I have a question for those that have installed the B&M Short Shifter. I am very interested in this mod. because of the smoothness of operation that so many are speaking of and for the dramatic improvement in the shifter throw. The question is, do you notice a huge difference in the height of the shifter as well? I don't have real long arms and kind of like the height of the current stick. I am worried that maybe I wouln'nt like it being shorter and am concerned about the comfort when driving. Do you guys that have the short shifter have any thoughts or comments you could make regarding this? Appreciate the help.

 

My wife's 5' 3" and it fits her just fine.

Usually when you have shorter arms, you also have shorter legs, which means the seat's pulled farther up and the shifter is closer to you anyway

Don

 

I'd agree, I like the shorter height as much as the shorter throw. No problems with reach for me at all.

 

first off....Edwin? are you feeling okay? you actually didn't yell something about searching? just want to make sure you aren't sick.

Aaron....I did this install about a month ago...and posted a thread here with pictures and all that will answer your questions....check out this thread

B&M shifter install complete

you will love it.... :{D

 

I did do the search... plenty of it. Just wanted to know more about the height and how that feels for you guys, not just the feel of the throw. Thanks for the opinions.

 

i put mine in, the height is not really affected. maybe half an inch to an inch at most. but definately a worthwhile mod. shift is dramatically shortened.

ben

 

well the actuall shifter is 1 3/4 inches shorter from the top to the pivot point....I did the measurements myself...and if you go to that previous thread...there is an actual picture of them side by side....along with pictsures of the before and after install. ....its very comfortable...and since the shifter doesn't go as far forward OR back.....its MORE comfortable than the stocker! at least it is for me.

 

also, though, with an aftermarket shift ****, you actually add height to the shifter, so i would say it really isn't that much shorter. (unless you get a screw on one from b and m)

ben

 

I've seen a couple people mention (here and elsewhere) that they just received or are expecting shortly their B&M shifter. Does that mean that Mitch's order came in? Just curious because I have one on order and I'm like a kid waiting for his new toy!!!

 

that all depends on what **** you go with. the stock one will fit just fine on the B&M shifter. if you do what i did and buy a VooDoo ****, you will lose height. with the VooDoo ****, i lost about 1" compared to the stock ****. if you combine that with the 1-1.5" from the B&M shifter, you are losing about 2-2.5" compared to the stock set-up. that is quite a bit! and on that note, i am saving my pennies for a B&M shifter, and praying for good weather for me to install it.

 

My carbon fiber MazdaSpeed shift **** is smaller and shorter than the stock ****.

 

I've also read a couple of people mention that the throw is shorter but it's a little more "work" shifting. can someone explain this?

 

Sure - Simple physics. It has to be harder to push or pull, as you're doing the same "work" over a shorter span with less leverage.

ALL of the slop and play is eliminated though, and you can feel the transmission click into and out of each gear - A much more precise "feeling" than the stock shifter, but it definitely requires more effort from the driver, to be sure.

Don

 

WHAT DON SAID.....but do not confuse this to mean its HARD to shift...

you see Mazda made the car for EVERYONE....even little old ladies that are doing nothing but puttering around town to get their grocerys....Mazda is going to make it COMFORTABLE....the B&M feels so sweet....its not that hard....just slightly more effort...but the feel is so much more percise than the stock one....

to be frank....no wait....I am nuke...I don't want to be Frank...nevermind......ahhhhhh one of the things I really didn't like about my stock P-5 was the feel of the shifter...I am not super tall or anything...but due to my seating position I felt that the shifter had to be pulled too far back to shift with the stocker...meaning it moved so far back it was someone uncomfortable for me....NOT true with the B&M....its the difference of Day and Night.

 

i agree completely.

i just ordered a t-handle shifter for mine today. that will be loads of old school draggin fun!

ben