Short shifter for a 2002 sp20

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I'm looking at getting a short shifter for my SP20. I just have a few questions; What should i look out for, what are the good brands, What i should expect to pay for a good one,etc.

Also, i can feel a thicker part half way up (or Down) the stock shifter. It kind of feels like 2 rods that thread each other. Does anyone know if the 2nd half just screws off and then the stock knob screws onto the bottom half, or is it for something else?

TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[Critter]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]B & M do a short shifter for our car and that has a good reputation.
Available thru a couple of American sites, haven't seen one here myself.
Had thought about that myself.....[/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I'm pretty sure that i heard of someone ordering the B&M through either Repco or Autobarn here...[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]I could handle a nice chrome B&M shifter in my car.
Wonder if the retrofit the previous model ..... mmmmmm
Anybody got a link for the B&M shifter so I can see
how similar they are.

Ta

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Have a look at this link:
B&M Short throw shifter - Being sold by a dealer (http://www.planetperformance.com/vehicle.search/?sf1=MAZDA&sf2=2002&sf3=PROTEG%C95&urlsubcategory=Drivetrain&productcategory=Short+Shifters&searchtype=d&sortorder=ADA)

I'm getting a price from a B&M dealer in Sydney. If anyone is interested maybe i can arrange a group buy and get it a bit cheaper. If everyone can let me know if they are interested then i can work something out. I'm not sure how much they normally cost but i'm guessing about $250 (thats AUS$)

TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I have also been told that it's a good idea to also upgrade the original shifter bushings to 'KARTBOY' shifter bushings. Now we can get the B&M shifter from a dealer in Sydney (they do need to order them from the U.S), but the bushings need to be imported by me/us from the U.S. I'm already talking to someone, but I’ll need a number of interested people before I can get a firm price. The bushes normally cost US$25+shipping. Apparently it's worth spending the extra money for the bushing as it takes out the sloppiness in gear change that the original bushes don't once it's shortened. Following is a link to the 'KARTBOY' Bushings:
KARTBOY BUSHINGS (http://www.allwheelengineering.com/basket/catalog.cgi?query_net_id=kartboy&query_class=KB-M001)
KARTBOY also has the short shifters. I've been told that they are also pretty good, and they are about US$30 cheaper. But the B&M are better in build and also the B&M comes with it's own bearings where the KARTBOY shifter uses the original. Many people prefer the B&M(by people i mean the users and sellers of short shifters in the U.S., specifically SP20 owners). But i guess it's another option.

I'm going a head with this even if I do it alone. But I think this is a great opportunity for us to get the best products for a good price if we do this together. There are readily available short shifters in Aus., but they are all 2nd class products and i thought that if i'm going to do it then i'm doing it right. So pass the word around. Just to make sure, this is for the SP20.

TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[TURBO MAZDA]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Will it fit the 89 to 94 astina 1.8 dohc gearbox[/color:post_uid0]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I Don't think so. But if anyone knows otherwise then please clarify. But i highly doubt it considering they only specify the later model cars.

TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[kyra]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Sounds like a good idea, but since i'm not really going to do many mods to my sp20, i will pass on the short shifter.

Thanks for letting me know about it and the group deal though :)

Cheers,

Bill[/color:post_uid0]

[dfvadr]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]hi tdk im shaw u can take the wider part off i havent tryed but i no there is an allen key in it so i asume remove the key an take it off then u may have ur own short shifter my car is away at the moment so i cant look for you[/color:post_uid0]

[Critter]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I'd be interested TDK :)[/color:post_uid0]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Hi guys. I have done even more research and come up with a great combination.

1) The shifter we should get is a TWM 2nd GEN. short throw shifter. It's better than the KARTBOY and about par with the B&M. the goog the about the TWM is that it's cheaper, gear knob is 2inches lower than stock and it comes with bushings to eliminate problems with a heat shield. This shifter is US$129+shippingUS$25=US$154. But remember that this price is for the sale of 1 set. If we can get a group buy happening the price will drop.
Here is the site:
TWM short shifter (http://www.twmperformance.com/shortshifters/mazdashifters.htm)

2) To compliment the TWM shifter (along with all the other shifters) we need to get the KARTBOY bushings. These bushings help the new shifter to fall into gear much easier. They also remove the stock spongey feel. US$25+shippingUS$?.
Here is the site:
KARTBOY shifter bushings (http://www.allwheelengineering.com/basket/catalog.cgi?query_net_id=kartboy&query_class=KB-M001)

I think this way we will get the best products for the best price. I will need atleast 4 people to continue. If everyone can pass the word it would be much appreciated.

I will place a order for my self in a weeks time. So if you are interested please get back to me before then. If we have enough people for the group buy then we will discuss how we are going to make the payment.

Thanks,
TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[Critter]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I'm up I reckon
2 more?[/color:post_uid0]

[wiredone]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]im up for it... drop my bus gear knob abit[/color:post_uid0]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Welcome aboard wiredone. Well thats now 3 of us. We still need 1 more to get any discount for the parts. With 4 of us the shipping price will be next to nothing (once split up that is). Anyone thats interested or has any questions please ask me. This is a great deal. I was at Croydon auto sports today and they called the Australian distributor for B&M, (not that we'll be getting the B&M, I only asked for information), for me to ask about the availability of the shifters. They don't import the shifters for our car because it's not popular enough. So if we wanted one from them they would have to make a special order which would then be more expensive and take longer to get here. When i then asked them what other brands are available they just said 'None'. The only shifters that we can readily get down here are bodgy imitators. I saw a set being sold at 'Autojoy' in Castle Hill Towers. They looked Cr*p. They didn't even have any installation parts. So if any of you want a HIGH quality, reasonable priced short shifter for the SP20 then this is your best chance.

Thanks,
TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Also we will be placing the order on this Friday 28th March. SO if you want in i'll need to know by then.

Thanks[/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]If you're still struggling for numbers (well, one) try posting on the FordLaser.com (http://www.fordlaser.com) forums, as it's the same gearbox as the Laser SR2... :)[/color:post_uid0]

[TDK]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I have extended the deadline till next monday 31st of march.

TDK[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]Guys just to chuck a different swerve on this who would
be interested in having their shifters modified for a shorter
shift. *The $300+ price tag put them out of it for me as
I must admit I was expecting a MrGasket type shifter you
know rectangular with the name embossed down the side
all chrome etc. *If I threw a ballpark figure of say $100
for it who would be interested. I have wanted to do this
for years now but I have put it off as I expected most people
would say no to the welding job for just 1 but you would have
way less of a problem for a couple.

Let me know if anybody is interested.

Regards

Mal[/color:post_uid1]



Edited By BigMal on 1049137183

[BigBoyLemonade]

[color=#006666:post_uid0]Im interested in that... maybe a astinagt shop product ;)[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]I got no problems with that. Will go ask some welders
if they are willing to do it and suggest you do the same
in canberra. I was thinking 1" add to the bottom and take
2" off the top. Might take some measurement guestimates
from all the short shifter links we have.

Regards

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[JynX]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]The guy that welded my seat bracket when it broke is just down the road from u mal. He charged me $30 to do it. So far the rail is holding well.

Its the one near the round about just down from the Ford workshop on waratah st.[/color:post_uid0]

[jcywong]

is there any dealer in sydney that I can order the TVM short shifter and the kartboy bushing through???

[TDK]

I searched for weeks and couldn't find anyoneee, thats why we ended up getting it from the US. But that was a while ago, so maybe someone is importing it know.

[kar10w]

just wondering what happened with the short shifter for the sp20. who ended up getting one and from where? how much in oz$?

note: my mate got one (from tvm performance) and the bottom of the shift stick hits heat shield over exhaust piping when you tap down on stick (not that you normally do; or do you?). happens most in 3rd. just seeing if you guys have experienced this?

tks.

[wiredone]

i was so bummed... i was away on holidays and got back to recieve all these pm's

specially now i have a turbo... shorter throw = more fun =)

if people want to make another group buy i can probably get them through the workshop

[Critter]

As far as I know it is TDK and I who have the TWM/Kartboy bushes combo in our cars.

I have experienced no down-side whatsoever. While a bit stiff first installed, it is working SO nice now, couldn't imagine life without it.

Slick, quick, positive, short but not too short...ALL GOOD!!

I reckon odd12C would be up for a group buy after spending last weekend in my car....:)

So that would be at least odd12c, wiredone and kar10w just for starters.

[wiredone]

yep lets hook it up...

am running out of things to do to the car easily...

list togo:
- forgies and rods
- tan leather interior
- sponsored audio install
- 19's

need some easy mods action... lets get this group buy underway...

whats the total all up for them?

[jcywong]

where do you get the kartboy bushing?? and how much incl delivery??

[kar10w]

i'm with wiredone. HOWEVER, just got call from new job - might be heading to states for work (minnesota - yay, cos latrell sprewell (fave player) was traded to the t'wolves; gotta watch some games!). *karlo thinking, that basketball comment flew over most of your heads hehehe). anyway, since i MIGHT be in the states, well definitely try to check out the P5's over there :D. that said, if i can get it before i go, i'm in :).