SE Gearbox

Richee · Postby **Richee** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:26 am

Had my first drive in an NB yesterday, an SE infact

When I selected first gear the gear leaver seemed to be able to be moved slightly lower and slightly to the right but still be in first. This was a little disconcerting when changing from 1st to 2nd as there seemed to be a double movement sometimes.

Is this common on NBs or just SEs or just this particcular car.

Also the six speed is very close and sometimes I wasnt quite sure which gear I was in :oops:

is this common when first driving the six speed?

Thanks

Richard

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:34 am

The NB8B+ 6 speed wasn't one of Mazda's finest engineering efforts.

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:26 am

Richee wrote:Had my first drive in an NB yesterday, an SE infact

Nice! Was it impressive, but without being jaw-dropping? Just an awesome out of the box drive? I haven't dríven one yet, but that's what i'd imagine it to be.

Richee wrote:When I selected first gear the gear leaver seemed to be able to be moved slightly lower and slightly to the right but still be in first. This was a little disconcerting when changing from 1st to 2nd as there seemed to be a double movement sometimes.

Is this common on NBs or just SEs or just this particcular car.

I don't have that wandering effect at all, each gear is nice and precise.

Richee wrote:Also the six speed is very close and sometimes I wasnt quite sure which gear I was in is this common when first driving the six speed?

Yep, definitely. When I first got my car, I did a couple of changes from 2nd to 5th by accident because I was used to the NB8A 5-speed box. You get used to it after a week or two.

I have now installed a short shifter in my 6-speed and now the throw and space between gears is even shorter... and I love it.

Richee · Postby **Richee** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:36 am

Thanks for response Gary, I feel this car may have lead a tough life at times.

Bevan wrote:Nice! Was it impressive, but without being jaw-dropping? Just an awesome out of the box drive? I haven't dríven one yet, but that's what i'd imagine it to be.

Bevan - yes quite right, impressive, not jawdropping around town but awsome feeling and the NB is certainly a lot more braced than my NA. The mx5 grin was twice its normal size :mrgreen:

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:52 pm

took me half a day at wakefield to get used to the SE gearbox. but redbarron pointed me in the right direction its very much a case of tap it to the center then think about where to go from there and just guide it in... think i went from 4th to 1st atlease 3 times and almost every lap went from 2nd to 5th

my lap times were shocking for the first half the day :lol:

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:31 pm

The trick with using the 6-speed box is to use an open palm when changing into 3rd or 4th gear.
DON'T try and guide it in, just use the spring loading and push it up for third or down for 4th.

To make it a bit clearer, if changing from 2nd to 3rd for example, just open up your hand and push the lever up. The spring loading will ensure it slots into 3rd.
When going from 4th to third, keep your hand open and just push it upwards, or downwards if going from 3rd to 4th.

You should only use sideways pressure if going into 1st, 2nd, 5th or 6th, but don't use ANY sideways pressure when going into 3rd or 4th.

Changing from 5th to 4th can sometimes be a bit tricky, but if you use the open palm technique, it becomes very easy and quick.

AJ · Postby AJ » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:39 pm

benny has the right of it.....you aren't pullin'ya pud, you're changing a slick gearbox that knows better than you how it all works...........fingertips for down & palm for up is sufficient, the gearbox will do the rest :mrgreen:

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:01 pm

by guide thats kinda what i meant open palm wise... you've put it alot clearer though

ducktape69 · Postby **ducktape69** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:07 pm

benny has got it exactly right....

use your palm...the more force/precision u try to use, the 'notchier' the nb8b box will feel.

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:33 pm

if you dont like it get one of these

http://www.holinger.com.au/product_page ... 0Gearboxes

Richee · Postby **Richee** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:33 pm

Thanks everyone,

I was more worried about the

Richee wrote:When I selected first gear the gear leaver seemed to be able to be moved slightly lower and slightly to the right but still be in first. This was a little disconcerting when changing from 1st to 2nd as there seemed to be a double movement sometimes.

Guess i was a bit excited :oops:

to concentrate on the gear changes

16bit : nice bit of kit that.

Richard