MS3 Short Shifter Review Request...

[xmysacredoathx]

Seems how the shifter has been out for approximately 2 months and a few of you have been running it from the beginning. I was curious as to how you all feel about it now? Any issues? Pros or cons?

I am really just looking for the group of you that actually have it and have been using it for a considerable amount of time to write up a quick review.

[Hirudin]

I'm interested in a couple testimonials too!

[samc86]

IMO - it is what the car should have come with from the factory.
install took about 30 minutes, already had the bushings.
instructions were detailed and specific.
not sure what else there is to say - it reduces the throw. didn't fix any of the problems i was having, the MT90 and rear trans mount did that. but it does feel a lot better now - timing between my hand and foot are better, and i am shifting smoother because of it. could just be because i am used to the really short throw of the hurst shifter on the Z06.

[ichiromariko]

Couldn't be happier. Probably the best mod that I've done to this car so far.

[dread]

can you still use the drink holders, it seems that the shifter is very short and even a can would get in the way.

[Nutari]

can you still use the drink holders, it seems that the shifter is very short and even a can would get in the way.

no problem with taco bell medium/large drinks.

[Blang]

I did this install on Friday and the shifting feels so much better. I would highly recommend getting the short shifter and new bushings.

[Suppressor]

I installed the short shifter and bushings about a month ago. If you don't have the bushings yet, you absolutely must do those because of how much it tightens things up. The stock is way too spongy. As far as the shifter I definitely like the shorter throw. I would have liked to pay a little less, but if I had to do it again I would. Install is easy, instructions are good. Shifting is more of a flick of the wrist and less arm movement which is nice and of course quicker.

[iknospd3]

well i'm sold guys btw where did you order your's from?

[BluMicaR]

I just put my short in last night and I LOVE it; I have a buddy who is an engineer and tears down and rebuilds EVOs. He told me not to get the alum bushings because in his opinion they make a car shift like a NASCAR, shifts are cleaner, but the box feels hard and you have to power the gears in as opposed to it sliding nicely (albeit the 2 into 3 missing at times). Do the bushings make the shifting a lot harder/have to muscle them in?

[palerider]

no problem with taco bell medium/large drinks.


When are you guys gonna get these back in?

[SwampAss]

I had one of the first SSs. It's a great addition. Well worth the $200 or whatever it costs. Best of all, it's a mod you get to always utilize.

[nypest]

Great shifter sometimes i forget i didnt come that way

[meha11]

Well built and easy to install with great service and instructions. Personally i dont see the big deal and would not do it again.
Just to be clear there is nothing wrong with it and it will remain in the car, just not my cup of tea.

[Kosh]

I like mine a lot but I think it could still be shorter. I like the throw and recommend the bushing upgrades while you have everything disassembled. Haven't missed a shift since the install months ago.

[Suppressor]

I just put my short in last night and I LOVE it; I have a buddy who is an engineer and tears down and rebuilds EVOs. He told me not to get the alum bushings because in his opinion they make a car shift like a NASCAR, shifts are cleaner, but the box feels hard and you have to power the gears in as opposed to it sliding nicely (albeit the 2 into 3 missing at times). Do the bushings make the shifting a lot harder/have to muscle them in?

My opinion it is easier to shift with the bushings. I found it difficult before because with the stock bushings, the whole assembly is free to move around thereby making it difficult to sometimes hit the slots. With the bushings you hit them every time with ease. No muscling required, very smooth.

[ZooMIN3]

It took me about 45-60 minutes installing. Very easy, and quick to install by the way. As for how I'm liking it? I love it!! It's WAAYY better than the UPS truck type shifter that came with my Speed3. The shifts are crisp, and it has that mechanical feel when you shift into gears, like the feeling of charging(loading) a pistol, or rifle. It's got that chik,chik feel/sound to it. You have to experience it to know what I'm talking about. I got the bushings the same time I got my STS. I don't know what the difference are in the bushings, but I wanted to install it the same time I did my STS. (Might as well as do things right the first time, eh?) I also opted for the weighted knob. IMO, it isn't needed, I shifted for a couple days with the stock knob, and the weighted knob, and I didn't noticed a total overall difference in any shifts. So, unless you want the knob for looks, then go for it, if not, save the 89 bones and use it else where. I got the Type-R silverish/satin knob, it matches the silver interior parts of my Speed3 almost perfectly. I don't miss shifts, and the overall feeling of knowing your shifts are going where they need to go are dead on. The only thing I can say about it, when using the cup holders, those cups or whatever you put in there will keep you from shifting properly since they get in your wrists way. (I love my fraps from starbucks, so the wrist hitting my frap isn't enough to say that this bump in the wrist is all that negative.) It really isn't a problem, just something I'd like to point out. So don't go racing or taking someone on while you have something in that cup holder, becuase you will tend to miss 2nd or 4th gear since they are closest to the cup holders!!!

One more thing, you don't have to muscle the gears into place, its just like flipping a light switch, you throw it up, it goes; you shift up, it goes with a flick of the wrist!!! lol

I def dig this upgrade!! Thanks TWM!

Hope this helps.

-J

(wrc)

[fullout83]

Could you guys fill me in on where it was you bought them from? I am very interested in getting one after reading your posts.

[ZooMIN3]

TWM (http://www.twmperformance.com/shortshifters/mazdashortshifters/mazdaspeed3shortshifters.htm)

-J

[Vindikacione]

There has to be a reason why Mazda uses the soft bushings in the first place. I'm thinking that maybe they want us to buy a new transmission in 3 years or they actually allow your transmission to last longer- less vibrations, etc.

My dad owned a Miata and I remember it "click" shifting, very nicely and it was stock. My MS3, as I said earlier, is a bear to shift. But will putting a TWM STS today result to a busted tranny later?

Also, what will be so special about COBB's version of a STS? I'm a COBB fan and attempting to keep most my upgrades to one company. (With that said, I think TWM will be forced to drop their price on the prelude of the COBB STS. COBB prices are hard to beat.) However based on all the above reviews, I'm considering that I can't wait 6 months to a year for the COBB version. What's a hundred bucks nowadays anyway???

[ZooMIN3]

The TWM STS for the MS3 is only 250.00, what's there to complain about really? You know, if you "SUBSCRIBE" to thier news letter, you get 5% off your purchase, including the MS3 STS!! :-)

-J

[Sacrilicious]

ideally speaking, you would never be shifting while the clutch is engaged to the transmission, so whether the shifter is "clicky" or "squishy" should not affect the longevity of the transmission at all. the increased vibration you would feel could only possibly damage the shift box itself a little more than usual, and that's not really an expensive part to replace. if anything, it will likely just result in a little more shaking on the hands and nothing more...oO

i, personally, love cars that have a "clicky" shifter, because there's no abiguity about whether you're in gear or not. i am still figuring out what i want to do, though. i think i might actually get the MS short shifter and the TWM bushings, since it looks like i can get the MS SS for about $150 (as opposed to $220 for the TWM SS). it's supposedly 20% throw reduction instead of TWM's 30%, but at that point, i honestly don't care. as it stands right now, the thing that's REALLY annoying me is our gigantic pause when shifting from 1st to 2nd to rev match, and there's not a whole lot i can do about that short of getting a lighter flywheel...=/

it's really nice to know about that TWM newsletter though, zoomin3...thanks for the tip! :D

[jhowey]

The MS SS is for a regular Mazda 3 and will not function in the MS3.