eBay Miata short throw shifter

[ArtOfRuin]

The shifter bushings in my N/A S4 are shot. I am considering getting an eBay Miata short throw shifter rather than just replacing the bushings. However, in this thread (http://www.rotarycarclub.com/showthread.php?t=4631), some of you guys say a short throw will wear out the transmission more quickly. I assume the transmission has 98K miles on it, given the shifter sloppiness (the car has a rebuilt 13B with 10K miles on it). The S4 will be a summer car and autocross car. So, do these really wear out the transmission more quickly, or is it only with more vigorous driving? And what should I look for, should I decide to get a short throw on eBay?

[Max777]

I'm sorry I posted that, now that I think back on it, I think it was probably more the guy switching to W90-140 weight oil and trying to drive better than the short shifter itself.

Remember, even if you get the kit, you still might need the little boot in there that might be torn up ( the one that slips over the shifter and bolts to the trans) it's $29 from Mazdatrix, I just replaced two.

I also notice that half those shifters come with only a top bushing, but not the bottom one, so what I would do is: order it, take apart the shifter, look at what bushings you need, etc, and order the little boot and if you need the lower bushing.

PS: sorry to throw you off bro. :D

EDIT: I also read somewhere that N/A transmissions seem to last around 130,000 miles, so I think that you got nothing to worry about!

[djmtsu]

EDIT: I also read somewhere that N/A transmissions seem to last around 130,000 miles, so I think that you got nothing to worry about!

Pffft! Mine has 140K on it, over 10K behind the TII engine!

Regarding the shifter: I have had a Miata Short Throw shifter in mine since I did the turbo swap. No issues. Replaced all the bushings, and just replaced the boots. Also, realize that the short throw shifter is not really any shorter in height than the stock shifter.

Here is a pic of mine: Miata Short Throw shifter, 5spd RX-8 knob, IndyParts shifter and e-brake boots.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/SQju8999NVI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/b3bvcQSBpnw/s400/DSCN0134.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/SQju_Xhz_KI/AAAAAAAAA7c/eW1JtRvTDS8/s400/DSCN0136.JPG

[SpooledupRacing]

Yeah my guy Alex (RotaryXperiment7) has a ebay miata short throw... its nice I have heard and I plan to so it with mine..

[ArtOfRuin]

Thanks for the advice. The shifter right now feels like I'm rowing it through jelly!

Another question: Aluminum, or steel?

[RotaryXperiment]

Yeah my guy Alex (RotaryXperiment7) has a ebay miata short throw... its nice I have heard and I plan to so it with mine..

i HAD one, wasnt too bad. simple install as well. im using the corksport one now.

[jerd_hambone]

I have an $80 Ebay FC shifter. It's been in for almost 15k with no problems so far.

But I had to mill out my stock S5 shifter to get it to fit

[djmtsu]

I have an $80 Ebay FC shifter. It's been in for almost 15k with no problems so far.

But I had to mill out my stock S5 shifter to get it to fit

See, to me that is not a good deal. I paid $35 for my eBay Miata shifter, and it dropped right in. No modifications.

If it is an FC specific shifter, there should not be any extra milling required.

[jerd_hambone]

It was, but I think it was made for an RX-8 knob. The hole in the shift knob wasn't big enough to go all the way down

[fc nut]

i just ordered a miata shifter and was wondering,will my shift nob fit it?

[djmtsu]

The Miata shifters use the same thread pitch as S5 FC's, FD's, and RX-8's. So, by judging from your avatar pic, you have an S4 and therefore will need a new knob as well.

[SouthSideSlider]

simple awnser is no. miata's use a 10x1.25 threads

[fc nut]

i had the miata shifter in for a while to see how i liked it and i had trouble with the 2nd to 3rd shift.it would grind in the 1-2,2-3 shifts , its like it needs a shim of some kind to raise the shifter up a little bit.my next shifter will be rx-7 specific.

[Kelton]

I've ordered a couple of short throws from egay, and all the ones I gotten are either missing a bushing or doesn't have any whatsoever....so either A. Make a Bushing/ Buy One or B. Make your own short throw with a Cutting Wheel and Welder.