I have them and it probably wasn’t worth it.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > daender
08/18/2017 at 22:06

My mounts are trashed. Just revving it in neutral with the hood open and the motor flops around a lot more than it should. My buddy has mazdaspeed mounts in his NA and I rather like them... probably just go with OEM though because I’m all ‘bout dat NVH.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > daender
08/18/2017 at 22:07

I also need to get some damn hardtop brackets. getting sick of these impossible-to-keep-adjusted overcenter latches.