If you were wondering what that very evil laughing sound was around 18:30 this evening, don't worry. I just installed my new AFE Short Shifter. https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

 

Awesome! Congrats Kristopher!

I keep reading that this is one of the better mods to do. How easy was it? How much?

 

It took less than 30 minutes, and most of that was because I didn't pay attention taking the old shifter out.

So far so good. I only got to test it out a little bit as everyone else was still commuting home, so I'm not certain if it took care of the 1-2 up-shift grind I get rather often, but it is WAY more precise. If I rest my elbow in the right place, I can row through all 6 gears and reverse with just my fingers. Not that I'd do that while really driving, form is everything, but it was a good measurement. 5th is easy to get to now, and everything is much more precise.

I got it in a part-out special, with some stainless brake and clutch lines, speed bleeders, and drain tubing for $365 shipped.

Next (after the nav, of course) is sway bars, and another set of tires. As soon as a friend of mine gets his lift, I'll have to start thinking about the clutch and fly-wheel. I really like the feel of the pressure plate in Shaun's car. The engagement is much more positive and the throw more what it ought to have been from the factory.

 

Cool. I'll have to check out your shifter next time we meet up. I always felt the stock shifter was short enough but if you like it I'm tempted to try it out.

 

I had problems with my short shifter when i had it. Couldn't put it in reverse too well, but I think it was my plate that was getting in the way.

 

So far my only issue is that, if I'm not paying attention, it's way to easy to mistake 3rd for 1st at a stop light.

 

It's one of the better mods for sure - congrats are in order.

 

Glad you're digging the shifter.

A side note about the grinding on the 1-2 shift. I had the same problem, with and without the short shifter. Long story short I eventually had to replace my clutch. A week later my clutch pedal fell off. I have a feeling the looseness in my clutch pedal wouldn't allow the clutch to fully disengage, causing premature wear and that nasty occasional grinding on high RPM upshifts.

I'd give the welds a look-see and maybe order CRH's bracket. If you're going to go with an upgraded clutch and stronger pressure plate in the future you should be in the queue for the bracket already.

Then again, I could be way off. The synchros are poop on this tranny to begin with. Anyway, enjoy the shifter.