Short Shifters

[Johns93GS]

Hey guys,
I searched a few times on this topic, as I am looking to install a short shifter in my MX.

I remember reading that one short shifter for the MX-3 doesn't work with the SRD Shifter bushings... is that the Pacesetter or the B&M?

Also, I read up a lot of the B&M, and I am pretty much set on that one, however, can anyone with the Pacesetter tell me some things they really like about it?

[Zoso124]

The SRD bushings worked fine with my Pacesetter Short Shifter.

[Johns93GS]

So you are using a Pacesetter and SRD bushings... Any large pros or cons?

[Gro Harlem]

I had a Pacesetter on my car in the past. While it is adjustable, it isn't a very good design.

The shorter the lever becomes inside the car, the longer it'll be on the underside of the car. If you adjust it too far down, the lever will cause the shiftrod to scrape against the cat and exhaust tubing, making your shifts feel like total dog****.

I have since replace it with a stock shifter out of a Mazda MP3. The MP3's don't use the larger plastic shift lever bushings, instead using the same size bushings your stock lever uses. Their throw is about 40% less than stock and the lever is about 40% shorter than stock, but the bottom part protruding is really short and never interferes with the exhaust.

If you can't find a MP3 owner who would sell you their shifter, look for a Kartboy shifter (http://kartboy.com). They are about $90 shipped or so and work well. NOTE the Kartboy bushings designed for the Protege5 / MP3 do not fit our cars.

[Zebaj]

The B&M design is much stronger than the pacesetter.
The pacesetter tends to flex. As far as bushings go, the Bronzoil bushings work best with B&M from what I've heard. And although the bushings might fit the pacesetter, I'm unaware of how well it works. I have been debating which one to go with. The two sides are the coin are pacesetter being a good 60-70 dollars cheaper and B&M being higher quality. I've heard TWM makes a STS for the mx-3. Althought I'm not sure on how well it works. I will most likely end up with B&M because I trust them more than pacesetter, I'm probably paying more for the name than anything else. But atleast I'm guarenteed I'll like it. My two cents. Peace.

[Tyler17rose]

I love my Pacesetter. Shifts really smooth and the throws are tiny. Its also alot shorter when adjusted to the shortest throw, which looks wicked. I havent had any problems with the bottom hitting or scraping anything . And i dont know what people are talking about when they say it flexes , it seems VERY solid to me.

[Johns93GS]

T-Rose, do you use the Bronzoil Bushings from SRD?

[Tyler17rose]

Nope, I'm using the ones that came with it. They seem fine to me! Firmer then stock! I'll probably change to the bronziol bushings later though, cause everyone that has em likes them

[mightym0use5]

I am using a B&M and I love it. no complaints here

[Falstaff]

i have a b&m with the bronzoil bushings.. the bushings make as much difference as the short shifter... took about a week before the bushings were really smooth (they fit really tight - you need to lightly sand the bushing to fit it in anyways - you don't want to remove very much and check the fit often.

i would highly recommend both the b&m (never felt a pacesetter) and the bronzoil bushings

[monstar-mx-3]

I'm running a twm shifter...it works great.

[IanL]

I'm running a DIY job - cheap and effective.

See my post of 16 February in this thread http://www.mx-3.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=002518

Best thing I've done since buying the car

[sheller]

I also have the B&M with the Bronzoils. I think they are great together. It was pretty stiff at first but the mechanic adjusted it and it's super quick now.
steve

[lazzyie]

I have rafi's on rr-racing.com

[JYOUNYA1]

I thought the B&M short shifter would sit short( as in height) like the stock RX8?