ok this is the second time i have driven a car with a short shifter in it the first time i didn't feel too much of a difference but dam on my buddys stang there is no throw u just move the stick its crazy and its like it clicks in place will a short shifter do somethign similiar like that on our mazdas. I mean i would shift and it'd literally just b a hand movement but when i sat back in my car and left it felt a lot EASIER to shift than his, i had to put some muscle in shifting his.

 

It will shorten the throw by however much the company claims it will...some only shorten it by 20%, others by 40%, etc...it all depends. I installed the TWM short shifter in my 3, looks really nice, definitely has a shorter throw, but as you say - requires a liiiitle more effort. not much though. The shifting is still smooth and feels more confident. I've had it for about a year and have not had a problem.

I consider it a must have upgrade for anyone with a manual transmission.

Enjoy:

http://www.twmperformance.com/shorts...rtshifters.htm

 

well i got this one i should recieve it by next week, people compare it to the mazdaspeed SS. I am getting it with free shipping for exactly 120.
http://ultrarev.com/product.php?productid=79415

 

When you shorten the throw, and this includes anything in the world of physics, the mechanical advantage,or leverage is reduced and the effort it takes to move it becomes harder. That's the trade-off. That's ALWAYS the trade-off.
My TWM is little more than a wrist action but it is harder to move the shifter. The ADVANTAGE is that the feel is improved also.
Trade-off, trade-off, trade-off, trade-off, trade-off, trade-off, trade-off, trade-off. Improve one thing and it always affects another. Welcome to the mechanical world of physics.

 

nice info virign, I don't mind putting the extra effort it feels good, but as for that ralco shifter NOBODY get it, someone from mazda3forums bought it and got it before me and said it didn't do ****, i emailed them so i can get a refund, i will probably get a TWM later on then, but for now i'll get a heavy *** shift **** for the time being.

 

sorry, i dont mean to be "driver lingo" illiterate, but what does TMW?

 

thats the company that makes the short shifter.

oh, and you can also get a weighted shift ****, for easier shifts.
i think some are 5-600 grams now.

 

really?where can you get those?

 

i got mine directly through http://www.twmperformance.com

ive had it installed in my car with a twm gunmetal weighted **** for about two years and im pleased with it.