TWM STS + MazdaSpeed Shift Knob

[TRMS3]

TWM STS + TWM Bushings +
MazdaSpeed Urethane Shift Knob (p/n QSEA-46-030) for the RX-8 (from MedCenter Mazda Online)

The shift knob thread on the RX-8 is the same as the MS3... the only install issue I had to deal with is that the RX-8 knob's threaded area is deeper than that of the MS3's knob. This caused the knob to 'bottom out' on the shift boot before it fully tightend-up on the shifter shaft (could be a factor of the STS as well...) Easily solved by inserting a small spring I had in my 'junk box' into the knob before re-installing it (the spring originally came from one of those jeweled license plate bolts that are secured w/ a spring, washer and wing-nut... commonly seen at most auto-parts stores for around 25-cents each...)

btw, the mazdaspeed shift knob is made of solid brass w/ a nylon thread insert and covered w/ the grippy urethane (rubber)... it weighs just a bit more than the oem MS3 knob by my totally unscientific estimate...

side view (neutral)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0006.jpg
side view (2nd)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0004.jpg
top view (neutral)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0008.jpg

drivers view (1st)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0018.jpg
drivers view (2nd)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0019.jpg
drivers view (3rd)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0020.jpg
drivers view (4th)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0021.jpg
drivers view (5th)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0022.jpg
drivers view (6th)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0023.jpg
drivers view (neutral)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0026.jpg
drivers view (reverse)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0024.jpg

top view closeup
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0027.jpg
driver's side view
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/smjcolsga/mazdaspeed/DCP_0029.jpg

[Falconx84]

holy pictures batman!

so, not that I plan on this upgrade, but you may want to add a review with your before/after impressions on it in case someone else is interested

[TRMS3]

holy pictures batman!

so, not that I plan on this upgrade, but you may want to add a review with your before/after impressions on it in case someone else is interested

Not much to add that isnt clear in the pics... a lot has been said, both good and bad, about the TWM STS shifter's throw and height... not too many pics have been posted to actually see the thing in action... and I couldn't find any pics of the mazdaspeed RX-8 knob installed as well, so... hope this gives a better view of both for the next guy...

[Engineer420]

I have the same problem..Since installing the sts and the custom leather boot..my stock shift knob bottoms out on the boot and can't get it fully tight..I tried locktite but the threads in the stock shift knob are plastic which is why I think it didn't work..Its still not as tight as I want it ..was thinking was gonna try super glue..

[Kurt07]

How about somehow sitting some washers on top of the shifter befor you put the knob on. I don't know if it will work, but washers are cheap and might be worth a try.

[TRMS3]

How about somehow sitting some washers on top of the shifter befor you put the knob on. I don't know if it will work, but washers are cheap and might be worth a try.

unfortunately, your solution is for the opposite problem... his knob like the one shown above can't screw down far enough before hitting the top of the leather boot ring. raising the height of the boot ring wil only make it hit sooner and be less tight on the threaded shaft. I used a small diameter spring that was aprox 1/4" fully compressed to take up the slack in the knob. It came from a reflector-type license plate bolt for a car or motorcycle. just insert the spring into the knob and tighten down as normal. really, any kind of spacer would do just about the same thing, however, the spring puts tension between the knob and top of the shaft which may help out some as well.

[Kurt07]

unfortunately, your solution is for the opposite problem... his knob like the one shown above can't screw down far enough before hitting the top of the leather boot ring. raising the height of the boot ring wil only make it hit sooner and be less tight on the threaded shaft. I used a small diameter spring that was aprox 1/4" fully compressed to take up the slack in the knob. It came from a reflector-type license plate bolt for a car or motorcycle. just insert the spring into the knob and tighten down as normal. really, any kind of spacer would do just about the same thing, however, the spring puts tension between the knob and top of the shaft which may help out some as well.

Sorry about that, that is what I get for posting at work.

[martyxcore]

that looks really good with the sts