New short shifter for 94 BA

Frostex · 08-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Hi all, I'm new to these forums (only had my car 4 weeks). it is a 94 BA 2.0L V6.

Now the intro's are out of the way, i am after a short shifter for my car but don't know enough about buying one yet without asking some questions. I have scoured these forums on things about shifters, but just want a little more specific information first.
I am looking to reduce throw, improve aesthetics, and hopefully create smoother gear shifts with new bushes (i think).

1) Where/what should i buy? What fits my car?

2) What exactly are bushes? What they do, and where to source them, and what to look for when buying them? will these create a smooth feel at the hand while changing gears?

3) Are gear knobs all standerd size so i can buy any pretty one that will fit any shifter?

4) Can anybody recommend me a guide to doing this myself? I'm very good with DIY but new to the car scene and very keen to learn.

5) and lastly, i am assuming i will need new leather trim? where is the best place to source this?

Mad Mat · 08-09-2009, 01:02 PM

welcome mate.

there are short shifters on ebay that go 4 60 bucks and they do the job perfectly.. and at a very good price too.. had on in the bg.. works a treat.

RedLineResident · 08-09-2009, 02:07 PM

I have a BMR (i think it is) short shifter in my V6...

Works nicely...
Reduces throw, looks better and has taken the loose and sloppy feeling out of it... it is much more precise now

maztech · 08-09-2009, 05:48 PM

Bought mine off ebay about $60 ,used standard gearshift bushes and gearknob ( only to keep weight in gearknob to make shift feel better) --- Fitting really easy remove centre console and take circlip off which holds shifter to stabliser rod jack car up and remove bolt through bottom of shifter to shift rod and pull shifter out through the top -- i also swapped over the dust boot which is on the lower part of shifter to keep road grime out off shifter piviot point--- i used the standard gearshift boot but a leather one would look better as shifter is shorter inside car as well

Frostex · 10-09-2009, 12:24 PM

Ok seems pretty simple. so if i was to buy this:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-323-FOR...d=p3286.c0.m14

and this:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

That would all be fine? and i would just use my stock fittings/bushes?

Will i need to redo any of the lubricant for smooth shifts?

edit: what is the difference between the above short shifter and this one: (is it worth the extra $$)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-323-FOR...d=p3286.c0.m14

Rupewrecht · 10-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Yep, that first one is all you need (which is a copy of the B&M shifter). The 2nd shifter comes with a gearknob - that's the only difference.

You can get new bushes from Mazda for a few $ - new ones make the shift a bit more precise. There's a pair at the gearbox end, and a pair at the bottom of the shifter, plus some larger ones on the selector rod that braces the shift mechanism that can be replaced as well.

But installing a short shifter will increase the effort needed to change gear marginally, so it's good to have a heavy gearknob on top to counteract this.

maztech · 10-09-2009, 01:56 PM

that is the same shifter i got --- i changed my gearoil to auto fluid which is the recommened oil for the gearbox anyway to make box shift nicer

asanga · 10-09-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maztech

that is the same shifter i got --- i changed my gearoil to auto fluid which is the recommened oil for the gearbox anyway to make box shift nicer

I was gonna use auto fluid as recommended by the owners manual but ended up with castrol gear oil and nulon additive. Still shifting is not very smooth.will give ATF a go next time.

08-09-2009, 12:43 PM	#1
Frostex Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne Car: BA11F1 Posts: 10	New short shifter for 94 BA Hi all, I'm new to these forums (only had my car 4 weeks). it is a 94 BA 2.0L V6. Now the intro's are out of the way, i am after a short shifter for my car but don't know enough about buying one yet without asking some questions. I have scoured these forums on things about shifters, but just want a little more specific information first. I am looking to reduce throw, improve aesthetics, and hopefully create smoother gear shifts with new bushes (i think). 1) Where/what should i buy? What fits my car? 2) What exactly are bushes? What they do, and where to source them, and what to look for when buying them? will these create a smooth feel at the hand while changing gears? 3) Are gear knobs all standerd size so i can buy any pretty one that will fit any shifter? 4) Can anybody recommend me a guide to doing this myself? I'm very good with DIY but new to the car scene and very keen to learn. 5) and lastly, i am assuming i will need new leather trim? where is the best place to source this?

08-09-2009, 01:02 PM	#2
Mad Mat HONEYWELL REPRESENT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Salisbury - Inner City Car: 1997 BA Hardtop - Had a 2003 BJii J48 Sport20, and 2x bg SOHC astina hatches Posts: 5,011 View Photos By: Mad Mat	welcome mate. there are short shifters on ebay that go 4 60 bucks and they do the job perfectly.. and at a very good price too.. had on in the bg.. works a treat. __________________ PROJECT "Catalina" 1994 323 BG Hatch 2005-2007 Crashed into truck 1991 323 BG Hatch 2007-2008/9 SOLD 2003 BJ SP20 J48 Hatch 2008-2011 Regretfully SOLD 1997 BA I4 Sedan 2012-CURRENT 1985 BF 323 Hatch 2014-2015SOLD 1989 MX5 2015-2015

08-09-2009, 02:07 PM	#3
RedLineResident Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Car: BA V6 Hardtop 5 Speed & 97 Prelude VTIR Posts: 1,518 View Photos By: RedLineResident	I have a BMR (i think it is) short shifter in my V6... Works nicely... Reduces throw, looks better and has taken the loose and sloppy feeling out of it... it is much more precise now __________________ "Amateurs practice until they get it right." "Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong."

10-09-2009, 12:24 PM	#5
Frostex Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne Car: BA11F1 Posts: 10	Ok seems pretty simple. so if i was to buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-323-FOR...d=p3286.c0.m14 and this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT That would all be fine? and i would just use my stock fittings/bushes? Will i need to redo any of the lubricant for smooth shifts? edit: what is the difference between the above short shifter and this one: (is it worth the extra $$) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-323-FOR...d=p3286.c0.m14 Last edited by Frostex; 10-09-2009 at 12:26 PM.

10-09-2009, 12:37 PM	#6
Rupewrecht Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: melb.vic.au Car: AZ-1, Astina Hardtop Turbo, BJ Protege, Beetle Posts: 16,525 View Photos By: Rupewrecht	Yep, that first one is all you need (which is a copy of the B&M shifter). The 2nd shifter comes with a gearknob - that's the only difference. You can get new bushes from Mazda for a few $ - new ones make the shift a bit more precise. There's a pair at the gearbox end, and a pair at the bottom of the shifter, plus some larger ones on the selector rod that braces the shift mechanism that can be replaced as well. But installing a short shifter will increase the effort needed to change gear marginally, so it's good to have a heavy gearknob on top to counteract this. __________________ jdmparts.rupewrecht.com Sourcing your not-quite-overnight parts from Japan WRECHT--\|--SLOWTEGE--\|--BEETLE--\|--SUBSTITUTE--\|--AZ-1

08-09-2009, 05:48 PM	#4
maztech Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: QLD Car: ...... Posts: 952	Bought mine off ebay about $60 ,used standard gearshift bushes and gearknob ( only to keep weight in gearknob to make shift feel better) --- Fitting really easy remove centre console and take circlip off which holds shifter to stabliser rod jack car up and remove bolt through bottom of shifter to shift rod and pull shifter out through the top -- i also swapped over the dust boot which is on the lower part of shifter to keep road grime out off shifter piviot point--- i used the standard gearshift boot but a leather one would look better as shifter is shorter inside car as well

10-09-2009, 01:56 PM	#7
maztech Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: QLD Car: ...... Posts: 952	that is the same shifter i got --- i changed my gearoil to auto fluid which is the recommened oil for the gearbox anyway to make box shift nicer