6 speed short shifter and extended lever

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SKYHI
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6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby SKYHI » Fri Mar 22, 2019 3:44 pm

I'm looking to improve the shift feel and positioning of the gear shift lever in my SE. I like to sit reasonably close to the wheel when I'm driving, but that comes with a compromise in terms of the gear lever position. It's too close, so I'm wondering whether I can install a short shift kit and some sort of extended and bent gear lever to fix this. Any recommendations?

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ManiacLachy
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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby ManiacLachy » Fri Mar 22, 2019 3:51 pm

This is the best, but it's not cheap. I have the short version, super short throws. The longer leaver lenthens them a little, back to more a stock throw, but much better engagement. Puts it right where you want it. Lokiel has it in Gina.
http://miataroadster.com/miataroadster/miataroadster-shifter-kits/mrssknb264tap/i-2282519.aspx

Image
Note: It will turn 180 degrees so it will point to an RHD steering wheel, no problem.

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SKYHI
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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby SKYHI » Fri Mar 22, 2019 4:12 pm

This looks awesome, but $600 AUD by the time it's delivered :shock:

http://miataroadster.com/miataroadster/ ... 12196.aspx

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SKYHI
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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby SKYHI » Fri Mar 22, 2019 4:13 pm

Haha....hadn't refreshed the page and missed your post Lachy. :D

Has great reviews from what I've seen, so might just be a case of stumping up the money and doing it right the first time around.

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Miataroadster tall angled shifter is the goods

Postby greenMachine » Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:37 pm

I have one of those. Used it in the racecar and found it great, now in the SE where it is not getting nearly as much use as it should. :frown:

The tall angled ones put the knob quite close to the wheel, which is nice, the throw is around stock length (I think, never measured it). I'd suggest sitting a car with one to make sure you like it - I think Magpie has one as well as Lokiel.

I saw a new phrase to cover this situation - 'Spend once, cry once'.

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby rascal » Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:40 pm

I’ve got one of the tall angled ones, and love it. I initially baulked at the entry price, but after a year or two i grew tired of the crappy action of the std one and shouted myself a Xmas present.
It’s worth every cent, and deserves all the praise that gets heaped on them.
The knob ends up close to the wheel making it perfect for quick wheel to lever to wheel movements.
No missed shifts since fitted (5-6 especially) and reverse is also way easier to engage. You were never quite sure with the std shifter. No such issues with the MR one

If you are on the fence, I thoroughly recommend spending once and do it right ...

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby 3gress » Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:04 pm

I have the 5 speed miataroadster type which I love and have dríven 6 speeds with long/angled and short types.
A note on installation, the bush circled in attached pic replaces the oem piece that can only be removed (permanently) by splitting in half and extracting the pieces. The kit installed in Keith's car 'sparkely' had no instructions on this.
We found an install guide on revlimiter that helped us along.
Image

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby NitroDann » Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:50 am

It's worth it.

Seriously.

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby RS2000 » Sat Mar 23, 2019 10:42 am

I bought the tall/angled, but wish I'd bought the standard short/straight. The tall obviously increases the throw, & the knob position just felt wrong to me, being so far to the right of the selector centreline. I straightened the 'bend' angle by about 50%, which made it feel better.

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby The American » Sun Mar 24, 2019 6:06 pm

I have the tall, angled version. Coupled with poly engine mounts and diff bushings, it is an improvement.

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby KevGoat » Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:38 pm

Has anyone dríven the Beavis/MX5Mania SSK's (are these the same kits?) vs the twice price MR kit? Would be interesting to know if the price difference was worth it.

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SKYHI
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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby SKYHI » Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:07 am

I looked into the Beavis one, and for just over $100 with the extension, I'm wondering whether it's worth a try before buying the MR one at 5 times the price.

https://beavismotorsport.com/store/nb/t ... 89-99.html

https://beavismotorsport.com/store/nb/t ... na-nb.html

I know it won't be angled, but it might still be enough to put the gear knob in a more comfortable position.

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby ManiacLachy » Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:14 pm

MINX, who doesn't post so often anymore, had the extensions for his MR shifter which was originally stock height. He snapped 2 of them, one on track and one on the street, if I recall correctly. So, be ware, especially given the track work you do, but it might be a good option as a proof of concept at the very least.

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SKYHI
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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby SKYHI » Mon Mar 25, 2019 2:27 pm

Thanks for the heads up. One piece certainly makes more sense in that regard.

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Re: 6 speed short shifter and extended lever

Postby rowdytoot » Mon Mar 25, 2019 5:14 pm

SKYHI wrote:I looked into the Beavis one, and for just over $100 with the extension, I'm wondering whether it's worth a try before buying the MR one at 5 times the price.

https://beavismotorsport.com/store/nb/t ... 89-99.html

https://beavismotorsport.com/store/nb/t ... na-nb.html

I know it won't be angled, but it might still be enough to put the gear knob in a more comfortable position.
If you want to try an angled extension, i have one of the mx5 mania ones i would part with for not much since i didnt like it with a stock shift throw (and a straight one too for that matter)





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