I just put my money down on the Mazdaspeed short throw shifter for the speed 3. Anyone else already have it? Any discernible difference? Mine should be here, hopefully, by this weekend. Also getting the windows tinted, kinda a must before summer here in TX. BTW, the asking price for the shifter, installed, seemed quite steep. What would be a reasonable price? I managed to talk him down, and got a good deal compared to what was originally offered, but I'm not sure if I got a decent deal overall or not... I paid around 325-350, after install and taxes. They wanted over 500. [:'(]

 

Not a bad price....I installed my STS myself though. I have the TWM, should be similair to the Mazdaspeed. You will notice a difference in the throw...much nicer.

 

That is the one mod I want to do. Pics? How much shorter is the throw?

 

I believe its 33%.....i can take some pics tonight of it when i get off of work...none at the moment

 

Let me know how it is. Where in TX are you from?

 

I'm here in Fort Worth, you in TX? I've seen two figures on the short throw, 33% and 20%. Most people on these forums seem to think it would be around thirty percent, but the guy at the dealership who had the aftermarket catalogue said it would be more like twenty. Either way, the stock shifter is just a bit too long for my taste, and any improvement is fine by me.

 

Is this the one your are talking about?
http://www.twmperformance.com/shorts...rtshifters.htm

 

You know, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if the Mazdaspeed shifter is the same as that one. IDK. If it is, I'll know prolly by Saturday, and I'll leave a post. I don't have a camera, but I might find a friend to take a pic or two so I can post 'em.

 

Here is a picture of the TWM short shift kit i have installed in my 2004 3s. I do believe it is shorter than the Mazdaspeed sport shift kit. The TWM shifter does a have a nice, short, sporty feel to it...it really just clicks into gear.

[IMG]local://upfiles/339/156B4A28E3EE46B0A6C017460C76B4B1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/339/3DDB5319E0A740FCA4E335FDA1861BBB.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/339/E837B1CAAF77419DA803604D96BBF12E.jpg[/IMG]

 

The TWM short shifter has a 2.5" reduction in height and a 40% throw reduction (compared to stock shifting interface).

The Mazdaspeed short shifter has a 20% throw reduction, but I was unable to find any height reduction statistics (compared to stock shifting interface).