I wanna get a short shifter, but can't decide on which brand, B&M or Kartboy? It seems that more people go with Kartboy, any specific reasons? Any information would be helpful on getting the right one for me. Thanks

 

I personally believe that when it comes to making this specific choice...that most people have let their wallet make the decision....

I liked the B&M because of its design...and thus was willing to drop the few extra dollars. I have never been disappointed with my choice.

 

I want quality, willing to pay more. How important is it to get the Kartboy bushings? Seems like a lot of people are getting the Kartboy bushings for either their B&M or Kartboy. Any modification needed to install Kartboy Bushings with B&M? I will be getting it installed by a local car shop, so I want to make sure to have all the parts and info for them. Anyone know a good place with cool people that can install the B&M in Southern California, possibly Los Angeles?

 

Wouldn't this mean that we are supposed to lubricate our stock shifter once in a while as well? If thats the case, I didn't know it.

 

WRONG! the shifter bushings we manufacture do not go on the shifter itself. They are located on the shifter stay arm that mounts to the transmission.
We actually had a B&M shifter in our P5 for a total of two days. It was horrable and would bind in the 2-3 and the 4-5 shift. And yes i did install it correctly.
for using the stock lower piviot bushings, the B&M one uses them too.
We found the center nylon bushings were not the cause of the poor feel in the shifter. It was the shifter bushings.
Take a look at our site to see exactly where they are located.
Thanks
tom@kartboy.com
www.kartboy.com

 

these are the ones we sell
Honestly i dont see a reason to change the ones on the bottom of the shifter. they are only ~ 0.05 thick urethane with a metal sleave in the center. Going to a solid bronze bushing would only cause more VHN in the cabin.

i dont want to sound like a jerk, but i dont want my parts to get misrepresented.

happy shifting

 

do the combo thing...b and m shifter with the kartboy bushing...its a great mix...

 

Any idea what the factory schedule for lubricating the shifter pivot is?

 

If your looking to buy Kartboy check this link in the 4/S section.
Still need a few more peeps.

 

then why tell some one that it 'needs' to be done?

 

i know that. my point was this: if it isn't something required from mazda, why does it HAVE to be done? i have never lubricated the shifter on any of the cars i had. my 90 ford tempo went 250k+ miles with out haveing the shifter lubed. my 94 grand am went 230k+ miles with out it, also. both those cars went the distance, and never lost any of the vauge factory crispness over that time. why should the protege be any different? any way, mazda saw to utilize teflon bushings on the shifter pivot, which shouldn't need lubrication ever.

 

was thinking the same thing when I read this post....people are so quick to show their immense knowledge and then they make stupid assumptions or comments....one reason I don't visit here much....seems the maturity level of this club is way down..

 

Get the Kartboy ss if you are not willing to spend the extra $50 - $60 for the B&M. I read that all these short shifters are fine quality parts. The only difference in "performance" between these shifters are the different throws each claim to have. (Like B&M is some where around 40% reduced throw and Kartboy is some where around 30% - 35%)

For me, I just think the B&M looks super nice, so that is why I went for it instead of the Kartboy. I did get Kartboy's bushings and they are definitely worth having even if you do not purchase a short shifter.

Currently, I just have the bushings installed. I'm planning on installing the short shifter this weekend if time permits. With it, the sweet looking Nardi Ambition aluminum **** (matches the steering wheel ) I bought with it a few weeks ago.


Only problem with the Nardi Ambition **** is that it uses adapters to fit various sizes shifter shaft, and adapters suck (this is the worst adapter fitment I've seen so far) so I have to make sure the **** fits close to like the OEM screw-on ****. Otherwise, I think I may go buy the P5 OEM shift **** that's suppose to just screw-on instead.

 

or you can get one of our soon to be released shift *****

as for lubing the center piviot bushings. the B&M one will need to be lubed at somepoint in its life. the one we have (using the delrin stock bushings) will not. once its lubed once its set to go. thats the beauty of delrin
happpy shifting
tom

 

Personally, I like the Kartboy shifter. Price is good, construction is excellent. Installation was a piece of cake.

I've heard that the B&M shifter has fitment issues sometimes. In other words, it has to pushed in, super hard, sometimes.

It wasn't a matter of cost to me, it was that Kartboy is a cool company that is active with the boards (big plus in my book). I haven't seen B&M sales guy one on this or any other site.